On June 10th, 2019, just 10 days before our family was scheduled to leave for Honduras, a tree fell on our oldest son, Eli, while riding a 4-wheeler.
He was killed instantly. Our family was forever changed that day. Not only did we lose our son, but our 5 other children lost their oldest brother, the one they never knew life without. His cousins lost their buddy and his friends lost their comrade. We will never be the same.
We reflect on his life with these in mind:
❤️ He loved God.
He gave his life to the Lord at a young age and was well beyond his years in spiritual maturity. He sought to become more like Christ and often struggled with himself in areas he needed to grow.
❤️ He loved people.
He was caring for those younger than him, of the poor, the needy, and those he came to love in a remote village in Honduras. He had a huge heart for those less fortunate. He, on more than one occasion, told me how, if he had a million dollars, he would buy a plane, buy a whole bunch of groceries, and fly them all over the world to people who didn’t have enough food. He experienced living with those in need and longed to do something to help.
❤️ He loved Honduras.
He loved spending his summers in Honduras, going to school with his Honduran friends, learning Spanish and, of course, playing futbol! He was intently looking forward to spending another summer with the people he held dear.
