Humanitarian Interfaith Ministries Mission Trips

Mission Trips Overview

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• What is an HIM Mission Trip like?

• What are the benefits of a Mission Trip to volunteers?

• What are the benefits of a Mission Trip to the Proniño Foundation?

• Do I need any special skills to go on a Mission Trip?

• Is the Mission Trip difficult?

• Are immunizations needed to visit Honduras?

• When is the next Mission Trip and how do I sign up?
   

Mission Trips

Our  Mission Trips are an integral part of the work we do in Honduras. Since 1999, HIM has been organizing and managing Mission Trips, in which volunteers from the United States travel and work in Northern Honduras for periods of up to twelve days. The Mission Trips are primarily designed to assist the Proniño Foundation with the construction of buildings on its two sites: La Montana and Las Flores.  

Our Mission Trips have a history of being very successful and rewarding, both for our American volunteers and for the Proniño Foundation. Mission Trip volunteers have assisted in or completed the construction of most of the buildings on the La Montana and Las Flores sites, including many other buildings and projects.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is an HIM Mission Trip Like?

While each Mission Trip is a unique experience, combining a variety of projects and individuals, there are some similarities that exist across most Mission Trips:

• The notion of Time is much different than it is in the United States; if a meeting is scheduled for 9, expect it to start no earlier than 10:30. Work is also much more slowly paced and patience is an absolute necessity.
• There will be language barriers between the volunteers and the Hondurans; often producing hilarious mistakes in translation.
• All the children in the Proniño Foundation have been orphaned, abandoned or abused (and often more than one of these). The children have no parents to care for them and in some cases, don’t know their siblings, their birthday or even their last name. When volunteers spend time with the children, they immediately open up because they are in such great need of love and affection. Expect the children to give you many hugs and constant attention from sunrise to sunset. But don’t be surprised when at the end of the week, you’ve become just attached to them as they have to you.

Volunteers should expect different types of animal life while in Honduras. Geckos, mosquitoes and scorpions are common. Many of the bugs we have in the U.S. exist in Honduras, just in much larger form. Expect to take bug spray and anti-malarial pills throughout the trip. Most Honduran families have chickens and roosters that run wild and manage to keep a constant din of noise throughout the day and night.

• There is very limited communication; expect to not hear a telephone for the entire time you’re there.

• To read a Mission Team volunteer’s first hand account of his mission trip experience, click here: Mission Trip Reflection

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What are the benefits of a Mission Trip to the volunteers?

• The Mission Trips tend to have a spiritual retreat-like atmosphere, where Catholic mass is celebrated daily and volunteers are encouraged to share their thoughts and impressions on the work they’re doing.
• Construction trips provide a great deal of physical exercise for volunteers during the week. Also, working in the Honduran sun will get you a great tan by the end of the trip.
• Volunteers experience a great amount of cultural exchange between the United States and Honduras as the Mission Team will be eating and drinking traditional Honduran food, attempting to communicate in Spanish and experiencing Honduran cultural traditions.
• Many volunteers have said that their Mission Trip was one of the most rewarding experiences in their life. It’s hard to imagine how difficult and painful the children’s lives have been, and yet they remain happy and still try to be children. Being able to help these children will leave a lasting impression on each and every Mission Trip member.
• Volunteers live and work in close contact with each other throughout the Mission Trip and this generates a great sense of camaraderie and friendship. Many volunteers meet people on their Mission Trips that become great friends.
• Each Mission Trip takes at least one trip to the beach at Tela on the Northern Caribbean coast or to the ancient Mayan ruins at Copan, near the southwest border with Guatemala.

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What are the benefits of a Mission Trip to the Proniño Foundation?

• Above all, the international volunteers spending time with the children shows the children that people care enough about them to travel from the U.S. to help them. This can give the children a renewed sense of self-worth that they badly need.
• Mission Trips give the Proniño Foundation exposure internationally. Through greater exposure, the Proniño Foundation and HIM can reach more people’s hearts and minds to help continue the work going on for the street children.

• Many of the Mission Team volunteers return to the U.S. extremely motivated to assist the Proniño Foundation through working with HIM in many ways, including generating publicity, writing letters, speaking to youth groups and classrooms, assisting in fundraising efforts and recruiting child sponsors.

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Do I need any special skills to go on the Mission Trip?

Absolutely not. No matter what your interest, there is always a place for you. In the past, volunteers with experience in carpentry, masonry, electrical work, plumbing, and other construction fields have been very valuable in construction projects. There’s always a big need for volunteers to help with preparing and managing the food and meals for the week. So there’s really a place for you, no matter what your background. Volunteers should be in good physical and emotional health to get the most out of their volunteer experience.

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Is the Mission Trip difficult?

However, the conditions in Honduras are more extreme than conditions in the U.S. and volunteers in poor health should carefully consider their ability to safely and fully participate in the mission trip. Examples of some extreme conditions in Honduras: the temperature during the day often is over 100 degrees, we have no air conditioning, we will be walking up and down very steep hills, working 8 hour days in the sun, and due to the chickens and roosters prevalent in Honduras, volunteers are often prevented from getting a full night’s sleep.

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Are immunizations needed to visit Honduras?

While you should always consult with your physician, we recommend that the following immunizations be obtained prior to arrival in Honduras:

• Tetanus (within the last 5 years)

• Typhoid / Typhoid Booster (received every 2 years)

• Hepatitis A (two doses, one dose at least one month prior to departure, second dose 6 to 12 months later; good for 10-12 years)

• Hepatitis B (three doses, one dose 1-2 months before departure, second dose 6 months after first dose, third dose after one year and good 5-7 years)

When is the next Mission Trip and how do I sign up?

The Mission Trips are usually scheduled for the first week in March every year and will be focused on construction. The cost of attending a March  Mission Trip is approximately $1,100. This cost covers:

• A round trip airfare to San Pedro Sula, Honduras with a group rate
• Food/Drink in Honduras but not alcoholic beverages
• Bunk bed (which is donated to Proniño Foundation at the conclusion of the trip)
• Fuel (Gas costs are typically at least 50% higher in Honduras than the U.S.)
• Miscellaneous Supplies (fans, extension cords, party supplies for the children) 
• Transportation in Honduras

• To sign up for the next Mission Trip, download the application found here  (Download HIM Mission Trip Application), complete it, and forward it to:

You will be contacted once your application has been reviewed. Land-only cost is $500 (for individuals that arrange their own flight arrangements to San Pedro Sula).

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