15 years ago an amazing married couple named Vincent and Zulena Pescatore arrived in Trujillo, Honduras with huge hearts and a mission to help the children of Honduras. Their love for each other, God, and the kids soon formed what is known today as the Farm of the Child. Sadly, soon after Vincent died in a fatal plane crash, but his love lived on. Today, after 15 years of hard work on the part of countless volunteers, Franciscan sisters, house parents, and all who serve the finca daily, this love lives on. On June 18, we took a day to celebrate this love, and celebrate the "quince" of the finca.
The atendees of this big day included the brigade form Espiritu Santu Parish in Tampa Florida (a consistent supporter of the farm), a musical and dancing group from our neighboring town of Santa Fe, the McMerty-Brummer family, neighbors, and Zulena Pescatore herself among others. The day began with a beautiful mass celebrated by Padre Felipe of Trujillo and Padre Gilberto (one of the original priests to help the farm get started). One of the highlights was the beautiful offeratory which included Zulena presenting a picture of Vincent, four of our kids, and our littlest girls presenting the farm's pillars of community, spirituality, simplicity, an service. After mass there was a rededication of the prayer garden. Following this was the grand lunch for all of our 200 plus guests. After this we had a presentation in the colegio (middle school). The event started with traditional garifuna dance, folk dance, and my little ballerinas all performing. Then we heard testimonies from two of our teens about how the farm has formed their lives. These were truly moving in their messages of gratitude and sustained hope for the future. After this ceremony we had a finca wide football game, while the rest of us cleaned up and prepped for dinner. Then at night we had a traditional baleada dinner, watched the wedding video of Zulena and Vincent, and then danced the night away while enjoying cake.
There is no way to thank all the people for all the countless hours of work they have done for the finca. What we can do is take one day to honor their memories and celebrate the great love of Vincent and Zulena that still inspires us today. The finca has touched countless lives over the past 15 years, and I am sure it will touch even more in the next 15.
Happy quince finca!
Pictures:
3. Zulena presenting picture of Vincent at the mass
2. Our litte girls presenting the pillars of the faarm at Mass
1. Dancing at the end of the night!
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