Tag: travel

May/June ’26 in Pictures

On By MitchenersIn Dominican Republic, Family, Indiana, Photos of the MonthLeave a comment

At the end of May, we flew to the Dominican to celebrate with the first graduating class of Freedom Christian School! Check out some of the experiences we were privileged to be a part of that week.

Sponsorship Luncheon

The morning after we arrived on campus, we walked over to the multi-use for breakfast. As I looked around, my heart was overwhelmed with gratitude; I saw sponsors and others who have invested in Freedom for many years. I’m convinced that I got a small glimpse of heaven. It’s going to be an amazing thing sit in Jesus’ presence someday with other saints who have given much to see the gospel go out!

The Freedom sponsorship crew put on an amazing luncheon; missionaries, students, and sponsors shared about the impact that this program has made in each of our lives.

Rosa addressed the sponsors
Kevin is a long-time friend and supporter of Freedom
Getting some last English practice in before graduating 🙂
Heather and her husband have been an integral part of this place
Yeanny getting some baby snuggles
A sponsor’s impact is immeasurable!
Cristofer
Sonia
Jhoan and Virginia

Batey Tour

Throughout the years, we’ve always given our visitors a tour as we travel out to the villages to do ministry. As part of our programmed time in the afternoon, we visited Lima. It was an incredible thing for me to witness our seniors as the tour guides! Instead of missionaries sharing stories, the young people who actually live in these places spoke to us about their experiences and how Freedom has made an impact in their hearts and lives.

In Lima, we visited the Nazarene church building “where it all began.” Several people prayed and thanked God for the many ways He has worked over the last decade and a half.

Israilin speaks amazing English!
Yuleisy and her family are a huge reason we were able to begin ministry in Lima
Bergica translated for Yuleisy’s mom, Memena
It’s cane-cutting season
Gathering in the yard of the Nazarene church
A packed house
William closed us in prayer
I took one last walk from the Catholic church (where I taught) to the Nazarene church
I stopped for a hug from Francia

Graduation

The graduation ceremony was incredible! What a full-circle moment! The entire ceremony, I had flashbacks to bygone memories- some difficult, and some beautiful. God carried us through each day and allowed us to see the result of His work in kids’ lives.

Freedom rented an event room at a nearby resort in order to house all the visitors and parents.
Kinsey and her husband Carter joined us! (Kinsey and her siblings used to watch my 3 kiddos when we had to be away.)
Wilfredo volunteered with us 14 years ago when Freedom first began
Ryan helping Rony prep for the ceremony
Singing the National Anthem
Marcia addressed the parents and visitors
The Table of Honor
Singing together
Yuleisy
Jhoan receiving his Bible from Austin
The ladies who keep Freedom running
School coordinators and directors did a great job decorating

Catching Up with Friends

We stayed a couple extra days to catch up on some hugs and laughs with the team! Thankful for the relationships that have held strong over the years!

Leyton and Noah with Aylin, Yuleisy’s oldest
A trip to Bon with Rach
A bright and full evening moon
Leyton had a special connection with his teacher Miss Randa
I love Miss Genesis!
I had Gabriela (a junior at Freedom) in my mentorship group before we moved
Taylor is a sweet and joyful addition to the ground team
My kids were happy to get in a few rounds of Secret Hitler with friends
Katie and I have done a lot of life together!

I serve a good God! Thanks for following along with me!

February/March ’26 in Pictures

On By MitchenersIn Dominican Republic, Family, Indiana, Photos of the MonthLeave a comment

I do not understand how time continues to pass in a blink! Enjoy 30 more photos from these last two months of 2026.

Ministry

Crazy Hair Day!
Teams visited to help tutor our kiddos
Celebrating Dominican Independence Day
Presentations took place during morning assembly
I visited a career fair at IWU to recruit interns
Field Trip to the baseball stadium in San Pedro
Elementary students visited a local park on their field trip around lunchtime
Fire Station!
Older kiddos hit the zoo in Santo Domingo!
Multi-use expansion
Wet concrete
Movie Night in village Lima as a senior fundraiser
Lining up for the main event – kiddos had to give their tickets in order to watch the movie and get their snacks
Playground expansion!
Easter presentations in morning assembly

Family

Leyton had a birthday!
So proud of this growing young man
Morning coffee in my DR mug ❤
Our church does a kids Carnivale evening – Noah helped man the bounce house!
Cal and Leyton used their Carnivale tickets to “buy” mustaches
Cal made homemade Valentine’s cards for her classmates
At IWU, I saw one of our church interns
The algebra fun continues with Noah and Leyton 🙂
It’s been so busy, but I’ve been squeezing every spare second I can to play quick little games with the fam
Scott and I chaperoned a Serve Day to a ministry for the homeless in Anderson
Moving and organizing items for the Christian Center
It got warm enough for a little run around the neighborhood!
Making little sis happy by playing Barbies in the backyard
Road Trip!
Walked through a mall, and I had to document the 3 boys salivating over the Jerry Rice jersey 🙂

See you on the other side of April!

January ’26 in Pictures

On By MitchenersIn Dominican Republic, Family, Indiana, Photos of the MonthLeave a comment

It’s the start of a brand new year. In 2026, there will be some milestone events that we’re very much looking forward to – namely, Freedom’s first high school graduation! But until then, we’re doing our best to take advantage of the days we’re given. Check out these 31 photos from January.

Ministry

In the Dominican, it’s tradition for senior classes to go through what is called “Senior Promotion” where they “introduce” themselves to the student body as they get ready to graduate.
The Class of 2026 chose to focus on the word “LEGACY” as they follow the Lord out into what it is He has for them.
The seniors performed in a morning assembly at school
My birthday month buddy (Rachel) turned 40! Since I wasn’t there to celebrate, Aylin was very happy to help blow out candles. 🙂
Katie (right) and others discussing some math during a free period at school
Some wonderful groups joined us in January to help around campus – both in tutoring and on the construction site
Kristine is such a special person! She may not live in the DR, but she is truly part of the Freedom family!
We recently met a matching gift that will primarily be used to do some expansion on our outdoor multi-use building
Gravel all smoothed out and ready for the next step
Some goobers for kitchen staff 🙂
High school Honor Roll
The littles remembered Dominican founding father Juan Pable Duarte in January. (Fun fact: I share his birthday!)

Family

Some snowy days this month!
What better pairing than snow and hot chocolate? (Cal definitely has an obsession.)
This picture of Pepaw and his grandkids sits in our room – sometimes it’s sweet to think about the good times of days gone by ❤
I still haven’t gotten to hold the newest member of Jhoan and Yuleisy’s family, but I love the pictures I receive!
Cal loves to try new recipes – she made some fun little cookie cupcakes using her Barbie cookbook
Yes to all the soups! Pasta fagioli is one of our faves.
I got some good reading in! This is from an Elisabeth Eliot book I devoured this month.
I definitely don’t get to see this lady as often as when she lived right above me in the DR, but we enjoyed catching up one evening!
Roo thinks that MY blanket is hers. I got it for Christmas, but Caleigh has essentially claimed for herself, too. Perhaps that will justify my buying myself a second one? 😉
Leyton has enjoyed MS basketball again this season
I have a couple of new buddies! The coach’s kiddos enjoyed hanging with the fam during a lot of evening games.
This one has the MOST energy – and maybe a special little place in my heart! ❤
Scott and I have been helping out with the junior high youth group at church. It’s been good to get to know some of these gals!
The moment church is out, the boys beeline it to the gym for some basketball. 🙂
Rachel stopped by for a quick little visit! Of course, we had to squeeze a game or two of Secret Hitler in with the kiddos.
An early morning airport drop-off. Until next time, friend!
Both boys are in the same algebra class. I may not be teaching right now as a profession, but I still seem to get my fill in other ways! 😉
My sis-in-law made me a homemade cookie cake!
Scott and I broke out a new game this month – you have to use your phone along with cards from the game to solve crimes. Definitely unique, and it gives me escape room vibes.

Thanks for coming along with me! On to February!

September ’25 in Pictures

On By MitchenersIn Dominican Republic, Family, Indiana, Photos of the MonthLeave a comment

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

A new schoolwide photo was taken for the ’25-’26 year
There they are – FCS students from PK3 to 12th grade!
Teacher Training is an integral part of Toni’s weekly responsibilities. She works hard on Biblical integration sessions.
Teachers and students praying together at lunchtime
The view I was greeted with my first morning back in the DR ❤
Taylor is the most recent person to join the ground team, and she’s doing amazing things in the English department!
This swingset has gotten a lot of use over the years
Of course I had to be greeted by at least 1 “cacata” during the week
Crazy that I worked in this heat for 12 years
One of Krista’s big projects for this trip was to work through each class to get their next sponsor letter finished up
I love Milagros! She was in some of my training classes back in the day, and she was always so willing to learn.
These girls were some of Caleigh’s friends and classmates at Freedom
Krista encouraging one of our inicial students one afternoon
Hard to imagine that this little guy will one day be a senior. He’ll probably be taller than me, with more muscles than I’ll ever have – and have a solid English base to boot.
Teaching these cuties now that prayer truly makes a difference
Seniors Jhoan and Yefrey – bittersweet that they’ll be leaving us in June!
Ms. Rosa has been a long-time fixture at Freedom. Her kiddos attend school with us, and she lives in the nearby town. Love her!
I had the privilege of hanging with Betsaida a fair amount her first year at Freedom. She’s now a coordinator and manages several teachers.
Eunice is a dear friend and kindred spirit.
Yunior!
These little babes tower over me now. Definitely proud of all they’ve accomplished.

Family

Noah had a birthday at the end of August, but we celebrated on Labor Day with some cookie cake! So proud of this guy.
Cal is 10 now! Hard to believe we’ve got 3 kids in double digits.
Morning or afternoon, it doesn’t matter. I’ll take a good jog around the neighborhood next door.
Memaw loves her cats, and the cats love Memaw’s bookshelf!
Airplane trips without the family are so odd – and usually very peaceful! 🙂
Blurry selfies with my favorite 4-year-old!
I was nervous that this guy would be apprehensive, but he warmed up to me in 2 seconds flat!
My kids were so upset when I came home with pictures of another Dominican meal without them.
Umm… hello, cutie pie! Life is full circle for sure. Yuleisy used to give Leyton baths in our kitchen sink on occasion.
The time is never long enough, but I got to hang just a bit with this gal!
Well, I guess Dad can still handle a kid on the ol’ shoulders. This is what happens when you lose your basketball in the hedge. 🙂
Our kiddos had bikes in the DR, but there wasn’t a real great place to practice. Caleigh has improved her bike-riding skills a bit this month.
I’ve been enjoying this view some – for work, for Sunday afternoon reading, and more!
Happy about a win!
Richard grabbed a picture of the fam at church while I was in the DR
We’ve had a big adjustment heading back to school – trying to get back into the swing of reading before bed
While the brothers are doing the soccer thing, this girl will sometimes use her new birthday markers to make some fun designs!
Monday Night Lights

October is up next! Thanks for following along with us!

July/August ’25 in Pictures

On By MitchenersIn Dominican Republic, Family, Indiana, Photos of the MonthLeave a comment

Whew! What a full summer. Here’s a combination of July and August 2025 from the Mitchener point of view.

Ministry

We had several teams join us this summer. They helped immensely in VBS. Here, one of our seniors, Alfredo, is translating a testimony from English to Spanish.
The senior class started a new tradition! The new upcoming seniors will get to paint a hallway at Freedom.
The finished product
Bittersweet moment – Basilio and Memena moved out of Lima. Memena is the lady who helped us get established there in the village at the beginning of our ministry.
Jhoan will graduate from Freedom this May! He’s so very shy, but he’s an amazing young man!
Leslie and Angela prepping some preschool bags
Two of the ladies that keep Freedom on its feet!
Proud ‘lita over here! Look at how this girl can write her name! So very big.
Little bro is growing up too fast.
A few of our new teachers who just joined the Freedom team
Krista and I joined the team for a couple of virtual mtgs to start off the school year. Yuleisy is sharing some info with us from her department.
School staff praying over the new year
There they are: the Freedom team members for the 2025-2026 school year
I miss my friend, but she is doing awesome things up there on the third floor of Freedom’s school building. ❤
Our beautiful front office ladies!
The Bible Department!
Claire is our sole intern this year (so far)! (Anyone want to join her?)
A good portion of our MK’s – everyone is growing up so fast!

Family

This is not a sight that I see too terribly often, so when I do, I’m documenting it!
The kids and I broke out an old favorite: Sleeping Queens!
We visited a small, local zoo
The kids’ very first 4th of July experience!
Oops. I may have run out of gas for the first time in my life. Scott came to rescue me!
It’s weird being on “this side” of furlough – all of our Freedom friends come to us now!
We decided to jump on the bandwagon and try the viral Joyride
This cat may be one of our favorites. He has the best personality EVER!
I’ve exchanged sugar cane fields for cornfields!
Happy birthday to Memaw!
I’m still enjoying jogging around our neighborhood
One of my favorite spots is on the porch swing on the back patio!
Scott and I are volunteering with our church’s youth group. The middle school girls took a putt-putt and ice cream trip!
Cal and a friend at a recent school picnic
Silly kitty shenanigans
Parent meeting before the start of school
First day of school!
Waiting for the brothers to get done with soccer practice
Cal made some homemade slime – this girl is obsessed with this stuff
Speaking of obsessions, Caleigh’s favorite food in the whole wide world is potato soup. She begs for it often and never cares what season it is – she loves to help make it!
This may have been my favorite grill session yet: steak bites, shrimp, and zucchini!

Ready or not, here comes September!

June ’25 in Pictures

On By MitchenersIn Dominican Republic, Family, Indiana, Photos of the MonthLeave a comment

I forgot how much I loved summer in the States.
Enjoy 30 June pictures from our perspective!

Ministry

How many of these visiting teams photos have I posted over the years? It may just seem like random faces, but each person is an answered prayer.
Our Dominican staff decorated for summer camp!
Getting a head start on learning how to line up for the upcoming school year 🙂
We have returning visitors who connect so well with many of our students – that means the world to us!
This young lady has attended Freedom her entire life (along with her two sisters). She’s had so many life experiences already. We’re praying that she always chooses to put the Lord first in her life.
If you’re wanting to hire some professional organizers/cleaners, look no further!
Cuties!
Where will this little lady be in 5 years? 10 years? Hopefully growing up and learning lots about Jesus at Freedom!
At the end of each week, one of our interns got a pie to the face. Our high schoolers were not unhappy about this. 🙂
VBS!
Parents signing important docs before school begins. Betsaida (in the black shirt) has been a huge godsend to this ministry
The school my kids attend in Indiana had the opportunity to visit my old stomping grounds! I hope they were able to fall in love a bit with this little slice of the Caribbean.

Family

We went camping with the fam one weekend! Check out that pile o’ chicken.
We took a beautiful hike through the woods
Leyton and his siblings enjoyed the hike, but they were all glad to make it back to the car at the end. 🙂
My parents have been experiencing visits from some unwanted visitors. We watched these guys steal the cat food from the front porch on multiple occasions.
Baking some brownies from scratch – this girl is obsessed with all things kitchen.
Our sweet friends’ daughter (who has been a Freedom intern) got married. I was seated by my high school science teacher at the reception! It was awesome to catch up with him.
We took a mini-vacay with some friends to the mountains. They treated us to these amazing made-from-scratch donuts!!
Better than Starbucks!
Another wedding (this time in IN)!
Summer calls for the making of many fruit smoothies
Happy 39 to Scott!
Someone started piano lessons this summer!
I had a lot of fun helping out with our church’s VBS this year! I’m still getting to know kids and their families, but they were all so precious!
We have some Chipotle haters in our family, so Leyton and I took a special lunch trip to one of our favorite places
Noah after we finished a card game one afternoon: “Mom, don’t you need to take a picture of it? You always do that when we’re playing something…” Heh.
We enjoyed several weekend trips to a local park to go wade in the creek.
This pup has had some recent health issues
Folding laundry and getting some Roo cuddles

Thanks for following along on our picture journey!

January ’25 in Pictures

On By MitchenersIn Dominican Republic, Family, Photos of the MonthLeave a comment

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!

We took a quick trip to Ohio to visit family. Cal has claimed this kitty as her own and treats him like her dollbaby.
A winter wonderland! All 3 kiddos loved the snowy fun this month!
Cal got a fancy paint set for Christmas and has enjoyed trying her hand at some canvas painting.
Back in the DR, many of our teachers, staff, and admin attended an ACSI conference in town
Kids were happy to return to school after a 2-week Christmas break
Ms. Rosa warmly welcomed her secondary students back to class
Krista and I were able to take a trip back to Freedom this month to help with some projects on the ground!
We helped deliver a good number of sponsor letters
We met the newest member of the Freedom ground team!
Some afternoon iced coffee and computer work overlooking my favorite school building
I would never admit to having favorites, but Cristofer has always made me feel like I’m HIS favorite with his big hugs and sweet smiles
Our high schoolers are already preparing for their Independence Day celebration
Luis Manuel and Enmanuel asked me to take their picture – Roger enjoyed photo bombing
Oh.my.word. I couldn’t get enough hugs from these two sweeties! This little family has my heart for sure.
Commence the food photos! 🙂 A typical school lunch at Freedom.
Gotta catch a “sunrise over Freedom” shot, of course
Yuleisy fixed us a huge spread of Dominican deliciousness. Locrio is a fave, and my family was salivating back home when I sent them the pictures.
Salami and peppers served over bollo
This is heaven on a plate for me: Dominican avocado and fried plantains
I was able to spy on Scott playing bass Sunday morning from a couple thousand miles away
Anllelo has just 1 1/2 years left before graduation. He was one of my kindergarten babes! He helps the kitchen staff with breakfast jobs each morning before the majority of our students arrive.
Jhoan! We miss this guy!
Krista and I timed our trip perfectly! Some wonderful friends were also visiting while we were there!
Exciting to see some work happening on a new playground area specifically with our pre-schoolers in mind
Austin talked to the student body one morning about evaluating what is in your heart – whatever is found there will come out in your words!
Ms. Diana working with her group of girls in English tutoring
Soaking up those cuddles!
Sweet dreams, little man!
Headed back to IN
For my birthday, my family indulged my board game obsession by getting me some fun new titles. Now, to find the time to play them! 🙂
I know this little gal will very soon exchange her Barbies and doll-playing days for more grown-up activities. I’m dragging this season out for as long as I can because little girls don’t keep.

See you at the end of February!

Coming Home

On By MitchenersIn AngelaLeave a comment

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.

Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling, 
calling for you and for me; 
see, on the portals he’s waiting and watching, 
watching for you and for me. 

Come home, come home; 
you who are weary come home; 
earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling, 
calling, O sinner, come home! 

Why should we tarry when Jesus is pleading, 
pleading for you and for me? 
Why should we linger and heed not his mercies, 
mercies for you and for me?

Time is now fleeting, the moments are passing, 
passing from you and from me; 
shadows are gathering, deathbeds are coming, 
coming for you and for me.

O for the wonderful love he has promised, 
promised for you and for me! 
Though we have sinned, he has mercy and pardon, 
pardon for you and for me.

May Furlough 2019

On By MitchenersIn AngelaLeave a comment

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!

Getting on a jet plane!
Checking out that big, wide world while waiting to deplane
Finally made it to our first stop!
Making breakfast with Aunt Suzy!
Scott in his happy place – playing bass!
Fun with Memaw!
Ice cream for dinner? Absolutely!
Happiness!
Good’s Ice Cream visit is a must!
Randomly running into another Freedom missionary’s family!
LCS alum speaking in chapel
Center court with Dad!
Posing under a poster of dad’s high school basketball team as ACSI state champs!
A wonderful breakfast with this sweet lady!
Precious and ornery all mixed up in one
A quick visit with Ang’s grandparents
Making homemade slime with Great Grandma!
Evening bonfire fun
Lunch with this amazing crew!
A chilly softball game
College friends!
Brand new kittens are the best
Their very own treehouse!
Leyton cuddles
Camping fun
Glow-in-the-dark glasses!
My favorite mother-in-law
A fun but muddy hike!
Family
The boys and their creatures…
Water fun!
A new experience – drinking out of a public water fountain
Missions talk with this awesome group at church
Our sweet friends treated us to a day at the aquarium
Such fun!
Tuckered out – one more flight before we’re back!
Headed back to the DR!