This wasn't their first trip to foreign lands, and it does sound like they wanted to do some good. Helping others does not need supplies.
"Boyle and Coleman met online as teenagers as mutual fans of the
Star Wars franchise and were married in 2011.
[4] After their marriage, they spent time travelling in Central America before moving to
Perth-Andover, New Brunswick, where Boyle worked as a municipal clerk.
[6] In July 2012, the two began travelling through Russia and Central Asia, planning on travelling through the "safe '-stans".
[7] For unknown reasons, the couple crossed into Afghanistan in October;
[1][4] Boyle has stated it was to help "ordinary villagers"
[7], while other accounts indicate a more spontaneous decision.
[1]" (
link)
Maybe he viewed his travels as similar to this:
Mennonite Mission Network International Ministries