The 2008 Mission to the Dominican Republic
This is the report for the TENTH Dominican Republic Mission Trip, which took place on February 29th
through March 9th, to San Pedro de Macoris. We are blessed to share with all of you the work of the team
as they brought Healing, Comfort, and Hope to some of the world’s poorest people, and we know that this
would not have been possible without your contributions, your prayers, your support, and your enthusiasm !
This year’s team, led spiritually by The Rev. Blair Biddle, Deacon Vicar of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church,
consisted of a 23 member medical team. To complement and work along side the medical team, one
person worked on a pure water project to bring education , and do hands-on work on an existing water
purification system already present in Buen Pastor. The medical team consisted of 2 MD’s, 1 CNP, 2 PA’s, 1
RPT, 5 RN’s, 1 Pharmacist, 3 Translators, a prayer team, and support persons ( ages 14 and up) who
traveled to the barrios (slums) of Gautier and Las Flores, and in and around the city of San Pedro de Macoris.
The Medical Team saw an average of 130-140 patients each day, treating a gamut of illnesses, including
skin rashes, ear/throat infections, high blood pressure, upper respiratory infections, major infections of
hands and feet, and “grippe" or flu. Twelve high powered hearing aids were delivered to children who had
waited since last year for hearing aids from a local school for deaf children in San Pedro de Macoris, and
several more were left in Buen Pastor.
However, the majority of illness continues to be caused by water borne intestinal parasites causing diarrhea,
which leads to severe dehydration, especially in infants, small children, and the elderly. The Pure Water
Team member saw patients in Gautier who suffered from water borne parasites, educating them about the
importance of clean water, and its role in prevention of sickness. They were also able to link up with
community leaders to arrange for further distribution of an inexpensive/simple water purification system.
We were able to talk to some patients who have been using the system since last year successfully. In Buen
Pastor, he was able to hook up and begin to run the filtration system that had been put into place by another
Church team, prior to our arrival.
Spiritual healing took place at the medical sites as each patient left the clinic being given the gift of a small
cross, and being anointed and blessed by our prayer team.
One of the most wonderful parts of the mission continues to be our opportunity to worship with our
Dominican brothers and sisters. Our clergy were invited to share in leading these worship services, along
side the Dominican clergy. The team was also inspired each morning by team members’ homilies,
reminding us that the most important aspect of the mission is our sharing of God’s Love, pure and simple,
by our smiles, hugs, and presence there.
The Dominican Republic Mission Team 2008 once again thanks you for your generous donations, your
support, and your prayers. This mission has continued to grow because of the support of so many in our
community and beyond !
It is truly one of our richest blessings to be able to share the greatest gift of all, God’s Love.
through March 9th, to San Pedro de Macoris. We are blessed to share with all of you the work of the team
as they brought Healing, Comfort, and Hope to some of the world’s poorest people, and we know that this
would not have been possible without your contributions, your prayers, your support, and your enthusiasm !
This year’s team, led spiritually by The Rev. Blair Biddle, Deacon Vicar of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church,
consisted of a 23 member medical team. To complement and work along side the medical team, one
person worked on a pure water project to bring education , and do hands-on work on an existing water
purification system already present in Buen Pastor. The medical team consisted of 2 MD’s, 1 CNP, 2 PA’s, 1
RPT, 5 RN’s, 1 Pharmacist, 3 Translators, a prayer team, and support persons ( ages 14 and up) who
traveled to the barrios (slums) of Gautier and Las Flores, and in and around the city of San Pedro de Macoris.
The Medical Team saw an average of 130-140 patients each day, treating a gamut of illnesses, including
skin rashes, ear/throat infections, high blood pressure, upper respiratory infections, major infections of
hands and feet, and “grippe" or flu. Twelve high powered hearing aids were delivered to children who had
waited since last year for hearing aids from a local school for deaf children in San Pedro de Macoris, and
several more were left in Buen Pastor.
However, the majority of illness continues to be caused by water borne intestinal parasites causing diarrhea,
which leads to severe dehydration, especially in infants, small children, and the elderly. The Pure Water
Team member saw patients in Gautier who suffered from water borne parasites, educating them about the
importance of clean water, and its role in prevention of sickness. They were also able to link up with
community leaders to arrange for further distribution of an inexpensive/simple water purification system.
We were able to talk to some patients who have been using the system since last year successfully. In Buen
Pastor, he was able to hook up and begin to run the filtration system that had been put into place by another
Church team, prior to our arrival.
Spiritual healing took place at the medical sites as each patient left the clinic being given the gift of a small
cross, and being anointed and blessed by our prayer team.
One of the most wonderful parts of the mission continues to be our opportunity to worship with our
Dominican brothers and sisters. Our clergy were invited to share in leading these worship services, along
side the Dominican clergy. The team was also inspired each morning by team members’ homilies,
reminding us that the most important aspect of the mission is our sharing of God’s Love, pure and simple,
by our smiles, hugs, and presence there.
The Dominican Republic Mission Team 2008 once again thanks you for your generous donations, your
support, and your prayers. This mission has continued to grow because of the support of so many in our
community and beyond !
It is truly one of our richest blessings to be able to share the greatest gift of all, God’s Love.
