First Impressions

Over the years, I have had the honor of training, working with, and leading our high school juniors (and seniors who haven’t yet gone) on Vision Trips to Honduras. One of the questions I am constantly asked is why we call it a vision trip instead of a mission trip. I love that question because it gives me the opportunity to share a little more about who we are as a Hillspring community.

In short, for us, it is all about relationships.

We don’t go believing we are better than anyone, acting like parents, or handing out charity. We go to experience and join in what God is already doing. We go to build relationships with people outside of our world so that we can return home and build stronger relationships within our world. Yes, we desire to be a blessing to those we encounter — and we know they are equally a blessing to us. We learn from each other, grow with each other, and discover together.

While we are there, our youth also encounter something that is becoming more and more rare each year: focus. In the villages, it is about God and the people right in front of you. There is no electricity, no phones, no social media — no distractions. It becomes a unique opportunity for our students to hear from God and immerse themselves fully in each moment. They genuinely live out the words of the Psalmist: “This is the day the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it.” They practice what Jesus taught when He said, “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.”

And when they do this, something amazing happens — I have seen it over and over again.

They encounter God on a deeper level. They discover more of who God is calling them to be. They grow in resilience and are often surprised by how strong they actually are. And they experience relationships — with the villagers and with one another — in a whole new way.

The bottom line is this: their eyes are opened. They see more clearly who God is, who they are, and who God is calling them to become. And at the same time, the village they spend time in is strengthened through those shared relationships.

That is why it is a vision trip, not simply a “mission” trip.

Many of you have heard their stories when they return. You have seen how their lives are different. They share more. They talk more. They use their phones less. They seek deeper connection. Some have even changed the direction of their lives — becoming nurses, doctors, counselors, engineers — and they cite their time in Honduras as a turning point. Others have gone on to study or serve abroad.

Every year when I return, I tell people it was the best trip ever — and I truly mean it. Each year is unique, just as the ways God works in and through our youth are unique. And this year will be no different.

This year we are traveling to Saran, a village our youth have never been to before. It is an incredible opportunity to begin new friendships and build a relationship that our Hillspring community can grow into over the coming years.

As we prepare for this trip, we would love your partnership in helping us get there.

On Saturday, March 21st at 6:00 PM, we’re hosting our annual Youth Honduras Vision Trip Fundraiser. This year’s theme is “First Impressions,” since it will be our very first time in the village of Saran.

It’s going to be a really special night.

We’ll share a great meal together, enjoy a fun dessert dash, and most importantly, you’ll get to spend time with the students who are preparing to go. You’ll hear their hearts. You’ll hear why this trip matters to them. You’ll learn more about Saran and what we’ll be stepping into. And we’ll share stories from past vision trips that have deeply shaped our youth — and our entire Hillspring community.

At some point in the evening, we’ll also give you the opportunity to partner with us through a paddle raise. There’s never pressure and never obligation — just an open invitation if you feel led to support what God is doing in and through these students.

So dress semi-formal, grab a table (or come on your own — we’ll seat you!), and join us. The cost is $50 per person or $400 for a table, and childcare is available and included.

More than anything, we’d simply love for you to come. Come celebrate. Come encourage. Come pray. Come be part of what God is doing.

To purchase tickets or reserve a table, simply click this link: Hillspring Youth Vision Trip

If you’re not able to join us but would still like to support the trip, you can use this link to give: Youth Vision Trip ‘26 (Please select “Youth Vision Trip” from the drop down menu so that we can ensure your donation goes to support the youth.)

Thank you for your continued support and prayers. This is shaping up to be an incredible trip, and I truly can’t wait to see — and hear — all that God does in and through our students (and in us) along the way.

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Justin