I will never be the same again…nunca seremos los mismos! Words we love to hear in any language. Changing lives for God’s glory…changing lives to enable them to fulfill their potential…empowering others to become Light-bearers for their families, communities, and the world.

For over 10 years we have ministered to children and their families in the Dominican Republic—in orphanages, schools, churches and through our Samuel’s Fund sponsorship program. Most of these children have suffered trauma during critical stages of their development due to abandonment, hunger, and abuse in many forms. With limited knowledge and virtually no available training, the staff at orphanages, teachers in the local schools, and children’s caregivers struggle to handle the behavioral symptoms of this trauma. They work tirelessly to love the unlovable, set appropriate limits, heal wounds, and meet need.

After searching for some time, last fall God led us to find a training course, Trauma Competent Caregivers. Amazingly, certified facilitators offered this training in Spanish in April, 2018 in two different locations in the Dominican Republic. STCH Ministries sponsored a total of 33 staff members, teachers, and caregivers from the local community to attend. Additionally, our Dominican STCH staff stepped up, volunteered their time, and traveled to Santiago, spending two nights and two full days caring for those children, so that 18 caregivers could be trained.

Some of the comments we have received:

Janibel: “I learned to have empathy for the abuse that children have suffered, how to understand them better…the importance of listening to them, and even playing with them.”

Ruth Ester: “I learned the importance of three things for children—security, sense of permanency, meeting their needs for well-being.”

Alejandra: “I have better tools for disciplining children in my home, responding according to the occasion and the behavior. This will help me to better connect, empower, and correct their behavior.

Valentina Flores, one of our own STCH Ministries team members, summed up the experience for everyone, “In reality, the knowledge we received has impacted the lives of each of us, and we will never be the same again! Now that we learned about different temperaments, how to calm them, meet their needs and identify trauma, we will not see children as we did before.

You and I are the blessed ones, the ones God has entrusted with the privilege of caring for children, counseling for broken lives and marriages, teaching truths from God’s Word that can set people free. And we are blessed 100 times more to share these ministries with you–volunteers, churches, mission trip participants, and sponsors.

Anxiety is a common malady that affects many in our modern world, and Christians are not excluded. Some may assume that anxiety is a “sign” from God that there is something wrong, plans needs to be changed, or we need to stop activities that cause anxiety. Possibly for others anxiety is sinful, and causes guilt, because the Bible clearly states, “Be anxious for nothing.”

In our American world control is paramount. We have a security-driven mind set. The unknown creates a high level of anxiety. Our cure for anxiety often pushes us to focus on every detail, minimize the unknown, eliminate risk, prevent every unforeseen possibility, or stop all anxiety producing activities. On this mission trip, God had a different and better plan to deal with anxiety.

The recent Yorktown Baptist Dental and Medical trip was fertile ground for anxiety on several levels. The first morning they were challenged by the story of the eagle chicks, and mother eagle who pushed them out of the nest. While they flapped their wings frantically in terror, she swooped under them and lifted them back to the safety of the nest. After a few repetitions, the eagles gained strength and flew confidently on their own. They were assured that the same God who designed the eagles would also accompany their endeavors, and would never let them fall beyond His ability to sustain them.

One participant shared, “I was anxious about my husband’s health, so I signed up to support him.” An experienced nurse was anxious about the preparation and organization of a new-to-her ministry. Several had fears about the language barrier. Debbie Craver, who led the group, experienced anxiety at multiple junctures—would the team be cohesive? Would there be enough medicines? Would 30 pieces of checked luggage, which were filled with supplies, arrive on time? Dr. Francisco also battled anxiety as he spent hours answering questions, and emails of concern. He spent more hours organizing translators, purchasing supplies, making preparations for multiple sites, and planning for concurrent medical, opthomology, and dental clinics.

The results? Debbie said, “I learned that I only needed to do my part, and God took care of all the rest!”

God showed up for another participant with a mysterious note that said, “God will be with you and He will use you.”

For another, God confirmed His presence in spite of limited Spanish through prayer with a 13-year-old pregnant child.

Anxiety—an opportunity to overcome fear, to step out in Abraham-like faith who left his country, “not knowing whither he went,” as the Bible records. Anxiety can become an opportunity for obedience—to stretch outside of our comfort zones, to forget about ourselves as we focus on the needs of others in blessing them through actions of compassion. Anxiety requires a decision to use wisdom and to prepare diligently. It ultimately requires faith to step out into the unknown, the un-controllable.

“I learned that God expects me to do my part, and then relax, de-stress, and watch Him work,” Debbie stated.

Over 800 patients were treated in the clinics. Through diligent preparations, and faith to follow God’s leading, anxiety was overcome. “We learned that we can always depend on God—He will always show up, and He will never be late.” Is it possible that anxiety can become the doorway to a deeper relationship, a life of obedience and the kind of faith that overcomes fears?

For almost 5 years, John Gilbert, Headmaster of Yorktown Christian Academy, dreamed and worked towards getting students and families involved in missions. He desired to help them see the needs of the world around them—both locally and internationally. John’s ultimate goal was to make YCA not only an excellent academic preparatory school, but also make the school a CALLING preparatory school.

“I want each student to discover and develop their unique gifts in order to fulfill the callingGod has for each of them,” he explained.

“Thank God for STCH Ministries family trips! Families serving together has had the greatest impact on both children and the entire family,” John stated at the end of their second annual mission trip.

Last week YCA took all of the eighth graders along with at least one parent from each family to the Dominican Republic. They ministered to children in both schools and orphanages. They taught English, performed skits, delivered groceries to needy families. They also built stools for the computer lab—sawing, screwing, sanding, painting—although most of them had never constructed anything before. During their orphanage visit, they shared manicures with the girls, played games with the boys, and the YCA moms shared a special mom-to-mom time with the housemoms.

Language was never a barrier, although it gave students a chance to use even the limited vocabulary they had learned in school. One student reported towards the end of the week, “You know, the faces are so different, but the trials and the difficulties are the same, even the way we can get close to God.” And others reported, “I have learned to appreciate what I have at home.”

As far as the total impact on the eighth graders, many of them challenged themselves, overcoming their shyness and overcoming the egocentricity that is often ingrained in children. Most enjoyed every moment.

A parent summed up the impact of the week in this way, “During our stay I learned about another culture, I saw people with another skin color. I heard people with another way to speak. But you know, that is just what we can see with our eyes. When you open your heart, you don’t see or you don’t hear that anymore. I saw my brother and my sister. This trip changed my life deeply. I know now I would like to serve God in the way He wants.”

Mission accomplished! Each trip is unique. But on each trip, God speaks in a special way and has the opportunity to change our lives. Life, after all, is just a blink. Making it count—for the benefit of our loved ones, our communities, and ultimately for eternity—is what makes A LIFE WORTH LIVING.