Students Discover a
Learning, Ministry and Life in the
More than 20 Bethel students and the director of semester
abroad programs, Brenton Reimer (’93), participated in an
immersion experience of community, ministry and Hispanic
community with the locals. “Apart from a few nights, [students] lived
culture in the small, mountainous city of Jarabacoa, Dominican
in very modest accommodations,” says Reimer. “Most homes were not
jamie bulgrien working with
a student in El Callejon.
Bethel students lived, studied and worked as a team — and in Republic
dirty, but not sealed off from the elements and
(DR.) Living
bugs. Most students had a chance to
with host live in middle-class homes that were
families,
nicer with tiled floors and painted
Bethel concrete walls [and also] stayed
students dove
with poor families whose water and
into daily
electricity would work about 65 per-
living with
cent of the time, so they got used to
Dominican
candlelight and bucket showers.”
residents,
Colonial era
mission bells in
Santo Domingo,
Dominican
Republic
Dominican Living & Ministry
The first five weeks of the trip were
while advancing in the Spanish language through classes.
an intense Spanish study, then a week of
“Everyone came back much further ahead than if they had
seeing the island as part of the Cultures
taken the equivalent courses on campus,” says Dr. Stump, and Civilizations course taught to all
vice president for academic services.
students. This was followed by eight
“Every student took at least
weeks of hands-on ministry at different
six hours of Spanish,” continues
sites through different venues, including
Stump. “For those who had no
Spanish going in, it fulfilled the
general education requirement.
For those who had some
Spanish already, they
were placed in
appropriate
levels.” The beth
el study
abroad gr
in front
oup
of the Pr
esid
Palace in
Santo Do ential
minigo,
dominican
republic.
preschool classes, medical clinics and art classes.
“Each ministry site was different and
there were several opportunities to use
language skills and build relationships in
the community,” emphasized Reimer.
In addition, their partnership with
Students International (SI), helped
guide Bethel students and Dominican
locals in organized Bible studies and fellowship. “Through the testimony of the people there and the work of SI we could see the Holy Spirit
at work,” reflects junior Shelby Morrow.
Whole New World
Dominican Republic
Personal Perspectives
Morrow’s choice to study in the DR will require a delayed gradua-
tion from the nursing program, but she felt it was well worth the sacrifice. Much of her time was spent ministering to people through nursing
practices. She helped care for Bethel team
members while they were sick. Plus
Morrow had “the incredible opportunity to observe surgeries,
administer vaccinations and
Kristin Pe
rsonette
helping o
a studen
mar,
t at geni
sis schoo
l.
gain an understanding of
rich
ison ging
orrow, Al
in
Shelby m
nningham
cu
a
ic
or.
on
ct
and m
on’s do
with Alis
santiago
what it is to be a physician
in the Dominican Republic.”
Junior Miranda Martin,
also a nursing major, got to
serve in the medical field
as well. Some of her fondest
memories came though personal growth and challenges. “You are with a bunch of people
you don’t know and who don’t speak
your language, and you are very far
from your family and friends. God is all you have to turn to.” As well as the cultural splendor: “You are Melody Mierau with a student
at the school in mata gorda.
surrounded by God’s beauty in the scenery everywhere you look. You can see mountains everywhere.”
Visit www.BethelCollege.edu/
academics/overseas to view the video. You’ll also learn more about Bethel’s study abroad opportunities.
— Renee Gulledge
summer 2008
17