These two. I remember more than ten years ago when they were just so little. They have been part of Crecer since day one. Day one when kids would come for a few hours a day, mainly to eat lunch and play board games. Their education was a blurry goal in our peripheral vision. And this year, they are graduating from high school. They've come a long way, baby. Glenda messaged me today that they'll soon be starting 'alphabetization'. It's a process in Honduras in which a graduating senior tutors an adult who has never learned to read. When it works, it's such a beautiful opportunity for a young adult to take what s/he/they has learned and use it to equip the generation that has come before them. And that's the stage Erick and Emer are at. The closing of one big chapter, embarking on adult life, gaining equal footing with the adults around them stage. It is truly wild to have the opportunity to watch them grow. (fb)

Don Pedro was the driver in Proniño for decades. Have you ever been in a bus, or even a 15 passenger van, full of kids? Loud. Chaotic. It's a lot. And he did it for years. And right up until the day he retired, he treated every kid with patience, kindness, love and understanding. This man is an absolute gem. He also became like a father to Aracely. Even though it's been years since he worked with us, Ara still jumps at the chance to spend time with him and celebrate him. A few weeks ago she was able to go to the town that he now lives with his family and celebrate the amazing man that he is. (fb)