Written by Caroline Kavanaugh, staff member.
I was recently asked to deliver a “History of Transformation” talk during our Monday morning meeting, focusing on individuals transformed through Amigos, whether they’re from the US groups, local communities, or our staff. After a year and a half in Chinandega, I’ve seen countless transformations, big and small – it was tough to choose just one!
Gerald, Barney, and Engel, three of our dedicated promoters, exemplify extraordinary work ethic and teamwork. They’ve taught me how to interact with our families with grace, kindness, and understanding, and amidst daily stresses, they always prioritize our mission to serve others.
Don Lorenzo, a plumber on our infrastructure team, earns admiration from every community he works with, and his encouragement of and connection with community members always leave lasting impacts. The community of Mayocunda, who got to work with Don Lorenzo last year for example, was ecstatic upon learning that he would be overseeing the construction of the nearby water system in las Conchas this year and offered a few days of their time to help dig, both to support their neighbors and to work with Lorenzo again. The families in Mayocunda radiate positivity and enthusiasm for Amigos’ programs. Their gratitude is infectious, as they pay forward the blessings they’ve received, embodying hope in action.
Another bright spot named Ricardo hails from the community of Carlos Fonseca. Before meeting Amigos for Christ, he studied laboratory sciences in university. He unfortunately was never able to find a job in this sector, so he continued working as a farmer like the rest of the men in his family. However, since encountering Amigos just a year ago and witnessing its transformative power firsthand, Ricardo now not only contributes to his own community through initiatives like the CAPS committee but also extends his service to other communities as a volunteer lab tech for Amigos. In a conversation with him one day, he told me that he has always had a heart for service, so working with Amigos is the perfect way for him to serve others, as he has been served. His story serves as a poignant reminder to appreciate our blessings and actively seek ways to share them with others.
Jaime Perez, who originally coined the famous phrase we use here at Amigos “we are blessed to bless”, epitomizes humility and selflessness. Whether it is serving the community members, group members, or his fellow staff members, Jaime constantly does so with a smile and with genuine intention. His sons live their lives similarly and follow in his footsteps with their good hearts. Last year for his 9th birthday, Isaiah, Jaime’s second son, asked his dad if he could go to work with him to dig in a community for his birthday – doesn’t get much more selfless than that.
Reflecting on these examples, whether it’s Jaime’s humility, Lorenzo’s kindness, Ricardo’s multiplying of blessings, Mayocunda’s hope in action, or G, Barney, and Engel’s innate ability to serve, I have been transformed by their examples. I want to humbly serve others the way Jaime does, I want to serve without reservations or complaining like G, Barney, and Engel do, I want to love on others the way Lorenzo does, I want to always use my God given blessings to bless others like Ricardo does, and I never want to lose hope like the people of Mayocunda. Above all, I’m grateful for the privilege of learning from and interacting with such remarkable individuals daily.
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