CIU Today Fall 2017

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Ministry in the Dominican Republic
“An amazing opportunity”
By Tyrone Dantzler, CIU Men’s Basketball
A one-week mission trip to the Dominican Republic was truly an
eye-opening experience. Because it’s a third-world country, it’s
nothing like I am used to. I was not very comfortable. For one,
the primary language is Spanish which made me wish I paid a
little more attention in my high school Spanish classes. Also, the
driving could possibly give the average American a panic attack.
The whole week, I only saw one stop sign and not a single speed
limit sign.
Most importantly, the vast need for the love of God to be
shared was ever so present. I enjoyed my time there with my
fellow teammates and coaches as we endeavored to show
the love of Christ both on and off the basketball court. There
was a noticeable impact on the people we encountered, and
significant growth within our team. We were able to bond as
brothers while realizing that life is beyond us. Because this was
my first mission trip, not to mention my first time out of the
country, I brought home many memories and a mindset to help
others.
On the first day, we played basketball against a Dominican
Republic Junior National Team, but the highlight of the day was
our ministry at an orphanage-type home for girls. It was truly a
blessing to see how God worked through our team. We played
volleyball and limbo with the girls, and danced and sang with
them. But, more importantly, we shared the gospel with them.
They sang to us and gave us hugs as we left.
On another day, we visited a village to minister to the poor. We
purchased food bags that feed a family for a week, and delivered
them to a daycare. We played with the kids and gathered with
the parents to share our relationship with Jesus. I prayed with
some of the parents. It was great to provide for families while
sharing the gospel of Christ.
In all honesty, my favorite part of the trip was not playing
basketball, but instead sharing the love of God through our
actions and watching our team affected in a positive manner.
Traveling with your teammates in a different culture is not easy.
We struggled with each other’s differences, but settled them
through the love of God. And it showed on the basketball
court where the team chemistry was great. More importantly,
our display of God’s love was awesome. The other teams saw
“In all honesty, my favorite part of
the trip was not playing basketball,
but instead sharing the love of God
through our actions and watching our
team affected in a positive manner.”
The author of this article, Tyrone Dantzler,
plays with Dominican children.
that we could love one another as well as them, no matter the
circumstances.
Each day presented new opportunities to do God’s work. We
visited more villages while fellowshipping with kids. Even though
we didn’t always understand what the Dominican people were
saying, sharing Jesus has no language barriers. All we needed
to do was smile, play a sport and show God’s love to people. My
heart goes out to those in poverty, children with no parents, and
those with no knowledge of Christ.
This mission trip was an amazing opportunity. Playing basketball
for God’s glory was awesome, and ministering to many kids and
families helped me to realize that there are always people who
have life worse than me. I saw that the love of God really needs
to be shared, not only in the
Dominican Republic, but in
our world. The trip will have
a lasting effect on my heart
and in my memory. It gave
me motivation to do God’s
work, brought me closer to
my teammates, and gave me
the opportunity experience a
new culture.
To God be the glory!
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