ELDON, Mo. -- The Christmas season is known as the time of giving for many, but for three Eldon businesses their giving to others is not just in December.
Dr. Brandon Bennett and his wife, Diana, of Eldon Family Dentistry, Dr. Bruce King and his wife, Joyce, of King Dentistry, and Miranda Henley and Dennis Bond, of Eldon Drug, are all making preparations to give of their gifts to Haitian refugees.
In February 2015 the three businesses, along with an anticipated 42 other people with many from around the Lake of the Ozarks area, are participating in a Medical Missions for Christ, International trip to the Domincan Republic. These people will bestow their time, expertise, kindness and love for Christ - gifts the refugees don't usually otherwise receive.
What is viewed as a Caribbean vacation for so many is a mission for these volunteers, who are giving to those without the luxuries of home or the relaxation of a vacation and provide care to those who are in need.
The 501(c)3, non-denominational organization Medical Missions for Christ, International is on their fourth year of going to the Dominican Republic. Having treated approximately 5,000 people in four days last year, it is expected they will see thousands again this year, according to Joyce King, a representative of Medical Missions for Christ, International.
King said of the 40 plus people going, it is not the first time for most participating in this trip, though she did know the Bennett's were newcomers.
Dr. Bennett has been on missions before but not with this particular organization as he and his family have only been living in Eldon a little over a year. Bennett was excited to be involved. He said they have participated in other missions and he likes being able to provide to others that may not be able to get care.
Bennett's sharing doesn't stop at the mission trips. He is also secretary for the Eldon Lions Club, which does a wealth of charitable activities for the community, and he donates his time providing dental care to the troops at Whiteman Air Force Base in Knob Noster every month through the U.S. National Guard.
Bennett said he, along with King Dentistry and Eldon Drug, are just a few of the professionals going on this trip but thought they were the only ones from Eldon. There will be doctors, nurses, dentists, pharmacists and trained professionals for eye care, as well as support people.
The focus of the mission, Bennett said, will be in the sugar fields where Haitian refugees are working long hours for very little pay and living in unsuitable conditions.
"We want to help with both the physical and spiritual needs," he said. "Not only will they get medical and dental attention, there will be bibles handed out, as well as other supplies such as toiletry items."
Bennett said much is needed for the trip. They will be filling suitcases full of items to take and share.
"The plan is for each of the estimated 45 people to take two suitcases," he said.
However, the suitcases will be filled with supplies such as glasses, hats, hotel-sized shampoos and conditioners, deodorants, soaps, hand lotions, toothpaste, toothbrushes, travel sewing kits, crayons, pencils, pens, quart zip lock bags, flip-flops and other various small items to be given to the refugees, Bennett explained.
"The volunteers go with just a carryon of their own personal items," he said.
The group relies on donations, both for supplies and monetarily. Any money donated will go strictly towards caring for the refugees, Bennett added. He said each volunteer pays their own way including all travel, lodging, food and any other expense.
"Any monies raised go towards the care of the refugees," he reiterated reassuringly.
As printed in the Medical Mission for Christ, International's brochure, "the goal is to carry the love of God to the Haitian refugees. Pulling teeth and giving medications are only temporary. The gospel is eternal."
As part of the treatment provided, the volunteers will issue prescriptions, vitamins, hygiene instructions with supplies and they will also focus on bible lessons and crafts for the children, according to King.
King said a lot is put into taking these trips so they partner with an organization called the Praying Pelicans out of Minnesota that arranges everything.
"We pay them a fee to arrange the missions...they have connections and can organize everything involved for the whole trip," King said.
King acknowledged safety can sometimes be a factor but the Praying Pelicans take care of that also.
"They have connections and can arrange the entire trip, including providing safety measures if needed," she assured.
King said they don't have to worry about thing because the Praying Pelicans take care of everything needed as far as the trip and travel goes.
King also clarified that the Medical Missions for Christ, International is for the mission trips; however, they do also help those in need at home through the Medical Missions for Christ clinic which is located in Camdenton. Their goal there is to help those "at home" who need help, not just in other countries.
Medical Mission for Christ, International is working to raise at least $10,000, King said. The monies will go towards purchasing the supplies that aren't getting donated and it helps pay for the care of the refugees. King also told of the many orphaned children. She hopes to have enough monies to also purchase beans and rice to help feed the children.
"We can give medications, vitamins, provide dental work," King said, "But, then we are gone. We want to help with physical needs as well as spiritual needs."
So, while the stay for these volunteers is no paradise - taking time out for rest and relaxation as the Caribbean world is often viewed - it is a heartfelt and Christ-led trip that can provide internal joy and a paradise of its own nature in being able to share and help others, regardless of the time of year.
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If the public is interested in donating any items or money, it can be dropped off at Eldon Family Dentistry, King Dentistry or Eldon Drug, with checks made payable to Medical Missions for Christ, International. If not in the Eldon area, contributions may be mailed to Medical Missions for Christ, Intl., c/o Joyce King, 351 Sweetwater, Lake Ozark, Mo. 65049.