Max & Katja Hernandez

Max was born and raised in Tegucigalpa, Honduras; however, his family relocated to Europe when he was 13. For the next 17 years Max would study under professional photographers. He finally returned home to Honduras in his early 30's to continue his freelance career as a commercial and portrait photographer. During a year-long trip to Bolivia as an exchange student, Katja was inspired by the children on the streets to one day start her own orphanage. Thus, after finishing her studies in Denmark, she volunteered at Emmanuel for one year to gain first hand experience in running an orphanage.

It was while serving as a volunteer at Emmanuel for only two months that Katja became a Christian. She and Max met during one of the various errands in Tegucigalpa that she did for David and Lydia. They immediately felt a connection with one another and a friendship began to blossom. After returning to Denmark, they both maintained contact via phone and e-mail. During their separation from each other, Max accepted Christ after a conversation with David. Six months later, they were reunited in marriage at the Emmanuel church in August of 1998.

For eight years, Max and Katja lived as a family in Tegucigalpa. Max continued his work as a freelance photographer while Katja founded and coordinated the Honduras branch of the Christian network for children at risk--Viva Network. In 2003 they felt a calling to work for God together as a family, and in September 2005 they moved to Emmanuel to begin full-time ministry as part of the staff.

They now have two boys and one girl. Gabriel, Simon, Esther). Max is in charge of the small boys home, does maintenance, security and public relations. Katja is the primary administrator in the office--working with children's files and social authorities in Honduras. She is the primary contact for outside communication at Emmanuel, and also coordinates volunteers and teams. Their well-mannered children go to the Emmanuel school throughout the day and spend the remainder of their time accompanying Max and Katja in their various responsibilities. They feel blessed to be at Emmanuel because it gives them the opportunity to grow and serve God as a family.