From "I Don't Feel Like Training" to a Leader
Manuel’s name has been changed to protect his identity.
At 15 years old, Manuel has already experienced more loss and change than most young people his age.
Manuel is the oldest of three brothers. He grew up in the countryside outside Chihuahua, Mexico. His father was never present in his life, and after his mother died, Manuel and his two younger brothers went to live with their aunt. Eventually, she could no longer care for them, and in 2022, the three brothers came to Casa Hogar Adonai in Chihuahua.
Casa Hogar Adonai has become a place of safety, stability, and hope for Manuel and his brothers. Luis and Cecilia, who lead the home, have surrounded them with love and care. Most importantly, they have introduced the children to the love of Christ, helping them grow in their faith and become part of a local church community.
But another important part of Manuel’s journey has been Capoeira—and the consistent presence of his mentor, Gabriel.
Four years ago, when Manuel first began training Capoeira, he had never participated in a sport before. He was quiet, kept to himself, and often seemed discouraged.
During that first year, Gabriel occasionally heard Manuel say:
“No tengo ganas de entrenar, pero lo voy a hacer de todos modos.”“I don't feel like training, but I'm going to do it anyway.”
Gabriel noticed something in those words: honesty, innocence, and determination.
After Manuel completed his first year of training and participated in his first batizado, a Capoeira ceremony where students receive a new cord, something began to change. Manuel started training more consistently. Over the next four years, Gabriel watched him grow—not only as a Capoeira student, but as a young man.
Today, Manuel has become a leader.
He encourages the younger students, including his own brothers. He helps Gabriel during practices by holding pads, encouraging other students, and leading by example. He has become almost like an assistant coach.
Gabriel has watched Manuel become more social, disciplined, mature, and confident. Manuel has now participated three times in cambio de cuerda, the cord-changing ceremony.
Then, this past June, Gabriel saw just how far Manuel had come.
Manuel along with 4 other students and his coach Gabriel, traveled to the city of Chihuahua to participate in a Capoeira ceremony with more than 80 students from across the city—approximately 40 children and 40 adults.
Four years earlier, Gabriel had met a quiet boy who often didn't feel like training.
This time, he saw a young man participating confidently in front of a large crowd, proudly demonstrating what he had learned and serving as an example to the other students.
The change was unmistakable.
Manuel's circumstances have not changed his future.
Through Casa Hogar Adonai, Capoeira, and the mentorship of Gabriel, Manuel is learning that he can grow, lead, work hard, and become the person God created him to be.
Gabriel has been a consistent and positive adult presence in Manuel's life. He has modeled what it looks like to work hard toward your goals, develop a strong mindset—a “pensamiento firme”—and refuse to allow difficult circumstances to define your future.
This is what mentorship can do.
A mentor can show a young person that they are capable of more than they may believe. A mentor can encourage them when they don't feel like taking the next step. And, over time, those small steps can become confidence, discipline, leadership, and hope.
Thank you to our Mentor a Mentor family for making stories like Manuel's possible.
Your prayers and financial support allow us to work alongside people like Luis, Cecilia, and Gabriel as they invest in vulnerable children and help them discover hope, purpose, and a future.
Please pray specifically for:
Luis and Cecilia, as they care for and disciple more than 40 vulnerable children at Casa Hogar Adonai in Chihuahua.
Gabriel, that God would continue to encourage, strengthen, and guide him as he mentors vulnerable young people.
Manuel and his brothers, that they would continue to grow in confidence, faith, discipline, and hope for their future.
If you would like to support Mentor a Mentor or become a monthly donor, please click the button below.
Mentor a Mentor operates under Global Horizons Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 41-1805314). Donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. www.globalhz.org
A Note for Our Readers
If you are new to the story of Mentor a Mentor, you may not know that Casa Hogar Adonai is a Christian orphanage in Chihuahua, Mexico, serving vulnerable children who need a safe and loving home.
In 2007, Mentor a Mentor co-founder Rebecca Wynia was living in Chihuahua, serving in a local orphanage. During that time, she met Cecilia and Luis, who were just breaking ground at the orphanage Casa Hogar Adonai. Years later, when Mentor a Mentor was founded in 2016, that connection became part of the foundation for the partnership we have today.
We are grateful to support Luis, Cecilia, and mentors like Gabriel as they invest in the lives of vulnerable children—and we are equally grateful to each of you who makes this work possible through your prayers and generous support.
With gratitude,
Rebecca, Javier & Cara
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