Berta Nicolas is a single mom to a teenage son and two younger daughters. Some time ago, Berta was abandoned by her husband, and like many women in Honduras, domestic violence is a part of her story. Living in the mountains of Honduras about a three-hour walk from town, she makes $17 a week as a farmer. Because of the long walk, Berta’s kids were unable to attend school.
On our recent men’s ministry mission trip, in partnership with Casas Por Cristo, our main task was to build a house for Berta and her family. We started with a cement foundation. This was the most difficult part of the build since there were no cement trucks, but it was also the most rewarding part. Since a dirt floor can easily transmit disease, a home with a concrete foundation increases life expectancy by up to 20 years. For Berta and her family, a simple foundation means health and wellness.
On that foundation we built a home with two bedrooms, a kitchen area, living area, and front porch. We were also able to supply them with a full-size bed, small stove, and portable sink. Not all of us were super handy (me included), but we each found our place to serve.
With her small weekly salary, Bertha could not afford to bring her things down the mountain to her new home. As a result, her teenage son worked all week to earn the $140 needed to move their personal belongings. Our team was able to supply the additional funds so they could move down the mountain into their new home.
Now that they live closer to town, Berta’s kids will be able to attend school. In Honduras, if a single woman does not have her own home, she is not recognized as a part of the community. However, if she has her own home, the community will defend her as one of their own in cases of domestic violence. For Berta, this home is not just a place to live, it’s a place of safety and security.
After the build, our team wanted to keep working. We were able to prep for the next mission team by hauling supplies to their build site. We were able to meet the family who would receive the next house. We were also able to bless the missionary from Casas por Cristo by doing electrical work and laying a sidewalk at the house where mission teams stay.
The impact of this trip on the Nicolas family, on others in Honduras, and on our own team was incredible. Each man on the team was humble, eager, hardworking, and an encourager. We were able to share together, pray for each other, and work hard together. We returned home as brothers.
In our mission statement, WoodsEdge aspires to “bring hope to the world.” If we’re not careful, those words begin to feel impersonal, little more than a vaguely positive sentiment. But on our trip to Honduras, our mission became more personal than ever. We didn’t just build a home for Berta and her family. We brought hope.
