Yesterday a group of about 40 of us got the opportunity to go to Jimmy Hughes’ orphanage. While we were there we got the opportunity to meet Jimmy Hughes himself and the wonderful kids that his home is taking care of.
We started the day with a 2 hour bus ride through the beautiful countryside of Honduras. When we arrived at the orphanage, Pastor Salvador met us at the front gate and led us into their rehabilitation clinic. There we sat down and were told a little about how things work and how things got started. We were then introduced to Jimmy and he spoke to us, encouraging us to live with a purpose and to live in our father’s image. He is an awesome guy that has lived life and has a pretty intense story.
We were introduced to Ronnie, and his miraculous story of how he survived and protected his sister’s life while his family was being brutally attacked by the MS13 gang. He was the reason that the orphanage opened its doors.
After hearing what Jimmy had to say and eating a little bit of lunch, we went and helped clean up the new bakery and pizza parlor that will be opening up soon on their campus. These new food facilities will be run by the kids in order to help them make some money and learn responsibility. (cupcakes = AMAZING!)
After we got our hands a little dirty helping out, we were able to meet and visit with the children at the orphanage. These kids are all victims of some type of gang violence, and all of them have amazing testimonies. The children loved showing us their rooms and, like every other kid here in Honduras, loved to play a little futbol as well.
We were also presented with the opportunity to go into a home where 5 young girls had children from being victims of rape. These girls ranged from ages of 10 to 15 and they were very glad to share their young children with us. We were able to play with the babies for about an hour and everyone was uplifted by the experience.
Over all it was an exciting and eventful day! Getting to know some of these kids and what has happened to them at such a young age is inspiring yet heartbreaking. These kids have remarkable stories and are heroes to us all! Please keep the staff, kids, and the efforts to help these victims in your prayers.
2 comments:
What an amazing story. I have heard it from Melissa Wood, Jason and Melanie Jones but it is always brought more vivid to hear it from someone else. What an amazing man to do what he does. Jason Jones got home to Louisville at 10:30 Sat. night, a little late but full of stories. Since I was the only one who had been before, he kept saying 'Linda, remember this or that" I hope one day we can all go together as a family and experience Honduras; first hand is so much better than from someone else. Thanks to all of you who went and worked; I know you have been rewarded already for having gone and done God's work. Love you and miss you. Linda W.
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