“Just because you’re painting a door in Mexico, doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be done perfectly. City of Refuge is another piece of God’s Kingdom, God’s house. Just imagine that when you’re painting a door, it’s not just a door in Mexico. It’s a door in God’s house.” — Danny
Danny’s been an Eastsider for about five years now, and from the day he called Eastside home he knew he had to get involved; never wanting to be a “pew warmer”, as he calls it. At the first opportunity, he signed up to travel down to Rosarito with a Global Compassion team to serve at the City of Refuge Orphanage.
With 30 years of construction experience under his tool belt (pun intended), Danny began helping with various projects around the orphanage grounds. However, when he saw a more efficient and accurate way to complete a certain project, he brought it to the attention of Eastside’s Director of Global Compassion, Arty. Arty had seen Danny’s potential so he promptly asked him to take the lead on the project. Danny agreed, and his involvement took off from there.
Danny became a project manager, leading teams and undertakings at the beloved orphanage run by Tijuana Christian Mission. This enabled the leaders of these trips, Arty Vangeloof and Jeff Swaney, to focus on the needs of the orphanage as a whole. Soon a “pro-team” was formed, composed of 20-25 incredibly talented and skilled people, each with a heart of compassion for serving the staff and kids down in Mexico. “There’s really nothing this team can’t do!” Danny exclaimed.
Six to eight times a year, a handful of people from this pro-team respond to any pressing needs that arise at the orphanage, with Danny heading up the team each and every expedition. Since his first trip in 2012, there isn’t one Eastside trip to Mexico that Danny hasn’t been a part of. It’s now his personal obligation. He says, “I can’t imagine taking a hot shower up here while I know the kids down there have a broken pipe.”
This ministry has become his passion, the calendar dates of these trips are what dictate his family’s plans each year. “Through these regular trips I’ve become friends with the staff. I have special relationships with the kids. I even got to take my small group down. All 12 had the time of their lives, and at breakfast, they said, ‘We need to do more, what can we do?’”
Danny is a catalyst, creating ripples of interest that lead to waves of change, all because he chose to use his giftings, to which God then formed into his heart’s passion. This retired contractor chose to use the skills he had acquired over his career for the furthering of the kingdom. The kingdom has certainly come to Rosarito. We each have been fitted with gifts such as this, whether or not we fully recognize them.
Eastside Global Compassion has incredible partners around the world – in Kenya, Chile, Thailand and Mexico to name a few. Our philosophy is to focus on holistic work wherever possible, partner with those that are doing it best, and do it all in Jesus’ name. Typically we send multiple teams out each year to serve those most in need of hope. We look forward to getting back out there! If you have a passion or interest in helping at the City of Refuge, or anywhere else in the world, visit eastside.com/global.