Edgardo and Mary, the boys orphanage parents, have sacrificed their entire lives to give everything they have to the 7 former orphans who now call them “madre” and “padre.” 

This Christmas, we wanted to give them the gift of a relaxing week together. So Mitch Huesling, a PT student at UT Health and Will Gilchrist, a high school football coach in Savannah, TN and recent graduate of the University of Memphis, both of whom came to Honduras with POI for their first time this summer, spent the past 10 days running the boys orphanage.

Will and Mitch both came to Honduras last week expecting to be hanging out with kids and loving on them, but they were both left surprised by their time in the boys orphanage.

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as ransom for many. Mark 10:45. 

This verse describes these boys…they live out such a picture of the gospel. Not only did they serve each other diligently without hesitation, but when we went to the special needs orphanage they led the way in serving others. The obstacles that they have overcome and the way they love and serve each other is truly amazing.

-Mitch

Halfway through the trip, I had done a full load of laundry, and went out to get my clothes off the line and every single one of them were folded and stacked perfectly. I asked Mitch if he had folded my laundry and he said, no. I still don’t know which kid did it but this is just an example of how they want to serve, not for the credit or for a reward.

We went with the intention of serving them, but they had in their mind that they would serve us.

The boys were truly grateful for every single meal (some of which were not very good, thrown-together American meals by Mitch and I that did not measure up to the delicious Honduran meals Mary provides for them), but no matter what meal we put in front of them they ate every bite with gratitude. They never complained, and they always cleaned their plates while thanking us over and over for cooking and for every single thing we did for them. 

My favorite part of the trip was listening to Helton, Kevin, and Daniel pray at night out loud in broken English. They would thank God for a home and for the food they were given each day. They would thank Him for POI. They thanked Him for their family and brothers and parents. They thanked God for the Hamilton family, and they thanked God for you, “the gringos”. They also would thank God for everything He had done for them and for his Son, Jesus. This gave me incredible joy—listening to that was so beautiful and such a blessing.

-Will

Will you join with us in praying for the boys orphanage family?

Pray for perseverance and strength for Edgardo and Mary.

Anyone can go serve for 10 days, but the home parents have committed their whole lives to parent, disciple and love the boys in this home. It is a huge sacrifice and unbelievable to see the patience and strength needed to do this job. -Will 

Pray that the boys will continue to grow in the Lord and in a love for others. 

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24

This is my favorite verse… and one that I pray over myself and my family each day.

– Edgardo Hernandez