During Holy Week our student’s families had the chance to come and visit! They got to see where and how their kids/siblings have been serving and what life has looked like for them here in Santiago since they arrived this past August. They spent a day serving alongside our students in their ministry sites, learned about the Dominican culture through one of our “Culture Nights” led by our staff and students, and spent some family-time at the beach.

Since last August, we have gotten to introduce two of our Global Bridge participants each month. Today, we get to introduce you to our last two, Jace and Camryn, as they share what their favorite part of the program has been and what God has been teaching them throughout this year.

Jace is from Kentucky and has been serving in our Cienfuegos Clinic this year with Doctor Brendaliz! When asked about something God has been teaching him throughout his time here in Santiago this year, he said “I think one of the biggest things God’s been teaching me during my time here in the DR is just the importance of being faithful in the small things. It’s easy to come in expecting big, obvious moments, but a lot of what this experience has looked like is just showing up each day, being present with people, and learning to love well in really simple, everyday ways. There’s also been a lot of unpredictability, which has been stretching me in a good way. Plans change, things don’t always go how I expect, and I’ve been learning to hold things more loosely and trust that God is still working in all of it. Personally, I’ve noticed that this year has helped shift my perspective a bit. I’m starting to see that impact isn’t always something you can measure right away, and that just being consistant and available really matters. It’s been a good reminder that God is just as present in the ordinary moments as He is in the big ones.”

Camryn is our Global Bridge students’ intern and is from Nebraska. “My favorite part about being the Global Bridge intern has been getting to see the students grow throughout the year. Looking back to the beginning of the year and seeing where they are now is amazing. They’ve changed and grown in so many ways, not just in what they do, but in who they are. I’ve loved getting to walk alongside them in this season – supporting them, encouraging them, and just being there as they experience new things and serve at their sites. Watching their confidence grow and seeing the way they care for others has meant so much to me. And in a lot of ways, they’ve impacted me just as much. Their joy, their energy, and just who they are has made this experience really meaningful, and I am deeply grateful to have been a small part of their journey.”