Tribute to Juan Ulloa

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord, your God is with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9

I first met Juan Ulloa in the late ’90s as we led Opportunity International Canada Insight Trips to Nicaragua, and we made a connection that I will cherish forever. Juan was a giant in our industry — as a leader and a man of God — and it was such an honour for us to serve alongside him.

Opportunity Canada hosted Juan and his wife Ivania for one of our International Visitors Tours hosting events in multiple cities, and their warmth, authenticity, humour, and commitment to the poor was obvious.

At our annual Latin America Partners Conference last August, while presenting the ASODENIC Business Strategy, Juan referenced the severe challenges facing them in Nicaragua. Still, he spoke passionately of how God had blessed them and the collective impact they had on the lives of our clients. With tears, he impressed upon us the importance of ensuring that our clients continue to be ministered to.

Little did we know at the time that this would be his “last charge” to us all — to aggressively move forward “for the least of these.”

This was our friend Juan Ulloa, who undoubtedly heard, “well done thou good and faithful servant.”