During spring break, many university students head to the beach to enjoy some fun in the sun.  A number of students from Southwestern Adventist University will take part in short term mission work in both the Dominican Republic and the Navajo Nation in Arizona and New Mexico. In Keene, Texas, a group of ladies from the Keene Seventh-day Adventist Church has made it their mission to support these trips beyond prayer or monetary donations. 

Wanting the young girls in both the Navajo Nation and the Dominican Republic to feel special and loved, these volunteer seamstresses have sewn one hundred and eighty beautiful dresses for these children. “Being part of this project has made me want to look for more projects to be involved in, and it makes me feel good to be doing good for others,” said Peggy Jacobs.  “I want the young girls to feel loved and to know that no matter what hardships they go through, there are people, young and old, who care for them.”

The process of sewing a dress takes between three and four hours. Creating one hundred and eighty unique dresses took the team of ladies a combined total of 600 hours not including the time they used to buy supplies, cut the pattern, and prepare the fabric. “We talked and laughed as we sewed away,” shared Jacobs. “While the process was time consuming, it honestly flew by.”

This year marks the 21^styear that Southwestern Adventist University has served in the Dominican Republic and the 16^thyear that the university has served in the Navajo Nation. Over the years, the Navajo Mission Trip has received increased support and this year has been blessed with funding from the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventist Church Native Ministries Department as well as the Oklahoma Conference Native Ministries Department. With just days until the trip, final preparations are being made. 

Celebrating its 125th anniversary, Southwestern Adventist University has offered Christian education since 1893. A small comprehensive university, the beautiful campus is located in Keene, Texas, about 20 minutes south of Fort Worth. Southwestern Adventist University offers personable professors, numerous programs including business, music, education, nursing, Senior Living Management Certificate, master’s programs, and many ways for students to get involved both on campus and abroad. With a diverse student body that includes international students from dozens of countries and an average student/teacher ratio of 11:1, Southwestern Adventist University offers a uniquely diverse and personal college experience.