Students and staff from Union Springs Academy traveled to the Dominican Republic to participate in a mission trip from February 3-13, 2022.
On their first day of work, volunteers hoped to tackle one of many painting projects at the Dominican Adventist University (Universidad Adventista Dominicana). Unfortunately, rain forced them to reschedule that to another day. Not willing to be idle, students learned how to milk cows and assisted at the school’s dairy farm. They also met the country’s vice minister of sports, who came to speak at the school. During the evening vesper program to bring in the Sabbath, students assisted in translating a vespers service where many university students stood to signify their commitment to participate in a literature evangelism ministry.
The mission team spent two Sabbaths in the Dominican Republic and participated in the worship services at the university’s church. On both Sabbaths, students visited a local orphanage where they donated items, sang songs, and bonded with the children.
The rain continued off and on during their stay in the Dominican Republic. Still, the volunteers managed to complete many projects at the university, including power washing areas to prep them for painting, painting the girls’ dorm and baseball field, and planting 100 trees across the campus. They also returned to the orphanage to plant 50 trees.
The mission trip included a bit of downtime that provided the students an opportunity to visit Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, and tour various historical locations in Santiago. Students also enjoyed an afternoon boat ride to a nearby island for fun in the sand, swimming, and snorkeling.
