Creativity is Justice in Action

I once read a quote: “I’m not a product of my circumstances, I am a product of my decisions.”

That phrase stuck with me like a splinter. Irritating. Uncomfortable. Demanding attention.

Why does it bother me?

Because it oversimplifies a complex reality.

Yes, personal responsibility matters. But opportunity shapes decisions—and opportunity is not evenly distributed.

I was born in the wealthiest nation in history. I had loving parents, access to education, and the freedom to make choices, with a safety net in case I needed it. That’s privilege.

But for millions, privilege isn’t an option.

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A young girl at the Terminal Dump in Guatemala City. Photo by Scott Owen Moore.

When Survival is the Only Choice

For years, through our nonprofit Athentikos, I’ve been immersed in stories of people forced to make impossible choices—children born into war, families ripped apart by violence, communities crushed by poverty.

A young girl scavenging in the Guatemala City garbage dump doesn’t get to choose between college and a gap year—she’s choosing between finding food and going hungry.

Are these people products of their decisions?

Yes. But when survival is the only goal, decisions aren’t about future success—they’re about making it through another day.

That’s why justice requires more than opportunity. It requires imagination.

Children Playing at the Terminal Dump in Guatemala City. Photo by Scott Owen Moore.
Children Playing at the Terminal Dump in Guatemala City. Photo by Scott Owen Moore.

Creativity: The Engine of Justice

The world changes when people dare to see beyond their current circumstances.

Justice isn’t just about breaking chains. It’s about creating new paths forward.

The abolition of slavery, the Civil Rights Movement, and the fight for human rights did not happen simply because of laws. They happened because people first imagined a different world and used creativity to make it real.

Because creativity is justice in action.

It allows us to envision a reality that doesn’t yet exist—and then build it.

✨ Creativity sees beyond limitation.
✨ Creativity multiplies opportunity.
✨ Creativity empowers us to rewrite the story.

Think about it:

  • Creativity fueled the Civil Rights Movement—where art, music, and speeches painted a picture of a just world before laws ever changed.

  • Creativity empowers children in under-resourced communities to reimagine their future. Through painting, music, and storytelling, they turn survival into self-expression.

  • Creativity drives global justice today—murals in refugee camps, protest songs that rally movements, films that expose hidden injustices. Art opens minds, builds empathy, and sparks change.

  • Creativity fuels entrepreneurship—giving people in struggling communities the ability to innovate, create jobs, and restore dignity in places where opportunities were once out of reach.

Justice doesn’t just fight oppression—it creates new possibilities.

And creativity is the force that drives it forward.

Choosing to Create a Just Future

As someone with opportunity and privilege, I choose to use my creativity to lift others who have less.

Through creativity, I choose to dream beyond my own story—to share a greater narrative of grace, mercy, and redemption through a Creator who loved us enough to create a way to restore us.

Now it’s your turn.

Creativity is worship. Creativity is healing. Creativity is justice.

Let’s not just talk about it—let’s create together.

Join Athentikos: I AM ART—a movement using creativity to heal, empower, and build a more just world.

Wrestling With Thanksgiving

I’m wrestling with Thanksgiving.

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I’m not wearing a Lucha Libre mask, leaping high off the ropes to grapple a turkey—although that would be epic. I’m actually talking about being honest with myself regarding what I’m thankful for.

Typically, I express gratitude for the good things in my life: God, family, food, shelter, health, education, friends, travel—things that warm my heart and bring a smile to my face.

But what about the other stuff? What about the things that have angered me, saddened me, or hurt me? Am I thankful for those experiences? Depending on my perspective (and sometimes my lack of one), I can find lessons in anything.

I’ve been immersed in the “Becoming Fools” project for the last three years. It’s been a stressful journey, and I’ve found myself growing increasingly exhausted and less thankful for the opportunity to be involved. I used to feel similarly about “Reparando,” but that changed over time after we released the film.

Like most people, I forget too easily.

During my scouting trip for “Becoming Fools” in 2011, Tita personally invited me to attend a screening of “Reparando.” I was honored by the invitation, but I was also exhausted from two weeks of 16-hour days spent interviewing people and capturing footage in Guatemala City. Part of me wanted to just return to my room and sleep. I couldn’t understand why my presence mattered. I thought, “I am just a silly Gringo; they won’t care. Besides, I’m here for ‘Becoming Fools,’ not ‘Reparando.'”

But Tita was persistent. She genuinely wanted me to come. So, we drove straight from our production site across the city to a church near La Limonada. Tita met us outside the church with hugs, and we watched the film from the back of the room.

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After the film ended, Tita called Shorty and me to come up to the front. She hugged me, and while everyone was clapping, they presented a gift from the people of La Limonada: a T-shirt covered with signatures from the residents of La Limonada. These were people who were very thankful for the film we made. I realized I could not have been more wrong about many things.

My perspective was renewed.

“Reparando” brought me closer to many important aspects of life—God, family, friends, education, and travel. On a personal level, it helped me understand my sons’ stories in a way I could never grasp otherwise. On a broader scale, “Reparando” has inspired countless resources that have supported missions, blessing people who struggle far more than I can imagine—people who are genuinely grateful.

I believe “Becoming Fools” will eventually have a similar impact. So why am I wrestling with feelings of gratitude over “Becoming Fools”? I’m human, and I forget. That’s why we are called to be transformed by the renewing of our minds—continuously refocusing our perspectives on the truth. We often forget, which is one of the reasons we celebrate Thanksgiving: to remember. I find myself personally challenged to recall things that might not easily fit into a warm and fuzzy Thanksgiving narrative. Most of the time, I just try to fit these experiences into the wrong perspective.

Here’s the essential message:

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.“ (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Everything fits within the Thanksgiving framework when viewed from the right perspective. It’s not easy, but I hope that if I keep working at it, gratitude will ultimately prevail.

What aspects of Thanksgiving do you struggle with?

Encouragement

Encouragement is a blessing. In this age of Twitter and Facebook, a handwritten letter is a treasure chest full of gold that fills the emotional bank of our hearts.

Yesterday, I opened a letter addressed to Athentikos from Pennsylvania. We typically don’t receive much mail from people, so this was already a unique experience. Inside the envelope was a check and a handwritten letter that read:

“Dear Mr. and Mrs. Moore,

I viewed your documentary, Reparando, last evening on Hulu Plus and was moved by the conditions depicted in it and the work being done to address them. Praise God! Enclosed is a gift of $25, which I will send each month for the next year…”

I was unprepared for this encouragement, and my eyes filled with tears. The emotional bank of my heart has long been overdrawn after investing myself in Becoming Fools—a worthy but underfunded project that has required a personal investment from me for the last three years. To be honest, at this point in production, it’s easy to get discouraged and feel as though the last three years have been a waste of time. It feels like we’ve put something on layaway, making payments every month, but we’ll never get to bring it home.

Three years is a long time, especially in an age when we receive instant feedback. We can drive to a fast-food window and get food in seconds. We can instantly watch any one of thousands of movies or TV shows, and if we don’t like one, we can quickly switch to another. It’s easy to forget why we do what we do when we focus solely on finishing tasks, particularly when we become insulated and isolated from our original motivations.

We produced Becoming Fools to share it with an audience—not for the sake of receiving praise, but to inspire others to make a difference in the lives of at-risk youth.

I am grateful for this letter of encouragement. It highlights the power of storytelling, underscores the importance of our mission, and reminds me that our efforts are not in vain. This individual has fueled our spirits with encouraging words and financial support, helping us amplify authenticity and extend the mission of other organizations serving those in need worldwide. The irony is that this person felt moved to encourage us after watching Reparando on Hulu—a film we released three years ago, the same duration we have invested in Becoming Fools. Perhaps three years isn’t such a long investment when we consider that stories can be passed down through generations, yielding a return greater than we can ever fully comprehend. It is worth it.

This handwritten letter of encouragement is a treasure chest full of gold.

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Father’s Day and a Becoming Fools Related Anniversary

Coincidentally, June 16, 2013 was Father’s Day and a Becoming Fools related anniversary.

As I celebrate being a dad, I also reflect on the purpose of our film. A year ago, street youth performed alongside professional entertainers on a Broadway stage as part of the project “Becoming Fools.” Here is an excerpt from the opening narration:

“When I was a kid, it felt great when my parents came to watch me in a sport or play. Think back … Chances are, someone was there for you too, rooting you on with a smile. Someone was your number one fan, encouraging you to never give up.

But what if things were different?

What if … instead of rooting you on, your parents abused you … or what if they weren’t even there at all? How would that have changed your life? What opportunities would you have missed? For some, this “different reality”, really isn’t different. It’s all they’ve ever known …”

I am thankful for my dad and proud to be a father to my sons from Guatemala.

When I tuck my kids into bed at night, I’m reminded that many children in Guatemala—and around the world—do not have a bed to sleep in and may not have celebrated Father’s Day with their dads. That’s why we created “Becoming Fools,” to help make a difference.

Here’s a bonus feature, a scene from the Voz de las Calles Show.

Prodigal Clown – Scene – 03 from Athentikos on Vimeo.

The Implosion of Becoming Fools

A year ago today, we were in Guatemala documenting the implosion of Becoming Fools.

We were three days away from a big theatrical event called “Voz de las Calles”, which was the culmination of five months of rehearsals with street youth and professional entertainers. The road had not been entirely smooth. In fact, there were some major hurdles along the way. But, with the help of gracious volunteers, it looked like they were going to pull it off.

And then … three days before the show, the bottom dropped out …

One of the street youth with a leading role in the play had been in drug rehabilitation for a year. Three days before the show, he left his rehab and went back to the streets to consume drugs. My heart was broken. This guy wasn’t a “street youth” to me – he was a friend. I was rooting for him and his peers as they wrestled towards their goal of performing on a Guatemalan Broadway Stage.

A year ago today, we didn’t know if they would be able to pull it off. It seemed impossible:

  • Most of the cast were youth who still lived in the streets
  • The original director wrecked his motorcycle and couldn’t continue with the project
  • Funds had not been raised to pay for the theater rental
  • The cast had never finished the entire play in rehearsal
  • One of the lead characters left the show 3 days before the event

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The cast rehearses a symbolic scene where the hero is attacked by shadows.

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This is probably how Roberto, the theatrical director felt, as he tried to pull the show together in three days.

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Scott Moore documents the implosion of Becoming Fools, on his knees.

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A tired cast receives notes after rehearsal.

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The night ended with conflict as one of the cast members quit the show.

We didn’t know what would happen a year ago, but we all walked forward in faith .. Becoming Fools.

We captured a beautiful story that walks a tightrope between tragedy and comedy.

Fast forward to today …

We feel much like we did a year ago. It seems impossible.

We never raised the money needed to finish the film. But we believed in the project, so we subsidized it with our blood, sweat, tears, and personal savings.

The good news is that the film is finished.

The bad news is that so is our funding.

We need your help to share the story.

Will you join us in Becoming Fools and give a tax-deductible donation to help us release the film?

Give a tax-deductible donation.

 

He Said We Were Hypocrites—And I Had No Answer

I walked into a prison expecting to witness broken lives. Instead, a prisoner exposed the cracks in my own. Although I wasn’t incarcerated for a crime, I realized I had been living in the safety of untested beliefs. It took the wisdom of a gang member to make me question everything.

In 2008, my wife, Amelia, and I traveled to Guatemala to receive our second adopted son, Elliot. We had visited Guatemala multiple times during the adoption process and were fortunate to have a friend, Joel, a missionary deeply connected to the country. We wanted to document the culture for our children, so we asked him to show us the real Guatemala—the places beyond tourist attractions. This time, he took us deeper than I had anticipated: into a maximum-security prison to meet gang members.

Visiting gang members in prison wasn’t on my bucket list, but I agreed, albeit reluctantly.

The discomfort started immediately. At the entrance, I was required to leave my passport with a guard—my only proof of identity and, more importantly, my only proof that I was a U.S. citizen and not a permanent resident of the facility. But that unease paled in comparison to what came next.

A guard escorted us through a series of locked double gates, each checkpoint requiring a stamp on our arms. With each barrier, the weight of where I was going settled deeper into my chest. Finally, after passing through the last security point, we turned a corner, and I froze. Through the heavy steel bars, I saw a long, dimly lit corridor that resembled an anarchist’s nightclub—thick with smoke, pulsing with blaring reggaeton music, and filled with tattooed men pressed against the bars.

The gate behind us locked with a final, decisive clang. The guard did not enter with us. Joel explained that if he had, he might have been killed.

That wasn’t reassuring.

Just as I registered the gravity of the situation, I turned to find myself surrounded by over a hundred men, covered in tattoos like war paint. I suddenly remembered why this wasn’t on my bucket list.

Most of the inmates, however, were distracted by something else: a dentist we had brought along. With tools but no anesthetics, he set up his makeshift practice at the back of the cell block, and gang members sat through procedures one by one, their faces tense as they fought to maintain a tough exterior.

As I stood there, clinging to Joel’s familiar presence, I forced myself to look beyond the tattoos. That’s when I realized that many of these “warriors” were just kids. One of them, intrigued by my presence, approached me. He shared a glimpse of his life, but then he turned the conversation on me.

“You Christians are in a gang just like us,” he said. “You follow a leader. You have symbols, language, customs, and code—just like us. The difference is that you have the luxury of being a hypocrite. If we aren’t true to our gang, we’re killed.”

I had no response—only questions.

Who am I? What leader do I follow? Am I a hypocrite?

His words exposed a contradiction I had never fully examined. Faith had been a part of my identity, but was it something I truly lived out, or had I been comfortable in a faith that required little risk? I quickly realized that had we not adopted our sons, they could have ended up in a place like this. And if I had grown up in the same circumstances as these young men, who’s to say I wouldn’t have made the same choices?

That thought haunted me, but it also compelled me. I couldn’t just adopt my two sons and move on with my life; I had to do something.

I wasn’t a lawyer, a doctor, or an engineer—I couldn’t build a legal case, perform surgeries, or design infrastructure to change their future. But I was a storyteller. Storytelling had the power to expose realities, challenge perspectives, and inspire action. That’s why I founded Athentikos (Greek for “authentic”)—to reveal and inspire through the power of story.

What Does It Mean to Be Authentic?

The word “authentic” is often thrown around, but what does it truly mean? Here are two common definitions:

  • Not false or copied; genuine; real.

  • Having origins supported by unquestionable evidence.

But authenticity isn’t just a dictionary definition—it’s a practice, a discipline, and a risk. Being authentic means embracing both strength and weakness, fully owning one’s identity while acknowledging the need for others. It means refusing to wear a mask, even when doing so would be easier.

The gang member’s words challenged me in unexpected ways. Was I living out my faith with the same unshakable commitment to my brotherhood that these young men had? Or was I merely comfortable with a belief system that allowed for inconsistency?

For me, authenticity means humbly identifying with Christ as my leader—not just in word but in action. It means using my creative gifts for a purpose beyond myself, telling stories that illuminate injustice and inspire solutions. It also means recognizing my limitations and depending on others because I cannot do this alone.

Authenticity is not a solo journey. It is lived out in community, faith, hope, and love.

So I leave you with the same questions I wrestled with that day:

Who are you? What leader do you follow? And is your true identity fully integrated into a life that creates real change?

The Official Becoming Fools Movie Trailer

Drum roll, please …. After much anticipation, we are thrilled to release the official Becoming Fools Movie Trailer.

We’re not yet finished with the film, but we’re close. It’s in the final phase of post-production: coloring, music, mixing, animation, art, and credits.

After a year of pre-production and research, 6 months of production and 6 months of editing and post-production, we are rounding the turn towards the finish line. My heart has swung through all emotions imaginable over the course of this journey – from loving the story, to absolutely hating it, to loving it again.

The production phase is my favorite. It is a time when we are out in the world together, collaborating, capturing a story and experiencing the richness of community. It’s hard work, but somehow we don’t notice because we are together. You should hear the laughter at 2 AM when we’re logging footage, after a 12 hour shoot in a dirty environment … and the water is off, so you can’t take a shower before bed. It is a true joy!

Then there is the flip side. If production is a joy because of community, then editing is the Alcatraz prison of loneliness. To be honest, I often wrestle with depression while editing a film. It is a long period of isolation in the “editing cave” with only small spurts of community when we evaluate the film. And because those small doses of community are focused on critically evaluating the film, it usually results in me having to spend more time editing in isolation. Don’t get me wrong. I greatly value constructive criticism during the process and want our films to be the best they can be! It just begins to take its toll after 6 months of 16 hour work days. Needless to say, I am very glad that I can see the light at the end of the editing tunnel!

After all this work, the film is slightly different than we originally imagined. But, this is normal because you never have control over all the production elements in a documentary. In this case, we were thrown some pretty big wild cards during production. I compared it to riding a wild bull. We just held on tight, kept the cameras rolling, and prayed we were capturing what we needed to tell a great story. Thankfully, we captured some great stuff!

During a recent Athentikos meeting, we engaged in a deep and honest discussion about the film. We asked some  tough questions ….

Is this a compelling story?

Does this film achieve what we set out to do?

Is the story depicted in the final edit the same story we passionately felt called to produce in the beginning?

It was unanimous. Even though the story is different than we initially imagined, it compellingly accomplishes the goal we set out to achieve. This is the story God called us to tell.

It’s full of warm characters, beautiful tension and redemption that we couldn’t have written better if we wrote it as a narrative. It still makes me cry … and I have seen it thousands of times over the course of editing! So, either I am completely off my rocker, or this story truly connects to the heart.

As we work diligently to wrap up the final details in this project, I have mixed emotions. I’ve committed 2 years of my life to developing, filming and editing this story. I’ve grown to love these street youth as dear friends. Their delicate charm has captured my heart! I would love for this film to raise awareness and bring needed resources to this issue! But, I have no idea what will become of it all.

We raised enough funding to get through production. But we still lack the financial resources to release the film. Unfortunately, we can’t subsidize this next phase with our sweat equity. Unless we receive additional funding, we will be forced to put the film on hold. We truly believe this story has the potential to make a difference in the lives of street youth around the world. But we need your help … will you consider giving a donation?

As of right now, we only have one official film screening planned. Let’s make it count!

Becoming Fools will screen at the Omaha Film Festival on Sunday March 10 at 12:15 PM.

Gather your friends and meet us there! If you are too far away to attend, please help us make noise so we can try to fill the theater. Use every means necessary to tell people about this opportunity to see the film: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, phone calls, post cards, smoke signal … and especially talking face to face!

Please watch the trailer and share it. Give a donation if you can. Work with us to help bring the film to your city. Let’s become fools together and make a difference!

Give a tax-deductible donation to help us release the film.

Why do we keep marching forward in something that seems so foolish?

We are fools.

Why do we keep marching forward in something that seems so foolish? Seriously, sometimes I wonder if I am just stubborn or foolish myself. Either way, we seem foolish for pressing on. Today, I finally finished editing “Becoming Fools”, and we received our first response back from a film festival where we submitted the project. It read:

“I’m sorry to inform you that your project was not selected … Best of luck with your future projects.”

Not exactly the most encouraging news on this milestone of production.

Let me set the stage for this message. I’ve been working on the “Becoming Fools” documentary for two years, full-time for the last year and a half, and honestly, “full-time” is an understatement. It’s more like 16 hours a day, six days a week. I don’t share this for sympathy; I share it to emphasize just how truly foolish I feel.

From the very beginning, every step of this journey has felt foolish. It’s been a marathon of impossible hurdles designed to challenge our resolve to keep going:

– The protagonist of the story passed away while we were in pre-production.

– Amelia and I lost our day jobs within three weeks of each other, leaving us without a secure income.

– Our Kickstarter fundraiser failed to raise the necessary funds to produce the film.

– Funds were not raised to pay for the live theatrical event documented in the film.

– The lead character of the live theatrical event quit and returned to the streets.

– We had 485 hours of footage that needed to be translated before we could edit it down to feature length.

– The editing process took five months, working 16 hours a day, six days a week.

– We missed the opportunity to enter several major film festivals for the season.

– Technical difficulties complicated the finalization of the edit.

– Our first film festival notice was a rejection.

– We currently lack funds to release the film.

And yet, we continue. Why?

There are days when I wonder if I have wasted the last few years of my life investing in this seemingly foolish endeavor. Some days, it really stings and makes me feel like a total failure. But then I take a deep breath and remember why we started this project: it is a story that needs to be shared to inspire others.

What is failure? What is foolishness? Italo could be seen as both. He lived his life in accordance with the passion that God gave him, risking everything to care for kids who seemed unlikely to change. In fact, many of the children he helped still struggle with addiction and have not completely left the streets. But Italo didn’t die in those streets. Instead, his passion sparked the creation of a community of “fools” who believe they can make a difference together.

Was Italo a fool? Yes. Was he a failure? Absolutely not.

Like Italo, we continue because we are “fools” living our lives according to the passion God has given us. With that purpose in mind, there is no way we can fail. So, we keep marching forward.

Everything works better together

Athentikos, FreedomGuatemala, PorUnaCausa and Weyaverde joined forces at Monkibú.  The event was multi-purpose, directed at benefiting all organizations involved, in addition to raising awareness about recycling and the issue of children living in the street.  Monkibú, a fun center for kids, hosted an event to teach kids about recycling.

Toy Story characters Buzz Lightyear, Woody and Jessie showed up at the event to teach the children the importance of recycling.  They discussed what materials could be recycled and the proper way to recycle these materials in addition how to conserve energy.  Buzz, Woody and Jessie taught the kids the 3 R’s…reducir, reusar, reciclar (reduce, reuse, recycle).

As part of the event, all participating organizations invited everyone to bring their recyclable items to a recently installed recycle bin at Monkibú.  Weyaverde, a recycling center installed this bin and will pick up all donated materials and transport them to a recycling center.  Monkibú is now an established “punto verde” (recycling center) and will continue accepting recycling donations, however all proceeds collected from today’s event and through June 15th will be donated to MOJOCA – Movimiento de jóvenes de la calle.  MOJOCA is an organization in Guatemala City working in the streets with children of the streets.  Many of the children involved in Voz de las Calles and Becoming Fools are children that participate in MOJOCA’s programs.  Their work features 5 stages in which children from the streets attend school, participate in vocational training, work for an income, gain independence and reinsert themselves into society.  Benefits from Voz de las Calles and Becoming Fools will go to continue this vocational training at MOJOCA.

Beauty is …

We were checking out at the grocery store the other day, and my son Micah said, “Hey dad, there’s a picture of Guatemala.”

I turned around and noticed he was pointing at this magazine. I had to hide my tears because his observation struck a chord in my soul. He was talking about the country of his birth. This is one of the reasons we invest so much or ourselves into Athentikos.


Once we got to the car, I explained that the picture was not of Guatemala, but of a different country called Syria. That didn’t really matter to him. Micah was certain of the photo’s location. He described in detail the things which made the photo “Guatemalan”.

He said, “The buildings are old, gray, and broken. The streets are broken and dirty …”

I almost chimed in to correct him and reinforce the reality that this photo was NOT Guatemala. But, I caught myself in time and just listened to him explain.

“It is kind of scary …”, he continued.

Wow! Was this how my son really saw his birth country – old, broken, and scary? What a contrast! I see a beautiful country with flowers, volcanoes, lakes, historical architecture, intoxicating color, and some of the warmest, most charming people I have ever met. However, when I stopped to look at the photo through the eyes of a six year old, suddenly Guatemala I could see the similarities. They are both war torn, yearning for hope and a better future.

I told Micah I could see the similarities he mentioned, but this photo was not taken in Guatemala. I explained the fact that war had damaged both these countries, but they were still beautiful; and both had incredible people are working hard to make their countries better. I reminded him of all the beautiful things in Guatemala and promised to take him there someday to explore its wonder with him.

He is very excited about climbing a volcano together someday.

Admittedly, so am I.