The Power of Inspiration
- timothy martiny
- Jul 27
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 5

At Cadaniño, we believe inspiration is a powerful, contagious force that can transform lives and shape brighter futures. It all begins with our mission to love, teach, and serve vulnerable children and families through after-school programs rooted in faith, education, mentorship, and opportunity. But the real magic happens when that inspiration is caught by those we serve and multiplies.
It starts with our teachers. We don't just train them to instruct; we encourage them to motivate their students to embrace their potential by planting seeds of possibility. As that inspiration soaks into the children and youth in our programs, they begin to believe they can do more, be more, and give more. And when that spark takes hold, the results are extraordinary.

From Student to Teacher: Jonathan's Journey
Years ago, Jonathan was just a quiet student in one of our computer classes. He was bright, curious, and eager to learn. With encouragement from his teachers and a growing passion for technology, he dedicated himself to his studies. Fast-forward to today: Jonathan is now one of our lead STEM instructors. He went from being a student sitting behind a screen to a teacher standing in front of a classroom, lighting the way for others.
Jonathan is now a mentor to students like Oscar, a rising innovator with incredible drive. At just 16, Oscar joined our 3D printing club and now comes to the center daily, fueled by his passion for learning. He recently designed, built, and printed a functional 4x4 model vehicle, using engineering toolkits, 3D printing, and electronics, and even programmed its functional lights using Arduino, a robotics platform he had only begun learning a month earlier.
But Oscar's journey is about more than just technology. It's about inspiring those we serve
From Lockdown to Launch: The Youth Missions Club
The same spark of inspiration is at the heart of our Youth Missions Program, born during one of the most challenging times we faced: the COVID-19 pandemic. As the government lockdowns were imposed, we adjusted to meet the needs of the over 150 families we served. One of the greatest needs was for food, as many people lost their jobs and were in desperate situations.
However, what started as an emergency outreach to our families soon evolved into something greater as we discovered that many elderly shut-ins and single mothers in the community had no food either. The need was bigger than we could meet, so we asked ourselves, "What if our students could be a part of the mission too?"
We challenged the youth we had been discipling that they, too, could be the hands and feet of Jesus, and they stepped out, helping us deliver emergency food supplies to the destitute, elderly, and infirm throughout the lockdown. When that ended, they wanted to continue serving others, so we launched what is now the Cadaniño Youth Missions Club. It’s a movement of dozens of students who have faithfully taught Bible classes to others in their communities every month for the past four years, with over 120 children being taught God's word every month in homes all over the communities, where we serve fulfilling the biblical mandate in 2 Timothy 2:2 "And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others."

Inspiration That Multiplies
Whether through a 3D printer, a home visit, a STEM lesson, or a scripture shared in a living room, the principle is the same: inspired people inspire others.
At Cadaniño, we don't just teach, we disciple. We don't just equip, we empower. We see that when someone is inspired to find purpose, they don't keep it to themselves; they share it with others.
That's why we emphasize to our students that true greatness isn't found in recognition or personal achievement but in how we serve and uplift others. Whether it's helping a classmate understand a coding challenge, delivering food to a struggling family, or teaching a younger child about the love of God, our students are learning to embody Jesus' words: "Inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me" (Matthew 25:40).
For us, this scripture is more than a verse, it's a guiding principle behind our Youth Missions Club, discipleship programs, and the shaping of young hearts to lead with humility, compassion, and purpose.
From Jonathan to Oscar, from lockdown outreach to a student-led missions movement, we continue to see God use ordinary people, students, teachers, and missionaries to accomplish extraordinary things.
That is the Power of Inspiration!
And the most exciting part?
We're just getting started.
Timothy Martiny
President, Cadaniño
Did you know?
Everything we do at Cadaniño...feeding children, providing safe spaces, helping students excel in school, and equipping teachers to disciple the next generation depends...entirely on the support of donors?
It’s made possible by individual believers like you, answering Christ’s call to serve the vulnerable, feed the hungry, preach the Gospel, and make disciples.
And here’s something remarkable: 100% of your gift goes directly to our community centers in Guatemala.
Cadaniño has a proven track record of lasting, measurable impact: transforming children, families, and communities through faith, education, and love.
Would you prayerfully consider giving or becoming a monthly partner to help us continue our work empowering vulnerable children to discover their gifts and abilities and be empowered to use them to their greatest potential in a way that glorifies God.
Together, we can keep changing lives...one child, one family, one community at a time.
Partner with us today and impact lives for eternity!