My Trip to the Dominican Republic

This mission trip was definitely a life changing trip as everyone said it would be. From the moment the plane landed, to the moment I arrived back home. I met so many wonderful Christians who came on this trip from all over the country including Texas, Florida, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. There were children, teens, pastors, physicians, nurses, an OBGYN and Infectious Disease specialist as well as many other volunteers. There were 25 of us all together in the mission house. Lots of bunk beds, quick showers (sometimes cold only and sometimes no water at all) (the electric went out as well- our flashlights came in handy). Talk about being grateful for water and electricity.

We had a wonderful woman at the mission house who cooked for us daily. She made rice, beans, fish, chicken, steak and it was hot and ready each time we walked in at the end of the day.
Each day started with a devotional along with praise and worship outside the mission house. Then, off we went on the shuttle bus to the city of Santo Domingo to set up the clinic in a building by a basketball court. We has sections for health examinations, teeth cleaning, and a “pharmacy” (set up on a wooden platform) which was run by volunteers including a teenager who did a fantastic job! Each day we set up and broke down all of our supplies, packed them in suitcases, boxes, crates and loaded them back on the bus until the next morning when we went back again to set up for the next day.


The medical team saw patients first to get their health information and speak about any health issues. They were treated medically if needed or referred to a local hospital for any serious illnesses. Medication was given as needed for many of the patients. There were 2 hygienists (me and a wonderful woman named Elvia). She and I were the “dental team” . Basically, she and I cleaned everyone’s teeth and sent them to the pharmacy if they needed any pain medicine or antibiotics for any infections in their mouth. It was fun cleaning teeth wearing shorts and a baseball hat! We saw mostly children, but a lot of adults as well. They were very grateful for our care. We gave out toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss and candy(they love candy there), stickers, and flip flops we brought from the dollar store here in NY.

The room we worked in was an old building that had fans blowing and very little light, so we used flashlights to look in their mouths. We served in the clinic from Monday to Thursday all day and then went to church services in the evening in a local church. It was a very spirit filled church. God was moving so strongly. There were prophetic words spoken over many of us and many were slain in the spirit. The Lord touched each and every one of us in special ways while were there.


The happy gentleman in the middle accepted the Lord while he was at the clinic. He left with the most beautiful smile and the joy of the Lord as you can see!!.... I cleaned his teeth of course :)

I am honored to have traveled among such an anointed group of servants who are in ministry full time. The husband/wife doctor team who live in Santo Domingo head up the health care ministry. They chose to move to the Dominican Republic 15 years ago and dedicate their lives to medical missionary work. Their whole family touched my life. They live so humbly and serve God with all their hearts. “Enlarging The Circle” is the name of the missionary organization who partners with them and put this trip together for us to go and help them. Enlarging the Circle runs full time and was founded by Dr. Santos Rivera, who has also been a pastor for over 30 yrs. He has been a full time missionary for 30 yrs as well.

On our last day in Santo Domingo, we visited poverty stricken areas and saw many children living in conditions very devastating. One area we visited was a refugee camp (basically an old abandoned building with dark hallways and no electricity leading to an outside area where all the children just “hang out” They have no parents, just each other. Some of them have never seen what they looked like, so while filming with my video camera, I turned the screen around and they saw their faces for the very first time. Some of them smiled, others just stared into the camera with a dumbfounded look on their face. These children were so happy to see us there. We gave them love, hugs, smiles, and of course CANDY!!! We visited a garbage dump area where children live as well.

Visiting a pastor at home in her kitchen. She takes care of children in an orphanage.

These photos capture only a few moments in time while I was on this trip.

I want to thank each one of you who helped make this trip a life changing experience.
It’s because of your financial support and prayers that this trip was possible.
Thank you very much. May God bless you!

Love,
Laura