CONTINUING THE LEGACY

Over fifteen years ago, a close group of friends and family of Jon Read came to La Casa for a week to build a treehouse. Jon had visited La Casa and was captivated by the mission and the children. After his passing, this special group of men felt it was fitting to build this treehouse in his memory. A plaque was placed on the treehouse that read, “In memory of Jon Read, Follower of Christ, may his love for adventure and for the children of El Salvador always be remembered.” The children loved climbing and playing in that treehouse; it brought joy to everyone. But sadly, the tree it was built around rotted and died, and the treehouse fell.

A few of the original group, along with a few more men, returned and built a new treehouse around a tree above our pavilion area. This treehouse served not only for play but also for counseling times, a place during COVID when we were searching for internet connection, and a spot for classes once our on-site school started. We’ll never fully know all the ways it served as a safe place for conversations and healing. However, time and the tropical climate eventually rotted out the floor, leaving it unusable but a reminder of all the ways it has served the children over the years.

Then, two weeks ago, a group of adults and two teenagers from Faithbridge Church in Houston decided to rebuild the treehouse as a team project. They managed to complete the base and flooring during their visit. The railing will be added, and once again, the treehouse, built in memory of someone who loved adventure and the children deeply, will live on. The children watched all week as progress was made, eagerly waiting to climb up into the treehouse again.

This group came with hearts full of adventure and service, blessing us in ways they may never fully understand. They carried forward a legacy of remembrance.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of Faithbridge’s projects in our next blog post. We are grateful for their support and commitment to children who need a place of love and security during this season of their lives.