Front: Dan Jasper, John Merritt, Hannah Zurn. Back: Nathan Van Zuiden, Laura Sharer, Hannah Smith, Ms. Taylor.Unity Christian Senior's Go to the Dominican Republic For a 10 day Medical Mission Trip

By Laura Readdy

What do you get when you mix faith in Christ, 10 days away, 6 seniors, 1 young teacher, the Diocese of Quincy, IL, and a poor country in need?

A Medical Mission trip to the Dominican Republic. 

6 senior students; 3 young men and 3 young ladies prepare to go on a missions trip of a lifetime to the Dominican Republic along with Ms. Abbie Taylor, Unity's new English and Elementary P.E. teacher and Greg Jasper, father of Dan Jasper. The Diocese of Quincy, IL and St. Luke's Parish from Newtown, Pennsylvania are sponsoring this trip. The young men and ladies from Unity will be part of a group of 49 participants: 13 from the mid-west, 32 from the Philadelphia area and 4 other people from the Quad cities affiliated with the Episcopal church, who heard about the trip.

 They will be working under the auspices of the Episcopal Church of the Dominican Republic and with Father Ramon Torres, priest of the Parish of St. Mary the Virgin, Montellano, and Puerto Plata. (They are going staying on the north shore of the Dominican Republic, on the Atlantic Ocean.) Montellano is a small city of about 20,000, including Haitian immigrants. Puerto Plata is a large city a few miles away.

 This afternoon, while we sat in the computer room and enjoyed our hot lunches, we were reminded of how blessed we are to live here in the United States and enjoy the overwhelming abundance we have. "We're all so very blessed to have a Christian education, so it's kind of our duty to give something back" said Hannah Zurn, one of the seniors. "I think it will be a real eye-opening experience and I think it will make us feel much more appreciation for the blessings we have", said Laura Sharer. "I think it will be a great experience"- John Merritt. With John, I wasn't sure he was serious or not, but he really meant it. "It's a 3rd world country, and there will be a lot of very different sights and experiences we will have while we are there", stated Dan Jasper another of the senior young men. Then he added "Dude, They're gonna be good at soccer!" and John said "We'll just have to show them up! Not!" Hannah Smith said, "I've never been out of the country and I want to go into nursing, so I think this will be a great experience." 

"I want to go to a different country and see how other people live," said Nate Van Zuiden. He added along with Hannah Smith, "I've never been on a plane before!" They expressed normal fears of losing their luggage, getting malaria, getting robbed or mugged- "the usual stuff". Dan Jasper then told us a bit about his trip to Africa on a mission trip. He said "the people in the D.R. will be much more advanced compared to the African people I was with. They are still very poor and have a lot of needs, so I'm glad we can go and do something to help."

 I asked them what they have done to prepare for this huge undertaking. The girls said together- "Shopping!" and then Ms. Taylor said, "We had to get shots, all except for Dan who already had them, and take pills." John Merritt said "We had to get passports and have several fundraisers. I am bringing the shirt off my back to give away and I am planning on giving other clothing away too." Then Ms. Taylor said, "I did some investigating of the culture and I have been praying and reading to get into the mindset of being Christ-like. Giving to the poor was pretty important to Him and that make's it important to me and to all of us."

What will you be doing when you get there? "We're staying at a resort style hotel where it is pretty safe. But each morning we will get up early and go out to the clinics where we will be helping the doctors and nurses take pulses, blood pressure, playing with the kids while their parents are being treated, or trying to entertain some sick children who are being treated", said Ms. Taylor. "We have bought some toys and things to give away, like suckers, coloring books and soccer balls", she continued. "I even got some Dora the Explorer toys that have Spanish writing on them", said Laura Sharer.  "Most people will not speak English there, but there will be an interpreter on hand. We will be going to a different medical clinic each day in the surrounding area." said Ms. Taylor. For the most part, they will be working very hard treating the physical and spiritual needs of the poverty stricken people of a very poor country." as stated in the paperwork provided by the Diocese of Quincy. "We will have some time for fun too," said Ms. Taylor, "We will go to the beach and do a bit of sight seeing to San Sua, but that is not our main focus." "It's an entirely different world down there. Those kids are going to see difficult things they never imagined" said Greg Jasper. Mr. Jasper has been on 16 mission trips, 5 of which were in the Dominican Republic so he is very knowledgeable about the area and what to expect.

 Their journey began Wednesday morning, January 24th at 1:00 am when they left Unity Christian High School with a prayer send-off before leaving for their flight to Miami out of Chicago's O?hare Airport.  There was a big send off on Tuesday afternoon at the Unity Christian High School. Emotions were high and there were hugs all around. We wish the seniors, Ms. Taylor, Mr. Jasper and all of the mission team an adventure to remember blessed by the grace of God and the ability to give grace to others in need.