Dominican Republic
Days 1-5:
Fountain of Life School, Juan Tomas,
Dominican Republic
We began our trip at a small Christian
school in a rural village on the outskirts
of Santo Domingo. The staff works
to serve their community by sharing
the hope of Christ through Christian
education, church services, and medical
clinics hosted throughout the year. Our
team of 10 CIU students had planned
and prepared a variety of English
lessons, but we weren’t quite sure what
it would look like when we arrived. The
first night, our host, Argenis, told us
that we would have the opportunity to
teach in the local public school as well
as at Fountain of Life. He challenged
us to share Christ with everyone during
our time in Dominican Republic! We
were able to teach English classes, lead
worship, speak in chapel, share in Bible
classes, and help with Sunday school.
God opened doors that we didn’t even
know were possible while we were in
Juan Tomas!
Days 6-7:
Logos Christian School, Santo
Domingo, Dominican Republic
Our next school was a larger Christian
school that partners with Christian
parents to train children to love and
serve God. The teachers welcomed
us into their classes; our team
members taught English multiple
times throughout our two days at
Logos, covering topics such as the
Easter story, household objects,
geography, governments, and British
literature. We were impressed by their
commitment to biblical integration and
strong academics. The staff at Logos
is committed to influencing the next
generation for service to Christ!
Days 8-9:
King’s Christian School, Santo
Domingo, Dominican Republic
The final school we visited was a large
Christian school in Santo Domingo.
Shortly after arriving, we were told
that they had rearranged their chapel
schedule so that we could address
their middle and high school students
— something for which we had not
prepared! God’s grace and provision
were clear, though, as four team
members shared short, personal
messages that flowed seamlessly
together in a way that only God could
have orchestrated. We were also able to
share the story of the Good Samaritan
The thoughts of Caitlyn Thompson
Teacher Education student Christy
Lee at Logos Christian School .
in skit form for the elementary students.
While we were at King’s, a team from
an international Christian school in
Santiago came and shared about
their school. We were so privileged
to see the many different ways God
is using Christian education to work
among the people of the Dominican
Republic. Each school was significantly
different; one consistent feature at each
school, though, was a staff made up
of dedicated believers serving God to
reach their community with the message
of Jesus Christ!
One of the most meaningful lessons
that I learned on this trip is how much
joy and peace comes from serving
God where He calls you regardless of
circumstances or location. The teachers
at each school we visited could have
been working in higher-paying careers.
Many had left jobs in law, architecture,
and accounting because they felt
that God had called them to teach.
Despite the seeming disadvantages
of their choice, each teacher exuded
joy and contentment as they spoke of
their confidence in being where God
wanted them. They were willing to
make sacrifices because they knew their
work was making an eternal impact.
I was challenged and encouraged to
remember God’s faithfulness to those
who obey what He calls them to do!
Florida: Meeting CIU alumnus Steve
Richardson (front, white shirt), the director
of the missions agency Pioneers-USA
“One of the most meaningful
lessons that I learned on this
trip is how much joy and peace
comes from serving God where
He calls you regardless of
circumstances or location.”
18
CIU Today
Summer 2016
SPRING BREAK – TAKE A TRIP, EARN CREDITS.