When Jack vanHartesvelt set out to build a simple security fence for a Tijuana orphanage, he never imagined it would grow into a full-scale renovation powered by hundreds of volunteers, donated materials, and divine timing. What began as a weekend project for a handful of welders transformed into a complete makeover of Casa Hogar de Los Ninos-creating safe housing, working bathrooms, reliable food supplies, and ongoing medical care for fifty-five abandoned children.
Drawing on decades of experience developing luxury hotels and managing billion-dollar private equity funds, Jack discovered how business skills could be redirected to meet urgent human needs. From coordinating construction crews to navigating border crossings with semi-trucks full of materials, every challenge became an opportunity to demonstrate that professional expertise and faithful stewardship can work hand in hand.
You Can't Spoil an Orphan is a true story of how faith, leadership, and a single "yes" can multiply into something far beyond what any one person could imagine. This isn't just a book about charity-it's about discovering the exponential power of purpose-driven action. Jack's journey reveals how saying yes to one neighbor's request during his own financial crisis led to eight extreme makeover projects, board positions at faith-based universities, and a lifetime of meaningful impact.
Set against the backdrop of post-9/11 uncertainty, family tragedy, and the dangerous streets of Tijuana, this memoir shows how God uses ordinary business decisions and willing hearts to create extraordinary outcomes. From the W Hotel's innovative sandbar rooftop to Mother Teresa's influence on an orphanage founder, every chapter demonstrates that mission-centered living and business success aren't opposites-they're partners.
If you've ever wondered how to use what you have to serve others, this book will show you how-with practical wisdom, authentic vulnerability, and real-world examples that will inspire you to recognize the opportunities for impact already within your reach. Whether you're in boardrooms or coffee shops, this story proves that you can't spoil an orphan, but it's definitely worth trying.
