The DR shares the Island of Hispaniola with Haiti. It is surrounded by the Atlantic on the north and the Caribbean Sea on the south which is where we will be. About 4 million of the country’s 10.4 million population live in the capital city of Santo Domingo. Many Haitians live in sugar cane villages and are not counted, nor do they have any standing with the country. The Dominican peso currently has a 57 to 1 conversion. Roman Catholicism is the country’s official religion. About half of the population is believed to be involved in occult practices. There is a great influence of Voodoo and witchcraft which has been promoted by thousands of Haitians who cross the borders. Only 5% profess to be Christians. Our work is clear and the opportunities are endless. We will be landing in Santiago where Breath of Life International has its main ministry with university students. We will be doing the bulk of our ministry work in Azua (El Cruce de las Yayas) & San Juan De La Maguana, and partnering with the churches there. These towns are located on the southwest part of the country very close to the Haitian border.

Our primary work will consist of training the local church how to teach and reach children through VBS programs, evangelism, home visits, medical outreach, Veterinarian outreach, church leadership training, training Sunday school teachers, and reflective tape outreach.

THE PURPOSE OF OUR TRIP

• The purpose of this trip is to be obedient to Jesus’ commission to go and make disciples of all Nations.

  Missions by Oswald Chambers "In missionary work the great danger is that God’s call will be replaced by the needs of the people, to the point that human sympathy for those needs will absolutely overwhelm the meaning of being sent by Jesus. The needs are so enormous, and the conditions so difficult, that every power of the mind falters and fails. We tend to forget that the one great reason underneath all missionary work is not primarily the elevation of the people, their education, nor their needs, but is first and foremost the command of Jesus Christ— "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations .."

  It’s about God, not about us. It’s about the relationships with the team and the people with whom we will work. It is not about the projects.

  Goal:         

  Keep in mind that the primary purpose of this trip is Biblical Evangelism and discipleship making through ministering to the whole person: body, mind, and spirit.  The whole gospel to the whole person.  Our aim is to work in a community long-term until there is a transformation in the whole community.  It is demonstrating the love of God through our works and proclaiming the gospel of Jesus through our words and behavior.  We want long-term transformation in the lives of the people and their communities.  We want to help local churches grow healthy with a vibrant presence in the communities or/and plant new churches which will do the same.  

  Team Goals:

  • Work together

  • Grow together

  • Serve each other

  • Encourage each other

  Local Church Goals:

  • Help Train the leadership

  • Grow in reaching out to the community

  • Grow in making disciples

  • Participate in missions

  What we hope for you as a Participant on this trip:

  • Grow closer to God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit)

  • Obey Christ’s Command to go and make disciples

  • Grow on how to evangelize and make Disciple

  • Discipleship - Utilize your spiritual gifts to disciple others

  • Begin to develop long term relationships with the BOLI Students, Mentors, Church and Communities

  • Develop a heart for the Dominican People

  • Experience the DR culture and learn more about who you are - This experience will change your life.

  • Make lifelong friends - We have even seen people have gotten married after these trips. But do not come looking for a wife or husband (LOL).

• Estimated Trip Costs:
  
  Although the final cost will be contingent on current airfare rates, it is estimated that the total cost for each participant will be $1500/person plus airfare. This cost includes ground transportation, meals, translators, ministry materials, and lodging. The cost does not include trip insurance, ministry expenses, entry visa ($30), or any other incidentals e.g., souvenirs, snacks, health needs etc.

• The team will work together to raise funds for ministry expenses and materials we will bring with us to carry out the work.

• Want to Go?

• Please fill out the trip application form. Here is the link to fill it out (cut and paste in browser) https://forms.office.com/r/Ak1V5vu0zt

• Submit it with your trip deposit of $300 (no-refundable) by December 15, 2022. If your application is approved, you will be notified within 5 days via email.

• There will be six training sessions that you must participate in all of them. The dates will be posted by January 7, 2023.

• Participants must have time for three evaluation meetings after returning from the trips

  Please email the application to shorttermtrips@breathoflifeinternational.org or return the application to the address below along with a trip deposit to reserve your spot in this trip ($300, checks to Breath of Life International, memo: BOLI Dominican Rep Trip 2023), and signed BOLI commitments by December 15, 2022, or earlier. You can make your deposit and payment for the trip online https://axiainternational.net/user/login?redirectUrl=https%3A%2F%2Faxiainternational.net%2Forganization%2Fsubscribe%2F480-7325VVL but will need to cover the transaction fee.

  If you send a check, write it to Breath of Life International on the memo write: for Dominican Republic Summer 2023 Trip.

  Breath  of Life International,

  1411 Wunsche Loop, #2166

  Spring, TX 77383-2166

  If you have any questions, email Jose Martinez shorttermtrips@breathoflifeinternational.org or text at 502-956-0823.