We are delighted to announce that Graham and Kathryn Dunwell will be our new country managers for the Dominican Republic for our teams in 2024. If you want to know all about Graham and Kathryn here is all about them in their own words.
Who We Are
Graham and Kathryn are married with two children named Troy and Precious. They are a devoted Christian family, passionate about sharing the love of Jesus. They come from a background in hospitality; they had a café and catering business in Wakefield for several years, where they partnered with their local church to reach out to the lost and broken in the city. Some years later, through a miracle encounter, they connected with a Christian charity based in Manchester that helps people have a second chance in life through a holistic approach of bible study, discipleship, practical life skills, and job training. They moved to Manchester several years ago and used their experience to support the charity’s ongoing work; this God-given opportunity inspired them to pursue a full-time commitment in ministry.
A Season Of Preparation
Kathryn is passionate about studying the Bible, so she attended university to study theology and deepen her understanding and relationship with God. Graham continued at the charity until COVID hit and the work was halted; during this time, he began to seek the Lord for his next season he felt led to join Kathryn at theological university. During Kathryn’s second year of university, she got placed with a church planting network in Manchester; they were recommended to apply for a church planting role in the city centre. Their theological training and practical experience in church planting have been a season of preparation for what God was calling them into next.
Their heart was getting stirred to work as missionaries overseas; after much prayer, speaking with their pastor, and decerning their next steps as a family, they felt called to the people of the Dominican Republic. An opportunity opened to work for Mission Direct as an overseas country manager.
Following The Call
They will oversee missionary teams on short-term mission trips where they will engage with various local projects supporting children and low-income families. Education, food, and healthcare are significant issues in the Dominican Republic. They will live in Sosua, an area known for being the sex capital of the Caribbean, where they aim to help contribute to combating the sex industry and supporting the ongoing women’s ministries. Their responsibilities will include serving different partner ministries, leading missionary teams, and assisting with projects such as building schools, food programs, drug rehabilitation, accommodation, healthcare, job training, and education.
An Invitation To Make A Difference
The Dominican Republic and neighbouring Haiti have many significant needs, Graham, Kathryn, and their children are dedicated to positively impacting these communities with the love of Jesus.
“We would love you to be part of the journey. We are trusting God for more prayer and financial supporters with a heart to reach the lost and help change the future of many hurting individuals through the love of Jesus and extending God’s Kingdom. You can even join us in person and be practically involved in the missionary work and witness firsthand the difference you are making in the lives of others on one of Mission Directs mission trips.”
“We appreciate your prayers as we prepare for the mission field!”
Trinity School is a new primary school which is being built in the village of Moyo, Malawi, in partnership with Starfish Malawi. This school is so welcomed in the village as it means that the children no longer have to walk six miles to the nearest primary school at Ngolowindo.
Previously, this six-mile journey was dangerous, especially in the rainy season when the route was at risk of flooding and experienced deep hazardous mud. Once they arrived at the Ngolowindo school they had to bear the cramped environment as 250 children attended each class. Therefore, the headteacher was very supportive of establishing Trinity school to relieve some pressure at his school and enable the children to learn in a better environment.
So far Trinity school has only one classroom block with two classrooms, one for standard 1 and one for standard 2. The school began teaching children in Sept 2020, but numbers have increased here also due to the popularity of the school. There are now approximately 120 children in each class.
It is hoped that we can build another two-room classroom block so that the current children can move up to Standards 3 and 4 and a new intake can be enrolled for 1 and 2.
We may struggle to comprehend what being in a classroom with 120 to 250 children would be like. However, the children are so pleased to have a school nearer their homes and the teachers are seeing the benefit it is bringing to them.
Just like in our education system there is a breadth to the curriculum covering a wide array of subjects, schools in Africa are also trying to ensure that their children are prepared for their future by teaching more than just reading, writing and arithmetic.
One way that Mission Direct supports this is by helping schools to be able to teach computer lessons and science lessons. Where possible, we have built science labs for schools so that the subject can be taught in a safe and appropriate way. These classrooms need to have built-in desks made from materials that will not corrode or burn when subjected to flames or toxic substances. These rooms also need gas taps and washing facilities with the necessary plumbing for these. Additionally, there needs to be appropriately safe and secure storage of potentially hazardous materials.
Teaching science effectively is an essential ingredient for African schools to develop their next generation of innovators, so that Africa can build on its increasing home-grown scientific community.
The ability to teach science effectively is also important for the schools. In many African countries, schools cannot be registered with the government if they do not have a science lab and this has a knock on effect on their ability to get government funding for teacher’s salaries. As a consequence, although these schools can exist and their children can take their national exams, the schools struggle to pay their teachers so struggle to recruit or retain them.
Please help us to continue to provide these resources to schools in the poorest communities in Africa, by making a donation today. Thank you.
Embarking on a mission trip is about more than providing a service to others. A deepened faith, meaningful servitude, a fuller understanding of real-world challenges, and finding ways to help others to faith are some of the underlying reasons many of us choose to take this opportunity.
But you may have been wondering exactly what a mission trip is, and what you can expect to do when you embark on this journey. Let’s have a closer look at the ways you can expect to make a difference on your upcoming mission trip.
Remember, each mission trip serves its own unique purpose and will have activities planned out beforehand; these are some useful ways to make the most out of every trip.
Mission trips that focus on community outreach can take various forms. Our international charity partnerships help us gain an insight into the communities we visit, so that we can best help to meet their needs. This can be anything from helping villages suffering the aftereffects of natural disasters through to communities in dire need of medical infrastructure. From this grass-roots level understanding, we can shape our trip objectives to help us achieve meaningful work with tangible effects.
On these trips, you can share your specialist knowledge with a community in need and widen your own perspective. Medical and healthcare, teaching, and IT skills are some of the core focus areas on our specialist mission trips. By drawing on your niche skillset and experience, we can create and implement much needed infrastructure, systems and processes vital for the development of disadvantaged communities. Not only will your specialist input help to create these foundations, but they also help to create an environment to foster growth and development of the younger generations within those communities, helping them find a way out of the poverty cycle and further uplift their households.
Perhaps the most popular type of mission trip, on these trips our goal is to build communities – physically and metaphorically – from the ground up. You can find great examples of the impact this has had in our past projects, where we built new classrooms for Zambian communities and as well as a community centre in Campo Largo, Brazil.
Building mission trips are far more than brick and mortar projects; while working to help build physical frameworks, our volunteers gain an understanding of other issues that are also having a big impact on the community. Our Sierra Leone trip is one such example, where the Porridge Fund has undertaken the task of providing school lunches. The knock-on effects this project has achieved are astounding, with an almost immediate improvement in the children’s exam results. In 2018, 15 children passed with a Division One score where in previous years this has typically been achieved by just two or three children. This has lifted Kumi Bazaar School to the top of the performance table in Kumi District – all as a result of hands-on understanding and support of the real-life issues that we were able to change.
Women, children, and the elderly are some of the most vulnerable members of the communities we visit. By focusing our mission trips on uplifting and safeguarding the youngest members of these communities, we’re helping to alleviate some of the turmoil they face each day and providing a clear path forward for children and teenagers. We set out to alleviate some common problems these groups face. Project 25Zero focuses on assisting Ugandan girls who miss up to a quarter of their education due to their periods, and Rewired Africa aims to educate and promote the use of computers in rural villages.
As you can see, mission trips can take a variety of forms, and each one is unique because of the project scope and teams we engage. There are so many ways to get involved, why not get in touch with us today to find out more or have a look through our impact stories to see how much change we’ve already made.
As excitement mounts for your upcoming mission trip, you’ll know that a very important aspect of your travels involves packing. Gearing up for your mission trip is different than gearing up for a normal holiday, and we want to help you pack as efficiently as you can.
A little goes a long way – especially in terms of researching the country you’ll be visiting. What season will it be during your stay? Are there any predicted storms that you might want to prepare for – or will you have enough t shirts to be able to change out your outfit on sweltering hot days? By knowing (or at least having an idea) of the weather you’ll be encountering, you can still pack light – and right.
Be sure to take along some washing powder or detergent to keep what you pack to a minimum, and help you keep clean items in rotation.
Once you know what type of weather to expect, pack accordingly. Regardless of weather, all trips will require a few basic items:
Every trip will be different, so be sure to look at the activities you have planned for the duration and use your discretion when packing. We can’t wait to see you on your next mission trip, and until then, happy packing!
The term ‘missionary’ refers to someone of the Christian faith travelling to other parts of the world, to spread the word of God and show His ways through the good deeds performed in His name.
Mission trips are a lot more relaxed these days when it comes to the religious element, however, their goals and values usually stay true to the history.
Volunteer mission trips in the 21st century are shorter, with more emphasis on undertaking a long term commitment to uplifting communities. Modern mission projects are executed in a shorter time frame and use practical methods to improve the living standards of the affected communities.
Many mission trips focus on building projects – such as housing, schools or clinics where volunteers work to introduce vital infrastructure to people who may never had access to them before. Other mission trips could focus on social issues and ways to resolve them, such as our partnership with 25Zero, where we tackle the issue of Ugandan girls missing school because of their period.
However, the true focus of any mission trip is to spread love and compassion to those you encounter. Sometimes, that may be as simple as really listening to the everyday problems people have to endure and reminding them of the undying love God has for them.
Whether you’re a seasoned volunteer, or you’re considering taking your first mission trip, we’d like to share some of the reasons this is truly a meaningful way for you to make a lifelong impact on many, many people.
Most mission trips are run as Christian organisations, but factoring out religion entirely, the Samaritan aspect is the real driving force behind our two-week volunteer trips. A mission trip (whether abroad or local) is a great way to meet new friends and make lifelong connections, with people who hold the same values and morals as you. It’s also a wonderful chance to expand local networks of volunteers who you can call on if you ever find a local community that needs your help.
Women, children and the elderly are some of the most vulnerable and susceptible members of any community, more so in areas affected by disease and a sever lack of government funding. Volunteering on a mission trip that focuses on building infrastructure – such as hospitals, clinics and schools helps to uplift these people, and future generations.
Whether it’s through providing young girls with an education they would otherwise not have received – thus empowering them to uplift themselves out of the poverty cycle – or providing a safe and clean clinic to women where they can have access to life saving medicines that, before, may never have been available – your participation will always have far reaching impact that may well change the lives of others forever.
While a two-week mission trip may seem like a very short time out of your life, you should know that the difference a team of dedicated Christian volunteers can make in that time truly is life changing for so many people. The sense of belonging the beneficiaries will feel, the improved living standards they will have and the knowledge that you were part of making that change is a feeling to be cherished for the rest of your life.
During your two-week trip, you’ll get to experience some down time where you have the opportunity to visit historical sites, and really get to know your host country and the struggles they have faced before. This richness in knowledge is something you won’t soon forget. Our mission trips span the world, so whether you want to help people in Sierra Leone to rebuild the SAIO school after the devastation of Ebola and the Regent Mudslide, or you’re more inclined to want to visit Brazil where the mission trips focus on uplifting the thousands of people living in slums or favelas, you really can see the world and make it a trip to remember.
Aside from the generosity, kindness and faith-based lessons you’re bound to impart on your fellow volunteers and future friends, there’s no doubt that a mission trip will open your eyes to the privilege of a house to call a home, a school to send your children to and food to eat every day.
There’s so much more to a mission trip than meets the eye. Read our testimonial impact stories for first-hand accounts of how Mission Direct’s charity mission trips have made impactful differences to volunteers and beneficiaries alike.
Are you wondering whether you should embark on a Christian mission trip? Perhaps you’ve asked yourself what type of impact you could have by choosing to be part of a charity mission trip, or whether your actions as one person can really make a difference.
Our Christian mission trips are designed to be short term trips which have a long-term impact, and we make lifelong commitments with our overseas partners to ensure that we are bettering the lives of truly disadvantaged and often forgotten communities. These five statistics might help you understand just how far-reaching your involvement is, and how joining a mission trip can have lasting, positive effects on the communities you visit, as well as yourself.
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. – Matthew 28:19-20
The core objective of the Christian mission movement is to spread the word of God through good deeds carried out in His name. Through our actions, whether that’s undertaking building projects or educating underprivileged children, we continue to proclaim His word, and this is evident in this statistic. As well as our tangible contributions, which have life changing effects to those who benefit from them, we also know that we are spreading the positive message of God by witnessing the number of His disciples increase across the world.
As a Communist country, China has no official religion – although five major religions are officially recognised: Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Catholicism, and Protestantism. Of a 1.3 billion populous, the rate of religious expansion China is experiencing is testament to the power of His word, and that spreading the gospel is having a true global reach.
We never proclaim to be carrying out miraculous acts; only the acts of God in order to spread His word. Small efforts combined throughout the lifetime commitments we make can be the answers to prayers of many, and your presence on charity mission trips helps to reinforce the faith of communities. Helping just one person come to faith will change their life forever.
When the word of God can be spread in person, we heartedly encourage it. When the gospel can be conveyed across the globe to 10 million people and have them come to faith, we know that we are achieving what we have set out to do and that now more than ever, people are ready to receive His word and His blessings.
Any one of us might feel that the only way to have a meaningful impact is to spend longer periods of time in far afield communities. Having a life changing impact on those you reach (and yourself, through growth, proclaiming the gospel and practical changes to their everyday lives) can be as easily achieved in a local environment as it would be overseas.
No matter how big or small you think your presence and contributions will matter to those in need, you can make lifelong differences to people all over the world by spreading faith through deeds, and letting the world know how His love can change their lives too.
Source accreditation for statistics: http://www.aboutmissions.org/statistics.html and https://www.barna.com/research/despite-benefits-few-americans-have-experienced-short-term-mission-trips/
Have you been mulling over the idea of taking part in a mission trip? It’s an incredible experience and something to be proud of – but it may seem daunting to raise enough funds to cover the cost of your trip. However, don’t let this hurdle get in the way of you joining a mission group and bringing hope and tangible change to communities in need – you may just need to get creative in how you raise funds!
We’ve put together 10 fun and easy ideas for your next fundraising initiative. Be sure to check out our fundraising resources page as well for printable flyers, other fun ideas and more.
Sites like GoFundMe are great platforms to call for donations and efficiently monitor any money received; Causes is a similar crowdfunding site specifically tailored to non-profits, where you can build your profile and share your requests with friends, leaders & communities ready to help you. Take some time when drafting your backstory so that readers get a real understanding of why you want them to donate to this cause. You could even post a list of goals you personally hope to achieve by taking part in the trip – and remember to follow up with thanks and some photos of your trip as a way of thanking your supporters.
Macmillan cancer research uses this model very well. Call on your friends, colleagues, and your community as a whole to don their aprons and put their ovens to good use. Auction off cake slices to enjoy with a tasty brew or reach for your highest bid for a whole cake or pudding. Not only are you rallying your community behind you while building solid friendships and connections, but you’re making delicious treats that go towards an exceptional cause, too.
Whether you’re up to the challenge of a viral dance, or something silly like the #ToiletPaperChallenge where you use a loo roll to do keepy-uppy’s, why not use it as an opportunity to call for donations?
You could use each donation benchmark as a key to unlock a new challenge you’ll participate in – for example – for every £100 you receive you’ll do a new dance. Before you know it, you’ll have reached your target and have a load of fun while doing it!
Fire up the competitive side of your supporters by hosting a quiz night. Charge a small admission fee per person, or work in collaboration with the venue to donate a percent of proceeds they receive for each meal sold during the event. Tailor your quiz theme and add some quirks that could help you reach your target faster – for example – anyone caught using their mobile phone during the quiz owes the quizmaster £10.
Do you have a unique talent or skill that could help you raise funds for your trip? Why not auction yourself off to help out a community group or local business, and get sponsored for every hour of work you complete? Approach local businesses for sponsorships, or even ask a friend who owns their own business. Remember to say thanks to all your supporters and keep your audience updated on your donation totals as often as possible.
Pop a piece of paper through your neighbours’ letterboxes and create some eye-catching signposts – then hold your own book sale. Encourage people to get involved through book donations as well as monetary donations, and remember to have some information to hand about the trip you’re raising money for, and what benefits such a trip can have for underprivileged communities.
Take advantage of sunny days and rally some friends and family to help towards your fundraising goal. Make some bold signposts you can draw some attention with, and charge a small fee for each car that’s washed. Raise awareness for your cause with customised t-shirts that tell your car wash customers what they’re helping to raise funds for. Promote your fundraiser on local community groups, or print out some flyers to invite your neighbours out to a fun day.
The Movember movement started in Australia all the way back in 2003 as a way to raise awareness for prostate and testicular cancers. Having raised around $21 million ten years on from their launch, this demonstrates what a great way this is of gathering funds. Why not call for support by volunteering to shave your head, spray it a funky colour or simply grow a moustache after reaching your donation goal? Don’t forget the pictures!
Is your birthday coming up soon? Instead of gifts, why not ask for your friends and family to donate towards your mission trip fundraising campaign? Facebook has a handy feature that allows you to gather funds around your birthday for other organisations – and you could create your own call to action posted on your social feeds asking your connections and followers to do the same.
Do you own a pair of luxury shoes, a handbag or perhaps an item of clothing once worn by a celebrity? Look to have the item valued and call for bids starting at its lowest value. You could even look around the house for forgotten appliances that could attract some attention – like a vintage toaster, perhaps a KitchenAid mixer or the likes.
No matter how you go about raising the funds to support you on your upcoming mission trip, the life experience you’ll gain will only be outmatched by the real differences you make to disadvantaged communities.
You may have heard about mission trips from your social circle and want to know more. The idea can sound exciting and intriguing, but what exactly is a mission trip? Going on a mission might evoke ideas of adventure, challenge, and discovery.
When you go on a Christian mission trip, you’re going to explore new ideas and new cultures in ways not usually offered on a normal break. People who go on mission trips do so for many different reasons, whether it be for personal growth, to make a difference in a community, or to learn something outside of their everyday life experience.
Dedicating your life to helping people in need is one of the greatest aspirations of people in the Christian faith. That’s not always practical; taking years away from your home and family can’t always be done. Worry not, because you can take a short-term mission trip that will offer you:
All of which can be achieved from a short-term commitment that will change other people’s lives for the better.
In this article, we’ll explore what a mission trip is, where we can take you on your mission trip, and what type of activities you can expect to take part in. Read on to get a better understand of what you can expect from a mission trip.
Traditionally, a mission would entail a person of the Christian faith moving to another part of the world to spread their faith through good deeds. Missions would go on for many years at a time and missionaries, those who went on a mission, would take their families with them.
This is a pretty daunting feat, and in our globalised world such drastic action isn’t always needed. With things like a job, family, and education to commit to, going on a short mission may be preferable whilst still achieving something incredibly positive and rewarding.
A mission trip will be a positive experience not only for those you go to help, but for you too. It will change and shape you in ways that nothing else can. You are going to make real and tangible differences to people and communities. This can be through your physical efforts in building programmes or by simply demonstrating your love and compassion to people in different parts of the world. Later in this article we’ll give you more details about the work and activities that you can do on your mission trip with Mission Direct.
Also built into the volunteering activities we organise is some rest and relaxation time. Depending on the country you go to, there will be chances to explore historic or cultural sites, local wildlife and nearby wonders during your fortnight long trip.
There are lots of examples of Christian mission trips going to developing countries in different parts of the world to do good work. With the desire to work in disadvantaged communities, leaving the comforts and relative wealth of Europe does seem logical, but it’s not always necessary.
There are plenty of regions in the world that don’t have the advantages that we may have had whilst living in a wealthy country. Our mission trips focus on countries and areas that need a helping hand; sometimes they have been ignored by their local government or there aren’t the resources available locally to be able to make a difference. This means that mission trips closer to home are just as valuable as going overseas.
In general, a short volunteering trip for your Christian mission will be linked to an existing project. This means, we partner with native organisations and some missionaries that already have a local network and knowledge base and are already running outreach to help their community break the poverty trap. That way, we ensure that you are doing work that is truly needed to help in their communities and is already known to be effective and supported locally. It also ensures sustainability and prevents dependency.
In whichever country you choose to take your mission to, you will likely find yourself working on community projects supporting:
The mission trips that we offer cover five continents. There are different options depending on the type of activities you are called towards and which communities that you feel suited to work in.
A mission trip to Africa is vastly rewarding, helping in disadvantaged communities – in both cities and rural areas that don’t always get support from their governments. There are a range of projects available with Mission Direct, located in:
Your volunteering could be building schools in Zimbabwe or assisting the elderly in Sierra Leone. In Africa, you will work with Christian organisations that are already established in communities, yet the voluntary work that you do is offered to all in need, regardless of their beliefs.
Cambodia a fast-developing country with plenty of potential to make a difference. In this country, your work will be with a very rural community of just 300 people, 10km from the Thai border. By helping to build a school, you’ll be giving them hope for the next generation – and for generations after that.
Doing your Christian mission with Mission Direct in the Americas means you can volunteer either in Brazil or the Dominican Republic. Projects here revolve around constructing or renovating homes for families and working with children to give them a brighter future full of hope.
We work with a Christian organisation in Moldova, with projects to support disadvantaged and disabled children. This work is done through looking after children and supporting outreach facilities; working to renovate, or sometimes rebuild, facilities for local kids.
We also offer a three-day mission trip within the UK. Maybe your thoughts of a mission trip have always involved overseas travel, yet offering your time, skills, and compassion closer to home is equally important as a person in the Christian faith.
Trying to understand what a mission trip is takes more than just looking for a ministry to assist. An important element of Christianity is helping those less fortunate than ourselves, embodying the idea of “love thy neighbour”. Going on a mission trip offers you one way to be able to volunteer where it’s most needed.
You will spend your mission working; usually constructing or DIY for a few hours in the morning on the build project and supporting community outreach projects in the afternoons. A mission trip is not like any trip you have ever been on, you are going to make a real difference in the lives of the people that you interact with; leave a long-lasting mark on the communities that you spend time within and return home with new relationships and bonds.
Our mission trips can take you around the UK or to different continents and cultures. Each year we run hundreds of mission trips that depart at different times. Mission Direct has been organising these for sixteen years, working across many countries. We’ve seen first-hand the positive contributions that all of our volunteers have made, and are eager to continue this important and rewarding work.
If you’re interested in taking part on an upcoming mission trip, or want to find out more about donations and get involved, fill in this contact form to request a callback.
Every year, we facilitate a small team of volunteers to serve at a mission hospital in Luampa, Zambia.
The hospital, 18km down a dirt track away from the main road, serves a community of over 50,000 people. It has 58 beds and was only recently connected to mains electricity though still has no running water. Our teams spend two weeks each year assisting staff and sharing knowledge and each year, we see miracles happen.
2019 was no exception.
Meet Naomi!
Naomi was 6 weeks old when the team came across here at the hospital. Unfortunately her mother died in childbirth and she is now being raised by her mum’s sister.
While working in the hospital the team realised that there was no formula milk available on the premesis for Naomi and as a result she was worryingly underweight and they made the decision to use some project money to fund formula milk until Naomi is weaned.
In the same two weeks, two midwives from the volunteer team were at the maternity ward when a baby was born who wasn’t breathing. The pair intervened and were able to resuscitate the baby, saving a life!
Finally they were also able to assist the nurse in delivering a breech birth without incident – both mother and baby are well. Praise the Lord!
Trips are never just about the projects we aim to serve – they’re about God using you as His hands and His feet to make an impact!
