As we complete our summer mission trips to the Dominican Republic and El Salvador, we reflect with gratitude over all that God did through the hands of 18 mission teams and 258 participants from Maryland to Texas.
 
Grateful for over 200 children and adults who professed faith in Christ. Grateful for health and safety. Grateful for growth in ministries, growth in our staff leadership and in the lives of our sponsored children. Grateful for mission teams, for their willingness to endure a very hot summer without complaints, for their energy and dedication and their willingness to flex when plans went awry. Their personal reflections affirmed the work of God’s Spirit in lives and families.

The Hung family has returned multiple times to serve since 2014. Sophia shared, “At a young age I was able to recognize and see God working. When I was about 10 or 11, I made the decision to live for God and to get baptized during the mission trip. This year a special moment for me was at the boys’ orphanage when I complimented Ezekiel on his grades and sports ability. He replied, “Gracias a Dios,” (Thanks to God). I thought about what he said the rest of the day because I was shocked to see how strong his faith in God was at such a young age. The faith that people hold in the Dominican Republic has made me realize the works of God and how powerful it can really be.”

From FBC Port Lavaca, Pastor Whittle wrote, “It was a trip that lit the fires of missions for our group. The staff in the DR were full of energy and we loved that they got their ‘hands dirty’ with us.”
 
One doctor reported his experience, as he worked in a medical clinic, performing ultrasound exams. He shared with some of the children the miracle of creation, allowing them to see a baby sucking his thumb in the mother’s womb!
 
Our team witnessed 54 children invite Jesus into their hearts and have ordered a Bible for each one.
 
At the Higuey boys’ home, one group reported, “Our children did an amazing job of connecting with the boys, playing baseball and various games. The day ended with pizza, s’mores and rain!”  Another team treated the boys with a special trip to a local park, where both team members and the boys played, swam and enjoyed a cookout together. It was definitely a highlight for these boys.
 
The IBQ church always inspires—their prayer time together on Wednesday night, their unreserved, heart-felt singing, their dedication to come to church–walking, riding a Moped with several children perched on the back or in a sputtering public car.  One team shared a marriage conference with the IBQ couples and also a devotional time with the Moms while the children participated in VBS. Another group prepared a first-ever event for the families of IBQ church, complete with games, face-painting, competitions, hot dogs and an illustrated Bible lesson that impacted both young and old.
 
Collectively, participants shared, ”We saw the world as it really is in God’s sight. Fears of differentness, barriers of language, skin color and poverty melted away. Our service became a worship experience—building, delivering beds and food to needy families, singing, playing and dancing with children, teaching Bible stories or English lessons and joining our Dominican family in joyful praise.”
 
As a “newbie,” Clark McCormick, 15 years old, added her perspective, “I experienced life outside of the contemporary American bubble. Even though we can’t speak the same language, we have the same God. They are so passionate about their faith. Serving others pushed me out of my comfort zone, and has made me less afraid to reach out to others.”

After months of prayer, and four vision trips with staff and select pastors and leaders, Schulenberg Baptist Church became the first official STCH Ministries team to serve in El Salvador!

They traveled to El Riel and met pastor Anselmo. STCH Ministries had previously assisted them to put a roof, and later windows on their multi-purpose church building. The Schulenberg team used that resource to impact the surrounding community. As the pastor shared, “The church building has given us a higher level of credibility and influence in this poverty-bound community.”

The children waited expectantly for the group to arrive, waving from the upper level of the rugged terrain, and the welcome continued in the newly windowed church building with banners, balloons and songs. The atmosphere of joy and celebration continued through the week as the mission team participated in a uniquely STCH MINISTRIES-SALVADORAN ministry event with children, family and leaders.

The group built tables, held VBS classes and taught ESL during school hours. In the afternoons, families came down from the surrounding hills and formed fellowship circles with the group. “We bonded instantly. We weren’t ready for them to return home as we loaded them up with a generous bag of groceries!” One group trudged up hills and down, over and around creeks, to visit a child on the waiting list for sponsorship. It was a unique God appointment for sponsorship. Three additional children were also chosen for sponsorship.

The following day they celebrated a PUPUSA FELLOWSHIP. Some of the moms taught the team how to make the Salvadoran national dish—a thick flatbread made of corn masa, and stuffed with various fillings. What fun they enjoyed as they mashed the sticky dough, patted and slapped it into the right shape, then grilled them and ate together.

In the evenings Pastor Dave brought the message in two different churches. “The Spirit of God moved freely,” one participant reported. “We had great translators, but even in situations where there wasn’t a translator, we realized that language is never a barrier for God.”

STCH Ministries is grateful for this first joyful mission week in partnership with the Peniel network of churches. Our goal for 2024 is to host small teams of 10-15 participants, especially in the fall and spring of the year. Please pray with us about this opportunity, and let us know if your church would like to join in this mission opportunity.