MADISON – Joel Aycock, formerly of Madison, is completing the 15th year with his non-profit organization, His Hands Mission International. Aycock is fulfilling his dream to supply both potable water and the “Living Water of Jesus Christ” to people worldwide.

Graduating from Samford University in May 2007, Aycock was praying for God’s lead in working as a missionary. His research led him the Copan Mountains of Honduras.

In his pickup truck leaving Alabama, Joel and his brother Nathan drove 2,600-plus miles to Honduras. Joel started his water purification project using the biosand (or bio-sand) water filter.

Joel’s team made filters in El Paraiso and took the devices to surrounding Honduran villages with help of church and community leaders. With each filter Joel installs in a house, school or church, he can share with residents about God’s salvation.

Reflecting on 2022, the ministry spread to different areas of Honduras. His Hands Mission has four full-time employees who are constantly busy. The crew has completed all planned projects, plus others not on the calendar. “It’s encouraging to know that people from all over the world are not only praying for our ministry but also praying for the people of Honduras,” Joel said.

“The last few years in Honduras have been anything but normal. With hurricanes and Covid, supply chain issues and shutdowns, it has been really difficult to stick to a firm schedule. Somehow, we (got) everything done,” Joel said.

His Hands applies four categories of strategy:

* Community improvement – Starting projects that build relationships to impart spiritual truths.

* Water purification — Producing ways to help improve quality of life for the poor.

* Local training — Teaching by demonstrating procedures to build water filtration and other systems. Eventually, villagers won’t need external help.

* Building relationships – For strongest connections possible with indigenous people.

“With trying to work in four different locations doing seven projects, it gets difficult with only four people,” Joel said. “There comes a point in every ministry or business to keep growing, you need to have more help. We’re at that point.”

“We have confidence that this is the direction that God is leading us,” Joel said.

For 2023, Joel will continue from home base at El Paraiso into the villages of Cuchilla Enserada; La Lepaera, Gracias Lempira; La Moskita; and mountains of Ocotepeque.

For more information, email Joel.Aycock@hishandsmission.com or visit hishandsmission.com.