Meet Chepe from Guatemala City

I have to apologize to our fellow photographers and students -- I skipped out on #ImagingUSA this year to be here. But I am so thankful to be spending this month here in Guatemala with this young man, Chepe, and others -- making portraits, recording video interviews, and building a community center in the middle of "Paradise." I want to introduce you to him and the other boys whose lives we are able to change through this ministry. Chepe dreams of becoming an architect. He is 16 years old, but more boyish than most his age. His father died tragically; now he lives with his mom and grandmother here -- in a 10x10' shed in Guatemala City's Zone 18, one of the world poorest and most violent slums. Now, with help from the non-profit we partner with, Chepe has begun his studies at a first-grade level and is experiencing healthy community for the first time in a place where gangs often are the only place to belong. He has "earned" a coveted spot in our Derek club, a new program where he and 24 other boys are learning and growing spiritually in early morning meetings each day, dedicating themselves to serving their community together as a team, and participating in a growing number of other activities. Please pray with us that he will be courageous, and dedicate himself to becoming the kind of man who can change this country for the better!