When Pastor Chaz Boes and a team from Compassion Toledo set out for a mission of love and legacy in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, their goal was clear: to bless a village he and his church have supported for over 10 years. Among the team was Christina Rodriguez, returning to El Ocotillo—a small but vibrant community that had captured her heart- for a second time, her sister, Demetria Zavala, Jasmon Hudson, Les Levesque, and Pastor Boes’ mother and Editor of this paper, Linda Alvarado-Arce.
A Vision Born from Compassion
Last year, Christina had a vision born from compassion when she participated in a mission trip to El Ocotillo. During this trip, she was profoundly moved by the warmth and resilience of the people, but one thing stood out to her—the lack of a safe and joyful space for children to play. As the director of a local nonprofit, Mom’s House, that has an Early Childhood Education Program, Christina understands how crucial early intervention is and how it is one of the first things taken from children born into poverty- this ability to be just kids. Determined to make a difference, Christina returned this year with her sister, Demetria of Archbold. Their mission was personal: to bring hope, joy, and resources to the community. Their goal was to build a playground, provide food, toys, necessities, haircuts, and, most importantly, to share God’s love.
Turning Pain Into Purpose
This mission was personal for Christina. Because, between Christina’s first and second visits to El Ocotillo, tragedy struck her family. Her 20-year-old nephew, Antonio “Tono” Cruz, son of Demetria, had passed away. Tono’s leaving left behind a devastated family and a grieving community in Archbold. And as they continued to navigate their unimaginable loss, they sought ways to honor the young man whose infectious smile could light up any room. Therefore, Demetria decided to join this special mission trip with the specific intention of transforming pain into purpose.
Sonrisas de Tono: A Legacy of Joy
Sonrisas de Tono, a playground, would be this legacy of joy that would begin this transformation of the pain they felt to their purpose for being in Honduras. The playground would not only serve the children of El Ocotillo but also stand as a lasting tribute to Tono’s joyful and playful spirit. The playground, now named Sonrisas de Tono (Tono’s Smiles), embodies everything Tono was—playful, loving, and full of life. He was an athlete, goofy, and a young man who loved hard and left an impact on everyone he met. Through this playground, his light will continue to shine through the laughter of the children who now have a place to run, climb, play, and imagine.
On the day of the dedication, excitement filled the air. The journey to the village was long and intense, but as soon as the team arrived, they knew it was worth it. The children awaited with eager anticipation; their energy was contagious. The dedication ceremony commenced with a blessing from Pastor Boes and then, with a countdown, the children raced onto the playground. It was loud, chaotic, and absolutely perfect—kids playing, laughing, and experiencing pure, unfiltered joy. No phones, no screens, no distractions—just the beauty of childhood restored.
Beyond the Playground: Planting Seeds for the Future
Beyond the playground, the team’s impact continued, they provided food, toys, haircuts, and essential supplies to the families. Ensuring that the blessings of this trip would be felt for years to come, Linda Alvarado-Arce even had the brilliant idea to plant six trees around the perimeter of the playground for environmental and culinary purposes. Linda bought and planted a mango, sweet orange, guava, red palm tree (palmera), and two large orchid trees. All these trees will provide nourishment and shade and symbolize the lasting and forever impact of this mission.
Another beautiful addition to the mission this year was Les Levesque, owner of Tal-Mon Barber Shop. Les brought his barbering skills to El Ocotillo. He offered free haircuts to the children and adults. It was a very different sight to see a U.S. barber cutting the hair of the kids and adults who were all lined up and mesmerized by this experience. Les even picked up some Spanish words to communicate with the children and adults, doing his best to bridge the language gap with smiles and laughter. The need was so great that he continued cutting hair on the stage of the church throughout the entire service. For many of these children, it was their first professional haircut. It was a small yet powerful act of kindness that left them beaming with confidence.