September was pretty special! Krista and I made it back to the DR for another week-long work trip. It was awesome to be able to connect again with the ground team and with our student body. Enjoy these fall photos – both from Freedom and from our family!
Ministry
Family
October is up next! Thanks for following along with us!
Whew! What a full summer. Here’s a combination of July and August 2025 from the Mitchener point of view.
Ministry
Family
Ready or not, here comes September!
I forgot how much I loved summer in the States.
Enjoy 30 June pictures from our perspective!
Ministry
Family
Thanks for following along on our picture journey!
These monthly photo dumps may look a little different since we’ve relocated, but hopefully the mix of ministry pictures and family happenings can still give you a good idea of what’s going on – both with the Mitcheners and with our favorite ministry in the DR. Enjoy these 31 January shots!
See you at the end of February!
Looking out across the great chasm that is the Grand Canyon. Following an overgrown, forgotten path through the woods. Walking across battlefields of wars gone by. Listening to waves crash against centuries-old rocks. God has graciously allowed me to take in many treasured moments like these over the years.
Traveling delights my little soul. To visit a hole-in-the-wall restaurant, to experience some new aspect of a different culture, to learn another piece of history – there is a certain elation that comes with each new adventure. But as thrilling as it is to wander this wonderful world, there’s always a point when it’s time to return from the vacation spot. The experiences become precious memories to look back on, photos on the camera reel of my mind.
For me, there’s something so special about coming home. Walking into the familiar, safe, known spaces of my house always feels like a breath of fresh air. I live for the sweet dreams that overtake me the first night I can sleep in my own bed again.
Since moving to the DR more than 8 years ago, the sense of having somewhere to call home has more or less been stripped away. Yes, we have a beautiful apartment here that is “ours”. But living in a foreign country brings to light the fact that other signs of home are missing. Family, friends and the familiar are more than a car ride away. This missing aspect of home has been one of the tougher pills to swallow as we’ve purposefully chosen this way of life.
Yet Jesus continues to teach me something so sweet.
The idea of home is not in a location. Instead, home is found in a Person. Jesus Himself is my Home. He is the rest my soul craves, the safe haven I need when I’m scared or tired or lonely. In Him, I find everything I need.
I want those around me to see how much He wants to be their Home, too.
Nine days ago, we made it back to the DR safe and sound! Our family spent the month of May in the States. Furlough is always a rich time visiting friends, family, and supporters. Each year, we’re forced to stop and consider all the ways the Lord has worked throughout the year. It’s so fun to share the miracle stories with others!
We visited Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, and Maryland. So many blessings from unexpected sources. Several people walked up to us and just handed us money. Others gave us cards, goodies for the kiddos, or verbal bits of encouragement. We were so spoiled with good food, wonderful company, and heartfelt prayers. Wow – God provides more than we need! This year, I left the States feeling refreshed and ready to get back to work here in the Dominican. Thankful!
Furlough for the Mitchener clan begins in less than 6 hours! Noah’s been counting down the nights for the last 2 weeks. We’re excited to share what the Lord’s been doing in our lives and in the ministry of Freedom. Wheels up!
It’s official! The plane tickets have been purchased. Our belongings are slowly being sorted and packed away. We are on our way to making the Dominican Republic our new home! Thank God we have reached the point in our support raising where moving is a reality. Come the afternoon of Monday, May 21, the four of us will be on Dominican soil for good. While we’re not nearly 100% funded, we’ve never gone without our needs being met. We trust that God will bring in the rest of our support over the next few months.
People are asking us how we are feeling. There is no easy answer to that. We’re excited about this “next chapter”. We’re heartbroken to be leaving family and friends. We’re relieved with each task we complete. We’re nervous about adjusting to a new culture and way of living. We’re eager to really build some relationships with people. We’re dreading the exhaustion of the move with two little dudes. We’re anxious about learning Spanish. But we’re content in knowing that we are loved and cared for by One who is our source of strength and peace and joy. Above all, we’re hopeful that Christ will use us as He wants.
With that said, we’re packing up and moving out! Onward…
What a weekend. We’re home again after a long trip to Virginia. Over the last 4 days, we drove about 22 hours and racked up 1000 miles. Thankfully that just means we’re 1000 miles closer to moving to the DR.
Noah and Leyton had fun hanging out with some families who are currently supporting us and who were gracious enough to host us.
Want to hear another reason we’re closer to making The Big Move? We gained several new supporters over the weekend! It is unbelievable how God continues to bring us the people and funds we need to continue on this journey. None of this is by accident. And none of this is from our efforts. Again and again, God has shown us that His timing and His will are perfect. This experience hasn’t always been easy or pleasant. But we want for nothing. And we praise Him for everything.
Next step – buying those one-way plane tickets! Still praying for a May leave date.
The Mitcheners 