Lighthouse 2016 Missions Trip - Los Alcarrizos, Dominican Republic

This past March break the River sent another team to serve in the DR. Team members consisted of Gavin Albrecht, Bronwyn Albrecht, Dan Baer, Scott Frey, Dwayne Ruby, David and Lisa Cosier, Faith Gerber, Kaitlyn Scales and Brad Brodhagen.

We joined with Teams from other cities in Ontario and met new friends and reconnected with some folks who we’d met last year. It is really amazing to be able to see the progress that has been made in the community. Last year we poured the floor for the Open Wall Church and this year it had a roof on it. Completion for this large building is slated for 2018. More houses have been built and eager families have settled in to them. This year we began working on a church that was being built over top of another small existing church. This is going to be a fairly large structure when completed with an emergency space for disasters. The pastor is the site manager and puts in a lot of “sweat equity”.

The whole concept of partnering together in building and restoring the community is such a blessing.

Some of the team were involved in helping in the Lighthouse school. We were blessed with seeing parts of the local Dominican culture. Sunday church is always a great experience. The team participated in morning and evening breakout sessions after our daily evening church meeting. This was such a special time of being able to pray for the upcoming day and to debrief in prayer and speak encouragement over each other at the end of the evening. There was time after that to connect, play games and gain new friends.

It was a full week and there are lots of memories and stories to be shared. That is what this life is about. Sharing our time, our talents and our love with each other and with those around us. The great commission being fulfilled. Being the hands and feet of our Lord.

We are a blessed people. Thank you so much for your prayer, your support and for being part of this amazing adventure.

God bless you!!!!

On behalf of the Team, Brad Brodhagen