Praise the Lord! What a great opportunity our team had to be able to serve on the mission field of Honduras for 2 weeks! It was such a blessing being around the team members, the Hodges, and the Hondurans. What beautiful fellowship and unity we can have when we are all working together for the Gospel! I learned so many lessons from the trip. I have so many things to think about and so many priorities that I need to improve upon. It was great seeing that the Gospel is the most important thing in all the world. Whether we are here in the U.S., in Honduras, or in some other part of the world, our mission is simple – to do our absolute best in reaching everyone we can with the Gospel. As we drove through Tegucigalpa, we saw hundreds upon hundreds of houses with no good church in the area. Sadly, the Mormons have churches set up in these strategic locations and send out missionaries to reach these neighborhoods with a false gospel. How is it that those blinded by Satan can be more passionate about a false gospel than we are about the Good News of Christ’s Death, Burial, and Resurrection?! I was reminded that “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few” (Matt. 9:37). By God’s grace I want to do my absolute best to reach this world with the Gospel. Will you join me? – Rom. 1:16-17 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ…”

Jared Quirk

Like many of the other team members, I too did not want to go on the missions trip. But the Lord worked in my heart in spite of my attitude, and the girl who didn’t want to go to Honduras…….didn’t want to come home! I fell in love with the country and the people stole my heart. I loved the simplicity of life in Honduras and was touched by the Hondurans’ hospitality, friendliness, and love. I was truly humbled by their love for God. Because they don’t have the distractions that we have here in the states, I felt like their love and worship for God was purer and unadulterated. It was amazing to behold! I guess if I could sum up the whole trip in one word it would be enchanted. I was completely enchanted with everything: the culture, the people, the country, the food–everything. Saying goodbye was incredibly difficult, because the Hondurans are like family now. Lord willing, I am definitely going back. I strongly encourage you to go on a mission trip for yourself, it will change your life. And if I had one word of advice for you, it would be to go with a willing and receptive heart. The Lord worked in and through me and taught me a lot on the trip, in spite of my bad attitude going into it, but I regret going into it with that mindset, because I feel like He could have taught me so much more.

Devin Morrison

My trip to Honduras was an eye-opening experience for me. From the time I got off the plane at the airport in Honduras to when I boarded the plane to leave two weeks later, every day was filled with adventure and new experiences. At first, I was not sure how I felt about the whole trip. During my first couple of days in Honduras I was overwhelmed by the differences and way of life in the country. I was not sure how I felt, or even if I liked being there at all. With each new day, however, I became more and more thankful that I had chosen to come on this trip. I went from not really wanting to be there the first couple of days to falling in love with the place and not wanting to leave on the last day. We gave our team presentation at many different schools throughout the two weeks, as well as going on church visitation and the buses on Sunday. Each new school we went to showed me more and more how needy the people were spiritually. Not only were we involved in outreach, but we also worked on the church property helping out the Hodges with jobs they needed done. We also were able to spend time on the streets of Honduras shopping and seeing different attractions around the towns. One of my favorite things about the whole trip were the bus rides we went on just about every single day. Each ride was filled with singing and laughter, despite the language differences between us and the Honduran Christians. It was amazing to sing “Amazing Grace” in English and then hear the nationals sing it in their own language. Overall, this missions trip was an absolute success. I could not have chosen a better team to be on, or a better place to go than with the team God allowed me to be part of in Honduras.

Andrew Malack

I enjoyed my time in Honduras and was reluctant to leave. I think three things really stand out to me from the two weeks we were in Honduras. First, we visited an orphanage that is approximately 3 hours from where the Hodges live in Sabanagrande. The children there swarmed to meet us and were so open and friendly. They really listened to our songs and the puppet presentation. Afterward, they gave us hugs and tried to talk to us. They had such a sweet spirit and fun attitude despite the fact that they are without earthly parents. The second memory happened at a school we visited in a town called Ocutal. After we sang our three songs and gave a puppet presentation, we handed out our little treats and headed back to the bus. Before we even left their schoolyard, the children ran out and asked Mrs. Julie if they could sing us a song. One of the students borrowed our guitar and played while the class sang along with her. This really touched me as we gave them so little, yet they wanted to thank us for what we had given. The last thing I will remember is the constant singing. We sang in the church; we sang in the schools; we sang on the bus; we sang at people’s houses while waiting for supper; we sang after the bonfire. I can’t remember a day where either Andrew Malack or Abner (one of the seminary students) did not pull out a guitar for us to sing and glorify God.

Erin Houk

I am so grateful that God allowed me to go back to Honduras this summer. Although parts of the trip were different, other parts were very similar to last year’s trip. Many of the people were the same, and it was wonderful to already know their names. There were also new people, however, as well as people whose names I never learned last year, so meeting them and learning their names was a blessing, and I made many new friends. Probably one of the best parts of this trip was bonding with the Honduran seminary students. Last year we weren’t really sure how to interact with them, but this year we spent a lot of time fellowshipping with them as we learned new songs in Spanish, went on evangelization together, ate together, and practiced our Spanish (and their English) with each other. Another big thing that I’m thankful for is that this year we saw fruit from the gospel seeds that we planted. We had 5 children saved after a children’s church service in La Paz, and we had 8 more saved after our one day of VBS. God was so good to answer my prayer even more abundantly than I had imagined. I had only asked Him to see 1 child saved, but instead we saw 13 saved! In addition, we passed out hundreds of tracts and copies of Romans to children and teachers in public schools, and we are praying that those seeds would be watered and also blossom into fruit. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Honduras, and I would love to go back again someday to see the Christians there and to help the Hodges again. But I know that even if God’s plan does not include my returning to Honduras again, I will see my friends again in Heaven. And in Heaven, I will be able to communicate with them much better!

Elyssa Houk

I did not want to go on this trip. Even up to driving to the airport I was in a bad mood because I was thinking of all the money that I wouldn’t be able to make because I was taking two weeks out of my summer. And I have a lot of money that needs to be made if I want to go back to PCC in the fall. God used my mom and also a guy that I met on the plane to show me how foolish that thinking was. School is important and money is necessary, but things like mission trips make eternal differences in people’s lives. God taught me many things on my trip to Honduras. He taught me that some guy from Paducah, Kentucky can do great things for Him. He taught me that singing praises to Him constantly, like many of the Hondurans did, is something He desires. He taught me that picking up trash can glorify Him just as much as preaching a sermon. He also used this trip to encourage me. He gave me opportunities to practice my faith as a way of showing me where I am at spiritually. He also challenged me in that same way: showing me in what areas I need to grow. I am excited to use these things that He has taught me for the rest of the summer to continue to grow in Him.

Andrew Hobbs

God is gracious! I am very thankful to have been able to go to Honduras this summer. This trip has touched my life in more ways than anyone could comprehend! It was extremely refreshing to work alongside so many devout Christians in a foreign country, doing things that I normally don’t get to do in the states. The people in Honduras have given me an ample supply of Christian encouragement, along with a renewed desire to serve Christ. I know for a fact that my team and I were on the receiving end of numerous blessings from the Lord! Here is my favorite truth I have learned from this trip: No matter the language, no matter the color, and no matter the culture, we Christians are able to serve and worship Christ in unity and peace.

Holly Goff

I enjoyed the trip to Honduras: from the crazy traffic in the capital (and I thought Atlanta traffic was bad!!) to the beautiful mountain views. The food was great – especially the meals provided by various church members. Anyone who visits Honduras must try the watermelon milkshake in a bag. You absolutely have to try Power Chicken in the capital! I think my favorite day was when we visited Emmanuel Orphanage. The children there love attention. I look forward to my next two years as a teacher at the Hodges’ school in Sabanagrande.

Andres Garcia

I have wanted to go on a missions trip for several years, but I also love working at Christian camps, so in the past summers I chose camp over missions trips. This summer God timed things perfectly so that immediately after the missions trip I could go work at the West Branch Bill Rice Ranch camp. It’s amazing how perfectly God works things out when you seek His will. I’m positive that going on this missions trip is where God wanted me. I’m pretty sure God wants me to stay in the states in the coming years, but going to Honduras was a great blessing. It was so encouraging to see how everyone on my team, the missionaries, and the Hondurans at the church had such a desire to serve God. Seeing the houses and how little so many of the Hondurans had kind of shocked me and made me more grateful for what I have. Seeing how hospitable, loving, and giving they are made me realize that I’m weak in that area. It was also encouraging to see how fruitful the Hodges’ ministry is and how important it is to stay faithful to where God has called you. I’m so glad I had the opportunity to go on this trip and I would love to go on more missions trips in the future.

Mary Fales

This missions trip to Honduras was my second time visiting the Hodges and their ministry. Both trips have been enormously enjoyable and a huge blessing. This time around I enjoyed seeing old faces, making new friends, and learning new lessons. The lessons learned came from people there in the ministry. Pastor Sam talked to us about the importance of training up the next generation for missions. Mrs. Kendra – a teacher at the school – testified to the importance of planting yourself in one place and staying until God moves you. James – a new teacher in the school and seminary – challenged me to view deputation as a critical time to learn from the ministries, churches, pastors, and pastors’ families which are visited. So many more things were mentioned, and many of them I have stored as notes on my computer. My main takeaway from this trip was a wealth of ideas, tips, and proverbs for missions. Not many people have the opportunity to gather so much helpful information in so short a time. I am very grateful for the opportunity, and I am challenged to make the most of what I’ve learned.

Nick Butler

This missions trip to Honduras has been absolutely amazing. I felt a little more confident this time, since I had been last year and knew better what to expect for the most part. Even though I had been last year, I still was blown away at how much more there was for me to experience and learn. Through working with the nationals in church visitation, or helping out in the nursery, I was able to truly see how in need of helping hands the ministry in Honduras really is. This year was equally as life changing as the trip was last year. My burden for missions has deepened. My love for the country of Honduras has deepened. My love for the people in this ministry has deepened. If God would have it be, I would love to have a part of the Hodges’ ministry one day. The need is great in Honduras, and I’m willing to help!

Sarah Belcher

I’m thankful that I was able to go to Honduras with this year’s mission team and my parents. The most important thing I learned from the trip was to never give up even when things get really tough. At times, I just wanted to be at home in the states, but God helped me see that there is a reason for everything. Never stop trusting in Jesus!

Elle Houk

We are so thankful that the Lord allowed 3 of our 4 daughters to go on the trip to Honduras this year. We certainly were better prepared for this second trip to visit the Hodges’ work in Sabanagrande. It is so rewarding to see the young people come together and be able to implement the many different things that we practiced over the months leading up to the trip. It was especially rewarding to see God bless with souls being saved from the seeds that the team was able to plant. We pray that we would be willing to lead another team to visit the Hodges in Honduras if that is what the Lord would desire for us to do. Thank you to the scores and scores of people that sacrificed financially so that the team members could go to Honduras and thank you to the many people that lifted us up in prayer daily while we were gone on our trip. You will be able to reap the eternal benefits from the things that the Lord accomplished on this 2016 Honduras trip. To God be the Glory, Great things He hath done!!

Mr. and Mrs. Houk