The Silent Preacher

Only because I wanted to save the BEST for LAST…


They call him “Luigi” – a favored nickname for the boy named Luis. For an 11-yr old, he is quite small, but don’t let his stature fool you, he has a lot of strength that he uses when he wants your attention.  

Jardin Del Eden - Salcedo, Ecuador

When we first arrived at the Jardin del Eden Orphanage in Salcedo, Ecuador, we were greeted by the directors Roberto and Anita. They were so happy to have us visit. They gave our team a tour of the facilities as children peeked from where they were working or playing.

When we arrived in the boys dormitory – that’s when we met Luis. One at a time, he came over to each team member and “pulled” them in a convincing manner to his room and then he hugged them. My nephew, CJ, was watching this happen as Luis came to him, pulled him to the entrance of his room and then gave him the biggest hug.  CJ laughed nervously, but the boy held on a moment longer as CJ returned the hug.

I had to fight back a tear or two. (One of the other team members said that she cried when she saw Luis hug CJ - she felt something was happening in CJ's heart).

Later in the evening, when we were settling into our hotel room for the night, CJ asked if I wanted to read what he wrote in his journal. That’s when I read his response (in my words to the best of my memory) to the hug:

I don’t feel judged here. A boy came up and hugged me who didn’t even know me. I felt something happen in my heart. I feel more open to God and to people.

You have to hear more about Luis’ story. You see, it was a few years ago that he was brought into the orphanage. He was found living like a wild animal in the woods with his mother (who was not mentally capable of caring for her son). He walked on all fours and basically fought for food and shelter. Because of his lack of care in the early years, he’s mentally challenged, has lost most of his teeth and does not speak. Up until about a year ago, he would not interact with people, did not like to be touched or to touch others.

CJ and Luis at the orphanage

Luis is a wonderful story of God's Redeeming Power.  God had redeemed this young man from the most deplorable situation and brought him into a place where not only the Father’s Love could breakthrough his heart, but he would be the one reaching out to others – pulling them to his room, hugging them - with no judgment – leading them to God’s love. 

I believe that God used this “wild” boy to breakthrough my nephew’s heart.

You see, 3 days later, my nephew (in his own words), “asked God into my heart”.  AMEN!!!

It reminded me of the Scripture in I Corinthians 1:27:

Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful.

Now I am not saying Luis is foolish or powerless, nor am I saying that my nephew is wise and powerful.  But what I am saying is this...God uses the most unlikely to create the likely.

Luis will most likely never speak. He most likely will never go to college or train for a job. And as far as being a preacher - he is the most unlikely candidate.  But he is a preacher of the Gospel – oh maybe not like you and I would think a preacher should be, but a SILENT PREACHER - sharing God's Love through his life. Well, at least he was for my nephew.

And to me, that’s all that matters!