At long last, we are set to return to the Dominican Republic with Mission of Hope next week. We were in the DR in 2019 because of the continuing danger in Haiti, which is still the sad case today. As we were returning from our trip 3 years ago, I included the following in my post trip reflection “I don’t know what next year holds, we’re all hoping to go back to Haiti. I’ll truly try to trust that next year we will be where we’re supposed to be. Just like we were where we were supposed to be this year.” Little did we or anyone else know, that thanks to Covid, the next two years we’d be nowhere, at least mission trip wise. As I’ve aged and grown in my faith, I’ve become increasingly aware that God has many lessons left to teach me. Mission work has a decidedly outward looking focus. We go to serve. As many of us know, we also go for what we personally experience, externally and internally. The last two plus years have given me an opportunity to look more inward at my own personal faith and relationship with God. I have done more praying, more spiritual reading and more general quiet time trying to listen. It has been good for me, but I’m also very excited to get back out in the mission fields. I know the rest of the St. Joes team is also raring to go. As we reconnect with old Mission of Hope friends and make loving connections with the folks we serve and serve with, I am confident that God has it all worked out and is placing us where we need to be and when we need to be there. We are grateful to the St. Joseph community and our family and friends for all the prayers and support as we prepare to embark once again to ‘spread the word, spreading seeds of joy and peace in hearts.” Dave Berg
