August 14, 2025 / SonLight Power Trips
“When you take that step of faith to go on a mission, you get to see God working, and then you get to take that back home with you.”
–Elizabeth Mock
Elizabeth Mock has achieved a special milestone on SonLight Power trips.
She’s one of the first to accomplish a trifecta of sorts, participating on SonLight Power trips in three distinct life stages: as a youngster, teen, and now as an adult.
In 2008 at age 11, Elizabeth joined her family on a church-sponsored trip to Honduras with SonLight Power. Five years later, she returned to Honduras on a SonLight Power trip with her youth group.
Above: Elizabeth on her first SonLight Power trip to Honduras in 2008
And in November 2024 and June 2025, Elizabeth made her third and fourth SonLight Power trips to Honduras, this time on church teams that included her husband, mother, and mother-in-law.
For Elizabeth, each trip experience has been impactful in its own unique way.
But all four trips have shared two things in common: using the power of the sun to equip remote, isolated school communities with reliable electricity for the first time; using the power of the Son, Jesus, to share God’s love with children and communities.
Elizabeth reflected on her most recent experience in Honduras as she and a SonLight Power team from College Hill Presbyterian Church (CHPC) spread the love of Jesus with children and communities at three schools that previously had no access to basic electricity.
Join us as we unpack her journey…
Above: Elizabeth with her husband Samuel, mother-in-law Susan (far left), and mother Claire (far right)
Meet Elizabeth
Part of CHPC since childhood, Elizabeth grew up alongside SonLight Power, which was founded by longtime CHPC member and elder, Allen Rainey.
Allen started organizing solar-powered mission trips with CHPC to Honduras in 2002. Proximity to the mission meant Elizabeth had access to the transformational impact solar power and the gospel can have on children and families both near and far.
Inspired by stories from CHPC’s early trips to Honduras, Elizabeth and her family joined their first mission trip with SonLight Power before she turned twelve.
Above: Elizabeth in Honduras with SonLight Power, 2008
Later as a teen and now as an adult, Elizabeth has continued to participate in SonLight Power trips to Honduras.
In November of last year, Elizabeth traveled to Honduras with SonLight Power together with her husband, Samuel, who’s an assistant pastor at CHCP. And then most recently in June this year, Elizabeth played a vital role helping the SonLight Power team connect with Honduran school children.
“I led the fiesta team,” explains Elizabeth. “That’s the team that interacts with the kids at the schools, playing games, singing songs, having meaningful interactions, and teaching them about the love of Christ.”
Above: Elizabeth (left) and the SonLight Power fiesta team (right) get ready to share Jesus’ love with three Honduran communities
God Sightings
As the SonLight Power team preps for each school visit, a rough plan guides both the solar installation and children’s ministry (fiesta) activities.
However, weather and other factors can affect how the plans are executed. But God often uses these changes as opportunities to show up in beautiful ways that touch both the children and the people serving beside them.
For example, all-day rain pushed Elizabeth along with the rest of the fiesta team and children indoors at one of the schools they visited. Relegated to a cramped space under shelter, they made the most out of the situation by giving the children bags full of school supplies and Bibles.
“Before we knew it, kids started pulling out their Bibles,” Elizabeth said. “It was special because nobody prompted them to get the Bibles out. They were yearning to read God’s word.”
The team took advantage of the situation and began sharing their favorite verses with the kids.
Above: Kids in Honduras couldn’t wait to open their Bibles and begin reading
Elizabeth recalled one little boy, maybe 5- or 6-years-old, who struggled to pull out his Bible.
“Another kid helped him get his Bible out. I’m not sure if the younger kid could read because the older one helped him find the Bible verses being shared. It was really sweet to see God turn something like being forced inside into a really beautiful moment with all the kids.”
Most children in remote Honduran communities only go to school until about 5th grade. After that, they’re often forced to quit school so they can work to help support their families. But on this trip, Elizabeth was surprised to see high school students at one of the schools.
Above: Jenny Sasson (far left) alongside Elizabeth (lower/far right) having fun with high school kids in Honduras
“It was neat to see these older kids come out of their shells,” Elizabeth shares. “At first, they didn’t want to participate in the games because we were being silly, and just like teens in America, they were ‘too cool’ to let loose. But pretty soon, they started joining one by one and had a lot of fun.”
Shared Memories
While installing sustainable solar power is a vital component to the SonLight Power mission, connecting with the children in real ways leaves just as much of a lasting impact. Elizabeth learned this lesson firsthand when one little girl decided to hang out with her all day.
“She just latched herself onto me,” Elizabeth laughed. “I was honored because she felt safe enough to stick by my side through all the activities. We couldn’t communicate much verbally, but we formed a connection through play and laughter.”
In addition, the legacies of two special SonLight Power supporters were shared with these Honduran communities. Allen Rainey, currently living in Honduras, participated on this trip as he dedicated each solar power system in memory of his late wife Ann Rainey and CHPC member and SonLight Power volunteer, Aidan Moncelle.
Above: (Left photo, left to right) Allen with SonLight Power technician Sady Ramos and co-op Colin Sorensen; (Right photo) Plaques commemorating Ann Rainey and Aidan Moncelle
More Than Solar
When asked what makes SonLight Power special, Elizabeth answered that while she loves how SonLight Power provides something physical, like electricity, “I really appreciate how the teams share the love of Christ at the same time. I love showing the kids that God called us to come and work with them.”
Above: Elizabeth had fun leading children’s activities in Honduras, including face painting and parachute games, as well as handing out bags of school supplies and Bibles
Elizabeth added that while she goes on a mission to spread the gospel, God also uses the experience to teach her, too.
“Seeing God reflected in these interactions with the kids is special because the Lord is growing me as much as He’s growing the kids. He reminds me of who He truly is and speaks into my own spiritual journey.”
As she reflected on her time in Honduras, Elizabeth noticed how love and joy are universal no matter where you’re from and what language you speak. She also said the beauty of Honduras really touched her.
“We were in the mountains of Honduras; it was remote, basically untouched countryside, and God reminded me of how caring and intentional He is about His creation.”
Above: (Left photo) Community members at Jorge Lobo School in Aguas Preciosas, Juticalpa, Olancho rally to place the pole with solar panels in place; (Right photo) Allen (far right) and community leaders from Sanja Honda, Juticalpa, Olancho commemorate the new solar power system at 15 de Septiembre School
SonLight Power also brings community members together during each solar installation, helping to raise the pole-mounted solar panels and to care for the solar equipment after each system is commissioned. This engagement helps people living in these communities take ownership of each solar project to ensure functionality for years to come.
“SonLight Power is relational,” Elizabeth explained. “It’s not transactional. The team is intentional about making meaningful connections.”
Time to Let Your Light Shine?
If you’ve considered going on a SonLight Power trip but haven’t taken the next step, heed this guidance from a four-time trip veteran:
“Just take the step of faith and do it,” Elizabeth urged. “You don’t need any specific skills, like solar experience or even working with kids. You just need a willing heart and spirit that’s ready to follow where the Lord is taking you.”
Above: Elizabeth in Honduras alongside her husband, Samuel, CHPC assistant pastor
Inspired by Elizabeth’s journey? Want to learn more about getting involved with SonLight Power to make a lasting impact near or far? Visit the SonLight Power Mission Calendar and connect with us at [email protected]
For more information: VIDEO: Elizabeth & Samuel Mock in Honduras with SonLight Power
