My trip to Santiago, Dominican Republic with Mission of Hope

I took a trip to the Dominican Republic on Nov. 23rd, 2022, to serve the lovely people of Santiago. The trip was organized by my church, Watermark Community Church, in partnership with Mission of Hope, a Christ-centered missions organization.

About a week before the trip, I had a conversation with my older brother, and he asked me how I was feeling. I told him I couldn’t wait and that I hoped that the trip would change the trajectory of my life forever (Aren’t I the dreamer!). He lovingly stopped me in my tracks and gave me some really good advice that shifted my perspective on the trip. He said that I shouldn’t expect to get anything out of it—not that I shouldn’t or wouldn’t be impacted—but that the focus should not be on what I could get out of it. This was true! I was being self-centered in my thinking. On the advice of my brother, I decided to shift my focus to just wanting to go and serve—to be the hands and feet of Christ. I knew I would get something out of the trip, but I decided not to make that my priority. I decided my priority will be serving others.

‘To see and to serve’ is my new life motto because I believe this is what God wants for us all. He wants us to see His hand in every good work, and to lay down ours to serve those around us. This trip to the Dominican Republic afforded me the opportunity to do just that. The first activity we did was painting the house of a lady named Maria, a member of the El Ensueño community. I saw the team perform this task with the utmost diligence which I was really impressed by. Even our translators, Roody and Tima, helped us paint despite it not being part of their job (admirable!). This set the stage for how we would see them serve throughout the week they were there. One thing that stood out to me was how other members of the community gathered around to see what we were doing. One, it showed how people are attracted to good deeds. Two, it revealed the communal nature of the people of El Ensueño. It’s like they longed to be together, which is how I think God intended it. Other days of the trip involved us going into the community and engaging with the kids. We played sports with them, enjoyed games and told them bible stories. You could see the joy in their eyes as they were present in the moment—no worries, just fun. I believe the seeds have been planted in their hearts and one day they will grow to fully understand the love of Jesus.

The most significant part of our time in El Ensueño was what the Mission of Hope team called Strategic Ministry Time (SMT). This involved us approaching different people in the neighborhood, learning about their lives and telling them about the gospel. A lot of people we talked to did not know what it meant to be saved by grace. They thought that the way to heaven was to be a good person, which led to some of them neglecting their relationship with God altogether—they knew they could never be good enough. We made sure to explain to each of them that we are saved by the grace of God, and nothing we ever do could be enough to get us into heaven. We explained that Christ died for our sins and believing in what He did and accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior is all God says we need to be saved. We also talked to people who had meaningful relationships with God. Some of them had gone through great adversity but chose to remain faithful to God which was inspiring to hear. Sometimes, I make sharing the gospel more complicated than it needs to be. I always think I need to have this big speech prepared, an elaborate diagram or the perfect analogy. I really loved SMT because it showed me how simple it is to tell someone that Jesus loves them and what He has done for them.

One of my favorite parts of the trip was getting to work with such an amazing team. I got to see how God worked through each individual and through all of us as a group to do the work He sent us to accomplish. I also appreciate the way we all connected through great, spirit-filled conversations and fun activities. I am truly honored and blessed to have been part of that.

The biggest thing God showed me was purposeful evangelism—sharing the gospel with intentionality. God empowered me to spread his good news while I was there, and he has shown me what I need to keep doing while I’m back home. God has also opened my eyes to what true service looks like: living your life dedicated to doing the work of God. I saw this lived out in the Mission of Hope staff. They came from comfortable lives in the United States to not-so-comfortable living situations in the Dominican Republic to serve people they had no prior relationship with. This is what it looks like to lay your life down for God and present yourself as a living sacrifice. Even the local staff, the translators and the local pastor we worked with, Pastor Robinson, decided not to strive for comfort, but to submit to the Lord’s will and do his work. I really admire that.

I thank everyone who supported me on this trip through prayers and finances. You poured into me and thereby into God’s kingdom. I will forever be grateful. God bless you!