During my time in Honduras, I’ve gotten to meet some pretty interesting people. There are a few in particular that really stand out to me, and have impacted my time here. One of those people is Mr. Reyes, a 33-year-old 6th grade teacher at Santa Clara, the private Catholic school I’ve been working in this month.
He stood out from the beginning by the way he was with his students (who are some of the best behaved in the school), both firm and inviting. He is able to connect with them while also teaching respect and discipline, and there is a genuine concern for the students and their personal lives. He was also one of the few teachers that really took the time to get to know my team and I, and make us feel welcomed and appreciated.
He recently sat down and shared some of his incredible story with me. I, in turn, want to share it with you as it served as a beautiful reminder of the deep impact individuals can make through simple gestures and actions.
Mr. Reyes grew up in an orphanage in Honduras and did not know his biological parents. At a young age, he was moved from the orphanage here to the U.S. through a humanitarian organization. Once there, he was placed in the foster care system where he moved from one household to another, each with its own difficult experiences.
His foster parents were involved in everything from molestation and drug dealing to illegal immigration and weapons, and Mr. Reyes witnessed it all growing up. It doesn’t take much to see why he repeatedly ran away and ended up getting into some trouble over time.
At this point in his life, he did not believe in God and laughed at others who did. God was the farthest thing from his mind….until he met Barry. Barry is an American man that took Mr. Reyes under his wing, so to speak. He told Mr. Reyes that if he stayed out of trouble, he would drive him to his probation meetings on Mondays. Though he was initially quite skeptical and suspicious of Barry’s intentions, Mr. Reyes did not really have anyone else, so accepted the offer.
Barry, initially a complete stranger, proceeded to develop a relationship and bond with Mr. Reyes as he took him to his meetings every week for roughly 2 years. The love that Barry showed to him through his consistency and steadfastness made a huge impact, so much so that Mr. Reyes eventually asked Barry to be his father.
Mr. Reyes so craved that love and faithfulness that he wanted it to be something permanent. Barry’s reply to this request would forever change the course of Mr. Reyes’ life. He told him that he wanted to introduce him to another Father, and then proceeded to share with him the story of Jesus Christ. Mr. Reyes accepted Christ as a result of that moment, and the many other moments (and car rides) leading up to it.
Mr. Reyes was able to hear and fully receive the message of God and His love as a direct result of Barry’s own display of love. After all, it is difficult to grasp love and sacrifice when one has not experienced it for themselves.
Mr. Reyes is now one of the only children from that orphanage who grew up to not only finish High School, but college as well, and is currently working on his masters. What began as a life of trouble and poor decisions has now shifted into a life of purpose and joy, which is visible anytime you interact with him.
Mr. Reyes’ life changed through those interactions with Barry and introduction to God, but his is not the only one. Mr. Reyes now works with children on a daily basis, some of whom live in orphanages much like his own. His background allows him a unique perspective and platform from which he can relate to them, and pour into them.
I’m sure Barry had his own life, desires and routine, but he was willing to step out of that, and allow for “interruptions” to occur. He did not just trudge along in the daily grind, keeping his head down and eyes focused forward. He was willing to forego some of his own personal time to drive a boy to a meeting every Monday. A simple enough task, but one with deep and far reaching impact.
I want to be a Barry in this world. I want to see others that people tend to overlook or write off, and give them my time and heart. I want to remember that while I’m waiting on some grandiose opportunity to help many, there are individuals like Mr. Reyes around us everyday. They need our attention, concern and consistency, not eloquence or grand gestures.
God’s love is displayed just as mightily in that ride to probation as it is when a preacher speaks to thousands. Don’t underestimate the power and beauty of simply seeing someone, and being available to them. Who are you being a Barry to?
