1994 Miracle Yearbook

Students MinisterAround the World through MIS Volleyball team's first trip to Dominican Republic The sights, sounds, people and experi- ences of an MIS trip can impact lives for the cause of Christ,fora lifetime,and for eternity. Eleven volleyball players, one coach, and one interpreter traveled to Santiago,Domini- can Republic June 7-21, 1993. Leading the first volleyball mission team to come from Cedarville College meant trusting, prepara- tion, expectation, responsibility, excitement, anticipation and much more. Whata tremen- dous two weeks the Lord gave us. He has been a part of this trip from the start to the finish. Since returning,a day has notgone by without someone or something from the trip coming to mind. Upon arriving in the DR,we met the mis- sionaries, Rich, Bev, Richie, and Brittany Sparling, with whom we worked for the two weeks. They are fundamental Bible-believ- ing Christians using sports as their medium of spreading the gospel. Each one spoke fluent Spanish and it was neat to have the children translate for me. They could have served the Lord comfortably in the States but chose to be the ones tomake a difference abroad. During the first week we ministered in People of all ages watched as the team played volleyball and shared their testimonies in the Dominican Republic. three church services through testimony, songs,and skits and presented daily volley- ball clinics to children through college age. We also competed against area volleyball teams in the evening. An American volleyball team attracted much attention, with as many as a couple of hundred people showing up. Team members shared testimonies at the clinics and contests. The Dominicans ex- tended such hospitality and acceptance at these events by having a ceremony to give our team a plaque and tokens of remem- brance. The second week was spent at a camp site in Maimon with 35femalecampers. A girl named Manuelaaccepted Christas personal Savior. Theteam gave nine volleyball clinics during the course of the week and enjoyed morning and evening chapel and free time to nap,swim,chat, or write in their journals. There were many things God impressed upon me this trip. First of all, the Dominican people were so eager toreceive Christian literature and hearthe gospel,and they were eager to share or give whatever they had even though by our standards they have so little. Secondly, the unity this team experi- enced -- getting along together and willing ness to serve -- was a real testimony for the Lord. Thirdly, the missionaries expressed a deep love for the Lord which transferred to a desire to serve Him, the Dominican people and us. Finally, I am so thankful that I expe- riencefreedom in and because of Christ,and that I experience and enjoy freedom as an American citizen. We are indeed a blessed people. I must confess, there were a few things I really didn't like but got used to while there and they are cold showers, very large spi- ders, a chicken dish being served complete with feet, and the microscopic bugs that I neversaw,but kept biting useven though we wore"Deep Woods Off" like perfume. These things are so minor compared to the entire experience. For my first trip to a mission field, I could not have asked for a better experience. I am thankful that God chose to use me and the team in the DR. I am willing to return in the future to the DR or another mission field if the Lord so directs. 'Elaine Brown