HOMBRECITO DE DIOS, LITTLE MAN OF GOD

The first time we met Julio he was opening the door for tips at the OXXO store in Nuevo Progreso.

It was February 11, 2008 and we had a busy day in Nuevo Progreso. It was a hot dry day and there was not a cloud in the sky, but there was a strong southerly wind scattering dust everywhere. It was time for a rest before heading for the international bridge, customs and home.

There is a convenience store on the south end of Nuevo Progreso called OXXO. A very clean and modern store, it also has gasoline pumps and an outlet for buying propane gas. This is a good resting place where we can buy snacks, drinks and sandwiches. On this day a little boy stood waiting at the door ready to open it for us. His quick smile and greeting refreshed us. And then while we sat eating our snack of chips and cokes, he stood outside the window with his face to the glass with that same friendly smile. He couldn't hear us through the thick glass, but when Lloyd motioned for him to join us at the booth for a snack he understood and darted around to the door quickly. "What would you like to eat," we asked. "Helado, (ice cream)" he replied eyes sparkling.

He said his name was Julio and he lived across the road in a small apartment with his mother and brothers. He earned tips to help his family by opening the door to customers even though he was only eight years old. He ate his ice cream and never once did that big grin leave his face. His dark eyes twinkled as if he knew a secret or that he knew exactly who we were. When we left the store he followed us to our Jeep and watched us slowly drive out of the parking lot. We both looked back just in time to hear Julio softly say in English, "God bless you!"

Three years later we paid a visit to our friend Apolinar and his new wife Carla. Carla had three boys, Carlos, Rogelio and Julio! Our little friend from OXXO still had the big happy smile and twinkling eyes; and he remembered us well. During a childrens crusade at the church Julio went forward at the invitation to accept Jesus as his Savior; and we started calling him hombrecito de Dios " little man of God."

Lloyd and I had felt so drawn to little Julio at the OXXO store. Had he known who we were at that time? Was our meeting one of those "meant to be" events? Julio has not attended church in the past and needs a lot of teaching and prayer. Street wise and tough, he is now 14 years old, a turning point in his life. Will Julio really turn out to be our "little man of God?"