Day 6: 2026 Dominican Republic
Revealing his kingdom
Today was our last day in the DR! Our 30-minute bus ride to Cielo was spent in prayer as we invited God's Spirit to be with us and go before us in everything we will do and everyone we will met. When we arrived in Cielo, we visited the Nazaret School, an elementary school down the street from the Mission founded by Javier and Rosario de la Cruz. Rosario explained that when they came to this community, children were wandering the streets, lacking basic services like running water, and there was no infrastructure at all.
The first year the school started, 23 students attended in one room. The school grew quickly and the need to expand became obvious. Groups from the United States came to help build additional classrooms. Javier and Rosario are quick to remember God's mercy. He provided in every way and faithfully supplied every need! They have been especially grateful for the scholarship program Mission Emanuel offers to children. The partnership between the scholarship program and the Nazaret school has graduated students who went on to become doctors, engineers, lawyers, and impactful professionals.
Later in the afternoon, part of our group went to visit a family and pray with them. On the way there, the paved road turned into a winding footpath covered in trash. We learned that 30 years ago, the entire area was like this—completely off the grid and nearly impossible to access. As Mission Emanuel invested in this community through the medical clinic, water treatment plant, school and scholarship programs, community center gym, women's co-op, and day-to-day relationships, their presence transformed the community through the love of God and long-term faithfulness. Their mission is “to go a mile deep and an inch wide,” pouring into small geographic areas with intentionality and care.
During our final evening reflection, God's mercy was evident! In his kindness, he revealed glimpses of his active work in Cielo today. Every food delivery and blessing bag was received with gratitude, and many shared that they had run out of food the night before and didn't know where their next meal would come from. It was God's perfect timing!
A 90-year-old woman in hospice had every need met by her neighbor, and the kingdom of God poured into her small home as we prayed over her. The medical clinic received unexpected patients because members of our group built relationships and walked them down to receive care. We witnessed people huddled together in quiet prayer sharing stories, and it was clear God needed to be invited into their conversations. In moments where deeper needs were uncovered, he was welcomed into real and personal situations.
Five years ago, a beautiful family’s home began construction. In their humility and patience, they waited. This week, paint went up on the walls, and their home was dedicated and prayed over. They will move in their furniture this weekend! We could go on and on—it feels as if God has pulled back the curtain just enough for us to see a small part of what he is doing here.
Our group has been deeply impacted by this experience. The biggest takeaway from this trip has been the reality of God’s presence. That may sound simple, but it is something we experienced in a profound way. We can’t fully put it into words, but if you ask any of us, we would all say that God is moving: both in big, visible ways, and in quiet, unseen ones. The students, the prayers, the food deliveries, our translators, the church in Cielo, the daily evangelism, the schools, the Mission, and all of its ripple effects are overwhelming because of the countless ways God is loving and caring for his people.
There is real poverty, hardship, and injustice here, and yet the Gospel is present and active. These people are not forgotten, and neither are we. Through the struggles we witnessed, we were reminded that faith is not only possible—it is essential. While our lives may look very different from the lives of those we met this week, our dependence on the Lord should be the same. Without him, we lack the joy we see so clearly in this community. When we begin to rely on ourselves, our resources, or our abilities, we miss the opportunity to see and join in what God is doing.
Thank you so much for being such an important part of this week with us! Thank you for your prayers and for reading these updates. Please ask any of us about our experiences; we would love to share more. Our hope is not only that we would remember what we experienced, but that it would encourage you in what God can do!
HOw we saw god at work today:
God’s provision: Evident in his perfect timing, many families received food just as they had run out the night before
His faithfulness: Through long-term impact, especially in the Nazaret School and the lives of students who are now professionals
The transformation of Cielo: The community showed how God works through consistent, faithful presence and investment
Moments of prayer: Revealing deeper needs, and witnessing God meeting people personally and powerfully
A long-awaited home: A faithful family’s home was completed and dedicated this week, a tangible reminder of God’s provision and timing
God’s presence: Felt daily, both in big, visible ways and in quiet, unseen moments
prayer requests:
Safe and smooth travel as the team returns home today
That what God taught and revealed during this trip would continue to take root in each person’s life
Continued provision and strength for Mission Emanuel, Javier, Rosario, and the Cielo community
Ongoing spiritual growth and faith for individuals and families we met
That we would remain dependent on the Lord and responsive to how he is calling us to live differently after this experience