About Toby and Amy and Family

Toby has had many experiences in life to prepare him for service in the Dominican Republic. He graduated Cincinnati Bible College in 1994 with a Bachelor’s Degree in General Biblical Studies with an emphasis on Missions.  As a part of his missions training he traveled to Ukraine and Russia. Three months were then spent in Caracas, Venezuela with the Dye family. Toby served as a youth sponsor at his home church, The Church at Mt. Gilead in Mooresville, Indiana and later as youth minister with the First Christian Church in North Vernon, Indiana.

At New Burlington Church of Christ in Cincinnati, Toby served as chairman of the deacons, chairman of the Youth Ministry Team as well as teacher with children’s worship and Sunday school.

Amy dreamed of serving as a nurse on a foreign mission field from childhood. She started her preparation at Cincinnati Bible College where she received an Associate’s Degree in General Biblical Studies in 1995. Short term mission trips to Haiti, Venezuela and Canada gave her necessary preparation in cross cultural experiences. She has served in churches as a teacher and children’s church leader. Later she gave time to be a teacher and nurse at church camps.

They were married December 23, 1995. In March of 1997 FAME (Fellowship of Associates for Medical Evangelism) accepted them as field workers. In August 1997 Amy received her RN from Christ Hospital School of Nursing in Cincinnati, Ohio.  On arrival in Honduras a month later she began training with Madonna Spratt who had established a clinic in Las Brisas on the North coast of Honduras learning the practical information on operating the Clinica El Merendon as well as training in dealing with tropical disease and tropical medicine.  Toby and Amy then traveled to Antigua, Guatemala for five months of language study at Christian Spanish Academy. In June 1998 they were finally on field in the Merendon Mountains with a home, medical clinic, church building and a four wheel drive Toyota Truck.

 

While Toby is an introvert by nature, you would never think so when you see him preaching, teaching, or disclipling.  He comes alive when teaching or preaching.  He is passionate about helping others understand the Word and how it can change their lives.  No matter where you have been, what you have done, or what you believe, Toby firmly believes that God’s Word can dramatically change your life if you just follow what it says.  Toby loves to bring people together and walk them through Acts and 1 Corinthians which shares what the New Testament church believed and did.  He shares what the Bible says, early church history, and various denominations believe.  He then allows people to discuss and dig into it themselves.  His prayer is to bring everyone back to the Bible in unity and that they might have joy and peace in their lives.

In Honduras

Toby and Amy served in the Merendon Mountains for 17 years. Toby trained men in leadership and becoming ministers. 18 men were trained for ministry and the majority is still active. Amy ran a clinic for 56 villages and 15,000 people in the mountain. A gang took over their village forcing Toby and Amy to leave the mountain they love for the safety of their family. They were planning on starting another work in a different part of Honduras in the summer of 2015. Those plans were changed when it became evident it was not safe for them to return to Honduras.

In the Dominican Republic

The Hills moved to Santo Domingo for two years January 18, 2016, where Toby worked with many churches, organizations, and a school.  Santo Domingo is the capital of the Dominican Republic with 965.040 people.  It could take us 3 minutes to get to the US embassy from our house or it could take 45 minutes.  It took so long to get anywhere that Toby decided to move the family to Santiago(population 550,753) in 2018 where there were many more opportunities to work with significantly less drive time and stress.  Toby feels like he has his dream job working with individuals, churches and various mission organizations.  He is preaching six nights a week and discipling two men during the week.  The girls help visiting teams with translating while Amy sees patients or translates.  They also work with children in various ways.

Cassandra, Sarah, and Jonathan

Toby and Amy have three children.  All three kids love adventure and to take advantage of the tropical island where we live.

Cassandra was born on January 13, 2001 in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. She holds dual citizenship with the United States and Honduras as well as being a resident of the Dominican Republic.  She will be starting her nursing degree at Crowder College in Joplin, Missouri this fall. Cassandra loves to hike, paintball wars, hike the 27 waterfalls here, most types of adventure, spending time with friends, play card games, and watching movies.  She may seem quiet and shy until she knows you but then watch out for pranks! Once she knows you she is very outgoing and has a lot of fun.

Sarah was born April 21, 2004 in San Pedro Sula, Honduras and holds dual citizenship with the United States and Honduras.  She is a resident of the Dominican Republic. She just celebrated her quinceneara(15th birthday) which is a coming of age party.  We were absolutely thrilled to have our home church down to celebrate with us especially Riley Lounsbery Sarah’s best friend.  It was a very simplified quinceneara compared to a normal one which is like a wedding. Sarah wanted to have a formal gown, Honduran food, and cake.  Sarah absolutely loves horses and would ride, gallop, or practice her jumping daily if she could. She is the absolute animal lover who is going into her sophomore year in high school.

Jonathan was born in Joplin, Missouri so that he could meet his grandpa before he died.  He is a resident of Honduras and the Dominican Republic. He is our outdoorsman at 13 years old.  His favorite place is his grandparent’s cabin on a small lake where he loves to go hunting, fishing, boating, and hiking.  Like any other teenager, he loves to play video games and chat with his friends while playing online. Jonathan loves playing soccer 5 days a week with his two teams.  Each team has their own strengths which strengthen his soccer skills.  One of the highlights of his life was meeting professional soccer player David Villa, having their picture taken together, and getting his ticket signed.