An update from your students...

It has been so fun to watch God’s hand at work! The students have had to give a message at each of the church services so far and they have all gone hand in hand with the dramas for that night and no one has planned it that way. It has been so encouraging to watch the students live out their faith with those they have talked with in the streets and the kids they have loved on! – Nick Berkey

I have enjoyed seeing God work in all of these students! They have worked so hard before this trip to prepare spiritually and mentally. It has been great to see what they have worked on and put it into action. It is obvious that these teens are here for the right reason which is to show the love of Christ. I have learned so much from them and they have challenged me to be a more confident Christian. One of my favorite things to watch is the teens doing Door-To-Door ministry and stepping out in complete faith with boldness and confidence. – Mary Berkey

I have enjoyed spending time with all of the kids and seeing God at work in their lives! The Dominicans are so friendly welcoming and it has made me realize how unwelcoming many Americans can be. Seeing this has challenged me to step out of my comfort zone and talk to people not only about ordinary things, but about my faith to help further God's kingdom – Asa Skaggs

I have absolutely loved experiencing the DR and being with the people and children here! VBS was such an awesome time and it was so much fun. I immediately fell in love with the people here and although it has been a challenging week, it’s been a time to learn to rely on God’s strength when we have none left of our own. God has been at work here in Moca, through our lives and the lives of the people here. I cannot wait to return home and use what I’ve gained here back in Indiana! –Paige Hershberger

The experience here in the DR has been so amazing. I have loved seeing all the kids and becoming attached to them! I am so glad that I stepped out of my comfort zone to come here! Today during door to door ministry, I was able to have an awesome opportunity to share my faith to a group of people. I cannot wait to come home and tell my family and friends all about it! It was a complete step of faith and it all ended up working out in a great way! While I really miss my family and friends and the amazing American food, I believe God has much more in store for me here! I love you guys! –Morgan Smith

I have loved being back in the DR for the second time since I went last year as well. This country is like my second home. God has continued to use and work in my life as I have stepped up in faith and have prayed over people during Door-to-Door ministry or have told stories during VBS or have shared my testimony. Each time I haven’t been nervous but confident and a lot of times I haven’t known where my words have come from. They could only have come from the Lord! The Lord has helped me grow my previous relationships with the people I met last year and I am so blessed to be able to come back and meet other people as well. The Dominicans are so amazing! I wish you all could meet them! –Bethany Metzler

I have loved my time here in the Dominican Republic! The people here are so amazing and it’s so cool to see how open and willing they are to talk to us and share stories about themselves. I could stay here forever; it’s so peaceful and calm. Today was our last day of VBS and it really hurt to know that our time here is almost over. I absolutely loved the kids and I just want to pack one up and take them home with me! That may be illegal, but I’m willing to break the rules. I’m just kidding, but seriously these kids are some of the most kind and loving children I have ever met. They love to be loved on and they just want to spend time with us! It’s been really cool to see how God is moving here! I can’t wait to get home, but I also want to stay here forever! – Lizzie Yoder

My time here in the DR has been absolutely amazing. I fell in love with the people  the first day we were here. Everyone is so open to us, and I wish I could bring the culture back to Indiana so I could experience it every day. The kids love all the attention, and I love to love on them. God has been speaking to me in ways I never imagined He would during this trip. I wish Kristy didn’t take our passports, because all I want to do is shred mine and stay here forever. –Mikayla Bedward

The DR has been an absolutely incredible experience, one I never want to end. It was heartbreaking telling our VBS kids that there wouldn’t be anything happening at the church the next morning, because VBS was done. We have all had many amazing culture experiences, from people inviting us into their homes to talk about their lives to experiencing Dominican food, like limoncillos and yuca. I can’t believe our time here is  almost done, and I don’t want to leave, but I can’t wait to see all of my family again, and see how God moves in my life once I get home. ~Katlyn Miller

Close to a million memories have already been made so far! Everyone that knows me, knows that I love to love.. and the kids here have made loving on them SO easy and tons of fun! Connecting with certain kids at each church has made me very attached, so much though that I already have my heart set on coming back again at some point. I have been so amazed by the culture here, being here is starting to make me love change! I miss you guys,but I would absolutely love to spend a month here! I am loving it. If you guys could be here and hold the kids I get to hold and see their smiles and listen to their giggles, you would be able to understand why I am already so attached! God is working in so many ways and I cant wait to tell you all of my stories. Thanks for your prayers, love you, mean it #missmeyet? XO –Bethany Davis

Hello people of America. Long time no see.  I am alive. The kids here are super cute. I don’t really have anything to say because I will tell you when I get home. Other people wrote stuff too. #Stayfierce. –Taylor Luster

Sup. My name is Cassy, I am alive and well. I love kids, they love me. I’ve only pooped once. Life is great. Sorry I don’t want to come home. I love it here. If you didn’t catch my name it is Cassy… Searer.

P.S. I stole my passport parentals, and I am NOT giving it back.

Hola, mi nombre es Tanner. Estoy feliz porque he comido mucha comida. Todavía estoy viviendo aunque yo bebí la agua mal de la Republica Dominicana. Me duele me cuerpo porque he jugado nueve horas de baloncesto en total. Se amo ustedes!   -Tanner Blanco  (basically... Tanner is having a great time.)

My experience in the DR has been amazing and impacting so far. Everybody is so welcoming to us and I love spending time with the kids. They all loved VBS and I’m sad that it is now over. They loved singing and making crafts. So many people invite us with smiles and hugs. I’m glad I get the opportunity to love on all of the kids. I have definitely seen God working through us in various ways. I got the chance to share my testimony with one of the churches and we have also performed our skit multiple times; every time ending with cheers. I have learned here that God is my supporter because he has been with me through everything. I love being here in the Dominican Republic.   -Katelyn Davis

!Hola familia! I love the Dominican Republic so much!! I have met so many incredible people and developed awesome relationships with the Dominicans. The children here are so great and full of energy which made VBS so much fun. I love Learning about their culture. It is becoming easier to share my testimony with people as I shared last night for the whole church. We had the chance to evangelize by walking door to door to random people’s houses and talking to them about Jesus. It was so awesome to hear their stories and finish by praying for them. One thing that I really like about church here is that everyone hugs each other at the end of service instead of just handshakes. I love you! –Leah Tuttle-

Hola fellow Americanos! When you see me next I will have lost 50 pounds from sweating so much! Other than the extreme heat and no AC, I love everything about life here! Today was the last day of VBS but I fell in love with some of the girls I met and I will always remember having 15 kids crowded around me telling me what to paint on their face! It is so obvious to me that God is moving and I know that is because this place is being filled with prayers. God has moved in this place and he’s not done. This is just the beginning for what God has planned. I’ve seen what can happen with the power of prayer and I pray that as we are to the half-way point in our trip, that God will begin to put in place his amazing plans at home. I miss you and love you! __Bailey*** #swagg

Hey mom, I talked to a Hitman yesterday, weather is great, and lovin the food! #impact #Godmoves #newfriends #hugginahitman –Dom Davis

Hello family and friends I am having a blast here in the Dominican Republic street ministry has been really fun as well as sports ministry and VBS and I have some great things to share when I get home all is well have made so many friends cant wait to see my family again but  I love the Dominican Republic so much hope to see you soon –Spencer Cloud

Hey everyone! The food here is amazing especially the fruit. The trip has been awesome so far. I had the chance to share a short message at Hoya Grande, one of the churches we visited. Bible school was great as well. It was awesome to see the smile on the kids’ faces when we would play with them. Can’t wait to get home but I am loving the weather here! – Caleb Yoder

Hello people and family of a different galaxy. It has been great down here! It’s been in the high 90s all week, and to describe how it feels, just imagine sitting down, doing nothing, and sweating for hours. It’s fantastic! Quina, our host, makes fantastic food (sorry mom) and as I sit here and type while looking at it, a stream of drool ran down my mouth. I have had a great time playing sports and other activities with the kids. I love it here more than home because the people are so much more nice and friendly. The funniest moment of the trip so far has been when everywhere I go, the kids play with my rat tail! I told you it was a good idea to grow it out mom! And my favorite moment was when I saw this picture of Dora on the wall of a barbershop. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I remember having a dream years ago about that same looking Dora. I guess that’s God’s way of telling me I was meant to be here. Well, I need to go because everyone thinks I’m a girl for writing so much. Adios mis amigos! Te amo! (P.S. Sergio says hi!)  --Austin Stutzman

I’m enjoying it here. The weather is great. VBS was great because of how all the kids are so happy to see us. The people here are extremely friendly and the churches are great. See you soon! – Darik Bontrager

Hey Mom and Dad. I’m chillin’ in the DR. It’s been pretty fun. I should’ve packed more snacks though. I’m already out of Craisons and the peanut butter is almost gone. Other than that and the lack of sleep, I’m doing wonderful. I’ve met some new people and even spoke in front of people. If you could have some Extra Sleepytime tea ready for me when I get home, that’d be great. Thanks. See you guys in like 3 days. Love you! –Nick Merryman

 Hey mom and dad. I haven't died yet so that's good. I also haven't run out of that deodorant like you said I would. Other than that everything has been good. I shared part of my testimony in front of a Haitian church which was cool. We have talked to some pretty interesting people. And the foods pretty good. -Nathan Blucker


We're so excited for and proud of this team!  Your students have been doing an amazing job!!!  God has been moving and we're confident that He's not done yet!  As we get ready to finish out these final few days of ministry, please join us in continuing to ask God for strength, stamina, encouragement, & great endurance so that we may finish strong here in the DR.  Our desire is to MAKE MUCH OF CHRIST in whatever way that looks like and however God directs.  Pray for sensitive hearts & open ears to hear from the Spirit and allow Him to be the one who leads us!