I want to introduce you to Benjamin Garcia Lopez. I met
Benjamin almost two years ago on the streets of Antigua Guatemala at the end of
my first WorldRace. I was having a
frustrating day, feeling sorry for my self, and I almost blew by him as I was
walking until he stopped me.
He introduced himself and asked me if I would like to walk
with him. I was surprised that his
English was so good, and wondered what made him stop me. I said sure and began
to walk with Him. I had to walk at
such a slow pace do to the fact that He was in his 80’s. Every 10 steps or so we had to stop so
his legs could rest. However this
didn’t stop him from talking. In
perfect English he proceeded to tell me his story that I haven’t forgotten
since that day.
give me prospective just by sharing who he was with me. It turns out Benjamin used to be a very
skilled soccer player…nearly Olympic level. He told me all of his successes and achievements. As he reminisced about his youthful
days, he looked me in the eye and said, “that was my time, everyone has his or
her time, and then it passes! I’m
in my 80’s now. I’m poor for the
most part and have very little, but I’m happy and want nothing from
anyone. I have everything I need,
God takes care of me and I’m thankful for the life I’ve been given and for the
years I’ve had. What do I have to
complain about? And now I’ve met
you…you’re a sincere young man, I love to meet sincere people and to talk with
them and to give them my time. In
my old age I realize now how important time is. So let us talk.”
Benjamin at that time was a volunteer schoolteacher with a
few students. He believed if he
could impact a few kids before he passed, it was worth his time. He asked me to help him that day with
translating a few English words. He came back to my Hostel where I bought him a
drink and spent the afternoon talking. Afterwards he took me to his home to
show me a picture of his soccer team.
His home wasn’t much bigger then the room I grew up in. Very humble living conditions for a
very humble man. Needless to say God used him to give me perspective on my own
“situation” and to remind me yet again of how very blessed I am.
After a few days went by I almost thought Benjamin was an angel,
due to the serendipitous nature of how we met!
I only hoped that I would bump into Benjamin again on the
streets of Antigua! Since I’ve
been back in Antigua I’ve looked for him everyday. And wouldn’t you know it I bumped into him yesterday! He’s a bit slower then I remember. But he’s the same! We shared an
afternoon together over a coke! He
proceeded to tell me all the same stories he once told me…I laughed inside
myself. But he actually remembered
me! I had the chance to tell him
how much meeting him two years ago meant to me, and that I never forgot
him. I asked if I could take his
portrait- so I could tell my friends .
He said, “sure, but please send me a copy, it’s all I ask.” How could I say no?
