Written by: Adriana Sanchez
I did not expect my first out-of-the-country experience to be a Family Experience in the Dominican Republic with an organization whose mission is to improve and expand sustainable Christ-centered education globally. As a nineteen-year-old who just finished her freshman year of college, I did not know what to expect from this opportunity God was giving me. Although I was nervous to leave the country alone, I knew God’s purpose would shine through and His plan would be revealed each step of the way. He was preparing me through the reading of When Helping Hurts and through the discussions with Edify staff as well as the other interns. Once I arrived in the Dominican Republic (DR), I was prepared to continue learning.
There are many different aspects I could highlight when sharing about my two weeks in the Dominican Republic. It’s hard to choose from the list of blessings and teachings. From the wonderful Edify staff in the DR, who took me in and treated me like their own daughter, to the mouth-watering freshly squeezed fruit juice we enjoyed at every meal, this experience was truly unforgettable. There is an aspect of the trip that I hope to take back to my community and continue to apply to my life. Each week, our group did a study based on the book When Helping Hurts by Brian Fikkert and Steve Corbett. This study includes a series of videos that help tie the book together into a few main themes. There is much to unpack from the author’s ideals, however, a key takeaway was that while at first we believed we were coming to the DR to serve, we were really coming to learn.
The mindset shift that occurred during each night of the study was truly visible in our groups each week, and within myself. At first, I thought I was traveling abroad to be the hands and feet of Jesus but I soon began to realize the transformation that was taking place in my head and my heart. I was the one in poverty, maybe not materially, but spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. I had the blessing of applying what I learned in the study to my work in the DR.
Tuesday through Thursday, our group would serve at a kids camp at a local school that partnered with Edify. I learned so much from the students at those camps. While they may not have had many material possessions, their joy and fullness of life showed me what being spiritually rich can look like. They were also full of love for our team, a perfect example of the beauty of cultural diversity in other parts of the world. Even though we did not come from the same background, look the same, or even speak the same language, these students had no hesitation when greeting us in the mornings. I have learned that it does not matter a person’s background or language, we are all capable of walking in relationship with each other.
I can confidently say that reading When Helping Hurts has transformed my life. As Proverbs describes, I would be a fool if I did not hold on to the wisdom that was poured out to me by the Edify staff in the DR, the donor families, the Edify staff in the US, and so many others throughout this journey. I hope to take what I’ve learned from my time with Edify and not only apply it to my community, but teach others the importance of walking alongside people, fostering relationships, and having a heart willing to be transformed by the love of Jesus.
