The Loma Linda Training Center was to be the legacy of a lifetime of effort by José Elías Sánchez. Suddenly, with the rains of Hurricane Mitch, the training center where Elías had given courses to 40,000 person since 11972 was washed away when water, mud, rocks, and trees roared down the canyon where it stood.

At Loma Linda Training Center terraces built before Hurricane Mitch hit in late 1998 are still holding the soil and producing abundant crops.

Hurricane Mitch, in late 1998, also destroyed Elías Sanchez's office, and personal library. Only the terraces of the sustainable agriculture demonstration area remained as testament to his effective soil and water management practices. A new cement block center now stands on higher ground above the stream. The Canadian International Development Organization provided a grant for materials to build a large classroom/dinning room, a conference sized kitchen, two large dormitories, and bathroom facilities. Teams of Honduran volunteers put in innumerable construction hours of labor. EPIC and the Dunamis Peace Institute together gave funds to purchase furniture, equip the kitchen, and buy educational supplies including a TV, VCR and videos.

To the great sadness of all who knew him, on the Saturday before the rebuilt Loma Linda Training Center was to have been inaugurated, Elías died very suddenly (18 March, 2000). He most likely had streptococcal pneumonia and before treatment could take effect, he passed away. On May 18, 2000, a beautiful celebration of Elías life took place on the patio of the new Loma Linda Center. Representatives of two Central American universities, numerous national and international NGO representatives, representatives from Honduran government agencies, including the Ministry of Natural Resources in which Elías served, joined campesinos and the family in commemorating the important contributions that Elías had made to the world. Elías was a most talented teacher and an effective proponent of sustainable agriculture, soil and water conservation, and living harmoniously with the environment. He also believed deeply in the abilities and intelligence of the Honduran farmers who he inspired to take action. He pioneered the concept of cultivating first the "Human Farm", so that motivated and aware humans would care for the earth.

The creative use of resources is integral to Loma Linda's work in sustainable agriculture. Discarded tires are used to make steps up to the dorms.

Elías Sánchez's widow and co-worker, Cándida Rosa Osorio, is continuing the important work initiated by Elías. On July 22, 2000, a group of friends and former colleagues of Elías signed a document legally forming "Amigos de Loma Linda". EPIC became one of the "amigos" with Paul McKay as chair. Work is now underway to establish Loma Linda as a legally recognized non-profit educational training center so that Loma Linda Training Center continues Elías' life long work of promoting sustainable agriculture, vocational training, soil and water conservation, and environmentally sound.

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