Dominican Republic 2025 Final Blog
1. Where did you experience God at work this week whether it was in yourself, in others, or around you?
2. Give an example of when you were challenged or pushed out of your comfort zone, and how God helped you through it and what you learned.
3. If someone asked you if going on the mission experience was worth it, what would your pitch be to encourage them to come?
Keandra
Where did you experience God at work this week whether it was in yourself, in others, or around you?
My entire life I’ve always pushed away, cut off, and blocked my friends. Never keeping the connection due to their struggles and differences. In this I’ve always been lonesome, never had a Christian friendship, and falling into and out of depression in feeling so alone. It's been a consistent prayer that I’d be able to create equally yoked, God centered, sisterly friendships in His timing. During this trip on our tourist day, Taryn and I stuck together through the market; bargaining, making friends and much more. Since she's been to other countries and has experience, she was helping me through it all and it was so kind of her considering we didn’t know each other. We sat together at lunch and explored with Abby and Jacob the rest of the time in the city. The next day for morning devotions Olivia, Taryn and I got grouped together. I was sharing with them that I wanted to truly share my whole testimony with Olivia because I have always underplayed it and not actually shared the severity of the situations and leaving out so many large parts I thought I'd get judged for. Not knowing that a few hours later when we were grouped together with Abby, Tymon, and Angie, I'd be sharing things I never thought I’d tell anyone. Taryn and I were painting the top of a railing and the others were at the bottom, we both shared things we had never shared with anyone before and were living in fear thinking we'd take these things to the grave. We related in multiple ways with things we hadn't told anyone, realizing we weren't alone. Ever since that experience we haven't been able to leave each other's sides. We sat beside each other for practically every meal, every time on the bus, hanging out in our rooms, the roof, or the basement. Everything after that day we flourished in together. Looking back and sharing with her and Olivia that I was yearning to share and specifying that I wanted to share with Olivia, due to her experiences and age. I am still going to share with Olivia, and we have a whole Starbucks date planned out! Though I’ve not only just gained peace from sharing my testimony, but a true sister in Christ who knew nothing about me prior to this experience and didn't judge me, treating me as the person I am now. I love this girl to the core and we're taking this friendship back to Canada with us. That's the Lord, I waited patiently in His timing and he delivered in the exact way I needed. I am so blessed to have a friend like her, and I'll never take that for granted.
Gabriel
Give an example of when you were challenged or pushed out of your comfort zone, and how God helped you through it and what you learned.
The ways I tried to Love the lord with all my heart, soul, and mind was just being kind to everyone or trying to. God calls us to love our neighbour as our self, and doing what God calls us to do is loving Him. I spent a lot of time reading the bible this week and every verse and story told me how to love God and others. Whether it’s Jonah and God is telling me to face my fears head on and not run away and show love to even the people my small mind doesn't believe deserves it, or it’s Jesus washing the feet of his disciples showing his love to everyone and telling me to do the same. God is our only God, he created us and the universe. He sent His own child to die and suffer for us. That is something we can never repay so doing what he calls us to do is the bare minimum. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. God also calls us to love your neighbour as yourself. So, we loving each other is a way we can love Him, worship Him, listen to Him, and obey Him.
Anna
Give an example of when you were challenged or pushed out of your comfort zone, and how God helped you through it and what you learned.
Being on this mission experience really pushed me out of my comfort zone, specifically when praying out loud. Before going to the Dominican Republic, I often felt that I wasn't very good at prayer or my words did not come out right. But through the trip I feel that I have grown in my willingness to let God speak through me. One specific moment that stands out was when I was feeling really overwhelmed and didn't want to speak at all. Then Abby asked if anyone wanted to open in prayer, and I just felt this nudge and had a feeling that God was telling me to do it. Even though it wasn't easy, I trusted God and I prayed out loud, and it reminded me that prayer is not about being perfect. I just need to be willing and God will do the rest.
Julia
Where did you experience God at work this week whether it was in yourself, in others, or around you?
There were so many ways that I experienced God at work this week. In myself, in everyone on this trip and just all around me. One way was how loving the people of the Dominican are. The Lighthouse team is such a caring and loving group with how they took care of us all week and the friendships we were able to create with them. The people Of Villa Altagracia and Los Alcarrizos were so welcoming and I could just see God shining through these communities with all the smiles and waves we got while working, the multiple churches the Lighthouse was working through, and in the kids who would run up and dance with us. It was so cool to see God working in these communities, and to know He will continue working in them even as we return home. Throughout the week I could also see God working through all the members of our team through our nightly devotions and the deep conversations we had surrounding them, our prayers for each other and the way we were able to care and encourage each other throughout the week. I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to go on this trip, and to see God at work and grow in my faith.
Liv
If someone asked you if going on the mission experience was worth it, what would your pitch be to encourage them to come?
If someone were to ask me if going on this missions trip was worth it, I would say 100%. Every new experience was amazing. People kept telling me, “You’re going to come back changed,” and I didn’t realize just how true that would be. The amount I’ve grown in my faith over these 10 days is incredible. Having quiet time each morning for devos and spending that time with the Lord was so refreshing.
Our nightly devos were also filled with such good conversations that challenged and encouraged me. This trip really opened my eyes to see what the Lord does for us and how He is with us through everything. I was able to see how He uses each of our strengths to bring together such an incredible team. I never expected to become so close to the people I did, or to feel like family in such a short time.
It was also such a gift to experience a new culture and community, and to see the difference we were able to make in the lives of the people there.
Taryn
Where did you experience God at work this week whether it was in yourself, in others, or around you?
During my Dominican mission trip with the Church, I saw God work in many different ways with others, myself, and around me. I prayed with others and talked to others about things I would have never thought I’d tell anybody. I got to see my own growth and experienced new things in my faith. When I prayed with Tymon, we talked for a long time about life and the things around us and just things I haven’t told anybody. But sometime after our prayer requests when we began to pray, he prayed for some things that I didn’t ask for help with but needed prayer for. It was really cool to see how God can speak through others and show that He is listening, even though we’re both really emotional (Tymon might have shed a tear or two). Challenges and getting out of my comfort zone during the trip was when Keandra and I started talking. We were paired up for painting one day and we were just talking about random stuff. Then one thing led to another and she ended up telling me her whole testimony (something she hasn’t told anyone before) and we talked about things we thought we would have never ever shared with anyone. It was just a relief to connect with someone you didn’t know you related so much too, and not feel judged. Having a deep connection with Keandra, even though we started talking to each other four days - five days prior was crazy to see how God puts people in your life who are meant to be there. I’ve also been praying for more Christ centered friendships, and so he showed me through my prayers that He provides and I just needed to have patience. I made so many more Christian friends that I’m so thankful for which I don’t think I would’ve truly met if I didn’t have this experience on the trip. I generally think that going on a mission trip would truly bring someone closer to Christ, flourish in their faith and see so many different ways that He is always with you and guiding you through everything. The devotions on this trip have taught me so many new things that I didn’t even acknowledge or know before, that I now have knowledge of, which is helping me grow spiritually. Overall, the whole Dominican mission trip was a very amazing experience that I wish everybody could experience.
Katie
If someone asked you if going on the mission experience was worth it, what would your pitch be to encourage them to come?
If you asked me if this missions trip is worth going on I would say 100% yes. This mission trip is nothing like any other missions trip that I had been on before and it was just an incredible experience seeing how God is working in a different country. Some of my favourite ways I saw God working in the DR was 1. Seeing how connected everyone in the community was with each other and with the Lighthouse. Them being connected in the community shows how what we’re doing there is good because they make sure that whatever we do there goes to whoever needs it most. 2. Seeing their joy. I truly enjoyed seeing how joyful they were and how much they had the joy of the Lord. It was so cool to see how no matter how little they had, they saw how God was working in their lives whether it was in the church dancing and singing to worship songs or when the kids would wave to us or give us high fives and we can just see the joy on their faces. 3. Just going there and having such a close team and making new friend and growing in your relationship with God throughout the week as well as through our life afterwards.
Olivia
Where did you experience God at work this week whether it was in yourself, in others, or around you?
One of the clearest ways I experienced God at work was through the team itself. Everyone’s willingness to serve so selflessly and to participate spiritually was so impactful. I could see the Holy Spirit working through every interaction and effort. The team consistently stepped in without hesitation, lifted one another up in prayer, and shared laughter that knit us together like a family. As a leader, it was incredible to witness not just tasks being completed, but hearts being stirred by God. The unity, humility, and eagerness to grow spiritually reminded me that mission work isn’t measured only by what we accomplish outwardly but also by how open we are to the work God does in, through and around us. To lead in an environment where the team was so ready to worship, pray, and encourage one another gave me a true glimpse of the Kingdom of God! I am so excited to see how the Lord will continue to use each student beyond this trip.
Abby
Where did you experience God at work this week whether it was in yourself, in others, or around you?
The trip was ever so spirit led, and I say this with such joy. From the night before we left to the moment I’m writing this, God has made himself known through it all. I’ve seen all of the students absolutely flourish and grow closer to God. From dancing with the local children to deep conversations, the joy of the Lord was shining through it all. I can confidently say that I have seen God working in all of the students. Their growth is evident and that is so encouraging to witness as a leader. I’m so proud of them all for the boldness and kindness. One God moment for me specifically would be that for years now, my mom has said that the morning dove is her reminder of the Holy Spirit. Every morning, when a dove would land on our porch, she’d say “good morning Holy Spirit!”. Now in previous years on the trip, I haven’t noticed any but this year, almost every morning, I had a special visitor while doing morning devo‘s. This served as a constant reminder that the Holy Spirit is always with me, singing songs of praise. This constant reminder made me question, just like the morning dove, how can I be always be singing songs of praise and worshipping God in everything I do? God was working so much on this trip and I have endless stories of how He has moved. I am so excited to share that and more with you all :)
Nick
If someone asked you if going on the mission experience was worth it, what would your pitch be to encourage them to come?
If you're even thinking about going on a mission trip just do it. It'll be one of the best experiences ever and the reason I believe that is because you get to meet new people and get to experience a different type of culture, and the friendships that you make are incredible. You get to build new friendships with people that you maybe have never meet before or get to build friendships that you've have had for a long time. I have been going on mission trips for the past 4 years and each year it is the highlight of my year, and another reason I love to go on these trips is I get to use all my different gifts. I plan to keep doing mission trips until I can't do them.
Jacob
Where did you experience God at work this week whether it was in yourself, in others, or around you?
What an amazing experience it was to serve in the Dominican Republic again this year. I’m always amazed when I go on mission trips to see how prevalent Jesus is no matter where you go in the world. The Lord is working everywhere and how immense of a privilege it has been for me to see a glimpse into that truth. One of the coolest ways I was able to see God at work this week was seeing how intentional He is, with all the ways he spoke into and grew our team this year. Our week in the DR consisted of building a wall, painting a few shelves and class rooms, shovelling some gravel and getting destroyed in some baseball by some Dominicans. It’s easy to look at that and think that our work there was minimal, especially when looking at how much work there still is to be done. However, when I look at how God was at work during this week, the impact He made was extraordinary. Through conversations, prayer, and service opportunities, Jesus used this week to reveal more of who He is to each person individually this week. Countless times during the trip I had interactions with others that just seemed to be ordinary moments at the time but at the end I was just left in awe of Him, on my knees worshiping. That’s how personal and intentional our God is. Not only is He the God of the universe, creator of life and sustainer of everything, He’s also the God we get to call Abba, Father. When I looked around this week, all I could find was symbols of his love and grace shown through everyone on the team. Though the physical work we did this week might’ve been minimal, the work Jesus was able to accomplish was eternal. I am so grateful to be able to serve and give my life to a saviour that never stops lavishing on His love towards us. I’m truly humbled and blessed to have this opportunity to serve in the DR once again this summer.
“But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior”.
Isaiah 43:1-3
Tymon
Where did you experience God at work this week whether it was in yourself, in others, or around you?
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us”.
Romans 5:1-5
The amount of perseverance, character, and hope I saw in this team and how each of the students and leaders grew in all of these throughout the trip simply blew me away. They so beautifully worked together as one team and one body, bringing their own strengths God has gifted them with to support each other and the Lighthouse communities. I am beyond blessed to have been a part of this experience, am grateful for everyone who was involved, and can only boast in the power of Jesus as none of this would be possible without Him.
