David Howenstein is one of those rare breeds who has never worked “full-time” but has had good fortune in molding his own career. While it remains questionable whether his inability to “fully fit in” is due to his quirky character or his need to be free, some will claim that he serves as an inspiring example for those who are disciplined and motivated to do something stimulating but practical with their lives. Living in Japan and founder of a one-of-a-kind “Having Fun Doing Good” network, he has been written up in Japanese newspapers, magazines, and books. In the process, his desire to share his unquenchable thirst for learning and building a more sustainable world, both fun-filled and spirit-instilled, led him on a three year journey culminating in his first book—Jambo’s JUMBO JUMBLE. Born in 1960 and raised in a suburb of St. Louis, MO (USA), he enjoyed exploring the nearby woods in search of fellow living entities. After high school and a period of “quality floundering time,” he went on to major in Peace Studies, English, and Philosophy at Wilmington College, a small Quaker school in southwestern Ohio, where he was assistant editor of the school newspaper and wrote a column called “the Quavering Quest.” His interests in spirituality and service work come largely from his Roman Catholic upbringing and the Quaker influence during his college years. He then went to Nagasaki, Japan to work as an English teacher at the YMCA for a few years before traveling around the world to find out what he wanted to do when he “grew up,” only to discover that there’s no such condition—it’s a never-ending process. After a two-year stint at Ohio University, completing his MBA and MAIA (International Affairs) programs, he returned to Japan (Tokyo) for five years as a free-lance teacher. His passion for nature and seeking ways to empower the disadvantaged moved him to take a two-year “sabbatical” traveling between Japan, the US and Eastern/Southern Africa, visiting over 100 organizations working with development and environmental issues. In the process, he came to realize his longing to return to Japan and set up an organization that brings people into contact with nature while supporting organizations, especially in Africa (where the need seemed greatest), which are working to improve the poor’s living conditions at the same time as preserving/restoring the natural environment. This desire led him to found Jambo International in Tokyo in January, 1996. As of this writing, he lives in Tokyo with his wife Miki, who helps in running Jambo. David continues his teaching while serving as the Director of the JAMBO Network, which is made up of Jambo International Japan, Jambo School, and Jambo Volunteers. He is also the co-founder of Jambo International Inc. in the USA, a non-profit organization attempting to set up chapters which carry out activities benefiting the natural environment and society simultaneously. David hopes that this book will be the beginning of developing close connections with others who also envision the embodiment of the reflections herein and the “Having Fun Doing Good” concept that lies at the heart of JAMBO.