Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed and overflowing with gratitude.
Colossians 2:6-7
It’s the year 2000 and my first trip with Timmy Global Health to Ecuador. After passing through customs, our group hauled luggage and medical supplies from the airport terminal in Quito toward the exit. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a big man in a lightweight jacket and ball cap, barreling my way. To my surprise, he threw his arms around me in a giant bear hug. At that moment, I noticed his clerical collar peeking out from under his jacket.
“Padre Carollo!” I exclaimed. “So good to see you. I didn’t recognize you at first.”
You see, we met at a gathering in Indianapolis several months before. But this encounter was out of context. Without the typical clothing worn by a priest, he seemed so ordinary, like any other man. But Padre as we called him, was far from ordinary. He had a passion for life and cared deeply for the people God placed in his care. Everyone in south Quito loved him. All we had to do was mention his name and doors opened for us everywhere.
This was no wonder since Padre’s influence affected tremendous change in the city. He built medical clinics, orphanages, and spear headed low-income housing projects in the poorest areas. At the time of this mission trip, he was raising funds to build a children’s hospital nearby. When he saw a need, he determined to meet it, no matter the obstacles.
When a financial crisis hit Ecuador, their currency depreciated to a quarter of its previous value. But this didn’t squelch Padre’s dream. He continued to gather donations for this inconceivable project up until his death in 2005 from cancer. Others carried on his legacy and the hospital opened for business in 2010. Though instead of a children’s hospital, Hospital Padre Carollo is now a full-service facility reaching people of all ages in poverty stricken south Quito.
Even with all these accomplishments, it’s not the building projects or medical services I remember the most. All those who knew Padre Carollo cherished him for his heart. The giant bear hug at the airport was my first encounter with his genuine openness. Social status, financial means, and religious differences meant nothing to him. Padre treated everyone he met the same: with an abundance of grace and love.
In the Bible passage above, the Apostle Paul encouraged the members of the Colossian church to take the faith they’d been given and make it a part of their everyday lives. To accomplish this, he urged them to walk in the way of Jesus by staying firmly rooted and growing in him. In other words, it’s not enough to simply believe. We must be transformed from our old ways into a new way of living. Not through our own efforts but through the power of God’s Spirit within us.
Many believers, myself included, try to do good without allowing this complete transformation. We hold back control. Instead of fully turning our lives over to God, we attempt self-improvement through our own power and fail miserably. But then, every so often, a person comes along who truly does walk in Jesus. Padre Carollo was this rare individual. His whole life was firmly rooted in Christ and overflowing with gratitude even through times of trial and pain.
Those touched by Padre Carollo’s compassion refer to him as the Mother Theresa of South America for his self-sacrificing work with the poor. What an honor it was to meet him and do a small part to help his mission. When he left this earth, I feel sure he didn’t walk but ran up to Jesus in heaven and embraced him in a giant bear hug. How happy he must have been to finally meet his Savior and friend face-to-face. I picture Jesus hugging Padre in return then patting his back and saying…
Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!
Matthew 25:23
I seek nothing, not a name, not a platform, this disgusts me. I am moved by the encouragement of the poor who ask for help. Everything that we collect in the church goes into a solidarity fund. I have no personal interest, nothing, nothing.
Padre Jose Carollo
A big thank you to Scott Keller, my friend and mission trip buddy, for supplying the photos of Padre Carollo.
