Mission - March 2012
Kathleen Adams
I went with Fr. Joachim Lally and a group of 9 missionaries from the United States to the Dominican Republic in March 2012. I had never been on this sort of trip before and did not know what to expect. I heard Fr. Lally talking about it and I just decided I was at a point in my life where I had the means and desire to go on a mission trip. I loved the experience and the Dominican people!
The mission had 3 purposes:
1) A construction crew worked alongside the young Dominican missionaries and constructed 4 small houses. They tore down the old make-shift houses which were made of scrap materials and had mud floors. They built new homes with concrete floors, sturdy walls and roofs and one electric light in the center. We met the families before and after construction. The new houses were life transforming for them! The families were so thankful. As I looked around at the other houses, I wished we could have helped so many more families.
2) We brought suitcases full of medicine from the United States and held medical clinics at 3 locations on 3 days. Dominican doctors met with the patients and diagnosed their problems. We organized the patients and “filled” the prescriptions. Hundreds of people lined up all day outside the clinics for an opportunity to see a doctor and receive medicine. I worked at the clinics all 3 days. It was a pleasure to interact with the people all day. The families who hosted the clinics in their homes and on their porches were so gracious to us and fed us wonderful lunches of beans, rice, chicken and salad.
3) We volunteered in a grade school. One of the ladies with us was an experienced bi-lingual teacher from the U.S. She worked with the older students and their teachers. A couple of the high school volunteers with us worked with the younger children helping them with handwriting and spelling. I volunteered one day and did some art and color lessons. We brought lots of school supplies from the U.S. The teachers were so happy for simple supplies like scissors, construction paper, crayons and glue sticks. We gave them all toothbrushes and toothpaste and they were so excited to receive toothbrushes! The children are beautiful!
I was so impressed with our young Dominican Missionaries who we partnered with on the mission. They are called Misión Joven (youth mission). These young people also met with the families and youth in the communities at the local churches, talked about the Gospel, sang songs and ministered to the youth throughout the week. They prepared everything ahead of time for us, determining where to build houses and where to hold medical clinics. This mission really is wonderful for them, helping them to be leaders in their communities, spreading the Word of God, and giving them purpose in their lives. Seeing their devotion to the mission was really the highlight for me. They cherish this partnership with U.S. missionaries.
Kathleen Murphy Adams
The mission had 3 purposes:
1) A construction crew worked alongside the young Dominican missionaries and constructed 4 small houses. They tore down the old make-shift houses which were made of scrap materials and had mud floors. They built new homes with concrete floors, sturdy walls and roofs and one electric light in the center. We met the families before and after construction. The new houses were life transforming for them! The families were so thankful. As I looked around at the other houses, I wished we could have helped so many more families.
2) We brought suitcases full of medicine from the United States and held medical clinics at 3 locations on 3 days. Dominican doctors met with the patients and diagnosed their problems. We organized the patients and “filled” the prescriptions. Hundreds of people lined up all day outside the clinics for an opportunity to see a doctor and receive medicine. I worked at the clinics all 3 days. It was a pleasure to interact with the people all day. The families who hosted the clinics in their homes and on their porches were so gracious to us and fed us wonderful lunches of beans, rice, chicken and salad.
3) We volunteered in a grade school. One of the ladies with us was an experienced bi-lingual teacher from the U.S. She worked with the older students and their teachers. A couple of the high school volunteers with us worked with the younger children helping them with handwriting and spelling. I volunteered one day and did some art and color lessons. We brought lots of school supplies from the U.S. The teachers were so happy for simple supplies like scissors, construction paper, crayons and glue sticks. We gave them all toothbrushes and toothpaste and they were so excited to receive toothbrushes! The children are beautiful!
I was so impressed with our young Dominican Missionaries who we partnered with on the mission. They are called Misión Joven (youth mission). These young people also met with the families and youth in the communities at the local churches, talked about the Gospel, sang songs and ministered to the youth throughout the week. They prepared everything ahead of time for us, determining where to build houses and where to hold medical clinics. This mission really is wonderful for them, helping them to be leaders in their communities, spreading the Word of God, and giving them purpose in their lives. Seeing their devotion to the mission was really the highlight for me. They cherish this partnership with U.S. missionaries.
Kathleen Murphy Adams
Old Houses to be Torn Down to Build New (Note the Dirt Floors, gaps in the walls, missing doors & windows)
New Houses After They Have Been Built (Note Cement Floors and Foundations, still no running water!)
Work at the Medical Clinic (Good work but not hard labor!)
Work at the Grade School (Teaching and Art and Fr. Joe Having Fun!)
Adelante and Misión Joven Teams Together
Concluding Mass and Ceremonies
