Dominican Republic Surf & Serve

What an amazing surf and serve in the DR this year, check out the trip recap and recap video below!

February 28, a group of 12 of us arrived into the Dominican Republic. We had someone in every generation from ages 19-70. I feared the vast age gaps would make the struggle for closeness amongst us, due to our very different stages of life. I learned that community is so much more than people that are the same as you. That week in the DR we served at the Ninos de la Luz orphanage house. Our main task was manual labor around the property to repair and enhance. The jobs consisted of laying concrete, replacing roofing, de-tiling a bathroom, and chipping off old paint in a pool. Some of the tasks felt very tedious and could have been done much more efficiently with proper tools. However, I quickly learned we weren’t there for the easy route. We were there to struggle and sweat along side each other for the purpose of glorifying God. Our pain is His, and our strength is from Him. All we can give the Lord is our gratitude. We serve with grateful hearts and turn away from our grumblings.
At the local beach church, the pastor preached on the importance of gratitude. “Happy people aren’t always grateful, but grateful people are always happy” was a quote that stuck with me. The Lord blesses those who have hearts of gratitude for all he has done for us. He gave up his life for our gain and we must be grateful always, in everything we do, and all glory be to him. The trip changed my outlook on what it looks like to have a servant heart and brought me close to so many people that I otherwise would have never known. “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

-Avery Harper