Por Los Niños

Riverchase has been supporting Por Los Ninos for over a decade. Por Los Ninos is nestled in the valley of Catacamas, Honduras, and it was a privilege and blessing to participate in a mission effort last summer serving the children and house parents. A gentleman by the name of Carlos melted our hearts. One afternoon, we visited his home hospital where he has a volunteer staff of four individuals who provide twenty-four hour medical care for children who are severely crippled, in desperate need of physical healthcare and spiritual hope. We all noticed a sign above the door that read, “Matthew 25:40 – ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”He is a citizen of the Dominican Republic but moved to Catacamas, Honduras, because he saw a great need for these crippled and sick children that no one in the country was able to provide. He receives no salary, and we were all overwhelmed by the genuine love that he and his staff provide on a daily basis.

Carlos is also a school teacher and has had a deep, genuine love and desire to minister to those in need since his youth. He used and continues to use his own income from the school to support and finance the medical and clothing supplies that the children desperately need to survive. Honduras is the 2^nd poorest country in the world and under extreme poverty. Very few citizens of Honduras are able to afford any health care. He is well respected in the community for his service and efforts to nurture and provide help for these children. He has used his investments very responsibly and has set up a fund to continue financially supporting these children when he passes away.

We watched and listened as we saw the volunteer staff tenderly wipe the children’s mouths as they ate, pick them up, roll them over periodically due to paralysis. Some of the older children still had to be fed with bottles, because IV’s were unavailable.

There was a young lady who was a patient, although he calls all the patients his “children,” and she was twenty years old. She had been confined to a wheelchair her entire life. She craved human touch, specifically hugs. She had the brightest smile and the happiest attitude. We just lined up and hugged her as many times as she needed. Although, I have never met anyone that could out hug our group, but I believe that young lady won the hugging prize.

When we returned to the states, a question was asked of me following VBS if I could think of anyone who needed the funds collected by our children during VBS. Nearly $400.00 was raised, and we sent all of it to Carlos. Por Los Ninos told me that they hand delivered the money to Carlos. When he received it, he got on his knees and wept as he prayed and thanked our Heavenly Father for this blessing. That money will provide what many of those children need to survive for an entire year.

Carlos is one of the most selfless individuals I have ever met. His humility, generosity, genuineness and absolute desire to love others is such a blessing to so many. Love Does.

Por Los Ninos has been a part of the Riverchase budget for a number of years and our members have made several mission trips to support the work there.