From La Finca to the Mountains of Honduras
A Personal Reflection by Lilia Aguilar
There are moments in life when God quietly begins stirring something within our hearts. Looking back, I can see that He was preparing me for a journey I never could have imagined.
Years ago, I found myself praying and discerning what God was asking of me. I knew He was inviting me to make a change in how I was living my life, but I wasn't yet sure what that would look like. During that season of prayer, the opportunity to serve on a medical mission with the St. Thomas team arose. Saying "yes" to that first mission trip became the beginning of a journey that continues to shape my faith today.
WHERE GOD PLANTED THE SEEDS OF MY CALLING.
Around that same time, I was blessed with the opportunity to participate in a week-long immersion experience at La Finca del Niño. It remains one of the most meaningful experiences of my spiritual life.
While there, I assisted Nurse Rachel in providing medical care and also helped teach English to the children. More importantly, I discovered what it truly means to encounter Christ through service. La Finca's mission has remained close to my heart ever since.
“In gratitude for the great love that Jesus Christ gives us, we decide to unite ourselves and form a community to care for needy children and to promote the development of a productive society of devout Christians.”
Living alongside the children and staff showed me that these weren't simply words—they were a way of life. I experienced a Christ-centered community where love was expressed through compassion, dignity, and joyful service. It was there that God first planted within me a deeper desire to care for others.
Years later, returning to Honduras with the St. Anthony of Padua Mission Team reminded me that while faces and circumstances may change, God's faithfulness never does.
The mission's commitment to healing the sick, celebrating the sacraments, fostering education, and making disciples beautifully complements the work of La Finca. Both ministries care for the whole person—body, mind, and soul—and both invite others into a deeper relationship with Christ.
LOVE BEGINS WITH A GENTLE TOUCH
Mission work isn't always measured by procedures performed or medicines distributed. Sometimes the most meaningful ministry requires no words at all. Sometimes it is found in the quiet act of holding a child.
A gentle embrace offers far more than comfort. Lilia’s loving touch, eye contact, & her soothing voice help calm an infant, reduce stress, & support healthy development. In the simplest moments of care, we reflect Christ's tender love for His smallest children.
"He took the children in His arms, placed His hands on them and blessed them." — Mark 10:16
SISTERS IN CHRIST: A NIGHT I WILL NEVER FORGET.
One of my most treasured memories from this year's mission was Ladies' Night.
Before arriving, I wasn't sure what to expect. What I experienced instead was an evening filled with authentic joy, meaningful conversations, heartfelt laughter, and a beautiful reminder that ministry often happens in the quiet moments when people simply feel seen, heard, and loved.
As we reflected together on the example of our Blessed Mother Mary, shared personal testimonies, prayed the Rosary, and encouraged one another in faith, I witnessed something truly beautiful. Women from different cultures and life experiences discovered that we were far more alike than different—we were sisters in Christ.
One of the most meaningful moments for me came during a reflection on our identity as daughters of God. It was a powerful reminder that our worth is not defined by our circumstances or our past, but by the love of the One who created us.
That evening strengthened my conviction that while medical care can heal the body, genuine Christian fellowship has the power to encourage hearts, restore hope, and remind every woman that she is deeply loved by God.
Ladies' Night wasn't simply another event during the mission. It was a beautiful encounter with Christ through the women we were blessed to serve.
UNITED IN JOY
Sometimes the most unforgettable memories aren't planned. They happen on dusty mountain roads, surrounded by sisters in Christ, where songs, laughter, and grateful hearts become an extension of the ministry we shared together.
Long after Ladies' Night came to a close, the spirit of fellowship continued. Riding on the back of a truck, songs, laughter, and grateful hearts filled the journey home.
Moments like these remind us that serving Christ together not only changes the lives of those we serve—it creates friendships and memories that remain with us for a lifetime.
"Sing to the Lord with grateful praise..." — Psalm 147:7
CARRIED BY PRAYER. SURROUNDED BY GRACE.
Another experience touched me in a much more personal way. While serving in Honduras, I learned that my sister had unexpectedly gone into labor. As a labor and delivery nurse, I had always expected to be present for the birth of my nephew, especially because her pregnancy was considered high risk. Being thousands of miles away filled me with fear and uncertainty.
I didn't want to burden anyone with what I was feeling. But as soon as my teammates learned what was happening, they surrounded me with prayer. In those moments, my fear gave way to a peace that only God could provide. Through the love of my mission family, I was reminded that I was never carrying that burden alone. By God's grace, both my sister and nephew were healthy, and I will forever be grateful for the prayers that carried me through that difficult day.
ONE “YES”. COUNTLESS RIPPLES.
Looking back to my very first mission experience, I remember wondering whether I had really done enough. The needs seemed endless, and leaving the children behind at La Finca was heartbreaking. Then I read these words from St. Teresa of Calcutta:
“Whatever love you give, however small, they wouldn’t have had if you hadn’t come or given it. Each volunteer who comes after you will give them a little more.”
Those words changed my perspective. God has never asked us to solve every problem. He simply asks us to love faithfully and trust Him with the rest.
Over the years, I have also witnessed how mission work creates ripples far beyond Honduras. Through sharing my fundraising efforts and mission experiences, I have seen God inspire generosity, compassion, and a desire to serve in people who may never travel on a mission themselves. As St. Teresa beautifully reminds us:
“We’re just pebbles being thrown into the sea and causing ripples.”
I truly believe that is how God works through each of us. Looking back, I realize my journey wasn't about one mission trip. It was about learning to keep saying "yes."
And each "yes" has allowed God to do far more than I ever imagined.