Heading back to the Dominican Republic. Meet our February 2013 team!



The beautiful Dominican Republic

It is hard to believe that we are only one week away from traveling to the Dominican Republic. Five members of our team of twelve are making returning to the D.R. for the second time while the other seven members are getting ready to experience the beauty of the landscape and the Dominican people for the first time. We are all so excited for what God has in store for us and covet your prayers as we prepare our hearts for this journey.  Take a few moments to get to know each of the team members a little bit.

Chris Russell – Chris is the senior pastor of our church and is making his second trip to the D.R. He would like for everyone to believe that he is a rock, but he shed more than a few tears on the trip last year. Some little known facts about Chris include that he doesn’t know how to spell his middle name, he doesn’t chew his peas so he doesn’t have to taste them, and he is in love with the Dominican princesses that he and his wife Rachel, sponsor.

Rachel Russell – Rachel is a psychiatric nurse by profession and has had a heart for missions and people for as long as she can remember. Rachel is also returning to the Dominican Republic for the second time and can’t wait to hug her sponsored girls again. Rachel makes the world’s best cheesecake, gets violent when tickled and could win any belching contest you put her in.

Chris Wert – Chris is the organizational mastermind behind this trip and has spent many hours making sure all of the many details are taken care of. Chris is also a second time traveler to the DR and will be one of the team members that we have to force to come home at the end of the week. Those beautiful kiddos have her wrapped around their finger! Chris is slightly afraid of some of the mystery meat we may encounter so she will be mainly vegetarian on this trip. And you will never catch her eating a hot dog… no matter what country she is in!

Chris Bennett – Chris has been anticipating his return to the Dominican Republic since before he left the first time he was there. Chris was the local bicycle repairman on our last trip so we look forward to seeing what he can fix for the kiddos this time!

Joan Troyer – While Joan wasn’t with us on our trip last year this isn’t her first trip to the Dominican Republic. Several years ago (we won’t say how many) Joan was a part of the first service team out of Goshen College to serve in the DR. Joan is looking forward to meeting the kids enjoying some of the local cuisine.  In her free time Joan enjoys bike riding and participated in something called the Donut ride last year!

Lara van de Wal – Lara is the Dutch high school exchange student living with Chris and Rachel Russell this year. Lara has never been to the Dominican Republic but has been all over Europe. We plan to make Lara put her Spanish class skills to use to help us talk to the kiddos. Lara secretly loves the group One Direction (oops, did I let that one slip?) and has turned into a runner this year in hopes of being the first exchange student to ever come to America and not gain weight!

Bianca Golm – Bianca is the German high school exchange student living with Chris and Rachel Russell this year. Bianca (nicknamed “Angry German” even though she is anything but angry) is a first time DR traveler but obviously isn’t a stranger to being in a foreign country!  Bianca loves to have a good time and will sometimes have something we call “Bianca’s five minutes” where she can’t stop laughing.

Leona Martin – Leona has been looking forward to meeting her sponsored child on her first trip to the DR. We were afraid a knee injury would keep her from traveling but with God’s help and clearance from her doctor she is able to come!  In her free time Leona enjoys hanging out with the Wild Women of Waterford and being a grandma.

Rose Yoder – Rose has never been to the Dominican Republic before and is unsure she will survive the flight over the Bermuda Triangle. Rose has a big heart for mission work and also hopes to serve on a team to Ethiopia next year. Rose is also part of the Wild Women of Waterford. She spends her free time with her husband Merv, daughter Riley, and dogs (aka furry children) Sadie, PJ, and Laker.

Karen Green – Last year when Karen traveled to the DR she left little pieces of her heart there with every child she encountered. I think it is safe to say that she fell in love with the people and the country and can’t wait to return. Karen is the proud mother to ten children and has more grandchildren than we can count these days!

Neil Boston – Neil is a first time DR traveler, musician, and artist. Neil will be put to good work in the DR painting murals for the school and doing art projects with the kids. We are also looking forward to having him lead us and the kids in some singing and guitar playing. Neil is ecstatic that he will becoming a first time grandpa in just a few short months and can't wait to spoil his new granddaughter. Neil has been known to wear his wife’s jeans on occasion so ladies keep an eye on your pants.

Bobbie Miller – Bobbie contemplated going to the DR last year but wasn’t able to so we are looking forward to having her on our team this year. Bobbie is a little apprehensive about the flight so we will have to be careful letting her sit next to Rose on the plane! Bobbie is always good for fun and laughter and there is never a dull moment with her around.