What Jesus can do in the heart of a child is a miracle!

A Final Reflection…

I am writing this at 30,000 plus feet over Mexico with my wife Janie and a very nervous cat – making his second airline trip. Spooky and his buddy, Fox, came with us from South Carolina in 2009. Fox died in 2019, but we are bringing the cuttings of the plant from the pot he was buried in back to the US. So somewhat like Joseph, his ashes are returning home.

This is my final reflection as I leave Guatemala having served as the Country Director of Kids Alive Guatemala for nearly 12 years:
1. It is hard to describe what it is like to live as an immigrant. To find yourself in situations where you do not understand the language or the culture is more unsettling than you can describe. What I am grateful for is that in almost twelve years I only encountered one resentful Guatemalan, and that was an angry tour guide in Antigua who thought I was taking away his business. My years here helped me understand God’s concern for the “foreigner” among us (Leviticus 19:34, Psalm 146:9).
2. What some children go through in this world is horrible. I will not share the things I have heard in my office and in court, but it made me want to pull my teeth out. That a child could still stand, let alone laugh, learn, be grateful, or play is totally amazing to me.
3. What Jesus can do in the heart of a child is a miracle. Recently a child asked in court to have her ties permanently severed with her family due to the abuse she suffered, and then she blessed them. What can explain that other than God?
4. You cannot remove a child from her family. You may separate them by distance, but they are always connected. Even when the family was abusive, the child is connected. That does not mean the child should return to that family, but it does mean you must address family issues honestly and compassionately.
5. A small group of believers can make a huge difference. I am in awe of how Vida para Niños impacted the child protection system of Guatemala. When Christians work in faith and do it with excellence, God opens doors.
6. The most important thing in the world is identity. Who we believe God is and who we believe we are is an essential ingredient to life. I love what Dallas Willard once wrote: “We do not believe something by merely saying we believe it or even when we believe that we believe it. We believe something when we act as if it were true.” How we act demonstrates what we really believe about God and what we really believe about ourselves.
7. I have a role to play but Jesus is Lord. I wanted to believe that I was essential, but I kept finding people who were better at everything I did than I was. And I never looked for them. Jesus just led them to His ministry. I learned that Jesus works through His followers and our role is to say, “Yes, here I am,” and let Him guide us.
8. The work of rescuing, redeeming, and restoring children is worthy. I am grateful to be a part of Kids Alive International and share in the work Jesus has assigned this ministry.

I am forever changed by the staff and children of Asociación de Vida para Niños (Kids Alive Guatemala). Jesus used them to make me a better follower of Jesus.

Corbey Dukes
President, Kids Alive International

Click on an image below to enlarge and read captions

Kids Alive Guatemala staff with Corbey and Janie at the conclusion of the send-off service for the Dukes.

Jennifer Perez presents Corbey with a painting of the view of Oasis from his office window.

Corbey praying over Vinicio. “I leave in great peace with Vinicio Zuquino stepping in the role of Regional Director for Latin America,” Corbey shares. “He will serve in Oasis as interim-director until a new permanent country director is hired.”

Happy ‘Day of the Girl’ from our family to yours being celebrated on October 11. We are so honored and proud to celebrate these girls on a day like today. Their joy, power, and bravery inspire us every day!

The school year ended for children in the last week of October. Children at Oasis are all smiles after finishing their last day of school.

Skies in Guatemala finally clear after the devastating Tropical Storm Eta hitting the coast. The storm came at the end of the rainy season but dropped more rain in some parts of Guatemala in 30-hours than a typical month of rain. At Oasis we experienced some high wind and rain for a couple of days, without any flooding or wind damage. Please join us in praying for those affected by the storm in all of Central America.

In October, our team from the Kids Alive Guatemala Escuintla site had the opportunity to present a Webinar on the multidisciplinary care of children and adolescent victims of sexual violence in the child protection system. Participants from 14 different organizations joined us. We thank God for the opportunity and space to share our experiences and grow in knowledge as allies in the child protection field.

Although our doors had to be closed to visitors since March, building community and having fellowship is still so important. We’re so blessed to be able to sit down as a “family” to learn from one another, love each other and grow together.

With courts finally reopening for in-person hearings, our children will be attending their hearings with new Covid-19 restrictions, including wearing a mask. The slogan on the masks says, "I am a child of God, chosen for a purpose, powerful, clean, and a work of art.".

On November 5th we celebrated the graduation of 14 girls from various grade levels and stages of their education. We know that, with a good education, they can be equipped for a successful future. We are thankful for everyone who has made their education possible.

Previous post: Placing All Hope in Him - Spiritual Lessons from the Pandemic Next post: Immanuel – “God is with us” celebrated despite pandemic