Coming into this trip I was probably the biggest stranger here being one of the few grade 12’s on this trip, as well as the only one on my team. I knew this coming in and I wasn’t expecting what God was going to show me through the people around me. Despite this awkward situation I was put in, I am extremely grateful that I was brought here by God because I’ve learned so much about Humility, Joy, and Gods character. Through our missions of running a VBS and working on construction projects it has been so evident that every person I’ve met resembles God in a different way through the way serve you or love you unconditionally, or just show you a simple smile. The people of the Dominican Republic find so many ways to serve and love despite having so much less than us. Humility is the most admirable trait I’ve learned from this trip because the people here have showed me that it doesn’t require much if not anything at all to find joy in life as long as we have God influencing and guiding our lives which I clearly saw in every single student. The students willingness to worship God with us despite the lower quality of life and living conditions has just proven again and again that material wealth act as distractions that can cause us to stray away from God. I want to apply this idea of humility that I’ve lacked all my life in a way which allows me to see the world for what it is and have gratitude to God in all things I do and experience. Lastly, I’ve been so blessed to have been part of this team of mostly grade 11’s who have just displayed an everlasting passion to serve and walk humbly under the influence of God. Although I am one of the oldest here, my grade 11 teammates have inspired me in my faith and the attitude I should be having towards life. Overall, watching them serve in Gods name has been a blessing and brings me joy and reassurance that the future trips are in extremely great hands.
Written by Franklin Mu
This trip these past 9 days to the Dominican Republic has taught me countless lessons about myself, God, and relationships with those around me. The memories made at Juan Calvino and Apocalypses were unforgettable. My personal highlight was worship, whether it was with our RCS team or with the two schools. Seeing children immersed in the presence of the Holy Spirit due to us leading them in song was eye-opening. It proved to me how evident God’s goodness is no matter the time and place. The language barrier was nowhere to be found when everyone’s voices were lifted to praise His name. Specifically today though, my highlight was noticing my peers regret to leave behind such a beautiful experience. This trip must have truly affected us all if leaving had become so difficult. Seeing this reminded me that when we open our hearts to hear God calling us as disciples, good things happen. Interactions with the children at both schools proved to us all that when God is needed, He shows up for His children no matter what. They may not have been in the best circumstances financially, but when they cried out to God in worship it was obvious He was their comforter. This sparked hope in my life, I now understand that we as Christians have been given this opportunity to speak with our Creator whenever and wherever. He answers us in ways we cannot comprehend, and seeing Him work in people through this trip was truly a turning point for me. I believe He is who gave us the strength to work in the lives of those living in the DR. I will leave you with a quote I kept close to my heart this trip. It says “They will know we are Christians by our love”. I believe wholeheartedly that we we able to fully love others this week only because God showed up to guide us.
Written by Riley Yoo
¡Hola from the Toronto airport!
20+ mosquito bites and less than 3 hours of sleep later, we made it! Although I’m excited to sleep in my own bed soon, I’m even more disappointed that this remarkable opportunity has come to a close. Working at Apocalypses and Juan Calvino this past week has impacted the lives of so many students - mine included. Throughout the week, we alternated between working on construction projects and interacting with the students, whether that be practicing english with them, running activities, or simply playing games together. Although we all had slightly different experiences, there is one thing that I’m certain we can all agree on - the abundant joy and overwhelming love of Dominican culture. Walking into the schools each morning, we were greeted with so many hugs and radiant smiles, regardless of the home/background each person was coming from. The kids were always eager to share their culture with us, teaching us their dances and games and excitedly showing us around their school/country. Compared to our culture and ways of living, these people have so, so little, yet the joy and love they exhibit exceeds that of people with ten times as much material wealth. Reflecting on this, one verse that repeatedly crossed my mind (and many others) was Matthew 6:24: “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” We, in Canada, are so rich in materials and are so blessed by an abundance of opportunities, yet the first thought many people have is to keep everything to themselves and guard their wealth. Even as I walked off the plane today into the Toronto airport, I smiled and waved at the employees and other passengers and almost none of them smiled or said anything back, whereas in the Dominican, we were acknowledged by a warm smile or a ¡hola! everywhere we went. These realizations have taught me that you don’t need anything to be a welcoming, kind, and loving person. God’s presence was so evident through the love the Dominican people bestowed on us this week, and it is clear that He works through all people and loves each of us the same, no matter where we come from. I’ve realized that you don’t need any material wealth to obey God’s calling to serve others, only a warm smile and a loving, patient heart. I’m so so blessed to have been able to serve others through this experience this week and am excited to see what else God has in store for me :)
Written by Rachel Helms
Currently writing this on the flight back from punta cana to Toronto. Coming into this trip I did not know what to expect, I was excited to get an “extended spring break” and be able to leave Richmond and explore a new culture and environment. This has been my first time being apart of a missions/service trip and I am so happy I decided to join. Seeing the joy and smiles on the kids faces when you give them a hug, bracelet or compliment. All the kids I met were all so selfless and would do anything for me which shows how they value relations and the possibility of lack of connections they feel. If there ever was a time I was feeling hot or tired the kid I was with would immediately jump off my back, they would grab me a chair and tell me to sit and rest. Or they would bring me to a classroom that has a fan. I went to go serve them. But I felt I was served with their culture and attitudes that brought me an overfilling amount of joy. I guess that’s why they call it a “co-impact” team. Because both the students at Juan Calvino and Apocalypses impacted us and showed us all what real love and community is, and I hope that our presence will not be forgotten and provide them with hope and lasting memories.
Most of these kids have burdens and issues at home that contribute to abuse or emotional pain and school is an escape for them. I would see kids at Apocalypses that would have bruises and burns on their body. But they would still have the most beaming smile on their face. This showed me that I everyone goes through things they don’t show and we must show kindness to everyone no matter what because you never know what they are going through. It also made me realize that my problems are not that bad, I am so privileged to be able to have clean drinking water, a roof over my head that has no broken parts and supportive parents. Knowing these kids are in “poorer” conditions, they seem they are living a happier life. They are rich in connections. It is almost better to be materialistic poor and rich in relationships than materialistically rich and lack relationships and connections with your community. I wish I stayed consistent with my duolingo so I could break the language barrier and understand what the kids were saying. I believe we would have had more intimate conversations.
There was never a moment of sadness for me besides having to leave and possibly never ever see the people I met ever a again. To conclude, I saw God working through the daily interactions with the kids and the joyful and gratefulness I felt. I also saw God connect people in our group together, through becoming closer and new friendship forming.
Elisa Wang
This missions trip has been such an exciting, unique and fun experience. Everyone I met showed me love and kindness even though we were strangers and did not speak the same language. While we were at the Juan Calvino (supposed to be working), two girls were passing by and offered some of us a ride on their motorcycle around the block. After, they came back to the school to talk and say hello which surprised me because they already gave us a ride around the block and did us a favour but went even further to come back and get to know us more. Many of the older students had phones and social media but spent their time with each other after school until dinner everyday at Juan Calvino. But it did not matter because they were together and having fun. This was different for me because they were just so close as a community. They welcomed us to play with them everytime. While staying beside Juan Calvino, we had no running water, a power outage and a broken toilet all on different days. There was also no hot water and no AC which are things most of us have never experienced before. The living conditions were not great but I would 100% do it again. Most kids in the DR live through these things everyday whereas most people in Canada will never experience that. It was a good reminder for me because my life is very sheltered and privileged. I do not usually get to see things outside and see how my "problems" compare with others.
This missions trip gave me a new perspective that I am so grateful for. God sent us to the DR so that we could serve and help the schools. But I honestly think that we got served even greater in return. The kids, teachers, community and Franklin all showed us something that we needed which is that we can simply find joy in each other. I know all of us have learned that throughout this trip that we will bring back to Canada and carry with us. God worked through them for us as well which I think is very very special.
Written by Mikayla Ong
I wouldn’t trade my experience in the Dominican Republic for anything else. Dominican culture is rich with love, strength and perseverance - this is so evident in the way these people treat each other, and the way that they live. Throughout this past week, I have had the privilege of working with kids at Apocalypses and Juan Calvino. These kids run to you with open arms, smiling and eager to spend every minute they can with you. I learned very quickly that in the Dominican, people don’t mask their emotions like they do back home; rather, they connect openly and lovingly - willing to dive headfirst into building relationships with complete strangers. This is what allowed us to connect with these kids on such a meaningful level, and I am confident that these relationships and memories will not be forgotten. I felt and saw God so clearly while in the Dominican Republic, and have seen him work in ways I can’t describe. God called me to the Dominican for a reason, and I now understand the ways in which he has changed me. The kids I worked with healed parts of me I didn’t know had broken, and brought me joy I didn’t know existed. I am forever grateful for this experience, and am inspired to continue with missions work in the future, wherever God calls me.
Written by Hannah Burns
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