It is very wise of you, Benjamin, that you are asking these questions at this time. Some thoughts:

A. As to your interpersonal relationships.

1) I am not surprised that your family is not enthusiastic about your moving 3,000 miles away. Most missionary candidates face this tension. Jesus anticipated it when he made observations about our priorities, saying that loving Him and obeying His call to be the highest one.

2) Your girlfriend's opposition, however, is even more serious, especially if you are planning to marry her. If she has no interest in investing her life in Honduras, and you feel called to marry her, you'll never make it there.

Therefore, the first issue you have to settle is the depth of your call and what it entails. Following Jesus always involves us in sacrifice, but it is important to understand whether you are facing a true call from Him or just an interesting idea.

If it's a true call, you will have to make some difficult choices. If not, and if your call is to marry your girl friend, then you'll have to ask the Lord what His call is for your business ventures.

B. As to your business.

1) Before investing capital and opening a business in a foreign country, it is very important to do adequate research. I think you would need a year to learn the language, make contacts, talk with other foreigners who have made it in the country, explore the tax structures and accounting systems and think through the whole enterprise very carefully. You could easily lose your shirt.

2) The Lord will not want you just to be a business man, hiring nationals. He wants all of us to be a witness for Him. To explore this will take time, patience, and a lot of insight.

C. As for mission, short-term visits are helpful but you can't compare them with the long term investment of time, which enables you to get to know the people, talk with them in their homes, listen to their joys and problems, and truly come to understand them. This is when you can be a true channel of God's grace at a deep level. This is what Jesus did when He came to earth.

Your idea has merit, but as you have intimated, you will need to deal with some very basic issues. But if the Lord is in it, you can know great joy and be a great blessing to many.

I would encourage you to form a small group of wise friends and counselors with whom you can share your vision, ideas, and options. As they pray with you and explore with you these plans, they can guide you and keep you from making tragic errors. We all need support groups of this kind.

Blessings on you, Benjamin. May the Lord help you realize your two passions in His way and time.