Spirituality

Humility Now, Feeding the Homeless on Black Friday

 
Thanksgiving in the United States is a holiday set aside to thank God for our many blessings. Yet, in the same country that celebrates this holiday there are at least 700,000 people living on the streets every night. In Miami-Dade County alone there are approximately 5,000 people, homeless. Numerous organizations bless the less fortunate on Thanksgiving by taking food baskets and gifts on Thanksgiving, yet not many organizations go feed, clothe and spend time with those who need it the most, the homeless. I believe that we are blessed to be a blessing. What better way to celebrate Thanksgiving than to bless those less fortunate than ourselves. 

In our martial arts and fitness center we teach our students to be thankful for what they have and that it is better to give than to receive. We encourage them to do random acts of kindness and provide for the less fortunate. For the second year, my martial arts and fitness center will partner with the homeless advocacy organization, Humility Now for their “Black Friday Feast” on November 26, the day after Thanksgiving. This event will feed and clothe the homeless in Downtown Miami. Also partnering with Humility Now is the church I attend, Iglesia Casa de Alabanza of Doral, 180 Church of Doral and Christ Fellowship Church. 

Humility Now was birthed from the vision of my son, Julio D. Anta. At 16 he started feeding the homeless with a friend from the church he was attending at the time. When they came to the church with the idea of making it a regular event and including church members in on it, they were denied. Julio continued to feed the homeless using his own money, and last year at 19 years old, he decided to start Humility Now, a non-profit organization based on the idea that true humility counts others more significant than yourself.  Today, Humility Now works with numerous churches, community groups and people just like you to make a diference in this world.  

In just one year, Humility Now has conducted numerous events and concerts to benefit the homeless. Some of those events have included a Thanksgiving BBQ & Clothing Drive as well as a Homeless Adoption Program for Christmas, to name a few. Earlier this year they even stopped the City of Miami from making it illegal to feed the homeless! For those who are too busy to make it to their volunteer events, Humility Now sells T-shirts. For every T-shirt that they sell, one is given to the homeless. Those shirts are available at http://humilitynow.storenvy.com. 

If you’re interested in donating your time or recourses please email Humility Now at info@humilitynow.com. The event will take place in Downtown Miami’s Park West area on November 26^th at 11AM. More information at: http://humilitynow.com. 

Don’t forget to thank God for your many blessings. Wishing you a great Thanksgiving.

 

 

 

 

Humility Now Homeless BBQ was a Great Success

Humility Now first event Homeless BBQ on Thanksgiving was a great success. Below is my son's Julio who started Humility Now thank you letter.

Homeless BBQ: Thank you's.

I want to thank every single person who came out to our Homeless BBQ / Clothing Drive in Downtown Miami yesterday (11/26). I also want to thank everyone who donated food and clothing. Absolutely everything used at the event was donated and it was an incredible feeling to know that this was all made possible through the good will and hearts of individuals in our community. About 400 people were fed, and even more clothing was given away.

Listed below are the names of the 100+ volunteers who signed in. Special thanks goes out Igor Alonso and 180 Church in Doral, Family Martial Arts School, Lienka Burciaga and Carlos Albizu University, Anta’s Fitness & Self Defense, Gerrardo Larrera and South American Restruant Corporation, NBC 6 Miami and The Miami Herald for covering the event, and of course, Tatiana Gomez, the amazing eight year old girl who collected over half of the food served!

Another special thanks goes out to Jose Guerrero, Steve Armas, and David Merida, and Kyle Cogburn the self-proclaimed Humility Now inner-circle who have worked closely for the past month to make this event possible.

Photos, a video filmed by our good friend Victor Guerrero, and the announcement of our next event should be up shortly!

Jon-Paul Anta
Jonas Erthal
Nathan Erthal
David Erthal
David Merida
Carlos Armas
Lauraelena Guerrero
Victor Guerrero
Margie Lopez
Emilio Torres
Machael Hoefel
Alejandro M. Montes
Chris Perez
Johnfrank Dieguez
Carolina Alamilla
Jennifer Cayon
Josh Garcia
Edward Odio
Magin Carreras
Gabriela Companioni
Gerrardo Larrea
Danen Rector
Edward Palma
Angela Gomez
Tatiana Gomez
Carlos Gomez
Raphael Amaya Jr
Ricardo L Amaya
Lucas Lima
Rafael Amaya Sr
Daniel Pimentel
Sylvia Lopez
Celso Lima
Lienka Burciaga
Shaina Smilovitz
Scott Wolfe
Oscar Baquendano
Lester Petraichy
Rachel Petrovich
Reyna Aday
Theresa Rivera
Olga Estrada
Monica Treto
Michael Hoefel
Laura Ducuara
Jeffrey Baquedunu
Darlinnoy Bugeamie
Humberto Ducuara
Daniel Ducuara
Igor Alonso Jr
Isolda Alonso
Cindy Galdos
Digna G Abbott
Maria M Cisneros
Olga L Diaz
Lua Stella Garcia
Sergio Castro
Igor Alonso
Gredy ALonso
Ashley Alonso
Ricky Dager
Danny Dager
Elizabeth Dager
Ricardo
 Dager
Niko Perez
Ricardo Dager
Jimmie L Small Wood
Xiao L Lin
Mayla Pino
Danisel Montes de Oca
Felipe Viladmas
Judy Viladmas
Alex Beritez
Nacy Meranda
Lourdes Negan
Pablo Darila
Luis Danila
Lorrain Martinez
Michael Ybarra
Vanghn Jackson
Pauline Pond
Daisy Williams
Betty Vergara
Alez Vergara
Bill Vergara
Raul Flores
Nacy Avila
Guillermo Bilchels
Daniela Sanchez
Paula Paez
William Baldarrgo
Carlos Alfredo Rohl
Carlos Alfonso Rohl
Lydia Ocianto
Ricardo Dager
Alberto NAvarro
Davys Lopez
Felipe Gouveia
Silvia Volonte
Javier Forero
William Baldarrago Sr
Giovanna Baldarrago
Camilo Medina
Vicent Carrudeguas
Danny Duran
Roman Mirabal

Grace and peace,

Julio Anta

For more information log on to www.HumilityNow.com.

Humility Now homeless BBQ

This article is by my son and black belt instructor Julio D. Anta

Humility Now

My name is Julio Anta, I’m nineteen years old, and I believe that our lives, like any good story, require elements of plot, conflict, triumph, and devotion, to name a few. It requires goals, and a character who fights for something larger than himself. It requires an inciting incident: An event that stirs the plot and calls the character to action.

For me, that inciting incident was befriending a few homeless guys in Downtown Miami, and deciding to join them in their lifestyle. With the company of three friends, on the night of October 16th, we began what was anticipated to be a weekend of voluntary homelessness. To feel what they feel. Everything from the heat to the hunger. The humiliation of being ignored, and the freedom of truly trusting God to meet our needs. Setting out close to midnight, Friday night, we found cardboard and decided to set-up shop directly in front of Downtown Miami’s most popular clubs. With our make-shift beds, we laid down, and experienced the most degrading, insulting, and threatening looks some of us have ever experienced. Looks of pride, and arrogance were pressed down on us, and a new level of understanding was forced on a previously naive paradigm. Nearly thirty minutes later, a set of Police officers, probably sent by club owners, asked us to leave and find a new spot to spend the night.

This was just one example of the prejudice and injustice experienced during our time homeless. By the end of it though, we came to the conclusion that we will never know what it truly feels to be without a home. The pain that doesn’t know when it’s next meal will come, and when it will once again sleep on a bed. We had a timeline. We knew that come Sunday morning, we would be going back to our comfortable lives.

That’s when we decided to stop pretending and start doing something with our experience. Thus, Humility Now was born. Based on the idea that true humility counts others more significant than themselves, this non-profit organization would be more than just a soapbox to rant about the injustice of poverty. Instead it would be a vehicle used to mobilize those like-minded individuals who are tired of talking and ready to get their hands dirty. To encourage others to put everything they think they know about the beggars, homeless, and panhandlers aside, and get to know them. Hear their stories, and tell a few of their own. No one can single-handedly solve homelessness, but what we can do is bring hope. We believe in being a light in one of the most desperate of situations found in this country, and stand beside the hurting, in solidarity, like a real family would.

The first of these opportunities will be our inaugural Homeless BBQ / Clothing drive on Thanksgiving morning (11/26) in Downtown Miami. At the parking lot on NE 8 ST & NE 2 AVE, a block west from the American Airlines Arena, hamburgers and hotdogs will be served and clothing will be distributed to the homeless. With a loving attitude and caring heart, we invite you to meet those hurt worse by the recession, bring your extra clothes, and make a few new friends. You’ll quickly come to realize you have more in common than you think.

Julio D Anta is the founder of Humility Now. For more information, or for opportunities to volunteer, email him at info@humilitynow.com, or visit their website at www.humilitynow.com. If you would like to donate frozen hamburgers, hotdogs, buns, or clothing, Anta’s Fitness at 10721 NW 58 ST. Doral, 305 599-3649,  will serve as a drop-off point throughout the month.

Also checkout Marial Pulgar's article on Humility Now http://www.examiner.com/x-26917-Miami-StayatHome-Moms-Examiner~y2009m11d22-Humility-Now-taking-care-of-those-in-need-this-Thanksgiving-Day-in-Miami

5 Fold Armor Bearer Workshop

A 5 Fold Armor Bearer (5FAB) Workshop was held on August 15, 2009. 5FAB is a christian ministry that trains church security teams and Pastorial dignatary protection through Biblical principals. The 4 hour workshop was an overview of the Pastorial protection and church security services and training conducted by 5FAB. The speakers of the 5 fold Armor Bearer workshop were Eric Gonzales president of 5FAB, Derrick Charleston vice president of 5FAB and Julio Anta 5FAB self defense trainer. For more information, to attend the next workshop or to have 5FAB ministry come to your church log on to http://5foldarmorbearer.com/index.html.

Voice of the Martyrs Conference Ft. Lauderdale Florida

On Saturday, June 20, my son Julio D. Anta invited me to go to The Voice of the Martyrs Regional Conference http://www.persecution.com/ at Calvary Chapel of Ft Lauder dale. He will be going to China to teach English to middle school students with ELIC (English Language Institute of China) a Christian ministry. 

This was a life changing experience for me watching on video and hearing numerous speakers that risk their lives daily around the world spreading the gospel. I've been a Christian for 23 years, a honorably discharged USMCR Sergeant, retired Prison Guard, Kung Fu Master, Haganah Israeli Self Defense instructor yet I can not see myself enduring the horror's that these true hero's endure daily for Christ.

Some of the speakers were missionary Gracia Burnham who with her husband spend a year captured by Filipino Muslims. The day she gain her freedom she was shot and her husband was killed. Getaneh Getaneh an Ethiopian Evangelist and Mujahid El Masih a Pakistani Christian. 

Mujahid was born Muslim in Pakistan a country that is 98% Muslim. For 14 years in school he studied the Koran and Islam. From Islamic teachers and in the military he was taught hate Christians, Israel and non-Muslims and he wanted to be a martyr. At 25 years old he got to know Jesus. He went to Bible College, began to preach the gospel and was able to plant 24 churches in Pakistan.

In 1997 the Pakistani police and thousands of Muslims attacked two of the villages and burned 13 of their church buildings, 1500 Christian homes and thousands of Bibles. After this he moved to South Africa and Muslims tried to kill both him and his wife. Today he lives in America and god has put in his heart to teach Americans the truth about Islam. Log on to http://fortheloveofmuslims.com/ to read more about Mujahid El Masih ministry.

GetanehM. Getaneh an Evangelical Christian really opened my eyes and made me think. Getaneh throughout his preaching continued to cry out "Wake Up America you are Losing your Freedom!" He had been in prison, tortured and interrogated in Ethiopia numerous times and escaped twice. Getaneh was tortured. He was hung upside down for hours, then the Communist government poured boiling oil on his feet. He said that the pain was unbearable. He prayed for God to take him home. He said that a white cloud came in the room, he felt God's presence and the pain was gone. In 1985 God provided a way for him to flee to Djibouti. After the fall of the communist regime the government of Ethiopia assured him that things had changed and to return. As he arrived at the airport the new Muslim government arrested and imprisoned him for converting Muslims to Christians. He later fled to the US seeking asylum where he resides today.

Getaneh message was "Wake Up America you are Losing your Freedom!" He said that first the Ethiopian communist government first took theirr knives, then their guns and finally their religion. As he weep he said "Wake Up America you are Losing your Freedom, don't let the president, senate and the congress take your rights and freedom!"

For years I've taught self defense to christians and in churches and I've had a burden to teach missionaries awareness and self defense yet, after hearing what these true hero's and warriors of God go through I believe that a good Christian self defense program will help these Christian's continue to spread the gospel.

May God continue to bless these Christians around the world and don't forget Getaneh's cry "Wake Up America you are Losing your Freedom!"

Christian Strongmen

On March 20 and 21, at the Battling Ropes certification in Sarasotta Florida I had the honor an privilage of meeting 2 of the world's strongest men. My good friend and Christian brother Frank Dimeo owner of CrossFit Gulf Coast sponsored the Battling Ropes certification. The creator of Battling Ropes John Brookfield is a Christian minister and strongman. While at the certification Christian strongman and power lifting champion Bud Jeffries who is a friend of Frank came by. What a blessing to meet and fellowship with 3 powerful Christians John, Bud and Frank.

John Brookfield at 50 years old is considered one of the strongest men in the world. John is a muliple world record holder. He an another peson pulled a 31,000 Semi Truck 1 mile in record time. He is known as Mr. Hands for having the strongest grip in the world. John is a Master of Old Time Strongman feats. He has been featured in Ripley's Beleive it or Not and the Guinness Book of World Records. Check out his web site Battlingropes.com.

Bud Jeffries is a drug free World Power Lifting Champion with over 30 regional, state, national and world records. He is a Strongman and martial artist. He has squated 1000 pounds drug free and 1800 pounds in the quarter squat. On Saturday, March 21, Bud brought his son Noah. Noah is a super polite, mature and humble 12 year Christian boy and the strongest 12 year old I've ever seen. Bud blessed me with copies of his training DVD's. I highly recommend his DVD's. Before I meet him I had purchased his DVD on Indian club training. I highly recommend his DVD's you can order them or see them at Strongerman.com.

Frank Demio is a certified kettlebell, personal trainer 1 st Battling Ropes instructor in Central Florida and CrossFit instructor. He is 59 years old and continues to improve in strength gains. His web site is CrossfitGulfCoast.com. If you are ever in Sarasotta you must stop by for a workout.

Left to right: Bud Jeffries, Noah Jeffries, Julio Anta, John Brookfield and Frank Dimeo

Christian Church Security Protection

Church attacks are escalating. Would your church know what to do in a Terminal Situation?

 

The 5-Fold Armor-Bearer Ministry, which is a ministerial service with “Christian base” dignitary characteristics, is hosting a 4 hour workshop on Saturday, April 18^th 2009 between the hours of 1 PM to 5 PM at Anta’s Fitness and Self Defense, located at 10721 NW 58^thSt. in Doral Florida 33178. The idea of this workshop is to consider it as an insurance policy praying that it is never needed. It’s time to add action to our faith.

With the recent slaying of the late Fred Winters, who was the Senior Pastor of the First Baptist Church in Maryville IIlinois, shows that it’s time for church leaders to add wisdom to their faith. For many years it was taboo to consider security or concealed weapon protection in the church setting – echoed even to date. The question then becomes did you lock your home when you left to work, or when you left your vehicle? If you did I would challenge you and ask you why if you have faith. Well, because faith without works is dead, according to the scriptures we live or die for. With this principle in mind, consider terrorist attacks (highly motivated by spiritual convictions) or the economy (current recession), and so on. With the many attacks recorded throughout the last several years within churches throughout our country, why have we (The Church), continued to operate so naively? For additional church related attacks visit http://www.5foldarmorbearer.com/services.html.

Areas to be covered at the workshop (not limited to): Introduction of Biblical armor-bearing; difference between the 5-Fold Armor-Bearer (5 FAB) and the traditional bodyguard/executive protector; legalities; distinguishing armor-bearer duties/response from the security duties/response; Escorting procedures; and tactical responses upon an attack.

For registration, please contact us at www.5foldarmorbearer.com, 305 970-6813 or 305 599-3649. Early registration will be until April 4, 2009 and limited to the first 30 registered participants. The fees are as followed: $75.00 for one person or $50.00 per person for three or more people from the same church or organization. Free to Senior Pastors (Senior Pastor only) accompanied by registered participant(s) only. After April 4^th, it will be $100.00 per person and $75.00 for three or more from the same church or organization. Checks can be made out to Anta’s Fitness and Self Defense and credit card payments via 305 599-3649.The workshop is an overview of the 5-Fold Armor-Bearer program, thus certificates for all participants will be awarded by the 5-Fold Armor-Bearer Ministry…

 

Presenters Bios

Eric Gonzales has been a Christian since 83' and currently attends Metro Life Church. He has been married to his wife since 92' and has three children, 8, 9, and 13. He was the original armor-bearer for Pastors Steve and Mary Alessi as of 00', and continues to serve in that capacity. He further assists International artist, Ingrid Rosario in the capacity of armor-bearer/security coordinator. Eric is a retired correctional officer, certified in police training - certified in rapid tactic actions. He has also been certified in Youthful Offenders, Electrical Restraint Devices, Operations & Firearm Tactics, Escort & Transportation, Defensive Tactics, Human Diversity, 9mm Pistol, 38 Revolver, 12 Gage Shotgun, AR 15 Riffle, 40 Caliber Night Firing, D.E.A. Certified, Narcotics Identification, and Advance Narcotics Canine Situations. He is the author of Dog Training for the General Public, The 5 Fold Armor-Bearer (Pending publication), and author of several religious and nonreligious articles.      

 

Julio Antais a Haganah Israeli Self Defense Instructor and Hung Gar Kung Fu Master. He has been a Christian believer since 1986 and currently attends Metro Life Church.

Anta has been married since 86' and has two children. He is a retired US Marine Sergeant, retired Correctional Officer, and a certified Florida Department Law Enforcement (FDLE)

ITW

and Cultural Diversity instructor. He is the Founder and Head Instructor of Anta's Fitness and Self Defense located in Doral Florida and has many certifications to numerous to display. He conducts training workshops and seminars throughout the United States for law enforcement agencies, churches, universities, schools, clubs and organizations. Here's a few of the workshops by Anta: Currently training Metro Life Church Security Team; Self Defense Corrections USA Annual Conference, Detroit Mich; Self Defense Camp Cortney, Four Square Church Retreat, North Carolina; FIU Take Back the Night (Women's Self Defense); GADELA, Lion of Judah, New Life Assembly of God and Crime Prevention/Self Defense for the City of Doral. Anta's Self Defense is the official martial arts child development program of Diveine Savior Luthern Academy.

 

Call us at 305 599-3649.

FIREPROOF the Movie

I am really looking forward to seeing FIREPROOF. This movie is from the makers of Facing the Giants which is my favorite Christian movie. for more information on this movie check out the website http://www.fireproofthemovie.com/.

More than a year ago, the Kendrick Brothers began writing the script for FIREPROOF. More than 10 months ago, Sherwood Pictures began filming the movie. And in one month, FIREPROOF will open in more than 700 theaters. That's right: on Friday, September 26 you will have the opportunity to see FIREPROOF on the big screen!

If you haven't yet, be sure to check out where the movie will be playing near you. Here in Miami it will be playing at the Dolphin Cobb Theatre and at the Falls. A successful opening weekend is the key to helping the film play for an extended period in the theaters where it opens and to get it to other towns as well.

Metro Life Church Back to School Anti-Bully Workshop

Metro Life Church and Julio Anta, a member of the church and owner of Anta’s Fitness and Self Defense are hosting a Free back to school community service event “Middle School/High School Survival Workshop” in an effort to help kids survive an encounter with the school bully and negative peer pressure. The workshop is being held at Metro Life Church’s Infuse Youth Group, 10045 NW 19 St, Doral, on August 13, at 7 PM. This workshop will empower kids before they return to school by introducing them to mental and non-violent conflict resolution to defend against the school yard bully. The workshop will cover bullying, peer pressure, drugs, building self esteem, improving study habits through lectures, skits and self defense applications to empower the middle school/high school student. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released some disturbing information regarding teens in fear of violence at school on July 29, 2004. More than 10,000 public and private school students were interview in the CDC survey. The report states that teen’s fear of violence is up. The number of teens skipping school for fear of getting hurt has sky rocket over the past decade. It is believed that these students are skipping school due to a heighten sense of vulnerability due to the school shooting of the nineties, terrorist acts and violence in schools. Teen violence is on the rise. 44 % of rape victims are under 18. Most Middle School and High School kids go home after school to an empty household since most parents are still at work. The workshop will also cover home safety through awareness and reality based self defense. Anta believes that just like in the Renaissance era where music, the arts, inventions and innovations started in the church that the church should again become the innovators and teach life skills and self defense. Through the vision of the Anta’s and Metro Life Church of empowering kids this workshop came about. They believe that the church should not only meet the spiritual needs of the community but also the physical and psychological needs. Anta a Hung Gar Kung Fu Master (Chinese street fighting), Haganah F.I.G.H.T. (Fierce Israeli Guerrilla Hand to hand Tactics) instructor, a retired Prison Guard at a maximum security prison, a former U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant and Martial Arts for Peace Bully busters instructor will share his diverse experiences in this workshop. He has conducted numerous reality based street defense and crime prevention seminars throughout USA. Anta believes that all Christians should lead a peaceful life since the Bible tells us that those that live by the sword shall die by the sword. He also believes that Jesus wanted his disciple’s to protect themselves. In Luke 22: 36-38 He tells his disciples to buy swords to protect themselves the disciples answered. Lord we have two swords. If two swords were good enough for the 12 disciples than hand to hand combat should be good enough for Christians. Starting middle school is cultural shock to most 6 graders. Elementary school is in a control environment. Yet, in middle school the child is given so much liberty that is hard for them to handle it, the same can happen in high school. Some kids will bully and others will be bullied. This workshop will help a child acclimate to middle school/high school and make new friends. Anta says “Our goal is that upon completion of this workshop that students attending will be empowered to walk in peace. For more information or to set up a seminar for your church or organization call 305 599-3649 or log on to www.antakungfu.com.

Home School Physical Education Program

Coming in 2008! Anta's Fitness and Self Defense is proud to announce the opening of Anta's Home School Fitness and Martial Arts Physical Education Program. The program will be held at Anta's Fitness and Self Defense's 10721 NW 58 St. conveniently located in Doral, FL east of the turnpike. A state of the arts martial arts/fitness center. This is a Christian program without the eastern philosophy and religion taught by most martial arts schools. They have teamed up with the Barefoot Home School Support Group to bring you this fun and exciting functional fitness program. This Home School PE program is opened to all Home Schools students and Home School organizations in Miami and Broward County. The parents orientation will be held on Friday, January 4, at 2 PM and classes will commence on Friday, January 11, at 2 PM. As the program grows we will divide the students into age appropriate groups. We will also be adding more days and times.

At Anta's Home School Fitness and Martial Arts program all kids are winners and they will learn life skills that will last them a life time. The program is divided into monthly fitness themes. Some of the themes for 2008 are Cardio development, balance and coordination, flexibility, core strength and awareness and self defense. Within these monthly themes we'll do Kids Fitness Kickboxing, Boot Camp, Interval Training, circuit training, Indian Clubs (which was part of the Muscular Christian Movement at the turn of the last century) fun obstacles, medicine ball, rope climbing, self defense and martial arts.

The program will be taught by Julio Anta co-owner (with his wife Elena) of Anta's Fitness and Self Defense who has a diverse fitness and martial arts background. Mr. Anta is a Hung Gar Kung Fu Master and certified as a Haganah Israeli Martial Arts instructor, Personal Trainer, Fitness Kickboxing instructor and Kettlebell instructor. He was a former competitive bodybuilder, Marine Corps Sergeant, Corrections Officer and Captain of a Dragon Boat Competitive Rasing Team. He is a member of Metro Life Church in Doral. Anta is also certified in Martial Arts for Peace Bully Busters program and the National Security Alliance in child safety and stranger danger. He currently teaches a martial arts fitness program at Divine Savior Lutheran Academy. Elena Anta is a fully certified Pilates instructor with a background as a school teacher and After School Care Director.

We'll be giving more details within the next few weeks. For more information and/or to sign up call 305 599-3649 or via E-mail at fitdef@aol.com.