By Bob Groeneveld

Special to the 91原创 Advance

Trisha Evans was browsing the internet, looking for something to do.

She wasn鈥檛 looking for just anything.

She wanted something that would fit with her young family鈥檚 motto of 鈥渟ee a need, fill a need鈥� 鈥� the theme of their favourite movie, the 2005 Robots.

Soon after she happened on the PAOC International Missions website, she thought that maybe she鈥檇 found it.

It was a mission project in Honduras that was looking for someone with bookkeeping skills (Trisha) and another with building skills (her husband Mike is a plumber).

Since 2010, Schools of Hope-Honduras has been working with thousands of Honduran public-school children, providing bible studies to more than 5,800, giving daily breakfasts and lunches to 2,000, and offering a child sponsorship program for 150.

The Evans family will join the organization鈥檚 short-term missions team.

After overcoming some disbelief that they could be fortunate enough to get involved with such an opportunity in another country 鈥� and after a 2016 trip to Honduras to see the mission in action and to see what they鈥檇 be getting themselves into 鈥� Trisha signed a one-year contract to serve as financial administrator.

Her job will be to develop and maintain bookkeeping records for all aspects of Schools of Hope, and train local staff.

Mike signed on as the maintenance and project manager. He鈥檒l oversee special projects, including partnering with community leaders for future projects, and he will be in charge of maintenance of office space and the feeding program kitchens.

They鈥檒l be moving to Tegucigalpa, Honduras, in August.

While they could consider extending their contracts beyond a year 鈥� 鈥淚f we love Honduras鈥� and they love us鈥� 鈥� their goals at this point are not long term.

Their basic role will be to train local Hondurans, 鈥淎nd we鈥檙e not expecting or wanting to stay longer鈥� as yet.鈥�

They have every intention of returning to their home in 91原创, and continuing with community service here.

Mike explained that Trisha has 鈥渁lways done that [helping out in the community] in 91原创鈥� through their church, Living Waters, and her involvement with the 91原创 Rotary Club, and the family just 鈥渢hought about going further,鈥� looking for opportunities in other countries.

They鈥檝e been with Living Waters Church for the past nine years, after moving to 91原创 10 years ago, and she has been a member of the Rotary Club of 91原创 鈥� which now directly supports Schools of Hope 鈥� for the past three years, this year as a member of the club鈥檚 executive.

The decision to get involved in Honduras was not taken lightly.

The whole family had to get on board, including their young children Jonah, Hunter, and Alianna.

The money needed to get involved in the project was not a small issue, either.

鈥淲hen we saw the original budget of $75,000 [set by POAC to register the project], we couldn鈥檛 believe we鈥檇 get there,鈥� Trisha said.

Between family and friends, talking to two Rotary Clubs, and making presentations at three churches, they are 鈥渁lmost at the end of the road鈥� of their fundraising efforts.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 know how this happened,鈥� said a mystified but clearly pleased Trisha.

It was her Rotary club that 鈥渞eally got the ball rolling鈥� on fundraising with a $10,000 grant.

And now, a recent spaghetti dinner fundraiser spearheaded by Mike鈥檚 parents and their church in Powell River 鈥搘here Mike grew up 鈥� put them within $10,000 of the goal.

The bottom line was boosted by a silent auction at the dinner, and after giving a talk at the church, 鈥淧eople put cash in our hands,鈥� Mike said.

There鈥檚 more about the Evans鈥檚 Honduran endeavour (find a donations tab at the top of the page), or people can make a donation directly at the . Tax receipts are available for any donations made through either link.

A video (below) made by the director at Schools of Hope, Kathy Mizen, provides further information on the Evans family鈥檚 mission.

The Evans clan still have a few more obstacles to overcome.

鈥淟earning Spanish is very hard,鈥� laughed Mike.

鈥淏ut his tutor says he is making great progress,鈥� Trisha chimed in.

from on .