Honduras Mission Trip 2007

Personal Mission Statements

In the spirit of Villanova and its principles of truth, unity, and charity, we dedicate this opportunity to the service of Amigos de Jesus and to the wonderful children who know it as their home. We promise to open our hearts to those who will find comfort in our friendship, and our minds to the amazing cultural experiences that await us in hope of gaining an insightful perspective on life. We aim to be open minded as we partake in this experience, while understanding that in order to gain a deeper understanding, it is necessary to question why things are the way they are. We will learn from this experience to better enable our thoughts and choices upon return. Being blessed with the opportunity to share in the lifelong friendship between Amigos de Jesus and Villanova University, we offer the knowledge and skills gained at Villanova to the construction of a school complex in hopes that Amigos de Jesus will one day provide a good education for the boys of Honduras.

As we journey to Honduras we will continue to build upon the relationship between Villanova and Amigos de Jesus.  We will build lasting relationships with the boys of the orphanage and give them hope for a bright future.  As we lay the foundation for the computer lab, we will take pride in our work and strive for quality.  We will leave
Honduras as stronger, better educated individuals who desire to make differences and better the world.

The mission of our visit to Honduras is to manage, serve, and help the friends and children of Amigos de Jesus. As Villanova engineers, we want to assist member teams and participants in their various forms of involvement with the community and work with God through service.  We want to grown within ourselves as well as with each other in continuing to help the children at the orphanage. 

Villanova is not only a prestigious university…it is more. It is a family that is bonded under one common mission inspired by the principles of truth, unity, and charity. Through service to God’s children and selfless giving of ourselves, we will strive to fulfill these ideals. We will continue the vision that is Amigos de Jesus. 

Amigos de Jesus began with a cross, a signal of hope. Amigos has flourished into a place of refuge, a new beginning, and a home for nearly fifty orphaned boys in Posas Verdes, Honduras. This special place offers these unfortunate children more than just a second chance. It surrounds them with people who care. It educates children who may have never had the opportunity for formal schooling. Amigos de Jesus provides these boys with the most basic of human needs, yet brings smiles and comfort to their faces.

Amigos not only affects its visitors, it changes them. They build relationships that will teach them more than they could have ever imagined. As Villanova engineers, we will use our knowledge and skills to contribute in developing a foundation and a stepping stone to a bright and positive future for these extraordinary boys. We are proud and honored to serve in such an amazing commitment to Villanova’s tradition of service. It is with vigor that we eagerly return with the motto of Amigos close to our hearts, “Follow the cross and you will find hope.”

Throughout this trip it is our intention to provide charitable work for the people of Amigo de Jesus, to gain a better understanding of life from their prospective, and to build life-long friendships with those at the orphanage, as well as those who travel with us. The memories held dear in our hearts will shape our mindset and actions from here on out, enabling us to continue to help those in need around the world.

As we travel to Honduras, we plan to give selflessly and provide charitable work for the people of Amigos de Jesus.  By helping to build a computer laboratory for the school, we hope to provide the children in the community with an opportunity to expand their minds and find hope. We will also learn from the people, the culture and our own experiences to initiate a lasting change within ourselves that will propel us to continue to find ways to help those in need.  We look forward to growing together as a group and with the community of Amigos de Jesus.         

The students traveling to Amigos de Jesus will learn to give selflessly to the community. This will be done by forming lasting friendships and relationships with the people in Honduras, so that when we return we can stay in contact to help in the future. Learning about ourselves will help us become better people, who are more grateful, but out actions
will also affect the children and faculty in a positive manner. Allowing these children to have access to even basic necessities will allow for them to grow up together in a safe environment.

As we journey to Honduras to live with a community of boys, we will remember our responsibilities as Villanova engineers to serve God's children.  We will learn from the people of Honduras about their daily lives and we will share of our talents and experiences with them.  We will build upon the relationship between Villanova and Amigos de Jesus that began seven years ago with the design and construction of a 30 foot cross.  We will take to heart the motto of "Follow the Cross and You Will Find Hope", while we continue construction of a school complex.   By laying the foundation for a computer laboratory for the school, we are working to provide the children in the community an opportunity to expand their minds and Find Hope.