Going overseas for mission work allows us the opportunity to share of the gifts that God has given to each of us, as well as to receive the gifts given to the people we meet.  Mission is not a one-way relationship.  We do not go on mission trips to “save” other people, nor do we go on mission trips and return as the same people.  The Episcopal theology of mission is often referred to as: “mutual responsibility and interdependence” meaning that both sides of mission work are giving and receiving and both are changed by the encounter and strengthened in our faith.  Mission requires us to be vulnerable, but the rewards are great.

Our mission work in the Dominican Republic (DR) is rooted in our curates’ relationship with the Bishop of the DR, The Rt. Rev. Julio Holguin.  It has been her privilege to serve with him The Standing Commission on World Mission for the Episcopal Church for the last three years.  Bp. Holguin is an innovative leader, who has grown the church in the DR.  He instituted a development committee which has helped congregations find support from overseas as well as to fulfill the mission to have a clinic and/or school at each church.  Perhaps the best example of his vision for the church is found in the building projects.  Every new building in the diocese is often only one story tall because of costs, but Bp. Holguin has a stairwell built in each one, with the belief that one day there will be a second story and it is less expensive if the stairs are already present.  The stairs are a sign of hope for the congregation, and for those of us who are engaged with the diocese.

Our mission work takes us to the city of Haina, on the coast of the DR.  Haina is about one hour outside of the capital.  The church we are working with has received mission groups from the USA in the past, but their current group fell through because of the economic downturn.  The main project for our group is one the church has been planning for a long time.  We will clear and level and area of ground to prepare it for a playground for the children who attend the school.  There will also be some carpentry work: creating bookshelves for the library at the school.  Members on this trip who have special skills (medical, fluency in Spanish) may be placed elsewhere, this will be determined once the group members have signed up and committed to the trip.