Returning home on Palm Sunday, our group of sixteen from the Presbytery of Arkansas spent Spring Break in Honduras—and from the very first moment, it was clear: this trip was about so much more than the work in front of us.
We arrived on Saturday and were welcomed by Alex Rodas, the Honduran Presbytery’s Group Coordinator, who met us at the airport with a smile that instantly made us feel at home. From there, we traveled by bus to Villa de Gracia, a conference center owned and operated by the Presbyterian Women of Honduras. It quickly became more than just a place to stay—it became sacred ground. A place where relationships formed naturally, stories were shared freely, and God’s presence showed up in the everyday, often in the most unexpected ways.
Our primary project this week was helping construct a meeting and office space for the Presbytery of Honduras—but what’s being built here goes far beyond cement and rebar.
Sunday brought us into worship at Roca de Israel Church in Tegucigalpa, which also happened to be Honduran Father’s Day. It wasn’t just a service—it was a celebration. Music, joy, community, and a shared meal. One of those moments where you don’t need to understand every word to feel completely connected. That afternoon, some of us rested while others jumped right into games and laughter with the youth—because ministry often looks like presence.
By Monday, we were in it—hands in the dirt, working side by side with our Honduran partners under the guidance of Franklin. There’s something powerful about working shoulder to shoulder. Even when language is limited, encouragement, laughter, and shared purpose become a language of their own.
Tuesday gave us a beautiful mix of work and culture. While some continued on the construction site, others joined Selenia and Nora in the kitchen to learn how to make nacatamales. Let’s just say… we walked away with a whole new level of respect for both the process and the people who do it so well.
Later that day, we visited the CHISPA Project, an organization focused on literacy and building school libraries across Honduras. Delivering 150 books—collected by Springdale students and donated by First Presbyterian Church in Springdale—was a moment that grounded all of us. These weren’t just books. They were opportunity. They were hope. And they reminded us why we do what we do.
One of the highlights of the week was visiting El Picacho Park, high above the capital city. We wandered through gardens, laughed, took pictures, and stood at the base of a massive statue of Jesus overlooking Tegucigalpa. At one point, what started as a casual conversation between Rev. Jesse Gonzalez and a local vendor turned into spontaneous singing—and before long, our whole group joined in. It was one of those unplanned, joy-filled moments you wish you could bottle up.
Wednesday took us deeper into the Honduran mountains, traveling by four-wheel-drive vehicles to communities that don’t often show up on a map. We first visited El Sute, where we met members of a small indigenous church. Then we continued on to El Horno, a remote coffee farming community where we met Pastor Elder and others who welcomed us with open arms.
In El Horno, we saw firsthand what sustainable partnership can look like. A solar-powered water purification system—supported by Living Waters of the World and Solar Under the Sun—is providing clean water for the entire community. Filling our water bottles there felt like more than a simple act—it felt like witnessing impact in real time.
We also visited a rural school with just two classrooms, two teachers, and 110 students. The joy was immediate and contagious. We delivered activity books and soccer balls, and watching the kids light up over something so simple—it stays with you. Moments like that have a way of resetting your perspective in the best possible way.
Thursday brought us back to Villa de Gracia for another full day of construction progress. In the afternoon, a small group of us gathered groceries to donate to an orphanage we planned to visit the next day. It was a simple act—but one done with intention, care, and love.
On Friday, we visited Hogar de Angeles, an orphanage serving individuals of all ages with disabilities. We learned about the 65 residents who call it home, the small but dedicated staff who care for them, and the challenges they face—including having no federal funding for over three years. And yet, what stood out most wasn’t the hardship—it was the joy. The curiosity. The connection. The quiet, everyday miracles happening within those walls. Afterwards, we enjoyed a pupusa lunch and time for shopping at Valle de Angeles.
Saturday, we packed up, said our goodbyes along with group photos before heading to a surprise tree-to-bar chocolate factory tour at Actun. The team was enjoyed learning about their mission, sustainable practices, and especially taste testing.
Yes, we’re building walls—but we’re also building relationships, deepening understanding, and witnessing how God is moving across borders and cultures in ways that are both humbling and inspiring. This trip was especially meaningful for me personally—it was my 10th time in Honduras. And somehow, each trip continues to teach me something new.
Thank you for being part of this ministry through your prayers, your generosity, and your support. You may not be physically here, but you are part of every moment. More to come soon—but for now, please continue to pray for our team, our partners in Honduras, and the work God is doing in and through all of us.
With gratitude,
Leigh Woodruff