The Okotoks United Church has once again left their mark in trying to make a better life for those less fortunate in third world countries.

Thirteen members of the Church's Mission Possible team made their way to the Dominican Republic a couple weeks ago.

Gary Dzurka it's in conjunction with the TEARS program started over 20 years ago.

"We're supporting them long term, there's a lot of projects out there that we've done in the past where it's a one and done," he says. "Go somewhere, do something and then leave, we've kind of taken a long term look at this that this is a 10-15 year relationship where we'll walk with them to help the community on some very basic things around education and healthcare."

Dzurka just finished his fourth trip to La Vega and says the town isn't a place many tourists would know if they've traveled to the Dominican Republic in the past.

"It's three hours from any coast so there isn't any tourists, there isn't any tourist money and it's one of the poorest parts of the island and they're focus has been around education for children, clean water and health."

Dzurka says it's not your usual mission trip either.

"It's called a mission trip but we're not really down there to convert anybody to Christianity but to build our partnerships, let them know we're here to support them, build relationships and continue to provide them with the knowledge that the rest of North America is there to support them where we can."

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