A Sherwood Pictures film, the movie has its roots in the word of God. It is, after all, a Christian film produced by Sherwood Baptist Church, the producers of the very successful movies: Now with his own two and half-year-old daughter, Amaya has his own example to set. Still, he feels very deeply for children who have been abandoned by their fathers. Stating statistics from the World Health Organization and the United Nations, the Latino actor is particularly struck by the fact that the second most violent region (after Africa) is Central and South America, including Mexico — the violence directly correlates to the discouragingly high number of people who have been raised on the streets without a father.
His hope is that "Latino men and women are touched and moved by the Martinez family." He feels the Latino family needs God desperately. Amaya is very aware of what a good example can do for a child, stating," I'm really thankful that I was raised in a very Godly home. By that I mean...my parent's began what they would call a "personal relationships with Christ," well before I was born."
Amaya credits his father, who for a time during his teens was a pastor saying, " I never saw him put his family in second place. I think he always considered his family his first ministry." That kind of family commitment doesn't escape Amaya when it comes to sitting around the table for dinner. He remarks, "Sitting down to eat as a family is, in my opinion, crucial to overall family unity. It's a reserved time we make for each other, making sure we demonstrate how important every member is in the family. Plus, it's fun to see the messes my two and half-year-old makes."
Just for fun, MCCN asked Robert Amaya a few foodie questions. Here's what he had to say:
MCCN: What is your favorite meal?
Robert Amaya: (My) favorite meal is a toss up between my Mother's "arroz con pollo" (Classic Cuban) and my grandmother's "pupusas" (El Salvador delicioso!).
MCCN: Are you a good cook in the kitchen?
Robert Amaya: My wife would say that I'm a much better cook than I give myself credit for. I'm a meat and potato kind of guy when it comes to cooking, but I do occasionally get inventive. I love cooking spicy food.
MCCN: What is your favorite holiday for eating?
Robert Amaya: Favorite holiday for food is Christmas. I'm Latin, but my wife is not. So I get to feast with my family on "Noche Buena" (December 24) and then go feast with my in-laws on Christmas Day...two for one!!!
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