Pre-trip Information
Sharing the love of Christ by meeting the needs of His people
Here is some valuable information for your group to know before arriving in the Dominican Republic. If you have any questions about anything, please feel free to ask us!
This was the smoothest running mission trip I have been on to date.
--William, Tennessee Wesleyan College Chaplain
It is unlikely to see Dominicans out and about wearing shorts. It's ok to wear shorts to the work-site though (ladies please not too short, knee length preferably--Dominicans expect Christians to dress more modestly).
If you see a child and want to give them a piece of candy, please don't. That child will most likely go running off afterwards and tell it's friends about the candy and then you may be bombarded with 100 kids wanting candy. If you would like to give someone something, please leave it with us so the pastor can take care of it for you.
Please don't drink the water. Even Dominicans don't drink the water here. The water is ok to shower and brush your teeth with but don't swallow it. You will be provided with bottled water for drinking water. If you are at a restaurant ice should be ok (you know it's ok if it has a whole in it).
Please throw toilet paper in the trash can, not the toilet.
Don't share a bag of trail mix or other type of snack by letting everyone reach inside. Pour it in hands instead (great way to stay healthy!!).
Expect to wait. Time takes on a new meaning in Dominican culture.
Expect to hear lots of music, motorcycles, honking horns, car alarms, roosters crowing, dogs barking, etc. The D.R. is a noisy country.
Expect power outages, water losses, cold showers, camp-style bunk beds, lots of bugs - mosquitoes, flies, no-see-ums, cockroaches, etc.
Plan to guard your belongings with greater vigilance. This is not to say many people are thieves, but this a very needy country and so - Be Wise!
Use hand sanitizer before every meal. But please don't use it immediately after shaking someone's hand.
When sharing snacks, please don't reach your hand into the bag. Pour into your hand instead. This will help lessen the amount of germs spread.
Prepare to be flexible and your mission will be a success. Nothing goes 100% according to plan, but it does go according to God's plan.
Expect God and nothing more.