How did you learn about Doulos anyways?

well, let me tell you!

I am so happy that I get to share this story with you all! It’s such a testament to God’s faithfulness and provision.

It all starts with missions in Mexico! In September of ‘22, I decided to go to discipleship training school in Mazatlan, Mexico. This was an incredible experience and, you can read more about this in another post! While in Mexico, I had to come home for my childhood best friends wedding in November. While home, I went to a local coffee shop where I happened to see a friend from the camp that I worked for. She told me about Doulos and, how she had a tour of the school while in the D.R for a trip with YoungLife ( a high school ministry that college students are involved with). I thanked her for telling me about the oppertunity and school and went on with my day with nothing more than the name of school in a notes app on my phone.

Fast forward to the job that God provided after my time with missions in Mexico. I became a long term substitute for a 5th grade Spanish Immersion class. This was an incredible oppertunity and, I learned so much! While getting to know the staff, I learned that one of them had actually taught in the Dominican Republic! I pulled up the note on my phone and, I asked her if she knew of Doulos. She couldn’t believe it, this school was in the same town that she had taught in and, she knew it well! This was fascinating to me as, I had never heard of this town, let alone this school?! I didn’t know what my next steps were going to be so this left me dreaming of the possibilities.

My main concern is always that I want to be obedient to what God is calling me to do first and foremost. With this, I decided I would pursue this option further and try to figure out if this actually is what God had for me next. I reached out to the teacher that I knew and asked if she would be willing to meet up with me so that I could hear more about the school that she specifically worked for in Jarabacoa ( which was not Doulos). I wanted to get as much information as I could about the town, life in the Dominican Republic and, maybe look further into moving to Jarabacoa even if it meant that I wasn’t teaching for Doulos. While I met with her, it became so evident to both of us that God was not calling me to teach anywhere other than Doulos. I shared my concern with raising my own support in order to teach there and, she shared about what it means to surrender your finances and pursue what God has for you. She went on to tell me how well she thought I would fit in at Doulos and, how great of a community it really is and, how I would not regret teaching there. It was the only school she recommend although it was not the school she was at. I couldn’t believe it, if God wasn’t speaking already before…I could definitely hear Him now?! I went into the dinner expecting to be swayed to another school in town, one that pays you and consider what life would be like there but, this dinner was the answer I needed, just not the answers I was expecting. This was when I realized I was not willing before to partner with God in this, to take a leap of faith and trust Him in this process of pursuing doing missions at Doulos as a teacher. I was scared, excited and left wondering how the rest would go.

I knew that I needed to continue taking steps of obedience towards this option so, I filled out the application and, had an interview the next day. I learned so many things that make this school stand apart and unique. I realized quickly in these calls how much of a privilege it would be if I got to teach here. I felt so much peace talking with the staff members at Doulos. I had a second interview the next day with the Executive Director.  This also went well, I had my references submit their paperwork that day and BAM!, three days after the application was sent in, I had an offer to teach there. I knew this was nothing but the Lord.

I told my Family how fast this was all moving and, I had their love and support the whole way which I am very blessed by. I started to wrap my head around what this would mean for my life and, how it really is an answer to prayer in so many ways. I knew after living in Mexico that my time abroad was not over yet. I have always had a passion and desire to live abroad for at least a few years. Since I could tell God was moving in this, I took the jump and said, “YES!”. ( This sounds like I accepted a proposal - no where close folks ; )

I was informed that I should be in Jarabacoa for new staff training, which was scheduled to happen that very next week. God provided everything I needed to get my life wrapped up in Holland, and head south to the Caribbean for new staff training followed by all staff training right after. I didn’t know fully what the logistics were but, I knew God did and that was all that mattered. Since Doulos cares for their staff well and how the staff onboard, it was decided that I would come into the school year a little late so that I could finish wrapping everything up in Holland and, raise the support necessary to live there. I am currently in Holland and, I plan to return to Doulos and meet all my students early September.