Can Lua be used to find the nearest face on a model?

[Ragglefraggle]

I need to run a trace from the origin of any physically simulated entity to the nearest face on a model in order to get a hitnormal.

I need to be able to apply an acceleration on any physically simulated objects toward the nearest face on a model, and to use the acceleration direction to rotate an invisible prop that the player would be parented to. I've done research on the Gmod wiki to see if there's any way to find the nearest faces on a model and it doesn't seem like there is, and because of that, I haven't written any code yet. Since I'm a Lua n00b though, I thought I should ask

Can Lua be used in garrys mod to find the nearest face on a model? and if so, how?

Any help will be greatly appreciated!