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1-03-2007 By MICHELLE MILLER Staff Writer The team will be traveling to Yaguita del Pastor, a barrio located near Santiago, and will be working at Igelsia Cristo Salvador. According to a press release sent by the church, Cristo Salvador is the second mission outpost that Christ Church has built in the Republica Dominicana. It is a two-story church that was started in 1994 and completed in 1996, and, according to the press release, the mission outpost is now used for church services, Sunday school, bible study, sewing classes for the community, quarterly medical care for the community, and as refuge for people in need during hurricanes and other natural disasters. Mike Page, one of the members of the mission team, said that Christ Episcopal Church has been sending mission teams to the Dominican Republic annually for different projects since 1993. He said missions are done to continue maintenance work on the two churches Christ Church built, as well as to help out churches the church did not help to build. The purpose of this year's mission trip is to transform part of the second story of Igelsia Cristo Salvador into a youth center and meeting place for the church and the community to use. Page said a lot of young kids partake in the mission trips, and his hope is for them to get a lot out of the trips. "There is nothing like seeing something first hand," said Page. "My hope is, when the young kids take these trips, it will plant a seed in their minds." Page said he believes the world has a need because there are a lot of poor people out there, and he hopes the students that go on missions will remember the time spent developing meaningful relationships with people and will continue to contribute to those less fortunate in the future. All money raised by the church and donations given to the church go directly to support the people of the Dominican Republic unless otherwise instructed, said Page. He said all airfare and trip costs are paid for out of pocket. Members of the mission team include Kelly Segit, Anna Snell, Lillien Tillapaugh, Claire Petroskey, Jonathan Birch, Drew Lierheimer, Peter Kearns, Frank Petroskey, Rick Jagels, Evan Jagles and Mike Page. The team is expected to return Jan. 14. For more information on future trips, contact Mike Page at 547-9555. According to Page, one does not have to be Episcopalian to take part in a mission. |
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