His story, at its core, was simple: he found a baby in a dumpster and discovered the greatest gift of his life, proof that love could turn what the world throws away into a treasure. He never imagined his wild, joyful life would lead to a moment like this: standing over a dumpster in Haiti on New Year’s Eve, looking at a four-month-old baby covered in fire ants and crying from pain.
Jimmy had grown up in Haiti but studied in the United States, flying home twice a year. That holiday, he was headed to an orphanage he supported, arms full of presents and plans for a party, when the sound of commotion pulled him down a side street. A crowd had gathered. Their faces were frightened, not festive. When he asked what was wrong, someone said a baby had been abandoned in the trash.
He pushed forward and saw the boy lying on a mound of garbage, unclothed, tiny, and screaming. No one would touch him. Some in the crowd said the child was cursed. Others insisted he had been there for hours and that to help him would invite trouble. Jimmy felt his heart leap and his eyes sting. He couldn’t accept what he was hearing. To him, this wasn’t a threat or a test; it was a child who needed help right now. It felt like a quiet nudge from God: pick him up. So he did.
With no parent in sight, Jimmy rushed the baby to his mother’s house, cleaned and dressed him. Ant bites dotted the child’s skin. The hospital was closed for the night, so he stayed up, holding and comforting him until morning. The next day, a doctor examined the baby. Jimmy reported what had happened and began the legal process to protect the child. Soon after, he was asked to become the baby’s legal guardian. Jimmy had not traveled home to become a father. He had only planned to visit family and throw a party for the kids at the orphanage. The decision weighed on him for days, but courage won. He said yes and named the baby Emilio Angel.
Money was tight. At one point, he couldn’t afford to return to the U.S. for classes. Family and friends stepped in with clothes, small donations, and constant prayers. His mother and relatives cared for Emilio when Jimmy was away for school. Eventually, because of ongoing financial pressure, Jimmy left school to work and fully provide for his son. Life did not get easier, but it did get clearer. Jimmy said yes to love even when it didn’t make sense on paper. He learned that sometimes the chance to be a blessing arrives disguised as a problem. He worked, he prayed, he showed up. Over time, Emilio grew from a fragile infant into a bright, affectionate boy.
He loves to chatter on the phone, kick a ball around, and strum a guitar. He says he wants to be a musician. He finished his second year of school and did well in class. Jimmy’s mother dotes on him. The kids at the orphanage admire him. Everyone who meets him seems to light up.
Through all the uncertainty, Jimmy kept faith that God sees people through their darkest nights. He still asks for prayers, wisdom, and encouragement as he navigates the final steps of adopting Emilio and making legal what has long been true in their hearts. He is grateful for the kindness that carried them this far, and for the boy who changed his life by needing him. He says the most challenging part wasn’t the sleepless nights or the bills—it was choosing, every day, to keep showing up even when the future felt foggy. When paperwork stalled, he kept teaching Emilio new songs. He cooked simple meals and turned dinner into a game when money ran thin.
He learned that love isn’t loud; it’s steady doctor visits, school drop-offs, and hand-holding across busy streets. And as he moves toward finalizing the adoption, he hopes others see what he now knows by heart: you don’t have to be ready to make a difference, you just have to be willing. That willingness, one small “yes” at a time, can turn your life around and someone else’s.
