Below is a testimonial from Joanna, a Northwest regional Board member who has visited NPH Honduras several times and participates actively in supporting the work and events of the Northwest region!
When the plane hits the tarmac in Tegucigalpa airport I can't wait to get to the ranch to find my godson. I drop my bags off at San Cristobal, the visitors' house, and hit the gravel path headed towards Buen Pastor, the Boys' Side of Rancho Santa Fe. I can't help it. I tend to spend most of my time over there since I have been watching the "boys" grow up over the years. Many of them don't remember me at first, but it doesn't matter if they do or don't because after the first couple of days I'm friends with everyone. That's just how it is. Visitors, no matter how many times they've been, or not been, are welcomed into the family. As soon as they know your name you hear it being called wherever you go.
This year was especially great because my godson was celebrating his QuinceaƱera. The whole day was full of festivities. The girls started with hair and make-up around 10am and about 20 minutes before the 5pm mass the boys went to hogares to get changed. All of the dresses and suits were made at the Ranch, all the way down to the boys' shoes.
Wind blew the pelting rain through the church during mass and we lost power for about 20 minutes at the reception, but it didn't get in the way of the celebration. All the 15 year olds looked so grown up and I got a little misty-eyed during the waltz. It was such a fun night and I was so happy to be part of it.