Full Circle: Mission Roots Fuel a Gear Delivery in the Dominican Republic

July 9–16, I had the privilege of returning to the Dominican Republic — a place that shaped my life in ways I'm still discovering. I served here in the Santo Domingo West LDS Mission from 1999 to 2001, and I've carried with me ever since the warmth of the people and the lesson that true joy comes from service.

This trip had several purposes: to deliver baseball gear and first aid supplies, to reconnect with my mission roots, to give my son Austin a taste of meaningful service before he heads out on his own LDS mission, and to scout future Vias RD projects. Alongside my friend Brian Straley — Vias RD's founder — we traveled from Santo Domingo to Herrera, Barahona, Los Patos, Vicente Noble, Juan Dolio, and San Pedro de Macorís.

What We Brought

We brought three large bags packed with bats, balls, gloves, cleats, pants, and three sets of catcher's gear — and still, it wasn't enough for the need we saw. We delivered the gear to our team in Barahona, where the excitement on the kids' faces said more than words ever could. In Vicente Noble, with the help of the sister missionaries, we delivered simple first aid kits door to door in a humble neighborhood, meeting families face-to-face.

Moments That Stayed With Me

Some moments stand out sharply in my memory. Seeing the kids light up when they realized the baseball gear was for them. Sitting in church in Barahona, remembering the dedication of the members I knew decades ago. Laughing with our friend Bernarda and her family, and catching up with Coach Ulises. Spending an entire day with Juan de la Cruz, visiting ballfields, meeting kids, and watching the joy of baseball ripple through each interaction.

And watching Austin on the ballfield, surrounded by kids firing off questions in Spanish. His Spanish was a little rusty, but the kids didn't care — they jumped right in without hesitation, and he loved every second of it.

What Being Back Reminded Me

Being back in the DR reminded me that the relationships, the faith, and the spirit of service don't fade — they're still here, waiting to be nurtured again. The Baseball Via that Vias RD runs in Barahona is exactly this: adults who came back, stayed connected, and built something because the community invited them to.

Bernarda Acosta, our General Manager, has been part of this since the beginning — 25 years of relationship with Brian, deep roots in Barahona, and an understanding of these families that no outside organization could manufacture. Coach Ulises Batista trains the players daily. This isn't a program dropped into a community from the outside. It was built from within it.

We're going back. You can join us on a project, bring your baseball team, or help from home. Even simply talking about the organization and the mission helps more than you know.

See our full impact, read more stories from Barahona, explore Vias Baseball Camp trips, or volunteer with us.