El Ayudante
Mission Trip

March 14th - 20th

2027

El Ayudante
Comayagua, Honduras

El Ayudante is one of Lakeland's mission partners, serving communities in the Comayagua Valley of Honduras through construction, medical care, education, clean water initiatives, and local church development.

Lakeland is excited to return to El Ayudante for a meaningful trip in March of 2027. We're hoping to bring a group of 10-20 individuals, and anticipate costs to be below $2,000. Please note that ages 14+ are welcome, with minors requiring a guardian to accompany them.

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EL AYUDANTE

EL AYUDANTE

EL AYUDANTE

EL AYUDANTE

EL AYUDANTE

EL AYUDANTE

EL AYUDANTE

EL AYUDANTE

About El Ayudante

Rather than focusing on one-time projects, El Ayudante partners with local churches, community leaders, and families to create sustainable, long-term transformation. Every ministry is designed to strengthen communities while sharing the Gospel.

Founded in 1998 by Mel Cox after God called him to serve in Honduras, the ministry began by providing scholarships for children before expanding to meet both the physical and spiritual needs of the region.

Since establishing its ministry campus in Lo De Reina in 2004, El Ayudante has partnered with local leaders and volunteers to serve more than 55 communities and complete over 600 community development projects.

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Tristan and Beth Mohagen are the directors of this busy, vibrant ministry in Honduras. Listen to their message to Lakeland above.

El Ayudante’s Impact

A black icon on a white background showing the number 55 in a bold, blocky font, followed by a plus symbol.

Communities Served

The number 600 followed by a plus sign, rendered in a thick, black, stylized font on a white background.

Community Projects Completed

The number 280 followed by a plus sign in a bold, black, sans-serif font on a plain white background.

Students Sponsored

A simple graphic icon showing the number 25 in a bold, black, stylized font followed by a plus sign, all on a white background.

Mission Teams Each Year

How El Ayudante Serves

Community outreach is built on relationships and local leadership. Projects are selected alongside community leaders to meet the greatest needs while creating opportunities to serve and encourage families.

El Ayudante's medical clinic provides accessible healthcare to communities that previously had little or no access to medical services.

The clinic opened in 2014 and now serves approximately 16,000 patients each year through medical, dental, laboratory, pharmacy, and preventative care services.

Every patient also has the opportunity to receive spiritual care through prayer, encouragement, and the sharing of the Gospel.

Educational programs help students overcome financial and educational barriers that often prevent children from completing school.

Through scholarships, educational support, and tutoring, students receive resources that help them continue their education and prepare for future opportunities.

According to El Ayudante:

  • 26% of Honduran children do not complete the fifth grade.

  • 57% of boys do not continue beyond fifth grade.

  • 48% of girls do not continue beyond sixth grade.

Every ministry at El Ayudante is centered on its mission:

To grow committed followers of Christ by meeting the needs of the community.

Whether through medical care, construction projects, educational programs, or community outreach, each ministry creates opportunities to share the Gospel, encourage local churches, and disciple believers.

A Model for Lasting Transformation

A young woman with braided brown hair crouches on a concrete patio, filling an orange bottle from a clear tube connected to a large water container.

Stage 1: Basic Sanitation

The first stage focuses on meeting essential physical needs that improve health and create opportunities for long-term stability.

Projects may include:

  • Clean water filtration systems

  • Home construction

  • Concrete floors

  • Sanitary latrines

These projects help improve health, reduce disease, and establish relationships within the community.

A large group of smiling schoolchildren in uniforms stand on the steps of their school, holding a colorful sign that spells out the word 'WELCOME'.

Stage 2: Family

As relationships develop, ministry expands to strengthen families through programs such as:

  • Marriage courses

  • Educational support

  • School scholarships

  • English classes

These opportunities provide practical support while encouraging spiritual growth and discipleship.

A man in a red shirt speaks with a microphone to an audience seated on plastic chairs in a hall decorated with colorful banners and photos.

Looking Ahead

The long-term vision is to see communities become healthy, self-sustaining, and rooted in Christ through ongoing partnerships with local churches and leaders.

Perhaps the true test of a short-term mission trip begins when the team comes home.

At Lakeland, we believe short-term mission trips are worth the investment when undertaken with the right purpose and perspective. Our teams go prepared to serve—not to impose our own plans or ideas, but to come alongside our mission partners and support their ministry in whatever ways are most beneficial to them and help advance God's Kingdom. If you'd like to learn more about joining the next Lakeland team, we'd love to connect with you.

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