With my senior year of college approaching and reflecting on what the summer might hold, I envisioned myself surrounded by older, wiser people who could challenge me and help me grow. I was eager to be mentored and to dive deeper into what it truly means to walk in step with Jesus. When I said yes to Edify as an intern, I saw God unfolding a story far beyond my expectations. In a time when the future feels imminent, God surrounded me with people from all over the world who have a deep identity in Him and would encourage me more than I could’ve dreamed.
Breaking down Barriers
I could go on forever about how incredible this summer with Edify was, but the three weeks I spent in the Dominican Republic were the most transformative. Watching families connect, break down barriers, and build deep friendships was amazing. It was a joy to see them fully jump into their roles at the camps—whether doing the chicken dance or the Dominican merengue, leading crafts, or playing with the parachute in the hot sun. Each week, it felt like a glimpse of heaven with the joy of the children and the unity among everyone at the camps. Our discussions about poverty each night through the When Helping Hurts study opened up meaningful conversations about poverty alleviation and our role. I learned how empowering people in developing countries can create lasting change and how providing resources that they can work with helps them flourish within their cultural context in a sustainable way. I watched as each conversation fostered vulnerability with families and shifted perspectives on material poverty and the impact we can have.
The Dominican Republic Team
One thing I cherished from this summer was the opportunity I had to live with the Edify Dominican Republic Team while I was there. It was such a blessing to build meaningful friendships with people from a different culture who have a deep love for Jesus, which is reflected in everything they do. I picked up a lot of Spanish, played in the sprinklers, danced, played a lot of competitive uno, and worked hard with the team to ensure the family experience trips ran smoothly. We enjoyed each meal together, reflecting on how God showed up each day with gratitude, laughter, and many good stories. I noticed that God would continue to reveal so much about his character to me through the hearts of the Dominican Republic team– his patience, his compassion, his joy, and his diligence.
The Heart Behind each School
Each week, we visited two schools with the families, listened to their stories, and learned about their partnership with Edify. One thing began to be a common theme of each of these schools—the heart the proprietor had for the school. It was incredible to see how each school started with one person’s dream to share the gospel with children and provide them with a quality education.
The schools where we hosted camps during the first two weeks kept resurfacing in my mind because of the deep heart behind the proprietors. The first school, Colegio Bautista Luz, focused on providing education for Haitian refugees and teaching them about Jesus. The second school, Colegio Evangélico Mi Villa Infantil, had a special needs program for students. We got to hear powerful testimonials from parents about the program’s transformative impact on their children. I loved how these testimonies reflect God’s intention and his heart for all of his children. School after school, I was so moved by how these schools all started with God placing a dream for Christ-centered education on a proprietor’s heart, and the proprietors’ faithfulness in starting these schools followed.
Looking Ahead
This summer with Edify has been more than I could have imagined—a journey of growth, connection, and a deeper understanding of God’s heart. As I look ahead to my senior year, I carry with me the lessons learned, the relationships built, and the inspiration to continue walking in step with Jesus. The impact of this experience will stay with me, guiding my future steps and fueling my passion for meaningful, Christ-centered work.