From Orphan to Community Leader
About Amilcar
In March 2013 we visited the church in La Esperanza, Quetzaltenango, Guatemala to teach the Spiritually Healthy Leader workshops to 18 church leaders, including Amilcar and Hilda Carrilo. (Read Hilda’s story here.) We had the privilege of staying in the Carrilo’s home, one filled with an atmosphere of love, constant laughter, and joy. What surprised us was Amilcar’s story.
Amilcar, Hilda, and Jose
He and his brother were raised in an orphanage because their mother lived in poverty and worked the streets. When he was 15, Amilcar met Sister Mildred Plumley, who was serving in the area as a missionary. Many people told her, “Mildred, this boy is not going to amount to anything. You need to be careful.” Nevertheless, Mildred invited Amilcar to move into her home and became her son in the faith and in day-to-day life. Her love for Jesus and Amilcar brought him through the changes from being an orphan boy to a true son. Amilcar learned to provide for himself and others. Mildred’s son David, a brilliant mechanic, taught Amilar about auto repair. After he and Hilda married, Amilcar also worked in his father-in-law’s bakery and took on construction jobs.
His stamina is prodigious. During the SHL workshops, Amilcar worked nights at his hospital job, then attended workshops during the morning, and did an odd job or two before getting a nap and going back to his next night shift. In addition to supporting his family, Amilcar regularly serves the impoverished people in remote Los Romero, teaching them sustainable gardening.
Amilcar and Hilda’s garden
Since our first visit we have returned three times to Guatemala, twice with our grandson Brennan and son Jesse, working with Amilcar and the people of Los Romero. Many families are now growing healthy gardens. Hilda is teaching the ladies to embroider classic Mayan blouses to sell. In November 2013 we attended the dedication service for little Mildred Anecici, adopted by Amilcar and Hilda who wanted a second child and were given the chance by a Los Romero mother whose circumstances led her to place the baby with the Carrilos.
In our travels we have met few people who so actively work to show their love for Jesus in so many tangible ways as Amilcar and Hilda. They give of themselves. They teach others what they have learned. Their home radiates thankfulness, joy, and productivity. We invite you to meet a godly man whose whole heart is given to serving the King in his country in ways that will make an eternal difference.
Amilcar’s Story
I am 39 years old, and live in the city of La Esperanza, Quetzaltenango in Guatemala. My wife’s name is Hilda and we have two children: José Eduardo and Mildred Anaceci. I work in a hospital which is part of the Guatemalan Institute of Social Security. On my days off, I work with residents in Los Romero, a little village in La Trinidad, Tajumulco, San Marcos. I help those in Los Romero diversify their garden and field crops for their families.
Called Into the Mountains
Working in Los Romero
A few years ago I had heard about Los Romero, a community without basic resources, located about 5 hours away and situated tallest volcanic mountain in Central America. So in July 2012 during my summer vacation, my family and I visited the little village. What an adventure we had! The road into the hills is rough and steep, making it nearly inaccessible.
We stayed as guests of Neri Romero and his family for two days and saw firsthand the poverty that these people face, coupled with a total lack of understanding about the basics of gardening. Their only crops were beans and corn – and those grown only if they had enough money to buy seed. But we also saw the natural riches of the wonderful volcanic soil of the land and a lavish supply of water.
God burdened my heart for the children of this community. They suffered from malnutrition. Their health could be improved significantly with the simple addition of more vegetables and foods the families could produce on their own land. God began to talk to my heart about teaching this community how to diversify, care for, and rotate their garden and field crops.
After asking for support and confirmation of the leaders of our local church as well as my family and friends, we began the project on August 18, 2012. We started by training 6 families in Los Romero how to garden organically, teaching both theory and practice. Two months later we extended the training classes to 10 families in the communities in Santa Ana, teaching at a local elementary school attended by 35 of the children.
More Than Gardening
With baby Mildred
Today I continue working and supporting these communities, sharing my knowledge of sustainable organic agricultural practices with 40 families in Los Romero and 20 families in the community of Sacalá, Tajumulco, San Marcos. Added to that, my entire family has joined me with their talents and we now have several initiatives unfolding including Bible classes, nutrition classes, crochet classes, and production of soaps and shampoos.
During the first year of our project I met our beloved brother and sister Dalton and Vicki Jantzen, and 30 60 100 MINISTRIES, when they came to our church and taught us the Spiritually Healthy Leader series of workshops in Spanish. The timing was amazing. Each of the training modules has been so much help as we have applied them as we unfold this project.
Throughout this project I have experienced God’s faithfulness and care for us, His children. He always has provided for our needs. His pillar of fire illuminates our darkest night times and during the day the cloud of His presence covers us. All the glory belongs to God for now and the ages to come. Amen!
More Stories From The Back 40
Jungshin Kim, Ukraine: A Staff In God’s Hands
Gaithuilung “Donie” Phaomei, India: Empty, Now Full
Melvy De Leon, Guatemala: Businesswoman Equips Leaders in the Marketplace
Sergey Kolinkovsky, Ukraine: From Communism to Christianity
Hilda Carillo. Guatemala: Wife, Mother Equips Women to Rise Above Poverty
Sasha Kolinkovsky, Ukraine: Once and Still Medical Doctor Turned Pastor
Wagner Nuñez, Costa Rica: Once Rebellious — Now Restored and Rekindled
Sotha Heng: Multiplying God’s Church in Cambodia by Equipping Godly Leaders
Mildred Plumley: A Seasoned Saint Mentors Young Timothys in Guatemala
