The Mesoamerica Nazarene Compassionate Ministries team participated in a service project working with local children during its annual leadership team meeting 1-6 May in the Dominican Republic.

The team visited the child development centers in Senda Infantil and El Buen Samaritan. They spent time with the children, distributed food, led classroom activities, and shared the gospel.

"The intention to have this meeting in the Dominican Republic was to expose our team to a different reality," said Dhariana Balbuena, NCM regional coordinator. "The Dominican Republic has 16 of the 32 development centers in the region. We wanted them to see firsthand the way these community development projects work so that hopefully they can replicate those projects in the countries they serve."

They also visited a water purification plant in Pueblo Viejo that was started by the local church. Most of the current employees are church members, and the water plant also has an ice factory and offers a program that gives water to the impoverished in the area.

"We thank God for the lives of [everyone who participated]," Balbuena said. "[They] continue to be agents of transformation in their communities, and they continue to be the light and a blessing wherever they are and beyond."

--Church of the Nazarene Mesoamerica