December 14, 2023 / SonLight Power Mission Trips / Source: Jenny Sasson
Enjoy this guest post from Jenny Sasson, SonLight Power trip co-leader and Breakthrough Ministry Pastor at Vineyard Cincinnati Church:
Global Outreach to Honduras
The week of October 14-21, we embarked on a life-changing adventure with a group of people from Vineyard Cincinnati Church (VCC) that stepped up in faith to join our first VCC Global Outreach to Honduras in partnership with SonLight Power.
Above, our team outside the Abundant Life Church in Tegucigalpa, Honduras: U.S. team members include Bill Maxam, Parnell Cohron, Wendy Pittman, Olivia Earhart, Steven Campbell, Pat Lyons, Monica Niehaus, Brandon Weaver, Clay Luna, Dana Cochran, Sophia Sasson, Naomi Sasson, Jenny & Kevin Sasson. Plus many dedicated Honduran team members and local volunteers.
For over 14 years, I have been serving in missions around the world with SonLight Power and this experience has been transformative on so many levels. I am so thankful that after many years of prayers, we were able to successfully accomplish our first of many Vineyard Global Missions to Honduras.
Equipping Others in Practical and Spiritual Ways
This outreach was uniquely designed so the people we served are dependent not on us, but on God and each other. We were able to equip vulnerable people with sustainable energy solutions, knowledge and skills they need to gain independence from the debilitating effects of energy poverty.
Together with a blend of in-country and U.S.-based volunteers from Vineyard Cincinnati, we connected three remote schools with a supply of electricity that will last for generations. We involved the communities themselves, using these projects to train residents and partner organizations how to install solar power systems and how to care for them over time.
The gift of light is transformative. We engaged with our new friends and partners by holding celebrations where whole communities came together in a spirit of fellowship, thanking God for the hope and opportunity that electricity brings.
A very important aspect of this mission was to use solar energy to share the gospel in communities that otherwise would not be able to have both electricity or hear the message of the gospel. As a result of this Kingdom work, 125 children received Jesus into their hearts as their Lord and Savior!
We are grateful for all the work that was done. The lives that were transformed by the message of the gospel of Jesus. What God did on this trip was amazing. We went as a group of acquaintances and came back being as close as family.
Testimonies From Our Team
Bill Maxam - Elder, Vineyard Cincinnati
“The SonLight Power trip to Honduras was an amazing experience for me. First, the privilege of providing electricity to schools and of knowing that this will help these children to further their education was humbling. Second, being able to interact and to hear stories of the children, the teachers, the local townspeople, and even the soldiers who accompanied us and then to pray for them was faith-building. We were able to join with what God was doing in their lives and participate in a small way. I highly recommend stepping out in faith and going on a SonLight trip. I know that I want to do it again.”
Steven Campbell - Worship Team, Vineyard Cincinnati
“I’m an electrical engineer who has been attending the Vineyard since I was in grade school and this was my second SonLight Power trip. Going on this trip to Honduras has been a great reminder of the importance of generosity and serving. It’s so easy to get lost in your own world and problems and forget that there are those that need your help. The thing that struck me the most on the trip was that we were there to serve the people at those schools and they could’ve sat and watched as we put everything together, but they decided to give up their time to serve alongside us and help. That is the power of generosity and serving.”
Wendy Pittman - Global Outreach, Vineyard Cincinnati
"This was my first SonLight Power trip and I cannot begin to describe how incredible this experience was. I heard from God in powerful ways and my life is forever changed. The people I met will always be part of me and I'm already counting down the days until I can go back!"
Olivia Earhart - Vineyard Kids, Vineyard Cincinnati
“My trip to Honduras was life altering because I listened to God's calling to jump on board with what the Holy Spirit was already working on. Bringing solar power to remote villages was a tangible way to help many children encounter God's love, and I'd go back and do it all over again in a heartbeat. Saying ‘yes’ to God's invitation and joining Him on the journey to Honduras has revived my spiritual health and set me on the path I should be on.”
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