givingthanks
​village church’s annual international mission trip

Want to change your life in ways that you cannot even imagine? Join us on our 2nd annual Givingthanks in the DR, Village Church’s all ages mission trip to the Dominican Republic with Rev. Sally Wright. This trip provides a life-changing opportunity to step outside of your comfort zone and experience the amazing beauty of God’s work in places where he/she is needed the most. Service activities include helping our Dominican partner organization, Fundacion Enciende Una Luz (Light A Candle Foundation or “LAC”), with health fair activities in batey sugarcane communities and assisting with construction at LAC’s Community Health Center.

COVID 

ALL TRIP PARTICIPANTS MUST:
  • BE FULLY VACCINATED FOR COVID
  • TAKE A COVID PCR TEST FOUR DAYS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE ​
  • TAKE A PCR TEST PRIOR TO RETURNING TO THE US
Safety is our number one concern so we are tracking CDC guidelines and keeping in close communication with our Dominican healthcare partners at Fundación Enciende Una Luz (Light A Candle Foundation or "LAC"). Click here to review the CDC COVID guidelines on the DR.

Trip Info

from past participants

​​“A life changing experience that I will cherish the rest of my life. The people in the Dominican Republic and VPC team were all truly amazing. Don't give it a second thought! Just go!”

“Smiles, love, tired, long-time-coming hot water for showers. Losing the folder with my money because I forgot what it looked like. Lovely food prepared for us. Fun beach time. Horrific-early time to the airport. Village young people very dedicated and helpful. Bateys – so poor, no paved roads, bare feet.”

“I really enjoyed interacting with the Dominican people and learning about their way of life. Being in the bateys for four days gave me a first-hand view of the daily tasks and challenges of the sugar cane workers and their families.”
“Don’t think about why you can’t – just go on Givingthanks and experience the people and culture of the Dominican Republic. We learned so much about generosity and hospitality from our Dominican partner organization, Fundación Enciende Una Luz (Light A Candle), and the people we met in the bateys. Regardless of your background, education or age, this trip has something for everyone. I promise this trip will change your life!”

“The Givingthanks trip was one of the best trips I have ever been on. We did so much in five days! Because I had already gone on two Youth Spring Break trips to the DR, I loved getting to see my Dominican friends again and to grow closer with the VPC people on the trip. Everybody needs to go on this trip. It does not matter who you are, this trip will change you.”
Lora Garrison
Director of International Mission
913-671-2390
Email