Mission Trip to Dominican Republic - 2024

The DR shares the Island of Hispaniola with Haiti. It is surrounded by the Atlantic on the north and the Caribbean Sea on the south which is where we will be. About 4 million of the country’s 10.4 million population live in the capital city of Santo Domingo. Many Haitians live in sugar cane villages and are not counted or have any standing with the country. The Dominican peso currently has a 57 to 1 conversion. Roman Catholicism is the country’s official religion. About half of the population is believed to be involved in occult practices. There is a great influence of Voodoo and witchcraft, which has been promoted by thousands of Haitians who cross the borders. Only 5% profess to be Christians. Our work is clear and the opportunities are endless.

We will be going to Catey, Samana, and the Dominican Republic. We will land in Santiago, where Breath of Life International's main ministry is with university students. We will be doing the bulk of our ministry work in Nieba (location still is being confirmed) and partnering with the churches there. 

We have a change; instead of Neiba, we will work in El Catey, in Samana. Samana is the home of Maria and Raquel. So. this will be a very special and fruitful trip. We will work in Neiba next year with a few small trips between now and then.

So, let us share a bit about El Catey.

About El Catey
El Catey is a small and picturesque community located in the province of Samaná in the Dominican Republic. Known for its tranquility and natural beauty, El Catey is a destination that has been gaining popularity among visitors looking for an authentic and relaxing experience. Europeans landed and colonized Samaná on January 12, 1493. The explorer Christopher Columbus arrived in the area during his first trip to the Americas. He described it as “the fairest land on the face of the earth” after landing in the white sands of the Bay of Rincon.

Population

The population of El Catey is modest, mainly composed of local families who have lived in the region for generations. Maria and Raquel's families are from a town called Sanchez, close to El Catey. The community is known for its welcoming atmosphere and slow pace of life, where everyone knows each other and there is a strong sense of solidarity and cooperation.  Lately, tourism has become the main economic activity in the province due to its white sand beaches and clear waters. Samaná is one of the main tourist poles in the country. As such, tourism plays a significant role in attracting investments and offering new employment opportunities and development. Residents work in hotels, restaurants, and offering tourist experiences that highlight the pristine beaches, historical and cultural life, and the natural beauty of the region. The region is famous for its untouched beaches and crystal-clear waters, ideal for rest and water activities. There you also find, Los Haitises National Park, a protected area that offers incredible biodiversity, with caves housing pictographs of the Taínos, the island's original inhabitants. There are many waterfalls and natural trails dotted with beautiful waterfalls and trails that invite exploration and contact with nature.
Samaná is also one of the breeding places for the humpback whale. During winter and early spring, humpback whale watching is increasingly becoming an important income-generating activity for the province. Thousands of humpback whales come to the coast off Samaná from January to March. We will not be able to see this since our trip is in June but this is something to put on your travel list to see. 

Community Issues

Despite its natural beauty and growing tourist popularity, El Catey faces challenges typical of small, rural communities. These include:

1. Level of Poverty:

   • El Catey, like many rural areas, grapples with a high level of poverty. Limited access to economic opportunities outside of agriculture and tourism means that many families live uncertainly and lack resources for basic needs such as healthcare, nutritious food, and stable housing. Outside of tourism, employment options can be limited, leading some residents to seek work in more urban areas.

2. Education Challenges:

   • Access to quality education is a significant issue. Schools are understaffed, under-resourced, and physically distant from students' homes, making attendance challenging. Additionally, there is a high dropout rate as children often need to support their families by working from a young age.

3. Farming Challenges:

   • El Catety's main livelihood is from fishing, agriculture, and growing herds for meat and milk. Agriculture, a primary livelihood, faces its own set of challenges. Coconut is also produced. These include vulnerability to weather extremes due to climate change, limited access to modern farming techniques and tools, and difficulties in accessing markets to sell produce at fair prices.

4. Housing and Infrastructure:

   • Housing in El Catey does not meet the basic standards of safety and comfort, with some families living in homes vulnerable to environmental hazards. The infrastructure, including roads, water supply, and sanitation facilities, is also inadequate, posing health and safety risks.

5. Family Problems:

   • The pressures of economic hardship can strain family dynamics. Issues such as domestic violence, substance abuse, and the migration of family members in search of work disrupts family structures and support systems.

6. Healthcare Access:

   • Access to comprehensive healthcare is another challenge. Medical facilities are scarce, understaffed, or poorly equipped, and residents must travel long distances for medical care, which is a significant burden for those already facing economic hardships.

7. Limited Infrastructure: Roads and public services need improvements to support both the local population and the increasing number of visitors. This present high rate of motor and vehicle accidents.
   Environmental Degradation: Environmental issues such as deforestation, soil erosion, and pollution can further threaten the livelihoods of those dependent on natural resources, exacerbating the community's challenges. As tourism increases, the community faces the challenge of preserving its natural environment and landscapes against development.

In summary, El Catey in Samaná is a community that, despite its shines for its rich cultural heritage, stunning natural surroundings, and the warmth of its people, has many spiritual, economic, and social challenges that can only be addressed with the gospel of Jesus so that the community could experience real transformation. Despite these challenges, the spirit of the community in El Catey is one of resilience and strength. The natural beauty of the area, combined with the cultural richness and the warmth of the community, provides strong access to Breath of Life International community development and discipleship program. 

Our Work
Our primary work will consist of empowering the local church to have a vibrant witness through serving the community through medical training, evangelism training (reflective tape outreach to motorcycles), discipleship-making training, children outreach training, home visits, and leadership training. We will work with the community producer farming and cattle associations to train them on veterinarian care, mental and emotional health. We will also work with the community to repair vulnerable families' homes at risk.

THE PURPOSE OF OUR TRIP

• The purpose of this trip is to be obedient to Jesus’ commission to go and make disciples of all Nations.
  Missions by Oswald Chambers "In missionary work the great danger is that God’s call will be replaced by the needs of the people, to the point that human sympathy for those needs will absolutely overwhelm the meaning of being sent by Jesus. The needs are so enormous, and the conditions so difficult, that every power of the mind falters and fails. We tend to forget that the one great reason underneath all missionary work is not primarily the elevation of the people, their education, nor their needs, but is first and foremost the command of Jesus Christ— "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations .."
  It’s about God, not about us. It’s about the relationships with the team and the people we will work with. It is not about the projects.
  Goal:         
  Remember that this trip's primary purpose is Biblical Evangelism and discipleship-making through ministering to the whole person: body, mind, and spirit.  The whole gospel to the whole person.  Our aim is to work in a community long-term until there is a transformation in the whole community.  It demonstrates the love of God through our works and proclaims the gospel of Jesus through our words and behavior.  We want long-term transformation in the lives of the people and their communities.  We want to help local churches grow healthy with a vibrant presence in the communities and/or plant new churches that will do the same.  
  Team Goals:
  
  Local Church Goals:
  
  What we hope for you as a Participant on this trip:

  • Work together

  • Grow together

  • Serve each other

  • Encourage each other

  • Help Train the leadership

  • Grow in reaching out to their community

  • Grow in making disciples

  • Participate in missions

  • Grow closer to God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit)

  • Become a better disciple of Jesus by learning to obey Him by going and making disciples

  • Grow on how to evangelize and make Disciple

  • Discipleship - Utilize your spiritual gifts to disciple others

  • Begin to develop long-term relationships with the BOLI Students, Mentors, Church and Communities

  • Develop a heart for the Dominican People

  • Experience the DR culture and learn more about who you are - This experience will change your life.

  • Make lifelong friends - We have even seen people have gotten married after these trips. But do not come looking for a wife or husband (LOL).

• Estimated Trip Costs:
  
  Although the final cost will be contingent on current airfare rates, it is estimated that the total cost for each participant will be $1600/person plus airfare (around $1,000) for an estimated total of $2,600. This cost includes ground transportation, meals, translators, T-shirts, ministry materials, and lodging. The cost does not include trip insurance, ministry expenses, or any other incidentals e.g., souvenirs, snacks, health needs etc. 
  
  We expect for all team members to work together in raising funds for the material and ministry expenses we will use on the ground. This will be determined once we finalized all of the activities with the local leaders. But

Additionally, the team will work together to raise funds for ministry expenses and materials we will bring with us to carry out the work.

Who can go on this trip?

This trip is not a religious vacation, It is for people who want to live on a mission with Jesus and are seriously wanting to grow in their relationship with God and service to the world. 

• Mature followers of Jesus - Committee to obey, worship Jesus, and make Him known to others

• Active local church member- You must already serve your church and/or your community. 

• Willing to learn and grow as a disciple of Christ

• Will commit to going and putting into practice the pre-trip training, before the trip, during the trip, and upon return

• Willing to commit to repeatedly going back to the Dominican Republic or other places that need the gospel

• We encourage pastors and local leaders to participate with their families and church members

Want to Go?

• Please fill out the trip application form in addition to the service reef application. Here is the link to fill it out (cut and paste in browser) https://forms.office.com/r/Ak1V5vu0zt. 
  If your application is approved, you will be notified via email. Once you are approved, submit your trip deposit of $300 (non-refundable) to reserve your spot at this link https://axiainternational.net/donate?project=665-9305WAJ by February 25, 2024. Please do not submit your deposit until you are approved.

There will be six training sessions, and you must participate in all of them. The dates will be posted by Feb 7, 2024. Participation in all the training for those who are new to Breath of Life International is mandatory unless there is a valid excuse. You will not participate in the trip if you miss the training. The following are tentative dates. However, your trainer will firm up your first team meeting dates. We are thinking of doing the entire training on two Saturdays. Check your action items in Service Reef.

Activity/Milestone                                                                                                                   Start Date

1. Training no. 1 - gospel clarity-Cultural Agility -Spiritual Integrity -Team Unity                           3/2/24

2. Training no. 2 -gospel clarity-Cultural Agility -Spiritual Integrity -Team Unity.

Training on cultural dos and don’ts for those who have not been on a DR trip with BOL                     3/9/24

1. Training no. 3- gospel clarity-Cultural Agility -Spiritual Integrity -Team Unity                             3/23/24

Clarification of participants' roles. Review planned activities

1. Training no. 4 -gospel clarity-Cultural Agility -Spiritual Integrity -Team

(Unity Team Unity + Gospel Clarity: Gospel Stories)                                                                            4/6/24

1. Training no. 5 - gospel clarity-Cultural Agility -Spiritual Integrity -Team Unity

Clarification of participants' roles. Review planned activities                                                                4/20/24

1. Training no. 6- Post-trip evaluation                                                                                             7/13/24 

• Participants must commit to 3 post-trip evaluation meetings.
  Please email the application to [email protected] or return the application to the address below along with a trip deposit to reserve your spot in this trip ($300, checks to Breath of Life International, memo: BOLI Dominican Rep Trip 2023), and signed BOLI commitments by Feb 25, 2024, or earlier. You can make your deposit and payment for the trip online https://axiainternational.net/donate?project=665-9305WAJ but will need to cover the transaction fee.
  
  If you send a check, write it to Breath of Life International on the memo write: for Dominican Republic Summer 2024 Trip.
  
  Breath  of Life International,
  1411 Wunsche Loop, #2166
  Spring, TX 77383-2166
  
  If you have any questions, email Jose Martinez [email protected] or text at 502-956-0823