SPOTLIGHT | SENIOR HIGH MISSION TRIP

ca students serving abroad

This March, Mr. J. and seven of our Senior High students boarded a plane and traveled to the Dominican Republic to serve others and share the Gospel on Christ Academy’s first-ever mission trip.

Through previous ministry connections, Mr. J. partnered with Arise, Go Serve, a ministry dedicated to supporting local communities in the D.R. Our students came prepared to lead Vacation Bible School, complete with games, songs, testimonies, and creative crafts. They also rolled up their sleeves for hands-on service projects—painting, building, and helping with repairs throughout the community.

To give you a deeper glimpse into the impact of this trip, we’ve gathered student testimonies sharing their personal experiences. We hope you're encouraged and inspired as you read their stories below.

Rebecca

My experience on the trip was great! It really helped give me perspective on the things that I have and the things that I do not. Leading up to the mission trip I was excited but also a bit nervous since I had never left the country before. That nervousness was quickly replaced with anticipation to explore the country. I was responsible for doing crafts in the classrooms of the schools we reached out to. It was more fun than I thought it'd be, and the kids were very sweet and welcoming. I saw the Lord really use our being there to help lead these kids to Jesus. They were all very open to learning about the bible and its' stories. The best parts of the trip had to be when we as the whole team were all together doing an activity, whether that be buying supplies from a store to help a local school in need or going ziplining and river sliding. I felt eager to come home after the whole week, but I was also a bit disappointed to leave. The DR is such a beautiful and unique country, and it was hard to come face-to-face with coming back to dry old Texas.

GAVIN

At first, I dreaded going on the mission trip since I barely knew anyone. But as the days passed, I found joy in every moment. We painted the memorial of Gasper Hernandez, visited schools, and played games with the kids. Being in charge of activities and getting to introduce them to things they had never experienced before. Hearing their struggles opened my heart. My favorite part was the river, where I bonded with my team and truly connected with the people. Through every task, the Lord revealed Himself to me, showing His love and purpose in ways I never expected.

BRENNAN

During the mission trip, most of the activities we would engage in consisted of going out to multiple different schools in the DR, and spending numerous hours playing games, entertaining, and having fun with the students at those schools. We would play games like red light green light, musical chairs, relay races, and we even brought a parachute. These simple games would bring hours of enjoyment to the children at the elementary schools we would visit. One of the schools we served at mentioned that they were in need of some basic school supplies, things that would be very easy to find in America, were very difficult for them to acquire, so we decided to go out and buy the supplies they desperately needed and donated it to their school the next day. Aside from serving at schools, we also completely restored and repainted a historical monument for one of the rural towns in the area, revitalizing the small town square it was located in. When we weren’t serving, we would gather as a group every night for a debrief on the next day’s schedule, and have a devotional time together. Overall, I enjoyed the entire experience, and I feel like I left having a bit more motivation to study the word. I also enjoyed getting closer to the members of our group, as I never really interacted with them before the trip.

Daniel

To begin the trip, our flight from Dallas was delayed and we had a plane change so we missed our connecting flight in Miami, so we were forced to stay the night in Miami. While in Miami, we went to the mall. Upon arrival in Puerto Plata we were greeted by James and two other mission workers who helped us take our luggage to the van. Later that night, we went to Ramire’s house and had dinner there. Every night we would read scripture. On Monday and Tuesday, we went to schools in the area and played games with the children, we also painted a local memorial in Gaspar Hernandez. On Thursday, we went to a freshwater exhibition park, where we went through water slides made of rock and were able to jump off a ledge that was an 18ft drop. On Friday we packed up and went home. Throughout the whole trip I noticed how little they have in the Dominican Republic. This was kind of eye-opening in a sense that I realize that the thing we take for granted, such as windows, consistent electricity, drinkable water, etc, are things that are unavailable to them. This trip also opened a door to a stronger relationship with God. Reading scripture every night with the whole group was helpful in a sense that I am not alone in my walk with God.

KATIE

Honestly, I was a little skeptical before going on the mission trip. It was something I’ve never done before; I was worried about being out of the country without my family, I was worried about what work we would have to do. But I actually had so much fun and I’m very grateful I was given the opportunity to experience it. It was such an amazing experience, and I definitely would do it again if given the chance. The staff, as well as our team were all so kind and helpful, I’m so glad I was able to work with them throughout the trip. I honestly don’t think I could’ve asked for a better group of people to work with on this trip. I’d say being able to go out and ask the locals how I could pray for them was one of my favorite moments from the trip. It was honestly eye opening to realize how many people truly need to be asked that question, “how can I pray for you?” Watching them open up about their troubles when being asked and then seeing the relief on their faces, like a weight has been lifted off their shoulders after being prayed for was truly such a beautiful experience. I continue to pray that God moves through these people’s lives and delivers them from whatever troubles they may be facing. I’d say the only thing I found challenging on this trip was the language barrier. It was sometimes difficult communicating with the locals and some of the staff, but we made it work. Even though we couldn’t understand each other that well, I’m grateful for the friends I was able to make in the Dominican Republic and I hope to see them again one day. Overall, I feel like this trip has served as a huge lesson and reality check to me. Going on this trip has made me realize how truly blessed I am. I’ve taken so much for granted without even realizing there are people out there who don’t have those things. Clean running water, air conditioning, a fully stable house to live in; I’ve realized that these things are all privileges to have. I realize now I should’ve spent my time thanking God for the resources He has given me in life instead of complaining about the small insignificant things I don’t have.

Not only that, but I’ve learned a lot from our devotions as well. Learning about how Jesus wants to see his disciples serve other people without him has taught me so much about what Jesus calls for not only me, but everyone to do. God has called for us to go out and serve each other, just as He went out and served the people around Him. Realizing this has taught me such an important lesson, and I hope to continue serving those around me whenever the opportunity is given to me.