My Dominican Republic Experience by Donese Henneke

Dominican Republic 2026

For both myself and my husband, our decision to travel to the DR with CMDA was an easy one. It was an opportunity to serve the Lord, while learning, alongside a group of students and providers that we were already well-connected and comfortable with. As second-year medical students, the practicality of scheduling was easy: we finished our preclinical coursework around 3 weeks prior to the trip and took our Step 1 exam the Monday before we boarded our flight. This meant we were already mentally exhausted prior to the trip, and while we were incredibly busy – it was a time for the spiritual rest I was seeking.

I arrived in the DR tired and left with a full heart. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28. This week immersed in worship, service, and the kindness of others reset my mind. God reminded me why I study, why I work – to bring healing and compassion to others in His name.

While I hope and pray that our mission makes a long-term impact on the physical health of the patients we saw, I’ll refrain from a long exposition on the clinical encounters of this trip. I must have seen a hundred patients, but I’ll only share one case, in particular, that highlighted the importance of prayer in our practice: A woman with Neurofibromatosis, a lifetime genetic condition that results in large numbers of wart-like eruptions on the body. She brought her son with her – around 10 years old, if I remember correctly. Her main questions weren’t about her own body, but that of her child, whether he would eventually become similarly afflicted – which we had to say was likely. That day I was working with our dermatologist, Dr. Quintero. He did an exceptional job of praying meaningfully for every patient we saw together, and this woman was no different. There was nothing we could do for her or her son physically. Prayer was the only thing we could offer – in so many times, both in mission work and here at home, this is the only treatment we have.

God is the great physician, and this mother was a stark reminder that we, as doctors, are not miracle workers – we rely on God to work through us, to work through our Western medicines and procedures – but ultimately, only He can heal the body. More importantly, He can heal the soul. As it says in Isaiah 40:31: “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

My time in the DR was a wonderful segue into my third year, into working with patients every day. I am thankful to be starting this journey with a foundational experience, something I can look back on during my training, during my practice, and be reminded of my “why”. Be reminded to pray for my patients, whether they can hear me or not – be reminded of my hope in the Lord, that no healing happens except through Him. Be reminded to not grow weary, even when I make mistakes, even when I lose patients, because I have hope in the Lord. At risk of sounding cliché, I think God has to remind me often to let go and trust Him do the work that I cannot. I pray that I never lose sight of this and always remember that my work is for Jesus and my patients, and not only for myself.

This was my first mission trip. Not only that, but it was a trip where I could do what I love – learn and practice medicine. I was blessed even further to be there alongside my husband. I cannot wait to see what God has in store for our future, see how we can work together to serve throughout our life and marriage.

While I may have my own dreams, only God knows what he has in store for us - I remind myself, regardless of where I may be going forward, of Romans 12:1 – to be a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God.