A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to interview Andrews University’s Nick Bishop (junior, psychology) about a mission project he has been promoting and working on. During spring break, he and a couple of his colleagues set out to achieve the goals he had previously established. Hoping for an update on the work that has been done, what is currently being done, and future plans, I sat down with him to discuss the recent mission project.
Welcome back, Nick. Tell me, how was Honduras? Who did you bring with you to the mission?
Honduras was a fantastic time—the trip was a wonderful opportunity for my friends and me to have fun by helping the local village there. I brought seven guys with me, Jordan Magakat (sophomore, biology), Daniel Nguyen (junior, pre- physical therapy), Kris Archbold (junior, engineering), Andre Canubus (junior, medical laboratory sciences), Nathan Fernandez (junior, computer science), Gabriel Garcia (freshman, pre- physical therapy), and David Kolle (sophomore, English).
What has been accomplished?
The projects were completed, and we ended up finishing the kitchen, house, a roof for a home, implementing a water system, and installing a floor for a local shop. Other than that, perhaps the most fulfilling part for many of us was forming friendships with the children in the village and the Children’s Home (Hogar de Niños).
What are the conditions of living in Honduras?
Although Honduras is a beautiful country, it is very poor. Around 50% of Hondurans live below the national poverty line, so imagine a country where half the population is fighting every day to find food and shelter. Amongst the extreme living conditions, the people there are some of the kindest and most loving people you will ever encounter. I consider my best friends and family to be there.
How has your project affected the surrounding community?
Our project's aim is to decrease the amount of poverty, starting with a couple of houses at a time. So, what our projects did was to lift up the living conditions of a couple of families in the community, especially to make them safe from hurricanes and a more comfortable place to live. Our projects also allowed the guys and I to spend our spring break helping and showing love to this community. The community recognized that, and in return, they gave us so much love.
Future projects?
I would love to continue the efforts to fight poverty in the country of Honduras, continuing as of now by building homes and helping get access to water. I would also like to increase access to education in the country as well. I am trying to figure out how to use my opportunities and connections here as a student at Andrews University to help serve and aid Honduras.
What are some of the ways the students reading this can get involved and help with your mission project?
Students can check out my Instagram, which has a ton of documentation, or check out and donate to the GoFundMe: link to help support the current project to build another home. Instagram: @nickdabish
I also had the opportunity to sit down with one of the volunteers who went on the trip: Andre Canubas (junior, medical laboratory science).
What made you want to volunteer on a mission trip?
In the last few years, I have become more and more interested in serving somewhere and
becoming a student missionary, and the idea of going to Honduras and serving was brought up to me
by my friend, Nick Bishop. At first, I told him I was for sure down to come on the trip, but I just
didn’t think I would actually end up going. I’d run into Nick a few times in the passing weeks, and when he’d ask me again about the trip, I would say that I was excited about the trip. Don’t get me wrong, I was, but wasn’t too sure about it. Then one night, I was blessed to hear the testimonies of several past student missionaries, Jordan Magakat, Daniel Nguyen, Gabriel Orellana Campana (junior, biology) and Ryano Masengi (junior, medical laboratory sciences), and right then, it changed. At first, I was inspired by their experiences in the beautiful natural environment, eating the freshest and most delicious foods, and connecting with the people whom they served, becoming like family. However, their experiences of being able to make an impact on people’s lives were what really moved me. I, too, wanted to make a difference.
What do you believe was the impact you made on the community?
In the neighborhood nearby, we assisted in several construction projects, including mixing and laying concrete, moving and laying bricks, cutting down trees, installing the barbed fence, and more. The local men that were facilitating the projects had to be certified professionals. It was insane how fast they worked; they had seemingly infinite stamina. They would be working early morning way before we arrived to work and would continue to work late into the afternoon when we would leave.
What was really meaningful to me, however, was our connections with the people at both the Hogar De Niños and the neighborhood. One of the other guys who went on the trip, Nathan Fernandez, was telling the rest of us guys that, after talking to some of the kids at the Hogar De Niños, he learned that a lot of them did not feel like they were of value and thought they just didn’t matter. He also told us that they were saying how the group of us guys who came made them feel like they were worth something in this cruel world. I believe many of us have been given the privilege of having decent upbringings and, all the while, experienced real family love, and kids like this deserve to feel loved in the same way.
I’ve heard a lot about how you guys have become like family with the community. Could you explain a bit further?
Well, in just a week, it felt like I was already becoming family at both locations (Hogar De Niños and the neighborhood). Everyone welcomed us with open arms. The kids quickly warmed up to us and insisted on playing tag or little clapping games with them for hours at a time. The adults fed us more food than we could imagine: ranging from crispy tostadas with an assortment of toppings to warm and melt-in-your-mouth baleadas. I am sure that I ate approximately 100 corn tortillas in just that week. We even got the chance to roast coffee beans and taste the finished product soon after. Hands down the best coffee I have ever had. Some of the more grown kids enjoyed having genuine conversations with us, learning about our culture and what lies beyond the borders of Honduras. It not only gave me an opportunity to teach them about our culture here in the States but allowed me a glimpse into their culture and how they live on a daily basis.
Final words?
All in all, this experience was genuinely life-changing. I honestly think that they gave me
more than anything I could have possibly given to them. Not literally, but in a sense of purpose.
It’s wild how such a short experience skewed many of my views and values, but I think this
mission trip to Honduras awakened something in me, a yearning to go out and help. I feel as
though I have been given too much in my years on this earth. I believe it is only right that I
put myself out there and do what I can to try and make a positive impact in the lives of others. If
you are thinking about doing student missions or just making a positive difference in any
community, just do it! Throw yourself out there, apply yourself, and God will use you in ways you
couldn’t imagine.
If you would like to contact Nick Bishop and hear more about his future plans, please contact him at: nicklaus@andrews.edu
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.