Embarking on a mission of love and service, I had the privilege of sitting down with Nathan Fernandez (senior, computer science), a compassionate friend whose journey reflects the essence of genuine connection and a servant's heart. In our conversation, Nathan takes us through the corridors of his past mission trips, weaving tales of camaraderie, purpose, and the profound impact of cultural exchange. From Andrews University to the shores of Cuba and the heartwarming landscapes of Honduras, Nathan's narrative unfolds, painting a vivid picture of his experiences and the deep bonds he formed with the communities he served.
Join me as we step into Nathan's shoes, discovering the motivations, challenges, and heartwarming moments that define his commitment to making a difference in those he touches.
Can you share a bit about your background and previous experiences with mission trips? Is this the first time you've been on a mission trip, or have you participated in similar activities before?
Growing up in the Andrews University community, I had always heard about people having beautiful experiences doing mission work in other countries. Whether it was on an island in the middle of the Pacific or in a small country in Latin America, everyone would always tell me how much they felt the Holy Spirit move them during their time serving. I didn't experience that until my junior year of high school when I went on a short-term mission trip to Cuba. Upon returning from Cuba, I immediately understood why people felt moved to serve for months or even years. I had forgotten how memorable the experience could be until Spring Break of 2023 when I was blessed to go to Honduras for the first time. In my time in Honduras, God again reminded me how special it is to be a part of something like that, and I fell in love with the place.
What motivated you to choose Honduras as the destination for your mission trip during the Christmas break? Was there a specific reason or connection that led you to this location?
After returning from my first trip to Honduras, there wasn't a single day that went by where I didn't think about the people there. The connection I felt with the people there was invaluable, so I always knew it wasn't a matter of if I would return but of when. After nine months without returning to Honduras, God blessed us with another opportunity to produce and share more time with the kids there. Naturally, I took that chance without a second thought.
Can you describe the primary goals or objectives of your mission trip? What were you hoping to achieve during your time in Honduras?
On paper, the goals of our trip were to repaint the outside of the Hogar de Niños and construct a new kitchen for our newfound tía (aunt) in Honduras, but the goals I had in my heart didn't revolve around that. Of course, we all did our fair share of working on the projects, but the real treasure was in connecting with the kids. Deep down, I only wanted to make the kids smile as much as possible and show them how valuable they are to me.
How did you and your team accomplish the goals you set for the mission trip? Were there specific projects, activities, or initiatives that you were involved in?
We would spend most of the day working on the projects we completed. Whether the work was scraping the old paint off the walls, washing the dirt off the walls, or finally painting. The nice part about working was that some of the kids would frequently paint alongside us, making it about 1000x more fun. As for connecting with the kids, you just had to be with them, and the rest came naturally, haha.
Were there any challenges or unexpected situations that arose during the mission trip, and how did you and your team handle them?
I can't speak to the challenges of the rest of the team, but I remember struggling quite a bit with feelings of anxiety and uncertainty about the trip in general; this was towards the journey's beginning while we were still traveling to the Hogar. It became a battle of faith for me, and I kept struggling with those feelings until we first got to the Hogar, and I saw one of the young guys Hector, standing there to greet us. Hector was the first kid I ever spoke with the first time I went to Honduras, and after seeing him again, it was like all the anxiety I was feeling cleared away, and love and gratitude took its place. The rest of the challenges were mainly just physical ones, which are much easier to deal with than emotional challenges, so, to me, the rest of the trip was smooth sailing.
In what ways did the local community in Honduras respond to your presence and the mission work you were involved in? Were there any particularly memorable interactions or moments?
They've always been so loving, and I can't even explain it with words. I didn't go to Honduras for the people there to tell me they love or appreciate me, but when they did tell me things like that, I remember just being at a loss for words and being so overwhelmed with emotions that I couldn't hold it together. Which was something that I didn't think was possible for me. I remember one day in particular, I was talking to one of the older guys, Kike, and we were just having a regular conversation, making jokes, talking about life, etc. I didn't think the conversation would mean much to him until that night when he sent me a message on WhatsApp. He said to me, “Yo le doy gracias a dios por vos, por conocerte men.” (I give thanks to God for letting me meet you bro.) I remember reading that message and fully understanding why God brought me back to connect.
How did your experience in Honduras during the Christmas break impact you personally? Did it change your perspective, values, or plans in any way?
I am reminded of what matters in life in many ways. What's important isn't building wealth, driving fancy cars, or whatever the case may be because nothing goes with you when Jesus comes back. What's important is love and connection. Making people smile, making them feel loved, sharing a laugh, it's the little things like those that matter. Sure, being in Honduras didn't provide instant gratification like how we have it here, but it gave me joy and a sense of fulfillment that is second to nothing else. That fulfillment/joy is more potent, and it lasts longer. It's more accurate to me and what God intended for us.
Can you share a specific story or encounter from your mission trip that left a lasting impression on you?
This is a tough question because there are so many different choices. But there was one moment where I couldn't understand how someone could be so kind. One night, we played some games with the kids, and I ended up hurting my knee pretty badly. I was walking with a limp for a couple of days, and I was in a lot of pain. I remember casually telling one of the older guys, Dario, about what had happened, and he told me he'd see me in a bit. Later that day, he returned with a wrap for my knee and some Biofreeze (or the Honduran equivalent). He had gone out to the pharmacy and spent his own money on me for no other reason than that he felt bad seeing me in pain. I tried to pay him for the stuff, and he wouldn't let me. This shows how kind the people there are. Despite not having a lot, they're willing to use what they have to help other people.
What role did cultural exchange play in your mission trip experience? How did you navigate and appreciate the cultural differences between your background and the Honduran community?
I grew up in a Cuban household, so being in a Latin culture has always been special to me. I appreciated seeing that many of the values present in Cuban culture are also present with the Hondurans. What was different was learning some Honduran slang and trying some of their staple foods. Baleadas are unbeatable.
Looking ahead, do you see yourself participating in future mission trips, and are there specific regions or causes you would be interested in exploring next?
God-willing, I'll be back with the kids this coming Spring Break! Whatever comes after that is unclear, but I'll have to follow wherever God leads.
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.