The heart of a warrior and champion has been quieted this past month. I say “quieted” because it cannot be silenced.
Malcolm Smith was laid to rest this past month, but his heart will never be silenced due to the many lives he touched. I knew Malcolm personally, and I know just what an amazing heart this man not only had, but exercised every day.
One of the many ways Malcolm used his big heart was for the children of El Oasis, ICC’s Children’s Village in Mexico. Malcolm and his wife, Joyce, have done so many amazing things for those special children and the kids that preceded them who are now adults.
I remember being on the campus one week when Malcolm, Joyce, and one of their many groups were working at El Oasis to improve the campus for the children there in Mexico. They were creating the footings and pouring the concrete slab for the big basketball and volleyball court. I distinctly remember this because I can still picture Malcolm working tirelessly all day, then he drove his truck up to the edge of that area and shined the headlights onto the court area so that he could continue to work on it well into the evening. The energy that man had was an amazing thing to watch!
The Smith Family also stepped in when the educational center was being built and extra funds were needed. They single-handedly funded the entire remaining financial need and the labor to build that facility! I’m talking about people that have been so influential on El Oasis campus and in the lives of those precious children. These are only a couple of the many, many projects that Malcolm spearheaded for the children of El Oasis.
I also remember when Malcolm visited, the children would gather around him because they loved him and were so grateful for all he did and continued to do for them. Malcolm set up a non-profit foundation to encourage others in the off-road community to give for the education of children in Mexico. So many of the ICC kids were included in that effort, and still are.
Malcom’s son, Alexander, has taken over for Malcolm, and he continues to share from his own big heart that he inherited from his father.
I am sharing a few photos for you to enjoy so that each one of us in the ICC Family can know something about a man who has made such a huge impact in the lives of the children of Mexico, at El Oasis, and beyond. ICC and El Oasis have truly been blessed to have been touched by the heart of a true warrior in this world of ours. We will never forget the heartfelt ways that Malcom has touched the lives of the children of El Oasis. And to help us remember, I’m pleased to announce that the El Oasis school is being given the endearing name of “Malcolm & Joyce Smith Educational Learning Center.”
Our prayers go out to the Smith family in this difficult time.
