"There are not enough words to describe what God allowed me to witness . . . "

by Alexis Smith, Summerville, SC, Week 1

I needed a few days to process what my recent mission experience in the Dominican Republic truly meant.

So many people have asked me how my trip was, and honestly, I couldn’t find the words. Even now, I don’t think there are enough words to fully describe what God allowed me to witness.

Before this trip, I thought I was simply going to help people, to serve, share smiles, and come home. What I didn’t expect was how deeply the people of the DR would minister to me.

I have never experienced such overwhelming joy, gratitude, and unwavering faith as I did there. The laughter of the children, the smiles of their parents, the wisdom of the elders, and the kindness of every person we encountered revealed what true joy looks like. It wasn’t found in possessions or comfort. It was found in Christ.

We served families who didn’t know where their next meal would come from, who didn’t have enough room to sleep comfortably, or access to clean drinking water. We met patients whose lives were changed because they received care at exactly the right moment, before the unthinkable could have happened. Yet through every hardship, their faith remained steadfast.

This trip reminded me that missions aren’t just about changing someone else’s life, they’re about allowing God to change yours. I left a piece of my heart in the DR, and I came home with a deeper love for people, a greater gratitude for what I’ve been given, and an even stronger desire to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

Thank You, Lord, for letting me witness Your love in such a powerful way. The Dominican Republic will forever hold a special place in my heart.