Carlos Almendarez Natale

Quoted by Carlos Almendarez Natale the day he was baptized:
Ever since I was a little boy, I've always looked at life differently from all that surrounds me; and I used to always ask myself this question every night I went to bed, God, why was I born? Why am I here on earth? I look around me and I see all these things, but it doesnÕt matter... it ain't nothin. And for several years I prayed to God, Why am I here? Every night praying; And finally when I was about 10, my dad walked out on us; and then about 4 years after, he died. I cried so many nights, wondering, Lord, why did you do this to me? Why?

Click here to see Carlos' Testimony Video...

Click here to see the Powerpoint version of Carlos' testimony...

So I prayed for a father and God answered me. He not only gave me a father that loved me, He gave me a father that could be a role model to me and guide me and that would always be there for me. I know my heart! God knows my heart! I'm here for one reason on earth and that's to serve people and serve God! There's no other reason for as long as I live. When I get baptized today, I'm showing the world and pleasing God... I am going to forever no matter what! I'm going to struggle; I'm going to fall, but you know what? God's going to lift me up, brush me off, and I'm going to keep going. Don't give up... I'm not planning on giving up... no matter what!

Dear friends, family, associates:
Many of you know that Carlos was accidentally killed while building schools in Honduras. We adopted Carlos and watched him transform into a giver of love that truly reflected his understanding and commitment to love as God had shown him. That boy, my son, Carlos...was once a needy child, struggling to find work, education and a future to care for his sisters and extended family. He was alone and crying out for a father... for a spiritual guide. The love we shared was not only the normal son-father love; but it also represented to me all those children who are crying out in the world with no father or mother, or someone to care for them in their pain, hurt, loneliness and desperation! When I look into the eyes of Carlos... my son, I can see a reflection of all the children still alone like he once was... waiting for someone to reach out and rescue them with love and compassion. Carlos represents to me not only the truth of God's love to be shared between two people, but those eyes were a beacon of all the children crying out to God for us to be their bridge builders to hope!

With prayer, love and hope,

T. Joseph Natale
Board Chair Person
Intensive Heart Ventures
1480 Lou Dillon Lane
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
Tax ID # 77-0401233

Letter from a friend
Carlos Almendarez Natale was a true friend. He grew up on the island of Roatan, a small, friendly island off the coast of Honduras.

I found it enlightening to learn how Carlos was from such a different culture, but was the same as us. He was a typical human being with struggles, triumphs, and dreams. Carlos smiled all the time. He laughed harder than anyone else. He liked doing things that made a lasting difference for disadvantaged people--maybe because he knew firsthand how they felt. Now that I think about it, Carlos wasn't the same as us. He didn't take things for granted. He reminded me every day what true joy was, and how lucky I am to have it. He was an exceptional human being whose absence makes the world a little less bright now that he's gone.
--M. Scott Mortensen

Budget