A few weeks ago, the L Squad team leaders had the awesome privilege of visiting an orphanage close to Lake Atitlan, Guatemala. I have been to many orphanages, but not many like this one and fewer still with a man at the helm like the man at Manos de Compassion (http://www.guatemalaministry.com/).
We really had no idea what to expect showing up to meet this potential World Race contact. And a first impression would tell you little of the heart of the man, or the influence he is having in this part of the world, or the kids’ lives who are being radically altered, for the good, because of this one man, his wife, and the crazy love they have for that community and those children.
Within two hours, you would know.
Dave and his wife, Deborah, are running an orphanage that houses, feeds, and loves on 25 kids…not to mention they have two kids of their own. Dave preaches at a local church. Dave takes care of the city’s airfield. Dave makes sure everything is running smoothly around their property. But the real testament to his work is the joy on the children’s faces that we met, and their opportunity for a full life after some horrific childhoods.
I was reminded of an orphanage a good friend of mine, Arben, and I visited last summer in Uganda. Right outside of Entebbe, a single Ugandan woman and a few helpers were running an orphanage with a few dozen children. For a few hours, Arben and I played with the children, playfully throwing them up in the air more times than I can count; but, the most memorable part of the day was noticing that these children took care of each other. They didn’t even take away little toys from each other, much less fight like most kids. They looked after each other more than many true brothers and sisters.
I saw that same compassion in the Guatemalan orphanage. The kids’ compassion was a transfer from Dave, himself a recipient of another Father’s compassion.
“Sowers are sowers not because of what they know, but because of who they know.”
The simplicity of Dave’s service, the selflessness of his life, the lack of desire for any kind of recognition…it was incredible. This was a man that just goes out and does it, without talking about it. And his vision isn’t that these kids simply survive, but perhaps that these kids even go on to work and thrive in other countries where they can take the joy that has been transferred to them. That is something transformational.
This man is one of the most inspiring figures I have met yet on the World Race. And one of the most humble men I have met in my life. It doesn’t look fancy, there’s no glory in it, but this guy is a superhero. Hands down. I didn’t want to forget about him.
For more info about superheroes, read this blog by my teammate Johnny Eastman: http://johnnyeastman.theworldrace.org/?filename=holy-shiiiiiiii-meanholy-spirit
