Youths from Bethel AME Church of Morristown completing week in Dominican Republic

This week a youth group from Bethel AME Church of Morristown embarked on a Global Missions Trip to the Dominican Republic. The trip is the first of its kind for many of the young travelers, who range in age from 11 to 22.

The group is accompanied by the Rev. Sidney Williams, who “wants every child to have the same experience that my own children have had by living and being in another country, and for them to be changed by the experience.”  The Pastor’s wife, First Lady Teresa Williams, is also traveling with the youths.

One of the key objectives of this mission is to build relationships and life-long friendships within the Dominican Republic. The group’s itinerary, which begins and ends in Santo Domingo and includes stops in Borahana, Puerto Plata, and Samana, provides tremendous opportunities for fellowship and immersion in the diverse cultures of the country.

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While in Borahana, the group is working hand-in-hand with Dominican residents on a local community project. For this portion of the mission, the group partnered with the Foundation for Peace, a nonprofit organization dedicated to working in materially impoverished areas of the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Kenya.

In the months leading up to the trip, the young people prepared for the mission by absorbing as much as they could about Dominican history, culture, and language.

When asked what he hopes to gain from the experience, one traveler responded, “I am looking forward to being completely immersed in the Dominican culture and experiencing what life is truly like in another country. I want to come back with a greater appreciation for life both inside and outside of the United States.”

To learn more about Bethel AME Church of Morristown’s Global Missions and/or to lend financial support for future trips, please contact Rev. Williams or visit  www.bethelamechurchmorristown.org.