Grace Presbyterian’s Mission Teams Carry Northern Virginia Compassion to Families Across Honduras
By Carolyn Hilpert
Engagement Coordinator at HOI
For more than two decades, Grace Presbyterian Church in Springfield, Virginia, has carried the spirit of Northern Virginia far beyond its borders—building meaningful relationships with families in Honduras through a longstanding partnership with Honduras Outreach International (HOI).
Founded in 1989, HOI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities in the remote Agalta Valley through healthcare, spiritual life, education, community development, and agriculture.
A Partnership Built Over Time
Since their first mission trip in 2000, members of Grace Presbyterian have returned year after year.
They’ve poured cement floors, installed water filters, built sinks, and tackled countless practical needs. Yet what continues to draw volunteers back is not just the work itself, but the deep, lasting bonds formed with the families they serve.
A Powerful First Impression
For many, the journey begins with a powerful first impression.
Longtime team leader Greta Tosi-Miller vividly recalls her initial trip:
“The bus ride from the airport to the ranch was shocking—so much poverty, such dire needs, families without running water and electricity. How do you cook when you don’t have electricity for a refrigerator to store your food? My mind raced with questions.”
As the days unfold, volunteers quickly realize that while physical resources may be limited, the communities are rich in ways that matter most—through resilience, generosity, and love.
Why They Return
Greta reflects on why she continues to return:
“I come back not only for the immense spiritual renewal I experience on every trip, but to witness the seeds that are planted with each new traveler.”
A Shift in Perspective
Another defining moment comes from team leader Ed Bryant, whose perspective shifted during what seemed like a routine task.
As he counted unfinished water filter stands, his focus was purely logistical—until a local village leader, Gilma Sanders, gently tapped his shoulder and pointed to a stand marked with a family’s name.
“It was as if the Holy Spirit shook my soul,” Ed recalls. “I realized I wasn’t counting wooden stands—I was counting the lives of families who would now have clean drinking water. This day, a tear comes to my eyes thinking of her smile.”
A Journey That Transforms Both Ways
While these mission trips provide tangible support to communities in need, they also leave a lasting imprint on the volunteers themselves.
One mother shared that her daughter returned home with a new perspective—realizing she needed far less than she once thought.
For those who feel called to serve, joining an HOI mission trip offers a profound opportunity for connection, humility, and growth—transforming not only the lives of the families served, but also the hearts of those who make the journey.
Learn More
Want to support or learn more?
Visit www.hoi.org
