We just got back from another great mission trip to the Dominican Republic. Over the past few years, we have been working with a church in the city of Haina to build a trade school. See our 2016 update here. Now my third trip to the same community, I’m amazed at the positive impact this small church is making on the young people in the area. 

This trip, we had the joy of bringing four dedicated employees with us. For some, it was not only their first mission trip, but their first ride on an airplane. Our construction goal for the week was to complete the first floor of the trade school. As we build walls and pour concrete, we are working side by side with Dominicans from the community, valuing relationships over construction, and moving at their pace and direction. The ownership they feel in the project creates responsibility and sustainability.

It was great to see that, even though the space is not finished, it is already being used. Another ministry donated industrial woodworking equipment to the trade school last year. With extension cords and temporary lighting, they have begun an apprenticeship program to build furniture. Many of the projects are sold for a profit, and the students have shared in the proceeds. For most, this is the first legitimate job in their life! 

The most important part of their apprenticeship is the mentoring that happens while they work. In addition to carpentry, they have welding apprentices. Many of these kids are former gang members and delinquents, some of them referred to the program by the local judge.

For me the highlight of the trip was teaching electrical classes in the trade school I have helped to build. We taught the basics of circuits and electrical safety and gave the students vision of a career as skilled tradesmen. 

The entire week as we worked, we were also watching the sky as hurricane Irma took aim at the island. It became clear that it would make a glancing blow, so we decided to stay and ride it out. On Thursday, torrential rains caused flooding nearby and damaged roads. Interestingly, we experienced almost no wind. On Friday we were able to continue our work as Florida prepared for a direct hit.

In December, my wife and I will return to attend the ribbon cutting for the “Centro de Capacitación Emanuel.” They will be teaching sewing and interior decorating, refrigeration, security camera system, welding, and woodworking. Next year we plan to return and teach in the refrigeration class as well as break ground on a church on the same site. Stay tuned!