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Liferay's Employee Volunteer Program allowed me see my role at work and Liferay's vision to converge in a very unique way. My role at work is mentoring people to mentor other people. Liferay was founded for a purpose greater than revenue and profit growth

I took Google Translate (left picture) on my fourth volunteer trip to Mexico. It allowed me to have my first conversation in Spanish with Guillermo (right picture), an orphan I met four years ago. On the bus he told me he also enjoyed watching me play soccer. I replied, "But I always give the ball to the other team!" And he responded, "That's true". It was a humurous exchange, but one that I will treasure. I found out he has five siblings who live at his parent's home, and that Guillermo thinks living at the orphanage is 'safer' than living at home. His mom is a drug addict.

9 out of 10 orphans I met told me that their dream is to be a professional football player. It's the equivalent to 10 year olds in the U.S. saying they want to be a policeman or fire fighter when they grow up. But the reality is that few of us actually end up in the career that we aspired for when we were 10 years old. Thank God for parents, mentors, sport coaches, teachers, and anyone that took the time to help us understand our unique strengths AND what we are not good at. I can't imagine myself fighting crime or putting fires out when I can barely lift my own body weight! 

Along with my wife, sister-in-law, and a translator, the four of us had the privelege to mentor 7 orphans. (four of them have been with us for the past four years) We played games, did team bonding activities, and built relationships with every kid. At the end of the week, there was an opportunity to affirm each one in what they were good at and how they have grown over the years (something that is very special to do for them since they don't have parents). One by one we spoke to each kid, and we all had tears in our eyes from the love that we shared. Two of the kids said I was like a father to them and one of them was thankful that I had confidence in him.

You see, I had noticed that one kid in particular was mindful of others and it seemed that people followed him wherever he went. It wasn't because he was good at soccer, but because he cared for people. For example, on an obstacle course he was the only kid in our group who was helping and motivating others while everyone else was busy having fun or conquering the obstacles. One day I asked if he could stand with me in the front to help me lead an activity. He was very hesitant, but I encouraged him and he eventually agreed. He did great and I told him what he did was very brave. This is what I usually do at work, but it is fulfilling knowing the fact I can give these kids hope and leadership skills when they don't have natural mentors around them.

What a blessing it was to spend time with the orphanage! I hope that I can continue being part of each of their journey of realizing their full potential to serve others because they help bring that potential out of me.