In 2005, Bob and Sallie Solis of the Phoenix area took their life savings to start a home for orphaned children in South Africa. After seeing so much suffering caused by AIDS on a family mission trip, they felt called to do something to ease the pain of children they encountered.
In this book, Bob Solis movingly recalls some of the most poignant stories from an incredible journey which has given 55 children a home to call their own. Bob's strong Christian faith and commitment to service gives him deep insight into the wonderful journey that led to the founding and growth of Open Arms Home for Children.
Praise for From the Darkest Places Come the Brightest Lights
"Bob Solis has written a book from the depths of his heart with imagination, humor, wit, compassion and unwavering trust in Divine Providence. I highly recommend this book. Reading it will enrich your life." -Father Joe Corpora, C.S.C. University of Notre Dame
"Coach Jim Valvano said 'there are three things we should do every day. Number one is laugh. Number two is think. Number three is have your emotions moved to tears.' I did all three by the sixth page of this book!" -Duane Kuiper, Major League Broadcaster and former big leaguer
"This is a beautiful book about life, love and faith. While they are too humble to admit it, Bob (aka 'Bobo') and Sallie are heroes ... at least for the children who are blessed to live at Open Arms. We have been there and it is heaven on earth for these kids. If you want to be inspired to listen carefully to your own calling, read this book. I loved it. " -Addison "Tad" Piper, Former Chairman of the Board, Piper Jaffray Inc.
"This powerfully moving book is like observing a master songwriter craft his Magnum Opus - it will inspire you, encourage you and most profoundly cause you to ask yourself, 'How can I sit in my rocking chair when the house is on fire?'" -Rev. Dale Hopely, Jr., Senior Pastor, The Church at Litchfield Park
With Foreword by Randall McDaniel, Member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame
From the Darkest Places Come the Brightest Lights
Reflect ions on Service, Faith, and Life from the Co-Founder of Open Arms Home for Children, South Africa
By Bob SolisBalboa Press
Copyright © 2016 Bob Solis
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-5043-4565-1Contents
Foreword, xi,
Preface, xiii,
1. Can You Take Him?, 1,
2. My Favorite Thing, 3,
3. Words I'll Never Forget, 5,
4. Faith to Move Mountains, 8,
5. God in Khayelitsha, 11,
6. Motivation, 13,
7. The Rocking Chair, 16,
8. The Song, 19,
9. Do It Now, 21,
10. Thanks, Dad, 23,
11. A Letter from Bobo, Spring 2013, 25,
12. Hope, 27,
13. The Only Bible Some People Will Ever Read, 28,
14. Perspective, 30,
15. A Death in the Family, 31,
16. A Meaningful Prayer, 33,
17. A Great Truth, 35,
18. Long International Flights, 37,
19. Shoes, 42,
20. Under Starry Skies, 44,
21. Six Powerful Words, 46,
22. The End of the Road, 49,
23. An Eye-Opener, 53,
24. Life on the Edge, 55,
25. What You Do, 58,
26. Letta, 60,
27. Spiritual Poverty, 62,
28. Yin and Yang, 65,
29. Playing It Safe, 69,
30. A Letter from Bobo, Spring 2011, 72,
31. I Promise to Sing to You, 74,
32. Flour and Water, 76,
33. Father, 78,
34. Generosity, 80,
35. An Awesome Responsibility, 82,
36. Loaves and Mattresses, 85,
37. Never, 87,
38. Callings, 89,
39. A Lot to Live Up To, 91,
40. Faith in Action, 93,
41. Winning the Lottery, 96,
42. A Letter from Bobo, Fall 2010, 98,
43. Bobby, 100,
44. Imagine, 102,
45. The Universal Language, 104,
46. The Start, 106,
47- The Tension, 108,
48. Woe Is Me — Not!, 110,
49. Lessons Learned on the Road, 112,
50. Luck?, 116,
51. A Day at a Time, 119,
52. The Start of the Day, 122,
53. The Children of God, 124,
54. Religion, 127,
55. In Our Darkness, 129,
56. Too Much, 131,
57. Good Tired, 134,
58. The Hospice, 137,
59. Heart, 140,
60. Bert's Buses, 142,
61. A Child Is Born, 146,
62. Faith to Move Anthills, 148,
63. The River, 150,
64. If You Want to Walk on Water, 154,
65. Service Above Self, 157,
66. A Letter from Bobo, Spring 2012, 161,
67. Uncle John, 163,
68. Travel, 167,
69. Time Is Not on Our Side, Ever, 169,
70. A Letter from Bobo, Fall 2012, 171,
71. You Never Know, 173,
72. American Eyes, 175,
73. God Is With Us, 177,
74. The Why, 179,
75. A Letter from Bobo, Spring 2010, 183,
76. South Bend, 185,
77. Lasting Joy, 188,
78. A Chance Occurrence?, 190,
79. The Spinner in the Sky, 192,
80. Full Surrender, 194,
81. Two Words, 196,
82. Challenges, 199,
83. The Rainbow Connection, 200,
84. One More Day, 203,
85. A Letter from Bobo, Fall 2013, 206,
86. He's Gone, 208,
87. The Rock?, 210,
88. Our True Essence, 212,
89. At the Dump, 215,
90. Fear and Love, 217,
91. A Letter from Bobo, Spring 2014, 218,
92. The Gift of the Present, 220,
93. The Main Thing, 225,
94. Like Riding a Bike, 227,
95. Getting Paid, 229,
96. Reflections, 231,
97. Connected, 233,
98. Who Was He?, 236,
99. The Last Chapter, 238,
Afterword, 241,
Sources, 243,
CHAPTER 1
Can You Take Him?
Shortly after our family's mission trip to South Africa in 2004, I made plans to retur
