Land of Platanos

               

My parents were born and raised in
the Dominican Republic. While growing up in the United States they always told
me stories about the striking contrast of the way it was for children growing
up in the Dominican Republic. I always heard these stories, but I couldn’t
really picture the scene. I always assumed they exaggerated their stories of
kids running around barefoot, making toys out of whatever unwanted trash they
found, and basically fending and working for themselves. However, after working
in Villa de La Liberacion, this underprivileged community gives life to their
stories.

 

For the past month I have played
with kids who are barely clothed and most likely haven’t bathed in days.
Sometimes I see lice jumping around in some kids hair, and what would completely
gross me out in the U.S. has humbled my heart to have compassion for these
children. Those who know me well are well aware that I am not fond of children,
and yet I have happily played with them for about 6 hours a day five days a
week. I have gotten about 6 shades darker in the process and consumed an
equivalent of 2 gallons of water a day, yet here I am still happily blogging
the privileges the Lord has blessed me with. I get to see the genuine smile on
kids’ faces, for the simple fact that there is someone who has come from
another world to love on them.

 

            As
a new comer walking into the neighborhood on a typical sunny humid day, you can
feel the presence of lightness and darkness. You see the impoverished children
looking at scraps as potential toys, grown men walking around with guns like
they own the place, and women wearing the most revealing clothing to accentuate
their assets. I see darkness in this place, and my heart goes out to the
countless children who roam the streets. They deserve to live in a world of
innocence, yet that seems to be like a fantasy in this place. However, there is
always light amongst the darkness, and it shines brightly. I met a very strong
woman of God, who not only serves as a Sunday school teacher, but also filled
me with encouragement. It’s ironic because I went in with the mindset that I
would be the one encouraging, yet here I was inspired and filled by a woman who
doesn’t have much physically, but has so much more to offer spiritually and
mentally.  

To end on a good note, if you come to DR you have to try
an Empanada! Mmmmhhhhmmmmm good and cheap!