Background: The Taino – indigenous inhabitants of Hispaniola prior to the arrival of the Europeans – divided the island into five chiefdoms and territories. Christopher COLUMBUS explored and claimed the island on his first voyage in 1492; it became a springboard for Spanish conquest of the Caribbean and the American mainland. In 1697, Spain recognized French dominion over the western third of the island, which in 1804 became Haiti. The remainder of the island, by then known as Santo Domingo, sought to gain its own independence in 1821 but was conquered and ruled by the Haitians for 22 years; it finally attained independence as the Dominican Republic in 1844. In 1861, the Dominicans voluntarily returned to the Spanish Empire, but two years later they launched a war that restored independence in 1865. A legacy of unsettled, mostly non-representative rule followed, capped by the dictatorship of Rafael Leonidas TRUJILLO from 1930-61. Juan BOSCH was elected president in 1962 but was deposed in a military coup in 1963. In 1965, the United States led an intervention in the midst of a civil war sparked by an uprising to restore BOSCH. In 1966, Joaquin BALAGUER defeated BOSCH in an election to become president. BALAGUER maintained a tight grip on power for most of the next 30 years when international reaction to flawed elections forced him to curtail his term in 1996. Since then, regular competitive elections have been held in which opposition candidates have won the presidency. Former President (1996-2000) Leonel FERNANDEZ Reyna won election to a new term in 2004 following a constitutional amendment allowing presidents to serve more than one term, and was since reelected to a second consecutive term.

Area: total: 48,670 sq km
country comparison to the world: 132
land: 48,320 sq km
water: 350 sq km
Area – comparative: slightly more than twice the size of New Hampshire

Climate: tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation; seasonal variation in rainfall

Terrain: rugged highlands and mountains with fertile valleys interspersed

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Lago Enriquillo -46 m
highest point: Pico Duarte 3,175 m

Natural resources: nickel, bauxite, gold, silver

Nationality: noun: Dominican(s)
adjective: Dominican

Ethnic groups: mixed 73%, white 16%, black 11%

Languages: Spanish (official)

Religions: Roman Catholic 95%, other 5%

Population: 9,956,648 (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85

Age structure: 0-14 years: 29.5% (male 1,493,251/female 1,441,735)
15-64 years: 64% (male 3,251,419/female 3,120,540)
65 years and over: 6.5% (male 300,245/female 349,458) (2011 est.)

Source: CIA World Factbook, 2011

Pastor Carlos Moya and Integral Christian Mission:
In the year 2005 the vision was born in the heart of Pastor Carlos Martinez Moya to spread the good new ones of the Gospel in the Dominican Republic. Pastor Carlos Moya was determined that the Gospel would transform not only individuals but entire communities, and out of this longing Integral Christian Mission was born.

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ATTENTION: THIS PACKING LIST HAS NOT BEEN UPDATED FOR 2012. IT WILL GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF WHAT TO EXPECT, AND THE FINALIZED PACKING LIST FOR THIS COUNTRY WILL BE UPLOADED EARLY MAY 2012.

(Be prepared for very HOT weather in Texas and Dominican Republic mission trip during the summer.)

Required Items

• One carry on (generally a backpack)
• One sleeping bag, pillow, and sheet
• One Air mattress (you will be sleeping on the floor)
• 2 pairs of working gloves
• Mosquito netting for bed
• One large duffel bag or roller bag (it must be less than 50 lbs.)
• Bible, notebook, and pen
• Mini flashlight and batteries
• Nalgene or Wide mouth water bottle
• Tennis shoes for training in Texas
• Light weight work shoe or hiking shoes for in Haiti
• Cheap plastic flip flops (for showers)
• 6-7 tops, with no political, secular music/movie messages. Have both long and short sleeved shirts.
• 5-6 pairs of shorts, capris, or jeans (shorts MUST be KNEE length) have a mix of both shorts and long pants
• Swimsuit (Girls: One piece – Guys & Girls must wear shirt and shorts to and from the water)
• Two Towels and a washcloth
• Pajamas, undergarments, and socks (enough for 10+ days)
• Light jacket or nice sweatshirt (nothing with stains or holes) for when it’s cooler
• Required: Hat with brim to protect neck and Sunscreen (at least SPF 30)
• Money Belt
• Large plastic bag for wet clothing/towels (this helps when having to pack items up in lockers)
• Poncho or rain coat/rain gear
• Anti-diarrhea medicine (preferably tablets), Kaopectate or pill equivalent
• Anti-bacterial hand wipes and antibacterial hand sanitizer
• Personal Items, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, deodorant, etc.
• Basic toiletries to give away (soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant, etc.)
• 2 Plastic Jars of Peanut butter (28oz or larger)
• 2 Plastic squeeze bottles of jelly (22oz or larger) *Due to airline regulations, your PB & J must be packed in your checked baggage, but make sure it’s easily accessible because it will be collected upon registration.

 

Miscellaneous Optional Items

• Candy to give away to children you meet (must be packed in your bag)
• Chap stick, vitamins, etc
• iPod or MP3 player (absolutely no secular music!)
• Band aids, cold medicine, Aspirin/Tylenol
• Powdered drink mix to put in your water (Gatorade)
• Spending money (suggested $50 US per week, and $10 for team photo)
• Camera
• Books for travel time (books by secular authors are NOT permitted)

 

More Important Information

• Theft is always a possibility when you travel. Please don’t bring anything that you can’t afford to lose. We recommend that you label items with your full name.
• Make sure that all your luggage meets standard flight check in codes (No more than 50 lbs., and within size regulations) and that it can be easily carried by yourself!

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