A diverse group of 52 people arrived in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on February 29. Their mission was to build a church, provide a medical clinic, and host a two-day Vacation Bible School (VBS). Skin color and the language barrier did not stop the group from connecting and sharing God’s love with the people of the Dominican.

The Lake Union chapter of Adventist-laymen’s Services and Industries (ASI) was well represented. Sandy Miller, VP for special projects, coordinated the trip while her husband, Fred Miller, was the construction superintendent. Viorel Catarama, Lake Union ASI chapter president, and his family also participated in the missionary venture.

Members from the Michigan churches of Paw Paw, Pullman, and Holland, joined Illinois church members from Melrose Park Romanian, Hinsdale, and Madison East who volunteered eight days to build a 32' x 60' cement block church and medically treat 1,300 people.

Physicians David Mayor, from the Hinsdale Church, and James Flood, from the Madison East Church, were in charge of the 15-member medical team. The team visited a different, extremely needy part of the city each day.

“The predominant complaint was parasitic infestation,” said Grace Flood, one of the three American doctors. A small amount of oral medicine was given out to each of the parasite patients. “Sadly, due to poor sanitation, this medication probably provided only temporary relief from the parasites,” she added.

“We had an excellent building crew,” said Fred Miller. “God helped us work efficiently to get the church done in four days.” The church included a baptistry, two classrooms, and restrooms.

“The group's teamwork was exceptional,” said Chuck Randall, Paw Paw Church member. “I think everyone worked well together and perhaps even harder than they had anticipated.” Their hard work paid off. On Friday, the group was able to recuperate in the Caribbean sun and learn bartering techniques at the market.

Friday evening vespers with a communion service was held to dedicate the new church. During the Sabbath services, Dominicans physically embraced the mission group as if they had known one another for years. It didn’t matter that they couldn’t speak one another’s language.

Fifty Spanish Bibles and hymnals, two felt sets, a full communion set, two offering plates, 600 tracts and Sabbath school quarterlies were donated to the church from money raised in the United States. Cesario Acevedo, the Dominican Union president, expressed his gratitude to the mission team for all their hard work.

God works miracles, and He does it through His people.

Amanda Gerndt is a journalism student at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.