Partnering with International Teams, CBOQ Youth is returning to the Lighthouse Project in Los Alcarrizos, Dominican Republic. This community school has been a great testimony of God’s work in the area. CBOQ Youth will be sending a team of up to 30 students and leaders as they further develop the ministry. Registration information is now available. Team applications are due September 28. Fill out my online form.
Compassion means “with suffering” and it reminds us to walk alongside others in their moments. The language of “walking alongside” has impacted the way we do missions--we’re thinking more broadly and of longer-term impact. In the last few years, we've moved from the language of "short term mission trips" to "compassion experiences." For many youth ministries, their venture into compassion experiences is, for the youth and many leaders, a first-time
Cultural Day Before we left our hosts wanted us to soak in some more of the Dominican culture and explore what the city of Santo Domingo has to offer. We visited the Market, bartering for souvenirs and gifts for those back home. We toured the old city, the oldest European settlement in the New World. We also visited the Three Eyes, or Tres Ojos if you're from the Dominican Republic,
Walls and community Work Today was a great day! It started off with singing worship songs on the roof overlooking the city, which I always love. It is such an intimate time with everyone and this morning God's presence was definitely eveident. I had the song 'Always', which we sang , stuck in my head the entire time we worked. A highlight for me today at the work site was
Back to work I was so happy to be a part of our team today. In the afternoon, we took a break from working and walked around the community of Villa Altagracia. We are the first people ever from the Lighthouse to work and walk around in that community. The people were so warm and welcoming to us. I can't wait to go back again and work tomorrow! -Brianna Today was a
THIS WEEK FOR MARCH BREAK... This week thousands of students are off school for March Break, which is a prime opportunity for learning! Here are some examples of what some students are involved in this week: Compassion Experience, Dominican Republic: We have 23 students and leaders from three churches representing CBOQ Youth and International Teams in Los Alcarizzos. They'll be serving at the Lighthouse Project and the surrounding community. You
Sunday Sabbath Iglesia Cristiano de la Communidad Today we went to a Dominican church and it was great. Not too different from our church (Mimico Baptist) good music and so great to sing in a different language and it didn't feel weird at all. We got to give out candy to kids in the community they were all chasing after us. It was great! -Jemma We went to
First Day of Work at Villa Altagracia We have been anticipating this day for years. A new property. A new challenge. A new opportunity to start duplicating what has been done in Los Alcarrizos. Words cannot express how amazing this moment was as we started bending re-bar, and mixing/pouring cement. The three church team hummed along like seasoned veterans as small members tried lifting cement bags as heavy as themselves,
Our team arrived at Pearson airport at 2:30am. Two flights, a plane de-icing in New York from too much snow, and a scenic view from above of the Dominican Republic, we've arrived at our destination! One of the youth noted "Since I had been here before, when we first came down to the Dominican it was like coming home again. It feels like we're at home." Here's some of the
Our team assembled at the Fairfield Marriott Hotel. After some time of worship, prayer and orientation (plus a Spanish lesson with Karla-Maria Ponce), they're (hopefully) getting some rest before our 6:10am flight. We'll see you from the DR in less than 24 hours!
