Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. ~1 Peter 4:10-11
As some of you now know, I am heading off to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic over my final Easter Break of college (April 4-10). There, with a team of 9 other Grove City students and a fearless professor, we will partner with the Sisters of Divine Providence to serve the people of Santo Domingo. Hence, Inner-City Outreach Santo Domingo, or ICO Santo Domingo for short.
The Ministry: The Sisters of Divine Providence are a small convent of four nuns from around the world: Puerto Rico, Germany, Korea, and the United States. They followed God’s call to serve the extremely impoverished in barrio Las Cañitas, one of the poorest neighborhoods in Santo Domingo. Sister Mary Providence Kriley, from the US, is the aunt of Dr. Charles Kriley, Professor of Chemistry here at Grove City College (hey, that’s where I go!). Dr. Kriley has been Santo Domingo many times to serve alongside the Sisters of Divine Providence, and is helping organize this trip.
The Mission: The mission of our trip is to catch a glimpse of our God’s heart for the poor of Las Cañitas, one of the most deprived neighborhoods in Santo Domingo. We’ll do this by helping the Sisters as they minister to the sick & elderly in their own homes, serve food to and eat with local community members, and help out with youth programs. It’s not glamorous work, but it will allow us a lot of interaction with dominicanos. I’m sure both their physical poverty and spiritual vibrancy will be a shock.
The Support: Recently, I was struck by a few things I believe only half-heartedly. One of these realizations was my lack of faith in the power of prayer. This is not good on my part, to put it lightly. God can and does work powerfully when Godly people pray hard.
My Thoughts & Goals: I’m pretty pumped for this trip – there are so many reasons why. Service projects and mission trips have played a huge role in both my spiritual formation and personal perspective on the world. In high school I had the unique privilege to travel to Costa Rica twice and establish a relationship with a local church and youth group there. Since then, however, I have not been a part of any intentional mission trip – though I have learned more and more that life is just one big mission. So, the opportunity to have my faith stretched and challenged is a little scary, but even more exciting. I’m also really looking forward to being able to listen, speak, and live in a Spanish speaking culture. Spanish is definitely something I want to cultivate and use long-term. I feel like God has given me a knack for Spanish, a mind for economics and business, and a passion to see brokenness of this world restored. Because of this, a career in international economic development intrigues me – but it all begins with seeing poverty as God does. In addition, I’m hoping to learn a lot about poverty. So, This trip is an amazing opportunity to do so by serving some of the most impoverished people in the Western Hemisphere. That said, my thoughts and goals for this most likely will go right out the door the moment I step off the plane, to be replaced by what my Father has in store.
Prayer Requests: I’m hoping you can join me in praying for this trip – whether its just a quick prayer right now or something more regular, God honors it and it makes a difference. To help you out and encourage you to stay engaged in prayer, I’ll include specific prayer requests once a week (at least) leading up to the trip. And feel free to email me and ask for other ways to pray if I don’t give enough detail.
This week has been good for our team as we worked together on fundraising (selling tasty soft pretzels!) – please pray that we continue to grow into a unified team, getting to know each other better. Pray also for my spiritual preparation, that my heart would be made sensitive to the Holy Spirit to get out of my comfort zone when I see opportunities to serve, share the gospel, and love sacrificially.
Well, that’s about it for now. Leave a comment, ask a question, and come back soon for more updates!
~M
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Marshall, I am very excited to hear and see what God teaches you and what he accomplishes through you on this very exciting trip. I will be committed to praying for you for the days ahead as we know He is already preparing for your arrival and how he will impact you. I will definitely inform Makenzie, Austin and Cami about your trip and will have them check out this site, so keep them in mind when writing about your experience.
This is going to be an incredible experience, brother. We are praying for you and anticipating what God will do … keep that heart and those eyes wide open. So proud of what you’re doing with your life. Blessings.
Marshall, I am excited with you about this trip to the DR. I will be praying for you and your group and asking God to teach you more about himself, and give you a wider picture of his work in the world, and his calling on your life. I will also send some $ to help with the costs. Nice website too!
I found your information in the internet and I was very happy to read about.
I am also sister of Divine Providence and I was living in this wonderful community for allmost 15 years. I enjoyed life there very much. The people from Las Cañitas are wonderful people. Some are very poor but also full of life and faith.
I hope you will enjoy your time there. Please greet Mary Providence and the other Sisters.
I will pray for you. God bless you and enjoy your time.
Sr. Monika