Overview of 2008 Dominican Republic Summer Mission Trips
Overview
These mission trips are multifaceted ministries focused on building relationships with the Dominicans, Haitians, and/or Kenyans and their communities, by working hand in hand with the local church on construction projects and the provision of free medical care and educational programs, regardless of race, religion, gender or socioeconomic status.
Foundation for Peace (FFP) Leadership
Since 1989, Ken Culver, M.D. and Cindy Alloway RN, MDiv. have been leading trips to serve the needy in the Dominican Republic (DR), Haiti and Kenya. In 2002, the Foundation for Peace was founded by Ken and Cindy in partnership with Pastors Alberto and Rosalina Martinez and Jeff and Joy Spragens of Washington D.C.. The individual mission teams are organized in the US by experienced men and women from a variety of churches and universities (see table on the back of this sheet). Trips are coordinated in the Dominican Republic and Haiti by Greg Penza, Kristin Hamner and Ruth Jensen, North American missionaries living in Santo Domingo. Our trips to Kenya are conduced in partnership with African Enterprise and co-organized by Eryn Fredrick, a North American missionary serving in Nairobi.
Who Should Participate and What Skills Are Needed?
For those participating in church-organized mission trips, people who want to participate in sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ and serving those in need are welcome, regardless of denomination. Beyond that, all people who have a desire to serve those in need with love have a place on one of our mission, medical or nursing teams. No particular physical, mental or language skills are required for our trips. The heat and "third world" conditions may preclude participation by those with certain health conditions. Please consult your physician if you are concerned (a physician's approval is required for those over 65 years with chronic diseases such as diabetes). Single and married adults, families, teenagers, and children accompanied by their parents are welcome. During 2007, mission team members totaling 551 people worked in the DR (488), Haiti (48) and Kenya (15). These groups were composed of participants ranging in age from 6-74 with many family groups. Participants came from 20 states plus the District of Columbia.
Pre-trip Preparation for 2008
Beginning in January 2008, organizational meetings will be scheduled in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Washington DC. The goal is to have the mission team members finalized by March 2008 so that the spring can be utilized for team building, preparation and fundraising. Most teams have at least one meeting per month to prepare for these very exciting, life-changing mission trips. Now is the time to begin praying about your involvement with this trip. Letters to friends and relatives requesting prayer support and fundraising assistance should begin as soon as possible after completion of the online application and submission of the non-refundable deposit ( $250 for DR and Haiti trips and $350 for Kenya).
Application process and costs
Interested persons should apply online at www.foundationforpeace.org. Once a completed on-line application has been received, you will receive an email with additional instructions. For questions, please contact Ken Culver at ken@foundationforpeace.org or by calling 973-813-6122. The in-country cost of the trips to the DR and Haiti is $1,050 per person plus airfare and for Kenya is $1,500 plus airfare (frequent flier miles can be used). The in-country fee for all trips covers transportation, lodging and meals, construction supplies, medicines and educational materials. Please sign-up up soon and send in your deposit, space is limited for many of the trips.
Trip dates, in-country lodging locations and pre-trip training locations
| Mission Trips to the Dominican Republic and Haiti* | |||
| Trip Dates | Number | Lodging Location | Team Preparation Location |
| July 9 - July 18 | 3B | Ensanche Quisqueya | Woodstown Presbyterian Church (Woodstown, NJ) Leader: Laurie Miles |
| July 9 - July 18 | 3C | Pedernales/Anse-a-pitre | Praise Presbyterian Church (Somerset, NJ) Leader: Huascar Kim |
| July 9 - July 18 | 3D | San Pedro de Macoris | First Presbyterian Church (Bradenton, FL) Leaders: Pastor Mark and Stacey Jernigan |
| July 9 - July 18 | 3E | Villa Mella | College Hill Presbyterian Church (Easton, PA), Pilgrim Presbyterian Church (Phillipsburg, PA) and Westfield High School-Project 79 (Westfield, NJ) Leaders: Pastor Mihee Kim-Kort, Pastor Andy Kort and Peter Horn |
| July 23 - August 1 | 4A | Barahona | National Presbyterian Church Youth Group (Washington D.C.) Leader: Mitch Gore |
| July 23 - August 1 | 4B | Ensanche Quisqueya (Worksite: Zumbon) | Presbyterian Church in Morristown (Morristown, NJ) Leader: Ken Culver |
| July 23 - August 1 | 4E | Villa Mella | Long Valley Presbyterian Church (Long Valley, NJ) Leader: Pastor Aaron Nagel |
| August 6 - August 15 | 5C | Pedernales/Anse-a-pitre | United Presbyterian Church (Flanders, NJ) Leader: Wendy Patchin Buttner |
| October 8 - October 13 | - | Barahona | University of Memphis College of Nursing (Memphis, TN) Leader: Lawrette Axley |
| Mission Trip to Kenya | |||
| Trip Dates | Number | Lodging Location | Team Preparation Location |