Our For the Widow team recently returned from an amazing trip to visit our widows, conduct multiple Bible studies for women and children, and go into the communities to share the Gospel with individuals and families. We had an incredible group of 22 people, including 15 teenagers, join us and it was truly a time of service, relationship-building, and ministering to those in need.
Oftentimes, when a group that large travels together it can be difficult to bond as a group and to make it through without complaints and disagreements. But, this team was focused on the mission and saw the Lord work in some mighty ways. We visited our widows in all 10 of the communities we serve and also hosted all but 4 of them at the mission house for a day of worship, laughter, and fellowship. Continue reading to see some of our trip highlights!
Impact:
- 29 widows served in 10 communities
- 158 women attended Bible Study
- 275+ children attended kid’s Bible study
- 4 new believers put their faith in Jesus
- 850 pounds of rice and beans given out
- Countless Gospel seeds were planted that our team will return to water again and again
Being Born Again:
One of the biggest challenges when sharing the Gospel in Barahona is that many of the people there believe in a works-based salvation. We often hear stories from people about how they feel like they have to keep being more religious and doing more “stuff” to earn salvation. You can hear the exhaustion in their voices as they miss the single most important part of the Gospel: Jesus is enough.
With that in mind, our focus during the women’s and children’s Bible studies was on the story of Nicodemus and the idea of being born again. We have found as we continue to work in these communities that a visual example of demonstration is often the best way to connect the message of the Bible study.
For the women’s Bible study, we used a chair to represent Jesus. We showed the women how when you are counting on your own good works for salvation, it’s like carrying that chair around all the time hoping that you are good enough because it takes Jesus + You to be accepted by God. Instead, Jesus came to free us from that and offers new life and salvation through faith in him as a gift of grace. We can rest in the “chair” with confidence because of what He did for us.
For the children’s Bible Study, our group of teenagers performed a skit showing the new life that comes as a caterpillar becomes a butterfly as a representation of the new life that comes when we are born again through Jesus Christ. Our students did a fantastic job engaging the kids with the message and then spending time with them to show the love of Christ.
This is Family:
In what has now become a regular tradition, we brought 25 of our 29 widows together at the mission house for an afternoon of food, fun, and fellowship. It’s truly awe-inspiring to think of how less than a year ago we were serving 12 widows and to now see the growth of our Family a few short months later. This time together is so meaningful as we see widows who have never met, despite living just a few miles from each other, spend time singing, playing games, and getting to know each other on a deeper level.
It’s a great reminder of the things we take for granted, but also a great inspiration as we seek to build our own mission house so that they can be together more often and grow in their relationships with each other and the Lord.
The Mission Team's Impressions:
Reed Short “Throughout this week there were a great many things that not only impacted the way I see the world, but also my spiritual life. One of the biggest things that impacted me was seeing everything the people in the communities were going through but how they still had smiles on their faces and joy in their hearts. It helps me remember to have joy and look to God in all times, not just when things are good or bad. God also taught me to listen more and trust in him, even when I don’t have the words to say.”
Donnelle Cuellar “Serving with my family was an amazing experience! I saw God working in so many ways – lives saved, seeds planted, eyes of hope, open hearts. Meeting Carmen who we help sponsor and the immediate connection we had was something I know God planned. Wow! Immediately felt like a real family.
The biggest impact of this trip was the reminder of the bigger world we live in and are called to be a part of.”
Jeremy Cuellar “This trip impacted me by reminding me of what we are called to do, how easy it is, and how much joy there is to experience while doing it. God helped me recognize that for whatever reason, I’ve been given more opportunities than others in this world and we are called to care for those in need, share the Gospel, and use all of the gifts he has given us to reach others.
As I served in one particular community, I realized that those widows and kids will spend their whole lives without seeing what lies outside of that area and will never experience the comforts and lifestyle that we enjoy. That is why we are called to go to them.“
Calvin Spigener “Seeing the Gospel reach the minds of people of all ages. Men and women, boys and girls, from ages 2-100 heard the Gospel and it did not go without thought in anyone. Because simply the most important thing for everyone is what they do with Jesus. Seeing the helpless be empowered because they have a real relationship with Jesus Christ is the best reason to go on these trips.”
Dani Grena “TYJ for this mission trip opportunity! There wasn’t a single day I didn’t enjoy. Yes, I might have been tired and hot but nothing could take away the joy I was feeling while being with the widows, evangelizing, or just being in the community with the children. It felt incredible to be the hands and feet in which the Lord could work through. What made it even better was being surrounded by amazing teenagers who share the same values and beliefs as you. Together we were able to become best of friends and help lift each other up along the way. This mission trip changed my life!”
Ready to join us for a trip?
If you’d like to make an impact for the widows in the Dominican Republic, our next trip will be November 15-22, 2025. We would love for you to join us! To learn more and sign-up, visit https://forthewidow.org/mission-trips/november-15-22-2025/.
