CORNERSTONE_2017_web

CLOSINGTHOUGHTS
A ’Pleasure to Serve’
By Gabby Pyles
Class of 2019
“The King will reply, ’Truly I tell you, whatever you did
for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of
mine, you did for me.’” Matthew 25:40.
During the week of July 4-11, I had the privilege to
travel with a mission team from LWC to the Dominican
Republic. Assistant Professor of Religion David Calhoun
arranged the mission trip with Go Ministries, a Christian
organization based out of Louisville, Ky., that partners with
churches, businesses, and individuals to serve thousands of
people a year in the Dominican Republic – as well as the
people of Haiti, Mongolia and urban America.
Traveling to the Dominican Republic was the first time I
left the country. I tried to prepare myself for what I was
about to experience. However, I never imagined the magnificence
and beauty of the island or the way God would
work in my heart through the incredible people of the Dominican
Republic.
Each morning, we served at a different ministry. One
morning, we went to a place called “The Hole.” It is exactly
as it sounds. A huge landfill the government did not
want anymore, so they opened it to whoever wanted or
needed to move there. The people of the Dominican Republic
used whatever trash they could find to build huts to live
in. The poverty we witnessed was unspeakable. But it was
through the children living in “The Hole” that God’s love
and faithfulness was revealed in a mighty way. As soon as
we arrived, the kids ran to our team – instantly trusting us
and wanting our attention. They wouldn’t leave our sides.
And I realized this is how God wants us to trust him – fully
and completely – like these little children.
My passion has always been to work with children. So
what a blessing it was for me when our week in the Dominican
Republic was filled with precious children. We
were thrilled when our team’s primary ministry for the
week was to lead Bible lessons similar to vacation bible
school in the United States. We spent five days with the
children and grew very close to them. The Bible lessons
provided an opportunity to encourage the children toward a
relationship with Christ and draw attention to the local
church. However, I felt at a disadvantage when I could not
speak Spanish, the native language in the Dominican Republic.
God provided a way for all of us to communicate
with the people there. That was a miracle in itself! Praise
Jesus, the language barrier was never an issue.
Gabrielle Pyles: “I realized this is how God wants us to trust him – fully
and completely – like these little children.”
LWC Assistant Professor of Religion David Calhoun (back row, right)
and the LWC mission team in the Dominican Republic in July. For five
years Calhoun has partnered with Go Ministries of Louisville, Ky., to
arrange mission trips for more than 50 LWC students to serve in the
Dominican Republic.
We had so many wonderful experiences serving, teaching
and loving the people of the Dominican Republic. From
working in a prison and serving in a drug rehabilitation
center to our days filled with the laughter and sweet smiles
of the children – God’s love was everywhere!
It was a pleasure to serve with the mission team from
LWC. I am thankful to have been a small part of God’s
power and presence in this ministry. I’m reminded of how
blessed I am to attend a school that provides and encourages
mission and service opportunities. This experience has
deeply impacted who I am as a Christ follower as well as
my awareness of the world around me.
Gabby Pyles is a human services and
counseling and Christian ministries junior
from Campbellsville, Ky.
44 | LINDSEY WILSON COLLEGE | CORNERSTONE