Most college students spend spring break vacationing, however, for a number of Biola students, spring break is an opportunity to serve. On April 18, two groups of students will go to Honduras and Utah to serve local communities through service projects and fellowship.

Digging Drinking Wells in Honduras

Upon stepping on Honduran soil, a group of 24 Biola students will work to bring fresh water to communities that do not have access to drinkable running water. By strenuously digging wells for a total of 20 hours in 10 days, the team will help assemble the pipe system that is required to provide communities with the fresh water Honduras so desperately needs.

Deciding to return to Honduras after first experiencing this ministry in 2013, this year’s trip finance leader and junior elementary education major, Serena Quintero is excited to go back.

“When I got back from the trip [last year], I quickly realized I left my heart there. God continued to work in me until I applied for leadership this year,” said Quintero. “I know how amazing the Biola Honduras Water Project is and I wanted to continue to be a part of God’s work in this ministry.”

The Honduras Water Project ministry has been travelling to Honduras every spring break for more than 20 years –– making it the longest-running ministry at Biola University.

“The thing that I am most looking forward to is continuing to bond with the team, love on the people in the village and the amazing unknown that God is going to do through us and in the village for his kingdom,” said sophomore journalism major Hailey Burkhard.

The team meets every week to prepare spiritually and mentally while creating a closer bond among one another. Sophomore Tyler Graham said he enjoys spending that time in fellowship with Christ and growing closer to teammates.

“[I am] learning to love [God] and love his children with the love I have received from Jesus Christ, by the Holy Spirit's help,” said Graham, “I am excited to watch the team grow deeper in our love relationships with our Father, through Jesus Christ, by the Holy Spirit, and watch Him continue to transform our hearts. I can't wait to see how God will use us to share the love of Christ with the Hondurans we will come into contact with.”

Evangelical and Mormon Interaction Influencing Utah

Bolstering a current Christian ministry within the Mormon community, Biola’s Evangelical and Mormon Interaction (EMI) team will continue to partner with evangelical missionaries and churches that are present in Utah.

Spending two weeks near Salt Lake City, 35 students will be participating in service projects for churches and its surrounding neighbors.

Senior psychology major Rachel Loch said the team will be visiting the Mormon affiliated Brigham Young University (BYU) to engage in dialogue and see what opportunities God will open there. Loch explained that these dialogues serve as a chance for Evangelicals and Mormons to non-argumentatively ask each other questions about each faith.

Loch is focusing on Ephesians 3:20-21 for the upcoming trip which states, "Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever."

“[The team has] been praying over this trip for awhile, but God will show up in ways we can't even imagine yet. He's done that all throughout history, in past trips, and He will again,” said Loch.

Loch proceeded to further explain her anticipation to see exactly how God will be glorified through those two weeks.

“There is something so sweet about the Christians [in Utah], I think because they understand that they have no other option but to depend on each other and Jesus while in such a tough environment, they are a beautiful picture of what the Church is supposed to be like. Such good fellowship,” said Loch.

In preparation for the trip, the team spends time studying the Bible at their weekly meetings, attending a team retreat and they continually pray and encourage one another in their walk with the Lord.

“Spiritual warfare is difficult in Utah, and while we have no reason to fear, we can't get away with being inauthentic with each other or not being quick to listen and pray for one another,” said Loch. “So we try to foster that environment before we leave.”

Written by media relations intern Emily Joy Johnson. For more information, contact media relations specialist Jenna Bartlo at 562.777.4061 or jenna.l.bartlo@biola.edu.