--- title: "MREF Vision Trip: A Journey of Service and Connection" description: Volunteers on the MREF Vision Trip to Costa Rica transform lives by supporting Hogar Montiel, a home for at-risk girls, through hands-on service and meaningful connections. image: https://www.harmonresearch.com/hubfs/WhatsApp%20Image%202025-02-06%20at%2011.59.13%20AM.jpeg --- # MREF Vision Trip ### Changing Lives, One Journey at a Time [Back to Blog](https://www.harmonresearch.com/blog) ![WhatsApp Image 2025-02-06 at 12.03.57 PM](https://www.harmonresearch.com/hubfs/WhatsApp%20Image%202025-02-06%20at%2012.03.57%20PM.jpeg) # MREF Vision Trip: A Journey of Service and Connection [ Stephanie Vincent ](https://www.harmonresearch.com/blog/author/stephanie-vincent) Feb 6, 2025 12:43:11 PM Vision Trip 2025 This past week, we had **11 volunteers** fly to Costa Rica for the **MREF Vision Trip**. Our third one, and I couldn’t be happier! Each time, our impact grows bigger, and the experience becomes even more meaningful. There’s a lot that happens behind the scenes, and we often get many questions about how these trips work. In this blog, I’ll try to answer them all. **Why This Place?** **Hogar Montiel** is a home for **23 girls aged 5 to 12** who have been removed from their homes due to social risk. I first met these girls a few years ago while walking in my neighborhood. They wanted to play with my kids. That moment led me to visit their home, ask how I could help, and ultimately fall in love with the cause and the girls themselves. I later **pitched Hogar Montiel to the MREF** as a potential grantee for their donations. In 2023, I presented the case to the MREF board. Some might say I was a bit "intense" but I really wanted to get them involved, but after some meetings, the board agreed to introduce **Hogar Montiel as part of the MREF Vision Trip program.** MREF sent out the call for volunteers, and those interested **signed up** for this life-changing experience. **What Do You Do on a Vision Trip?** There are **two key parts** to a Vision Trip: 1. **Spending time with the children**: getting to know them, connecting with them, and understanding their world. 2. **Serving in a hands-on way**: helping with improvements, education, and making a tangible impact. On our **first trip**, we helped **paint and fix metal grates** that were causing safety issues. On the **second trip**, we **built a computer lab** and created **Duolingo accounts** for all the girls to support their learning. On this **third trip**, we **painted all the closets** in the girls’ rooms, giving them a fresh and nice new space. **What Happens Behind the Scenes?** A **lot of planning** goes into these trips. Once we finalize the list of volunteers, we coordinate activities with the nuns who run the home. This time, since we had **11 volunteers**, we knew we could take on a **big project**, so we decided to paint all the closets. A few days before the trip, **Brad Larson and I** went to check everything out. We visited the **hardware store** and asked if we could paint the closets a color other than pink. They agreed, and we chose a beautiful **Tiffany blue**, a fresh and uplifting change for the girls. I also plan **daily activities**, ones that are fun and educational for the girls but also enjoyable for the volunteers. **Day One: Let's Get This Started ** This time, I organized a trip to a **petting farm**, where the girls learned about animals, petted bunnies, fed sheep, and even rode ponies. We had a **pizza lunch** there before heading back for an **afternoon of educational crafts and activities**. ![WhatsApp Image 2025-02-06 at 12.07.43 PM (1)](https://www.harmonresearch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/WhatsApp%20Image%202025-02-06%20at%2012.07.43%20PM%20(1).jpeg?width=1200&height=1600&name=WhatsApp%20Image%202025-02-06%20at%2012.07.43%20PM%20(1).jpeg) ![WhatsApp Image 2025-02-06 at 12.07.42 PM (3)](https://www.harmonresearch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/WhatsApp%20Image%202025-02-06%20at%2012.07.42%20PM%20(3).jpeg?width=1200&height=1600&name=WhatsApp%20Image%202025-02-06%20at%2012.07.42%20PM%20(3).jpeg) ![WhatsApp Image 2025-02-06 at 12.07.42 PM](https://www.harmonresearch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/WhatsApp%20Image%202025-02-06%20at%2012.07.42%20PM.jpeg?width=1600&height=1200&name=WhatsApp%20Image%202025-02-06%20at%2012.07.42%20PM.jpeg) ![WhatsApp Image 2025-02-06 at 12.07.43 PM (2)](https://www.harmonresearch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/WhatsApp%20Image%202025-02-06%20at%2012.07.43%20PM%20(2).jpeg?width=1600&height=1200&name=WhatsApp%20Image%202025-02-06%20at%2012.07.43%20PM%20(2).jpeg) We divided into groups: some volunteers played with the younger girls, others with the older ones, and the rest got to work painting. **Brad** took charge of the painting effort, guiding us and Joey added some** humor, and maybe a few well-placed bad words** to keep us moving. Behind the scenes, we also coordinate **snacks, drinks, transportation, materials, and meals**. This time, **Brad brought a huge bag of craft supplies from Amazon** (which filled his porch with deliveries!). I promised to repay him with **cold Diet Cokes every day**—if you know Brad, you know that’s a solid deal. **The Second Day: A Bigger Vision** We started the morning with a visit to the **construction site of the new home**. Right now, **Hogar Montiel can only house 23 girls**, but this **new facility** will allow them to care for **30 more** and create a **special section for teenagers**. This is crucial because, currently, girls must **leave at age 12** unless adopted. If they age out, they often move to a different orphanage, losing the progress they’ve made. This new home will provide **stability** so they can continue their growth in a familiar and supportive environment. Seeing the land prepared and ready for development was an emotional moment. It’s a vision coming to life. ![WhatsApp Image 2025-02-06 at 12.08.41 PM](https://www.harmonresearch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/WhatsApp%20Image%202025-02-06%20at%2012.08.41%20PM.jpeg?width=1200&height=1600&name=WhatsApp%20Image%202025-02-06%20at%2012.08.41%20PM.jpeg) Later that day, we rented a **courtyard for a physical education class**. It was amazing! We played games, got competitive, and had so much fun just **moving and laughing together.** After lunch, we went back to **painting, crafting, and playing with the girls**. ![WhatsApp Image 2025-02-06 at 12.03.57 PM-1](https://www.harmonresearch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/WhatsApp%20Image%202025-02-06%20at%2012.03.57%20PM-1.jpeg?width=1600&height=1200&name=WhatsApp%20Image%202025-02-06%20at%2012.03.57%20PM-1.jpeg) ![WhatsApp Image 2025-02-06 at 12.03.57 PM (1)](https://www.harmonresearch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/WhatsApp%20Image%202025-02-06%20at%2012.03.57%20PM%20(1).jpeg?width=1600&height=1200&name=WhatsApp%20Image%202025-02-06%20at%2012.03.57%20PM%20(1).jpeg) **![WhatsApp Image 2025-02-06 at 12.04.39 PM](https://www.harmonresearch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/WhatsApp%20Image%202025-02-06%20at%2012.04.39%20PM.jpeg?width=1200&height=1600&name=WhatsApp%20Image%202025-02-06%20at%2012.04.39%20PM.jpeg)** **![WhatsApp Image 2025-02-06 at 12.07.44 PM](https://www.harmonresearch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/WhatsApp%20Image%202025-02-06%20at%2012.07.44%20PM.jpeg?width=1200&height=1600&name=WhatsApp%20Image%202025-02-06%20at%2012.07.44%20PM.jpeg)** **A Personal Moment: The Power of Connection** That night, during a **group dinner**, I got a phone call from my husband. My **14-year-old Pomeranian** had suffered a **heart attack** and was in critical condition. I rushed to the vet, and I got to say goodbye but unfortunately, my pup passed away. I was devastated. The reason I share this is because it highlights **the deep connections we build on these trips**. As soon as people heard, I received **texts, hugs, gifts, and kind words** from the volunteers. These weren’t just colleagues—they were **friends** who supported me in a moment of loss. I will always be grateful for that. **The Final Day: An Amazing Field Trip** On the last day, we took the girls on a **field trip to the Waterfall Gardens**. This is a **1-mile scenic walk** that leads to stunning waterfalls, but it also has a **wildlife sanctuary** where the girls could see and learn about **monkeys, jaguars, snakes, butterflies, birds**, and my personal favorite: **sloths!** I paired volunteers with the girls, but we naturally formed **larger groups**, creating even deeper connections. The girls were **happy and so engaged**. This is what makes Vision Trips so powerful, the **genuine joy** and **meaningful bonds** that form. ![WhatsApp Image 2025-02-06 at 11.59.13 AM](https://www.harmonresearch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/WhatsApp%20Image%202025-02-06%20at%2011.59.13%20AM.jpeg?width=1600&height=1200&name=WhatsApp%20Image%202025-02-06%20at%2011.59.13%20AM.jpeg) **![WhatsApp Image 2025-02-06 at 12.03.55 PM (1)](https://www.harmonresearch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/WhatsApp%20Image%202025-02-06%20at%2012.03.55%20PM%20(1).jpeg?width=1600&height=1200&name=WhatsApp%20Image%202025-02-06%20at%2012.03.55%20PM%20(1).jpeg)** **![WhatsApp Image 2025-02-06 at 12.00.51 PM](https://www.harmonresearch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/WhatsApp%20Image%202025-02-06%20at%2012.00.51%20PM.jpeg?width=1600&height=1200&name=WhatsApp%20Image%202025-02-06%20at%2012.00.51%20PM.jpeg)** **![WhatsApp Image 2025-02-06 at 12.01.19 PM](https://www.harmonresearch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/WhatsApp%20Image%202025-02-06%20at%2012.01.19%20PM.jpeg?width=1600&height=1200&name=WhatsApp%20Image%202025-02-06%20at%2012.01.19%20PM.jpeg)** **![WhatsApp Image 2025-02-06 at 11.59.54 AM](https://www.harmonresearch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/WhatsApp%20Image%202025-02-06%20at%2011.59.54%20AM.jpeg?width=1200&height=1600&name=WhatsApp%20Image%202025-02-06%20at%2011.59.54%20AM.jpeg)** **![WhatsApp Image 2025-02-06 at 12.03.54 PM](https://www.harmonresearch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/WhatsApp%20Image%202025-02-06%20at%2012.03.54%20PM.jpeg?width=1200&height=1600&name=WhatsApp%20Image%202025-02-06%20at%2012.03.54%20PM.jpeg)** **A Heartfelt Thank You** I want to personally thank each of the volunteers who made this trip so special: 💙 **Amel** – For showing up with a smile despite all the challenges that you had on your trip. We became fast friends, and I know we’ll be in each other’s lives for good. 💙 **Mike** – For convincing your company’s leaders to join this trip and for **returning** to see the girls again. Your time, donations, and support mean everything. 💙 **Jake, Mark, Mayela, and Claire** – You all jumped at every task in a second, connected with the girls, and brought so much love and energy. I can’t wait to see you again. 💙 **April** – Your heart is pure gold. You always **look for ways to do more**, and I admire that deeply. 💙 **Lynn** – Your leadership and help were vital. Bringing your daughter was such a meaningful gesture. You’re setting an example for the next generation. 💙 **Brad** – My **partner in crime** on this journey. Thank you for leading, advocating for Hogar Montiel at MREF, and making sure we keep coming back. 💙 **Joey** – My **boss, mentor, and friend for 20 years**. Having your support means everything to me. You bring **joy, humor, and heart** to every trip. **Want to Get Involved?** If you’re interested in joining a **future Vision Trip** or supporting **Hogar Montiel**, please reach out to **MREF**. I **promise you **it will be worth it.  [Harmon Research](https://www.harmonresearch.com/blog/tag/harmon-research), [MREF](https://www.harmonresearch.com/blog/tag/mref), [Volunteer Work](https://www.harmonresearch.com/blog/tag/volunteer-work), [MRX](https://www.harmonresearch.com/blog/tag/mrx), [Charity](https://www.harmonresearch.com/blog/tag/charity) ## Read On ### [The Joys and Sorrows of Helping Helping I’ve been thinking about this blog post for days. 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