One of the best things about being a missionary is getting to be part of individual people's stories. We've met and fallen in love with thousands of people around the world, and we've gotten to help write little pieces of their stories – pieces where they understand how much God loves them, pieces where they learn to love each other, and pieces where their dreams come true.
But sometimes someone's story stops early – it gets cut off when tragedy strikes, and we don't get to see how it would have ended. That's what happened to Anthony, and now we are joining the people who loved him to make his dream come true. This story is close to our hearts, and we invite you to help write it.
Anthony Cadena lived in the village of Candelaria, Nicaragua, just three streets up from the New Song Mission base where many World Racers have served. The New Song staff watched Anthony grow from a scrawny little boy to a teenager overflowing with passion, talent, and a love that was growing strong for his creator.
New Song Mission became a place for Anthony to cultivate his dreams. It was where he put his hands to work and grow. For years, he went from one project to the next, one dream to the next. He loved to make bracelets and hammocks. He ran the PowerPoint at church, and he cooked with the staff. Ultimately, he dreamed of being an English translator.
Anthony was constantly discovering the fullness that he was created for.
Anthony was also a typical teenager. He fell in love. He got into trouble and worried his mother everyday. But those teenage facades couldn’t blind anyone from the incredible heart that rested within him. He had a heart that strived for freedom despite the impoverished country that surrounded him.
On April 19th, 2011, the week before Easter, Anthony traveled with many of his friends to a nearby beach. Though they weren’t good swimmers, many of them ventured into the deep water, and almost immediately they were grabbed by a rip tide. They were all pulled out or thrown onto the beach by the waves, except for Anthony.
He was carried into the sea.
A couple days later, his body was recovered. The family, local youth, and New Song staff mourned him during the burial. Two years later, we miss him, but Anthony's heart still beats strong.
We have seen endless life come out of this death, story after story.
This spring, Anthony would be finishing high school and on his way to university. His dream was to go to school and get his education.
In honor of the boy who awakened passion and dreams in so many people, we are proud to introduce the Anthony Lives Fund.
Anthony Lives is a fund created to financially support the college education of Nicaraguan youth – Anthony's friends and classmates. We want to see them get the education Anthony dreamed of.
Adventures in Missions has joined hands with Educate Nica and our partner New Song Mission Nicaragua to see that your support will fund every college student in the Educate Nica sponsor program.
If you would like to read more about Educate Nica, you can do that HERE. If you would like to give directly to the Anthony Lives Fund, click HERE.
