by: Lindsay Allen | International Church Partnership Director
Think back to your very first job. Maybe it was mowing lawns over summer break, babysitting the neighbor kids, or working in food service. For me, it was a summer job at a movie theater. To this day, I still observe concession stand workers to see if they apply the popcorn butter properly (which of course is to pump it on when the container is only half full AND when it’s totally full to ensure deliciously buttery popcorn all the way to the bottom).
There’s something about that first job that makes you feel like you’re stepping over the threshold into adulthood. That feeling of responsibility bestowed upon you by your boss, and the trust they put in you to accomplish your assigned task feels weighty, important, empowering…dignifying. Not to mention that first paycheck and the sense of accomplishment that comes with it! I know I walked a little taller with my first week of work under my belt and hard-earned cash in my pocket.
For 22-year-old Daniel living in Managua, Nicaragua, his first job meant even more. At age six, he was diagnosed with an intellectual and developmental disability (I/DD) and began attending Tesoros de Dios, a center providing services for children with special needs. There he received special education, equine therapy, computer, and vocational classes. Through these programs, he developed friendships, a sense of belonging, and a growing self-confidence. In 2022, Daniel participated in the Vocational Transition program, where students learn a variety of marketable skills and then complete an internship with a local business. Thanks to these classes, he learned he really enjoys gardening! Then, when it was time for his internship, he worked with a landscaping company, maintaining the property of a local school. Daniel was given the opportunity to discover a passion, develop it into a marketable skill, and for the first time in his life, earn a paycheck for his efforts. With the completion of his internship at the end of 2022, Daniel graduated from Tesoros and also graduated from high school—a huge accomplishment!
Imagine the way Daniel felt when his boss handed him the hedge trimmers for the first time, trusting in his ability to use them well, and not demolish the bushes. This young man had been pre-judged his entire life, with almost everyone assuming he could not and would not accomplish anything, unable to attend “regular” school, bearing the shame of disability in a culture that presumes disabilities are a curse or punishment from a cruel god. This same young man now held in his hands more than just hedge trimmers; he held an opportunity for independence, to contribute to his community, to meet and exceed expectations, to make his family proud. If I felt a couple inches taller after selling movie tickets, Daniel must have felt like a giant!
Over 4,600 miles away from Managua, a similar story plays out at the Castle Rock Collective in Castle Rock, Colorado. This adorable little shop is the result of a partnership between World Orphans and Wellspring Community, a ministry serving adults with special needs. The Collective is home to a cozy coffee shop, where the staff are made up of Wellspring STARS (Specially Talented Adults Raising Standards) and volunteers, serving up coffees and baked goods.
Every Saturday, Jeremy arrives for his shift at the Collective. He is visually impaired. To those who know him and interact with him at the shop, Jeremy is defined not by his disability, but by his kindness. He’s a whiz at working the syrups and the espresso machine, his hands flying over the Braille. But where he really shines is in customer service. He calls out the names on the cups, and when the customer comes to retrieve their order, he doesn’t just hand it off. He asks how they’re doing, their prayer requests, or what they enjoy. Customers and staff alike say that Jeremy brings people together. Though he can’t see their faces, he sees them more truly as people and takes time to get to know them!
When asked how this job has impacted him, Jeremy said:
This job has meant a lot to me. I enjoy working with everyone, working with the customers, and I like the atmosphere. I enjoy putting the pumps of syrup into each drink and calling out the drink orders. It has impacted me in more ways than one (all in positive ways, of course). It has helped me to strengthen some of the skills I already had and helped me to learn new skills. I love the Collective and will continue working there and learning new things.
Daniel and Jeremy’s stories exemplify our core values of empowerment, opportunity, and dignity. Through World Orphans partnerships with Tesoros de Dios in Nicaragua and Wellspring Community in Colorado, we have the privilege of seeing these precious individuals with special needs feel seen, cared for, loved, and empowered to reach their full potential. Though their community may largely be marginalized or ignored by society, we stand firm declaring that they are image-bearers of God!
As we reflect on our holy, powerful God who does great things, let us also remember that God often chooses to do great, powerful things through his people! Whether it be excellently manicuring a lawn, or skillfully making an espresso, or teaching, or building, or designing, or parenting, God can do great things through your everyday faithfulness. As the body of Christ, may we be a people marked by love for those who are vulnerable and marginalized. May we be the ones to provide them with opportunities, to empower them with our words and our actions, and to see their God-given dignity, not just their needs.
This article was originally published in the World Orphans Spring Insight Magazine 2023.