Upon arriving in the Dominican Republic last month I was not impressed. We stayed in a loud Hotel for squad debrief in the center of Santiago. Our hotel room was small and shared by four women. The upside of this set up was I got to sleep in a waterbed. Canned beans and empanadas from the stand on the corner were on the menu for most meals. We made the best of it and made memories but I was praising Jesus that our ministry site was in the mountains.
After four days in Santiago, we hopped on a bus to Lahas. My soul was resignating with the drive up into the mountains. The sights were beautiful; driving through little towns with colorful homes and piering over the side of the mountain.
We arrived at a gorgeous gated property with a beautiful wood home with a wrap around porch and a red roof that pops against the green backdrop of the mountains. We unload our packs and discover that there is a small pool and a trampoline. Even though we needed to tent, this place felt like home to me.
We meet Pastor Ruben Dominquez, his wife Vicky and the younger four of their eight children, Junior- who is 16 going on 30, Josiah- the 13 year old entrepreneur who for 40 pesos indulged our chocolate addictions , Star is 9 years old and wise beyond her years and 6 year old Solimar (Soli) who’s beautiful name means sun and sea. I will put money on that girl becoming an actress.
It didn’t take long for these ministry contacts of ours to become apart of our family.
Ministry was fun, teaching children English, going on prayer walks, helping cook and clean for our squad and digging holes, picking fruit and helping with electrical work around the property is what grounds duty consisted of.
In doing all this work we had the privilege of working with and practicing our Spanish with those who worked around the property and helped the Dominguez family; Jose, Blanco, David, and Miguel (Miguelito). We had so much fun working alongside these men practicing our Spanish and learning about their lives.
Our last night in the DR we all packed up our tents and slept under the stars by the pool. Our new brothers Junior and JoJo joined us. I realized that place tucked away in the mountains is my home. José asked me one of the last days we were there if I was going to miss the Dominican. I replied “todos” –everything,
Living simply in Its beautiful mountains, picking fruit from trees, falling down steep hills, showering in a waterfall, watching the sunrise over the mountains, star gazing on the trampoline, walking to the many colmados to get chocolate and wifi. Adventures on motorcycles, movies under the stars with the family, cooking in a kitchen in the trees and riding in the back of rusty old pick up trucks, late night domino games and bible studies in Spanish. Most importantly I am in love with my Dominican family there.
Days after leaving the DR I still get teary-eyed thinking of the people I have left behind there. I am so blessed to have built relationships with them and pray I will return to help with the Dominguez family’s next adventure – building a children’s home.
Though I am feeling homesick for all that I have fallen in love with in the Dominican Republic, I am excited to make more relationships in Bolivia this month.
