The Cornerstone women's volleyball team recently concluded a vision trip with Friendship Sports International. The group, composed of 15 players and head coach Megan Lenhart, traveled to Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Led by Matt Wallace, a professor at Cornerstone and the executive director of FSI, the purpose of this trip was to share the hope, hands, and heart of Jesus with the people of Honduras.
 
The team's main ministry partner during the trip was the Inspirata Foundation, which was founded by Mimi Crook. Their mission is to create education opportunities for children in Honduras so they may have a greater chance at achieving success. One of the team's main projects during the trip was to continue work on a house that was built for one of the girls that Inspirata sponsors, Grace Alonzo. 
 
Junior Lydia Uganski shared her experiences serving the Alonzo family. "Grace quickly became a dear friend of mine when we met on the first day of the trip. She has such a kind heart. The next morning when we went to paint a house, I learned that it was hers we would be painting. I was so struck by being able to serve someone whose story I knew and related to in many ways. Driving to her house, meeting her family, and playing with her dogs were beautiful experiences for me. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to pray over her, her family, and her house as I painted the windows. Grace and I still text each day, despite being over 3,000 miles away. I look forward to seeing her again one day." 
 
In a country like Honduras where 30% of the population lives in extreme poverty, education is the best avenue for someone to have more opportunities in life. The team was able to work with two other organizations in Honduras who are focused on this mission – Jericho Ministries and His Eyes. Whether it was through games, crafts, or praying together, the team tried to bring joy to these kids and show them the love of Jesus.
 
"It was a special experience getting to visit Jericho," remarked junior Aubrey Johnson. "We spent time sharing favorite Bible verses and talking about how God has impacted the students' lives. Despite what they had gone through or continue to go through, you could see the joy of the Lord in them and in everything they did. I will never forget the impact that they had on me. I am so on fire for Jesus!" 
 
The team was also able to serve at the International School of Tegucigalpa for three days. They were able to build relationships with the volleyball players there and lead clinics for them. It was the team's hope to talk with the girls about the challenges of being a student-athlete and how they don't have to sacrifice their Christian values in sports.
 
"The time we spent at IST was fruitful in so many ways," added senior Dyllan Hanna. "Not only did we get to connect with student athletes through our shared love of volleyball, but we also got to share our experiences as followers of Christ in the sports world. We shared and heard testimonies in small and large groups, which led to conversations about our identities as children of God and the importance of personal relationship with Jesus. I am so in awe of how God is working in the young lives of the IST students!"
 
The last two ministries the team worked with were the Atala orphanage and Prepace, an orphanage that provides rehabilitation services to children with cerebral palsy. It was such a blessing to meet these precious children and bring them some joy, even if it was just for an afternoon.
 
Senior Ali Pignataro shared about how these visits impacted her. "Spending time at the two orphanages moved my heart and expanded my faith more than words can describe. We went to serve these children and show them the love of Jesus, but more so they changed our hearts and served us. While our hearts were heavy and emotions were high during these two visits, we can hold onto the truth knowing that God is moving and working in these places and He won't stop. I made special connections with these children, and they will forever have a special place in my heart, and I will never stop praying for them." 
 
"The trip truly showed our team firsthand the transforming power of the Gospel," added Coach Megan Lenhart. "It was incredible to see the faith of the Hondurans we met despite having so little in our eyes. I'm so proud of our players for diving right into the culture and leaning into every opportunity to share God's love to those we met."
 
Senior Gabrielle VerBerkmoes also commented, "It was amazing to travel as a team and be in a new place together. I'm so thankful for all the memories made. Our hearts are forever changed by the people of Honduras. Being the hands and feet of Jesus together as a team was life-changing! God was definitely working. This trip is something our whole team won't ever forget."
 
If you'd like to learn more about any of the organizations that the team worked with during the trip, use the links below.
 
Organization Links
FSI - https://friendshipsports.net/
Inspirata - https://www.inspiratafoundation.com/
Jericho Ministries - https://www.jerichoministries.org/
His Eyes - https://www.hiseyeshonduras.com/
Hogares Pedro Atala Orphanage - Operated by Sociedad Amigos de los Ninos
Prepace - https://prepacehn.org/