GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – "God was at work in every little moment of this trip. It was impossible not to see his hand at work. I saw God's creativity in the beautiful mountains and was in awe of how he created such beauty for my pleasure and not because he had to. I saw God in the teachers at the special education school where I worked. They were filled with supernatural patience and kindness, which overflowed onto their students. I saw God in my teammates and leaders and was reminded that there is power in fellowship. I saw God in the kiddos that I worked with through their contagious smiles and uncontrollable joy. I felt God working in my heart through the worship we had every morning, and I was reminded that it is far too easy to forget to listen to God when we are always the ones talking. Finally, I felt God at work in my heart as he taught me that who I am is not defined by what I do. This trip was radically life-changing and was an experience that I will never forget." – Emma Johnson, women's basketball. 

Five different Golden Eagle athletes were able to spend a two week May term in Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic through Students International, as Emma Johnson was joined by women's basketball teammate Sydney DeJonge; baseball players Brandon Bush and Joe Corsten; as well as track & field graduating senior Hannah Drake. 

All five athletes were given the opportunity to serve in different areas within the Jarabacoa community. We sat down with women's basketball players Sydney DeJonge and Emma Johnson to hear more about their specific experiences on the trip. 

Graduating senior Sydney DeJonge was able to garnish more experience toward her dream of being a physical therapist, as she spent time in a local nursing home and clinic, serving local patients in the community. Sydney stated, "I got to work every day with a girl about my age that tore her ACL and Meniscus, and she had surgery two months ago. That was such a cool connection for me, because I had that same surgery 11 months ago. I was able to show they physical therapist down there new exercises that I did, and was able to take in new information from him." 



Sydney was also given the opportunity to experience many new things in the Dominican culture. She stated "The people of Jarabacoa do not have much… but they are thankful and grateful for all the material things that they do have. This was eye opening to me because as Americans, we are obsessed with having the best of the best material things, instead of being worried about building relationships with those around us." 

Professor of Kinesiology, Science, Engineering, & Mathematics Sherry Williams helped lead the Cornerstone trip, and she was able to challenge Sydney and the group through the act of leading worship with those in the community. Sydney state that this was her favorite part of the trip as they all worshiped the Lord together while looking outside at the beautiful mountains and nature that God created. 

Sophomore Emma Johnson enjoyed a different experience from her teammate Sydney, as she was able to serve in a special education school in Jarabacoa called Genesis. Emma stated, "Genesis is one of the only special education schools in the area. Often kiddos with special needs are pushed to the margins and are seen as outsiders. Weekdays were spent at Genesis assisting teachers, painting and reading with the kids, and of course playing baseball at recess." 

Emma continued to say that her favorite part of the trip was the beginning of every school day. "When I would arrive at school, all the students would rush to the front gates to greet me. It was the most incredible feeling in the world to see the joy in their eyes and to know that they were genuinely excited to see and spend time with me. Those kiddos stole my heart and showed me what real joy looks like. We can never find lasting happiness in material things or even physical and mental abilities. Some of these kids have never and would never be able to walk or speak, yet they were filled with an unmistakable joy. They lived life one day at a time with what they had and never let their disabilities keep them from smiling, loving, and laughing." 

From these experiences, Emma stated, "This trip taught me what genuine hospitality could and should look like." From the way the Dominican people treated Emma she was reminded of how hospitality is an act of love and it is something she was encouraged to bring back with her to the United States. 

Mission trips provide a unique learning experience for each and every individual who gets the opportunity to attend them. For both Sydney and Emma, as well as all the other Cornerstone University students who traveled to the Dominican Republic, different lessons were brought home from their experience. However, the one thing that remained constant for all of the athletes in attendance was how God makes Himself present in the community of Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic each and every day. 

Sports Information Contact: Jesse Campbell
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