Love at its best.

Family affair

It was been an amazing summer in Honduras and these final weeks will be no less exciting as we work among the people here. It is great to have family here with us..it is very special to share such an experience together; it some how adds a depth to a relationship that is like no other. We have had some really different opportunities over the past few days. and each one shows everyone a little different aspect of the work here. Jenny and Erin are first time Torcher's and today, day two on the mountian for Erin, she said "I don't want to ever leave!" Boy, have I heard that before. If I have heard it once I have heard it a hundred times. This place has that effect on people.


Eric on the job site

While Mark and Eric worked to help finish a few projects in the community of Nueva Oriental, Ryan, Erin Jenny and I played with kids and had a great time. We had a day full of just loving on children and being blessed by amazing smiles. The children as Erin observed are so trusting, and she is right. I can only hope it is because they feel the peace and presence of God.

Erin and Ocealina


Jenny and Jonathon


Ryan and Moises

On wednesday, we visited the Jimmy Hughes Children's home and it was an incredible experience for all of us. Some of you reading have been here personally and know what I am talking about. Today for the first time this summer I was able to take a drive out of the city to see the work here. Children's homes in Honduras are not uncommon actually it is the very opposite. But I had been hearing all summer about this place and today I finally had some time to drive and see for myself.
It was clear from the moment we arrived this was a special place.
First, the man who runs it has an amazing story, a true God story if I have ever heard one. A life of crime and drugs and violence given to God in service to provide victims of crimes like he once committed a safe haven of love.


Eric and Byron

Second the kids. The ages range from infants to 20+. ALL the children are products of extreme gang violence and abuse who have been placed here by the first lady or other officials. The older kids, all x gang members, who are trying to get out of gang life and rehabilitate. They live a very structured life, one with no excuses and no negotiation. They have a beautiful "home" to live in and I do mean a home. It is a beautiful place that is well kept and very inviting. They are shown amazing amounts of love and respect and they have a 85% success rate for these young people to stay away from gang activity after they leave.
The little ones 0-14 live in a different house. They are amazing. All these kids have seen horrific things in their young lives, murders of parents and family members, attempted murder on themselves, sexual abuse. And some are no older than two. The stories don't even seem real as the staff shares them with you. Who wants to believe that a sweet little boy, named Byron of two years looked on as 11 of his family members were shot by gang members, including his mother? Another, a boy of 9 who saved the life of his little sister as he layed over her body to sheild her from stab wounds and was stabed 25 times himself as gang members came into his their home to kill the family and only survived because he was smart enough to play dead. Who wants to believe that this can happen to children ? I am thankful for a place like this who deals with the aftermath of these young lives and begins to make them whole again. We will be returning next week.


Jenny and the twins

On Tuesday Jenny and I were able to visit San Miguel and deliver a baby stroller to Dylcia the mother of 3 month old twins and a toddler. Jenny loves babies and to have her first experience helping a mom of 3 was pure joy for her. Jenny being the expert she is, helped me choose the stroller. We had built her a new house a few weeks back because she and her family were victims of all of the rain and flooding damage we had this summer. She was thrilled to see the stroller as she is finding it hard to manage the twins and her 2 year old and is unable to get out of the house very much to get water etc... We hope this will make life a bit easier.

Tommorow we will be going to San Miguel to do a few small building projects! Good things are happening