Despite Having Only One Arm Ignacio Serves Faithfully

Man with only one arm serves the Lord faithfully
Ignacio busy at work at the Lord’s Food Bank.

There are some people who inspire us without them realizing it or intending to — just because of who they are and their example of faithful service. Ignacio Duran is one of those people.

Ignacio lost his arm when he was a young, single 18 year old. He was working construction and carrying a large metal beam, not aware of how close the cables overhead were. He accidentally hit the wires with the beam, which sent a strong electric current down the metal. His left arm was so badly burned that the doctors had to amputate it right below the shoulder.

A few years later Ignacio met and married his wife, and they had two beautiful children. But tragedy struck again 6 years ago when his wife was killed during the outbreak of violence in Juarez at the time. She was walking on the side of the road when she was hit by a car then run over several times after she was struck down. Their children were only 2 and 3 years old.

Ignacio had to stay strong for his little ones, now left without their mother. Although he receives a small pension from the government, it was not enough to cover the growing needs of his family so he has been coming to the Food Bank ever since.

He receives groceries from us each week to supplement his income, and he pitches in to help wherever he can. You can often find him carrying buckets of water from the outside tap to where the ladies need it for cleaning. Back and forth he goes, content and focused on his job, using his one arm to carry the heavy load.

Ignacio is a good dad, very involved in the lives of his children, making sure they are provided for. “God has blessed me in many ways,” he says. “I can’t complain. I’m happy to serve here and am grateful for the help the Food Bank provides.”

And we are grateful to have Ignacio as part of our team.