Guatemalan houseparent killed during robbery Friday
Jan 16, 2010
Filed in Press Release
Tragedy hits Buckner family -- In a 2007 file photo, Buckner houseparent Marco Orellana (center) sits in the living room of the Buckner Boys' Transitional Home No. 1 in Guatemala City with wife Claudia, daughter Paola (now 5), son Marco Jr. (now 3), and transitional home resident William. Orellana was killed Friday evening by carjackers in an incident Buckner Children and Family Services President Albert Reyes called "a tragedy for the entire Buckner family."
By Russ Dilday
Buckner News Service
GUATEMALA CITY – A much-beloved houseparent at a Buckner Guatemala-operated boys’ transitional home was killed Friday evening in an apparent carjacking.
According to Amed Bendfeldt, country director for Buckner Guatemala, Marco Orellana, 30, was shot by thieves as they attempted to steal his car while Orellana was on a personal errand. Orellana was rushed to a hospital, where he died from his wounds.
Orellana served at the Buckner Guatemala-operated Boys’ Transitional Home No 1 along with his wife Claudia since it opened in 2007. The home is one of two boys’ transitional homes in Guatemala and serves as transitional housing for five-seven boys who are moving from orphanages to independent adult life. Buckner has operated ministries to children and families in Guatemala since 2002.
Albert L. Reyes, President of Buckner Children and Family Services, said Friday the news is “a shock and a tragedy” for all of the Buckner family. “We are mourning Marco’s loss this evening. I encourage prayer for Marco’s wife Claudia, his 5-year-old daughter Paola and 3-year-old son Marco Jr. I want everyone to also please pray for the boys in his care. They will be mourning the loss of a father as well.”
Buckner’s vice president of Global Operations, Randy Daniels, said Orellana was a popular figure among the Buckner Guatemalan staff as well as with many Buckner volunteers. “This will have a deep impact on all of us. Our houseparents are the heart and soul of what we do in transitional care. They are there every day with the kids, mentoring on a daily basis, with a message of hope. Marco epitomized all of that.”
Daniels said Orellana’s death will be felt “in at least three countries. Our Honduran team used the home as a model for transitional care in their country and, because of the high number of Buckner missions teams who’ve traveled to Guatemala over the past few years, hundreds of people know and love Marco.”
Buckner missions director Jeff Jones said Orellana was “effective as a houseparent because he had such an amazing testimony to share with the boys. I’m so saddened by the circumstances of his death. He left the crime of gang life when he met Christ — and his life was ended like this. He poured himself out for those boys.”
Daniels agreed. “He was a gentle man who loved Christ, loved his wife and children, and loved the boys in his care. You could see from the way he treated Claudia and his children how deeply he cared about them — and he showed the boys that same depth of love.”
Memorial service details were unknown on Friday. If you would like to write a tribute about Marco or leave a message for his family or the Buckner Guatemala team, leave your comment in the comments section below.
19 Comment(s)
By Jeff Jones on Jan 16, 2010 | Reply
What a huge loss. Marco was a wonderful man. I’ll never forget his way of interacting with the boys. He had their respect as a dad, but Aldo their friendship. It’s a huge responsibility to care for the boys, but Marco accomplished this with ease, he never saw it as a job but as a calling. I will be praying for them, for Claudia, and the girls. We mourn this loss as a Buckner family, but rejoice in knowing Marco is with his Savior!
By Jeff Jones on Jan 17, 2010 | Reply
This is a heart breaking time. Marco was such a great dad to the boys. My life was so blessed by his testimony. He never saw this as a job, but as an opportunity to show those boys love. I will miss him greatly. We, the Buckner family, mourn the loss together but rejoice in knowing Marco is with his Savior.
By JR on Jan 17, 2010 | Reply
Mis pensamientos y oraciones se extienden a la familia de Marco y sus compañeros de trabajo, ya que frente a esta tragedia. Legado de Marco será recordado por su familia y los que ayudó.
By Jenny Pope on Jan 18, 2010 | Reply
I first met Marco in Guatemala in 2007, when I took the picture above of him with his wife Claudia, children Paola and Marco Jr., and ’son’ William Martinez, a teenage boy living in their home.
Russ Dilday wrote an article about their family, which we found in our archives this weekend. In that story, Marco said the following: “God is giving us the opportunity to raise these children. We have some happy times and we have some moments that are…different moments. But this is a family led by God, whatever problems we face.”
It’s a good reminder to us that this family is led by God, and He will continue to lead and provide for them during this time of grieving and loss. I am praying for the Orellana family, and for all the boys living in their home who are feeling the loss of a father and friend. And I am thankful for Marco’s life and the role he has played in caring for these great kids.
By Jenny Rollins on Jan 18, 2010 | Reply
I live in Houston Tx. & this morning I opened my “email update” from Buckner just to “catch up” on the ministry news..My heart was BROKEN over this story and I wish I could hold this precious woman and tell her how very sorry I am…My sister in Christ, Claudia, I may never meet on THIS SIDE of heaven, but the Spirit’s grieving heart is heavy this morning and He I KNOW led me to read this this morning in order to lift her up…please Father, send your people, and send your HOly SPirit to surround this woman to comfort her during her time of grieving so that LITERALLY feels you HUGGING HER and HOLDING HER TIGHTLY..we pray this also over the children Father and we pray this in Jesus name.
By Debby Anderson on Jan 18, 2010 | Reply
I live in Hampton Road, Va and am saddened on the loss of Marco. Although I never met him it is clear that our Lord and Savior did a marvelous transformation in his life. My prayers goes out to his wife, Claudia and his children, the boys whom he loved and the Buckner Family. In 2007, I had the opportunity to go on a mission trip to El Salvador and Honduras. The group sponsors had 2 transition homes for teenage/young adutls males and females. Like Marco, a lot of the workers were ex-gangs members who gave their lives to Christ. Using God’s grace and love they have won many souls to the Kingdom. Dear Claudia and children may God’s stength carry you in this terrible hour. Be strong in the Lord and the power of His might. Debby
By John Lookabaugh on Jan 18, 2010 | Reply
My heart is broken for Marco’s family and for the transitional boys who looked up to him as a surrogate Father. I will always remember the light in Marco’s eyes when he shared his testimony. May peace, grace and comfort abound at this difficult time; and may more Marco’s rise up and continue the Lord’s work of serving HIS Children.
By Kacey on Jan 19, 2010 | Reply
I just returned from a trip to Guatemala a few hours ago and we learned about Marco’s death during our trip. My team had the honor of meeting Marco and touring his home on our first day in Guatemala and our hearts go out to his family and the young men who lived in his home.
By Jeremy Copeland on Jan 19, 2010 | Reply
Marco was a gentle giant and loved his family and the boys at the home. I returned last night from Guatemala serving alongside a team of college students. Our first day of ministry was spent meeting the boys and Marco. Our team was shocked to learn of the unfortunate events and we all are praying for Claudia, his children, and the boys at the home!
By Sarah Herrington on Jan 21, 2010 | Reply
I dont know the family at all, but want them to know that I am praying for them in this tragedy.
By Georgia on Jan 25, 2010 | Reply
Claudia, I am praying that in this time you feel the hope of the Lord deep inside of you, and your sweet children and all the boys as well. I pray that you all feel the loving arms of our Father holding you tightly and whispering to you it’s going to be okay, that you are safe in your daddy’s arms. I am praying for ya’ll. A sister in Christ, Georgia
By Oscar on Jan 27, 2010 | Reply
My name is Oscar Lopez, I am Claudia’s brother and i live in california. I just talked to Claudia a few minutes ago and she told me about this website. I just want to thank to all of you for supporting my sister, I know right now she going thru a hard time but we leave everything in God’s hands. One more time I really want to thank you guys for being there for my sister and her kids, every time I talk to Claudia she tells me about you guys in Buckner. All the time she says that you guys in Buckner are wonderful people and like family for her.
Thank you and God bless you.
Oscar Lopez
By claudia de orellana on Jan 28, 2010 | Reply
Gracias a todos los que pertenecen a la gran familia buckner por todo su apoyo que me han brindado a mi a mis hijos y a mis otros 5 hijos que teniamos a cargo y por el amor que le tenian a mi esposo marco que el tambien los queria mucho a todos y que desde el cielo el nos esta cuidando a todos ya que su especialidad era CUIDAR Y VELAR POR CADA UNO DE LOS SERES QUE AMABA Y QUERIA y no tengo como agradecerles por todo lo que han hecho en mi vida y en la de mis hijos que Dios derrame muchas bendiciones en cada hogar de cada uno de ustedes y los bendiga grandemente gracias los quiero mucho claudia de orellana
By Gloria Sarceno on Jan 29, 2010 | Reply
Desde lo mas profundo de mi corazon quiero manifestarles mis mas humildes agradecimientos a todas las personas que de una u otra forma convivieron con mi querido hijo Marco por lo que El hizo en la tierra me siento orgullosa de El y de que los 30 anos que Dios me lo dejo hayan sido grandes para mi y han sido reconfortantes; Recibi esta nota que quiero compartir con ustedes:
No lloren por mi que ya
estoy libre.
Sigo el camino que Dios
eligio para mi.
Tome su mano cuando le
escuche hablar,
camine con EL y deje todo
atras.
No puedo quedarme otro
dia mas,
lo que no termine se tiene
que quedar asi.
Encontre la paz al final
del dia.
Si mi ausencia ha dejado
un vacio,
llenalo con la presencia
de Dios.
No esten aflijidos con
tiempos tristes.
Les deseo la luz del sol
cada manana.
Ahora me doy cuenta que
mi vida ha sido plena.
Quizas mi tiempo aqui
parece haber sido corto.
No lo alargues mas con
tristeza.
Levanten su corazon y
compartan conmigo,
Dios me necesita con EL.
By Javier Rios on Feb 1, 2010 | Reply
I never knew this servant of God, however I can certainly connect with this incident. I work with troubled kids. Bro. Marco’s ministry is one of hope for many young teens. It never pays enough but I am sure that Marco and his family had compassion for their ministry. These jobs require special people with special talents. Our church Oikos will pray for Marcos and his family
By Javier Rios on Feb 3, 2010 | Reply
Our Prayers are with you Claudia. Even though we don’t know you personally you and your family belong to the family of God.
A Brother in Christ
Javier Rios
By nell morris on Feb 4, 2010 | Reply
Dearest Claudia,
Tho’ I haven’t met you, My heart aches for you in your husband’s needless and untimely death. The loss of your precious husband is immeasurable not only to you and your children and his family, but to the Buckner effort in your home Country.
We pray for your comfort and your peace. We thank God that you and Marco came into the lives of children with such great needs.
May God give you all that you need,
Nell Morris
By claudia de orellana on Feb 6, 2010 | Reply
Gracias a todos por sus oraciones hacia mi familia y mis cinco hijos de buckner yo gracias a Dios me he agarrado de la mano de el para salir adelante con mis hijos pero si a los muchachos les ha afectado mucho por que me hablan y se ponen a llorar y me dicen por que a maco habiendo mucha gente mala por que lo tenian que matar a el no lo entendemos y les hace mucha falta a ellos pero yo los he puesto en las manos de Dios que dDios les de mucha sabiduria para poder entender y que cada dia les de fuerzas tambien a ellos para salir adelante en sus estudios y todo lo que se propongan en la vida ya que solo el es el unico que nos puede sacar adelante en todo y gracias por sus oraciones que siempre nos ayudan adar un paso mas cada dia y les pido tambien oracion por los jovenes que ellos lo necesitan mucho y mil gracias a todos por su apoyo ,por su tiempo , amor que le tienen a mi famili Dios se los va a rrecompensar a cada uno de ustedes grandemente en sus trabajos y en sus hogares los quiere claudia de orellana
By Keri Claggett on May 13, 2010 | Reply
Dear Claudia, my sister in Christ-
I am heart broken to hear of your tragedy. May our blessed God wrap his loving arms around you and your home of HIS children.
I will be praying for peace, and strength for you. May you rest in knowing that Marco did what he absolutley loved – caring for you and God’s children!
May God’s grace be with you during this truely tough time.
Keri Claggett
Illinois, USA