Dominican Republic
For us, as missionaries of Villaregia, sharing stories is always a source of joy. Here is the missionary experience of a young woman from Puerto Rico in the Dominican Republic: her name is Jessica Medina.
My experience in the Dominican Republic was much more than a mission or a trip; it was an experience of encounter that allowed me to step out of my reality, look at other lives, and let myself be transformed by every person I met.
During those days, I had the opportunity to share with various communities, especially with children and families, and to participate in moments of mission, accompaniment, and service. One of the moments that left the deepest mark on me was getting close to the children of Jínova: being with them, listening to their stories, playing, smiling, and giving some gifts that, even if they might have seemed small, meant the world to them.
There I understood once again that the value of a gesture does not necessarily lie in how much it costs, but in the love with which it is given.
I also had the opportunity to get to know other realities, observe the needs of the communities up close, and understand that many times we arrive thinking we are bringing something, when in the end we are the ones who receive much more.
The Dominican Republic taught me to look with greater attention, not to take what I have for granted, and to recognize the dignity and joy that can exist even in the midst of difficult situations.
There were simple moments that stayed with me: a conversation, a smile, a hug, a child’s gaze, a community that opened its doors to us, and people who, even without knowing us deeply, made us feel part of their reality. Each of these encounters reminded me that mission is not just about going to a place and carrying out a task, but about allowing the encounter with the other to question us, move us, and help us grow.
I also discovered that serving means learning to listen and receive; because it is not always about arriving with answers, but about having the humility to recognize that every person and every community has something to teach us.
I carry with me many faces and many stories, but above all a certainty: service leaves seeds. Perhaps one never gets to know all that a small gesture can provoke in another person’s life, but that does not mean it was useless.
Sometimes it is enough for someone to feel seen, heard, loved, or remembered for something inside them to change. And I believe this was truly one of the most beautiful things about this mission: understanding that we did not just go to do something for others, but to meet them in their humanity, in simplicity, and in the genuine desire to share.
Upon returning to Puerto Rico, I felt that I was not returning exactly the same. I brought with me memories, learnings, and a much more conscious gratitude for the daily things that I often take for granted.
The Dominican Republic reminded me that stepping outside of oneself always implies an opportunity for growth and that, when we allow ourselves to serve with the heart, we also let others transform our lives. More than an experience that ended upon returning home, I feel it is an experience that continues within me, because now every face I have come to know is part of the way I understand mission, service, and the importance of being available for the other.
Photo by Jessica Medina
