Impact
This is how we make an impact...
Love Your Neighbors
When your gifts and talents, your sphere of influence, and your passion for mercy and justice come together, missional impact flourishes.
- Laundromats - Pay for people’s laundry (bring lots of quarters)
- Groceries - Find someone shopping for groceries and pay for them
- Re:Bar - Donate money to provide “pay it forward meals” or give folks who are there a free round of drinks - juice, coffee, tea, etc.
- DIY Blessing Boxes/Baskets - make up a box or basket and fill it with meaningful treats and blessings for someone in your neighborhood or workplace and then deliver it to them
- Gift Card Brigades - get a bunch of gift cards and bless some people at a store or restaurant or public gathering place
- Trash pick-up in your neighborhood or local park
- Go out to eat and leave triple the tip
- Go out to eat and pay for another table’s meal
- Rake Pine Needles/do yard work for neighbors
- Free taco stand - ‘nuff said
- Host a block party and invite your neighbors
- Provide free breakfast for day-laborers at the day-labor pickup site
- Bake for your neighbors and deliver the tasty treat to their doorstep
- Host watch party for your favorite sport and invite some neighbors/coworkers
- FB or Next Door offers to neighbors. For example: “First five to respond with coffee order, I’ll purchase and deliver”
- Write a note of encouragement to all of your kid’s teachers - maybe include a small treat
- Visit nursing home and spend some time with folks chatting or playing games
- Drive around town and look for police/fire/ems to surprise with a gift card or treat
- Think of someone you know who is going through a significant struggle and get them a surprise gift that is meaningful to them
- Stand by the register at a fast food restaurant and buy some folk’s meals (Better than drive-thru because it gives you an opportunity to chat with the folks you are blessing)
- Find a local food pantry and volunteer your time or make a donation
- Bless some homeless folks with a gift card or a meal
- BE CREATIVE - Let the Holy Spirit guide you to do something unique and meaningful as you serve those God has put in your sphere of influence
Serve Locally
Handyman projects, indoor/outdoor repairs, tree-trimming, etc....we have volunteers who work on and lead these weekday projects.
If you or a neighbor need help like this, click here
Sometimes the storms of life are actual storms. Relief and restoration can take time, even years. We're still helping restore homes damaged by hurricanes and floods years after they happened. We have volunteers who work on and lead these family friendly, weekend projects.
We are addressing hunger in our community with healthy meals, packed by Salem school students and church volunteers. An annual 50,000+ meal-packing event in May is where it starts.
Honduras Missions
Heart for Honduras is a registered 501(c) (3) charitable organization started by members of Salem Lutheran Church following the first mission to Honduras in 1996. Heart for Honduras operates under the mission philosophy of asset-based community development.
You are responsible for purchasing your own plane tickets from United Airlines (NOT BASIC ECONOMY, which doesn’t allow for a carry-on bag). The trip registration page will include the specific flight information and deadlines. When your tickets are purchased, please email your flight information, as well as the number of free checked bags you may have based on your United States or credit card, to the Missions Department. If you would like to make plans to stay longer in Honduras, please communicate that as well.
No. You will need to pack lightly. Each team member will be allowed only one regulation size carry-on bag (9x14x22) and one backpack (or bag small) to go under the seat. You will not be able to check bags because Heart for Honduras counts on the luggage allotment assigned by the airline to use for medicines and supplies. Therefore, if your return itinerary deviates from the team’s, you will be responsible for returning these footlockers to Salem’s campus upon your return to Houston.
We designate three footlockers as “sharps” in which we allow you to place a 1 or 2 gallon sized Ziploc-type bag filled with liquids (shampoos/lotions) and sharp items (clippers, scissors).
If you live outside of the Houston area, you will be responsible for your travel to and from Houston. Arrive at George Bush International Airport 3 hours before your schedule time of departure. Everybody needs to help quickly unload the footlockers from the delivery trailer. From there, the team will check in as a group, distributing the footlockers of supplies between each participant.
You will need your physical passport for travel, and it must be current to at least 6 months past our return date. There are no vaccination requirements for entrance into Honduras from the United States. It is recommended that your shots/immunizations be up to date (tetanus, etc.).
The CDC indicates that there is very low risk of malaria in the San Pedro Sula area in which we work. However, out of an abundance of caution, some attendees choose to have a doctor prescribe anti-malarial medications. Please consider what is best for you and act accordingly.
No! We ONLY drink bottled or purified water while in Honduras. Brush your teeth with bottled water. There will be groups going to the grocery store during the week for snacks and drinks, and there is safe water at the hotel to refill a personal bottle.
Keep in mind that Honduras is a conservative country, and we would like to respect that. Appropriate clinic clothes include scrubs or t-shirt tops and pants. Knee length shorts and capris are also acceptable. Closed toed, comfortable shoes are a necessity for clinic. You may want to bring a trash bag in which to bring your shoes and dirty laundry home. Bring modest but casual clothing for evening dinner and socializing. A rain jacket may be handy, as well. The hotel offers laundry services at your expense.
It depends. Check with your carrier. Many major companies offer a flat, daily rate for phone service in Honduras. The hotel has free internet from which you can access messaging apps.
Talk to friends and family about the passion you have for this ministry. Plan ahead and save up for the trip. Skip dinner or coffee out once a week and save that money. Need-based scholarships from Salem Lutheran Church are also available – contact the Missions Department.
Yes. Bring a small amount of spending money ($150 - $200 is recommended) for bottled water, snacks, hotel and bus driver tips, souvenirs, etc. You will need to purchase your own water bottles and snacks for clinic days as well as lunch on Sunday, our day off. Please bring cash in increments of 10s or 50s to change into Honduran Lempira at the airport in San Pedro Sula. Twenty-dollar bills are sometimes refused by money changers. Merchants in Honduras readily accept credit cards.
Heart for Honduras will book your hotel room. Participants will sleep 2 people per room, unless a single room upgrade is purchased and available.
Register your trip with the state department’s STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program) at: step.state.gov/step. Keep your passport with you at all times. Take a partner with you any time you go anywhere. Always be aware of your surroundings. Leave jewelry and valuables at home.
No, unless you want flight/cancelation coverage. Heart for Honduras purchases medical travel insurance for our trip through IMGlobal. The insurance covers medical expenses for accidents or illnesses which occur while in Honduras, emergency medical evacuation and trip interruption and allotment toward a new flight home if you need to shorten or extend your stay due to an accident/illness which occurs during the trip. The trip insurance we provide DOES NOT cover trip and/or flight cancelation due to any circumstance.
If, for any reason, you need to cancel your participation on this trip, you will receive a refund based upon the following criteria (unless there are extenuating circumstances).
There is a $50 non-refundable registration fee.
More than 90 days prior to scheduled departure: 100% refund
61-90 days prior to departure: 75% refund,
31-60 days prior to scheduled departure: 50% refund
30 days or less prior to scheduled departure: 0% refund
Thursday (Travel Day)
- Fly from Houston to San Pedro Sula, Honduras.
- Lunch, Shopping for supplies
- Dinner at Hotel - Evening Team Devotions & Fellowship
Friday, Saturday (Clinic Days)
- Breakfast at Hotel
- Travel to Clinic Location
- Medical/Dental/Vision Clinic
- Dinner at Hotel - Evening Team Devotions & Fellowship
Sunday (Free Day)
- Free day. Activities TBD
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday (Clinic Days)
- Breakfast at Hotel
- Travel to Clinic Location
- Medical/Dental/Vision Clinic
- Dinner at Hotel - Evening Team Devotions & Fellowship
Thursday (Travel Day)
- Breakfast at Hotel
- Fly from San Pedro Sula to Houston
- Work together to load footlockers back into trailer.
- Tell everyone your best story from the week and invite them to join you next time!
Heart for Honduras is a registered 501(c) (3) charitable organization started by members of Salem Lutheran Church following the first mission to Honduras in 1996. Heart for Honduras operates under the mission philosophy of asset-based community development.
$250 (Does not include airfare.)
The actual cost for each mission is approximately $750 per participant. Expenses beyond the $250 participant fee are subsidized by donations to Heart for Honduras from Salem Lutheran Church and other fundraising efforts to make this experience accessible to all. Scholarships are available. Contact the Missions Department for more information.
You are responsible for purchasing your own plane tickets from United Airlines. The trip registration page will include the specific flight information and deadlines. When your tickets are purchased, please email your flight information to the Missions Department. If you would like to make plans to stay longer in Honduras, please communicate that as well.
Yes, but most people just use their carry-on luggage and personal item (backpack/purse).
If you live outside of the Houston area, you will be responsible for your travel to and from Houston. Arrive at George Bush International Airport 3 hours before your schedule time of departure. The team will check in as a group.
You will need your physical passport for travel, and it must be current to at least 6 months past our return date. There are no vaccination requirements for entrance into Honduras from the United States. It is recommended that your shots/immunizations be up to date (tetanus, etc.).
The CDC indicates that there is very low risk of malaria in the San Pedro Sula area in which we work. However, out of an abundance of caution, some attendees choose to have a doctor prescribe anti-malarial medications. Please consider what is best for you and act accordingly.
No! We ONLY drink bottled or purified water while in Honduras. Brush your teeth with bottled water. There will be groups going to the grocery store during the week for snacks and drinks, and there is safe water at the hotel to refill a personal bottle.
Keep in mind that Honduras is a conservative country, and we would like to respect that. Appropriate clinic clothes include scrubs or t-shirt tops and pants. Knee length shorts and capris are also acceptable. Closed toed, comfortable shoes are a necessity for clinic. You may want to bring a trash bag in which to bring your shoes and dirty laundry home. Bring modest but casual clothing for evening dinner and socializing. A rain jacket may be handy, as well. The hotel offers laundry services at your expense.
It depends. Check with your carrier. Many major companies offer a flat, daily rate for phone service in Honduras. The hotel has free internet from which you can access messaging apps.
Talk to friends and family about the passion you have for this ministry. Plan ahead and save up for the trip. Skip dinner or coffee out once a week and save that money. Need-based scholarships from Salem Lutheran Church are also available – contact the Missions Department.
Yes. Bring a small amount of spending money ($50 - $100 is recommended) for bottled water, snacks, hotel and bus driver tips, souvenirs, etc. Please bring cash in increments of 10s or 50s to change into Honduran Lempira at the airport in San Pedro Sula. Twenty-dollar bills are sometimes refused by money changers. Merchants in Honduras readily accept credit cards.
Heart for Honduras will book your hotel room. Participants will sleep 2 people per room, unless a single room upgrade is purchased and available.
Register your trip with the state department’s STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program) at: step.state.gov/step. Keep your passport with you at all times. Take a partner with you any time you go anywhere. Always be aware of your surroundings. Leave jewelry and valuables at home.
No, unless you want flight/cancelation coverage. Heart for Honduras purchases medical travel insurance for our trip through IMGlobal. The insurance covers medical expenses for accidents or illnesses which occur while in Honduras, emergency medical evacuation and trip interruption and allotment toward a new flight home if you need to shorten or extend your stay due to an accident/illness which occurs during the trip. The trip insurance we provide DOES NOT cover trip and/or flight cancelation due to any circumstance.
If, for any reason, you need to cancel your participation on this trip, you will receive a refund based upon the following criteria (unless there are extenuating circumstances).
There is a $50 non-refundable registration fee.
More than 90 days prior to scheduled departure: 100% refund
61-90 days prior to departure: 75% refund,
31-60 days prior to scheduled departure: 50% refund
30 days or less prior to scheduled departure: 0% refund
Day 1
- Fly from Houston to San Pedro Sula, Honduras.
- Lunch, Shopping for food distribution
- Home Visits
- Dinner, debrief and fellowship at Hotel
Day 2
- Breakfast at Hotel
- Travel to Brazos de Jesus School. Various activities/projects
- Serve Community Lunches
- Dinner, debrief and fellowship at Hotel
Day 3
- Breakfast with local partner pastors
- Fly from San Pedro Sula to Houston
- Tell everyone your best story from the week and invite them to join you next time!
Volunteer at Salem
SUNDAY MORNING TEAM
WORSHIP TEAM
TECH TEAM
SALEM KIDS, TWEENS & TEENS
MISSIONS & OUTREACH
ADULT MINISTRIES
FACILITIES & OPERATIONS TEAM
COMMUNICATIONS TEAM
Impact in the lives of students today!
