In March, 34 volunteers on Maranatha Volunteers International’s Multiple Group Project laid the block walls of a church building and conducted community outreach in the Dominican Republic. Multiple Group Project is Maranatha’s annual trip designed for smaller groups to join forces. This year’s project included students and sponsors from Lake Nelson Adventist Academy in New Jersey and Tri-City Christian Academy in North Carolina, as well as two volunteers who joined solo. As the project progressed, teen volunteers ventured beyond the friends they came with to form new connections.
“It’s a great bonding experience because we’ve grown into a family really quickly,” explained Tri-City senior David Handy. “Same thing with the chaperones from other schools and just the people who didn’t come with my school. I’ve really gotten to connect with them because, you know, we have the same goal, and we want everyone to feel as comfortable as possible.”
Volunteers constructed a church building to house the Eben-Ezer II Seventh-day Adventist congregation in the town of La Vega. These worshippers are immigrants from the neighboring country of Haiti and moved to the Dominican Republic in search of greater security and economic opportunity. Unfortunately, they face prejudice, which has contributed to the group’s eviction from several rented worship spaces.
“Something that really touched my heart is when we learned that this congregation has been asking or praying for a church for over 18 years,” said Lake Nelson vice principal John Hakizimana. “We’re bringing students who are under 18 … these students are coming to answer a prayer that was prayed before they were born. And so that just brought tears to my eyes when I heard that … what an amazing thing to be part of something–to be part of what God is doing!”
Volunteers also served Haitian immigrants via medical clinics, in collaboration with Haitian healthcare providers. People who normally avoid hospitals in fear of discrimination were able to receive free consultations and basic medications. “One part of this project that felt meaningful to me was working in the medical clinic,” said Lake Nelson senior Yamila Gonzalez. “Yes, I’m bilingual. But I didn’t know it was this important until I experienced it for myself … The minute a Spanish word came out of my mouth, you could just see the relief on their faces and that’s what felt really special to me.”
Volunteers’ third form of service was Vacation Bible School programs at an Adventist school and public school in La Vega. The programs included songs, skits, crafts, and youngsters with boundless energy. “It’s not just gratifying to see those smiles, but I know the teachers also really appreciate it to have the kids off their hands for a little bit,” remarked Tri-City senior Oziel Acosta. “I think that everybody enjoys [it], you know.”
“We were talking during worship about how the question always comes up at the end of the trip of who has been blessed the most–who received the most,” Acosta continued. “And I think despite the fact that we’re helping them … I feel like it’s more gratifying for us as participants just to see, you know, see all the need that there is out there and being able to help just a little and then bring all the stories back home again. Make friends. See the kids smile. It’s very [gratifying].”
Maranatha has a long history of working in the Dominican Republic. In 1980, after the destruction of Hurricane David, Maranatha constructed 160 houses here. In 1992, the Dominican Republic was the site of a watershed moment of growth for Maranatha, when the organization coordinated the construction of 25 churches over 70 days. Dubbed “Santo Domingo ’92,” it was the first time Maranatha concentrated on one place for multiple volunteer projects. Later efforts occurred in 2003 and 2013, and in 2022, Maranatha returned once more and has been working there since.