Ubil Landaverde, Development Director, Honduras

The relationship Ubil has had with Amigos is one that began a long time ago, when Amigos was just getting started. Amigos was in the very beginning of the building phase, and Chris and Anthony were spending their days in the community and trying to figure out how to make things work on a strict shoestring budget. To this day you can hear Anthony recalling stories (with a good chuckle!) about having to straighten out used nails with a hammer so as to complete a project, or going to the hardware store and asking for the exact number of nails he needed – no more, no less. As the building continued, it became obvious that they were in need of a bridge builder, as Amigos is separated from the neighboring town of Macuelizo by a river. So, in speaking with Pato, a friend and welder from the next town over, Anthony got connected to a bridge builder, and they met at a welding shop to discuss the possibilities. Before he knew it – with nothing more than a Pepsi, a prayer, and a handshake – Ubil was brought on to be the bridge builder.

Today in conversation Anthony .will recall the professionalism and attention to detail with which Ubil worked. They continued working together; they became peers, friends, confidants. Ubil became a source of great knowledge and wisdom, and especially offered key perspectives in regards to the Honduran culture and experience. When Anthony and Chris would travel back to the U.S., Ubil would step in and be sure that things were running smoothly and everything was getting done.

Eventually, Anthony and Chris would invite Ubil and his wife Nena to come to the States and meet with the Board of Directors. It was at this time that the Board of Directors asked Ubil if he would like to continue with Amigos in a more permanent way – as the employed Honduran Director. In a pure and innocent way, with big eyes, Ubil humbly said, “You mean, you’re going to let me stay and work and be part of these boys’ lives … and you’ll pay me too?!?”

Since that time, Ubil and Nena and their son Edgar have lived and worked at Amigos de Jesús, and the children at the home have become their very own. Ubil has continued to work diligently, tirelessly, lovingly, and prayerfully, and his dedication is in large part to what we owe the success of Amigos. He continues as director, now with a large staff committed to various jobs and responsibilities, a school, an agriculture department, a woodshop, and a group of volunteers all under his direction. His passion and energy are as strong as ever, and he continues to be the backbone of the work being done in Honduras. We are blessed and lucky to have him.

Amy & Wilson Escoto, Directors of Operations, Honduras

In the summer of 2010, Amigos de Jesús began the search for a dynamic leader that would be a good addition to the orphanage’s on-site Honduran staff. The organization was no longer in a position to be run with only one director as Ubil Landaverde would be focused more astutely on the upcoming development and construction projects that lay on the horizon. When the Escotos applied for the Director of Operations position with our organization they applied as a family. After careful discernment by both parties, an offer of employment was made to them and they began work at the Amigos de Jesus facility in Honduras in September of 2010. Amy, her husband Wilson and their son Thomas quickly integrated their family with our family.

Amy is originally from the United States and has a passion for working with international ministries. Her background in social work and she has experience working with volunteers and with underprivileged children. She has strong administrative skills, a unique outlook on life and is caring with the children. She has spent years living in Honduras and has truly found a way to mesh local culture with her American heritage. Wilson, her husband, is Honduran and grew up at an orphanage just outside Tegucigalpa.   He is fun, has a great sense of humor and has first-hand knowledge of the issues that our children face on a daily basis. His presence and contribution to the children is impactful and powerfully compassionate.

Amy, Wilson and Thomas Escoto live and work full time at the Amigos de Jesus orphanage in Honduras and make periodic visits to the US administrative offices. Their combined skills and experience is an asset to Amigos de Jesús and their time with us has been a blessing to the children we serve.