That was fast….
It seems like it was just a few days ago when I stepped off the plane in the Dominican Republic, but now I realize that I’m sitting in a hostel starting off our debrief for this month. A month has gone by and I still cant believe that I’m actually a part of this journey. It’s crazy to think that I’m done with month one and that I still have 10 more months on this path.
This month has been a huge eye opener, but i can tell you all about that in my next blog, right now I want to tell you a little about the ministry that I have been working at for the past month, H.O.P.E. DR.
H.O.P.E. DR. Was founded by Ruben Dominguez, and his wife Vicki (native to the great state of Texas). H.O.P.E. operates mainly out of LaJas Along side with their children (well most of them that is).They are the parents of 8 children, 5 boys and 3 girls.
The 3 oldest boys, 22 and twins that are 19, are currently serving in the greatest military of all time, serving The United States in the Air Force, Marines, and the Army, and bring the truth of Jesus Christ to their brothers and sister in arms.
The oldest girl is 21 and she goes to school in the states durning the spring and fall working to earn her degree in communication. When she isn’t at school she is serving at her church. During the summer she is working here at H.O.P.E. leading camps, teaching english, practically running things administratively. She has been a huge help to us this past month by teaching us along with teaching the kids.
The 4th son, 16, is a younger version of his dad. He loves playing basketball, and is really good at it. He is without a doubt the most mature 16 year old I have ever seen in my life. At 16 he is organizing transportation, meals, translators, guides… He really is a logistics genius and he is only 16. It’s mind blowing. He also is one of the funniest dudes I have come across. Every day he makes it a point to make you laugh. He is just so filled with the spirit of God that you can see and feel it pouring out of him.
The last son, 13, is a typical 13 year old, but in the immature sense, I mean that he will blow past your expectations. When you tell him he can’t do something he is going to prove to you that he can. He is filled with life. He is always smiling and just like his brother he is always going to make you laugh, even if it’s just at his laugh.
The last two children are two awesome little girls, 10 and 7. These girls are the two most energetic girls I have ever seen. The only time when they aren’t crazy is the two minutes after they wake up and the two minutes before they pass out. they both were a huge help to us this past month when working with kids because they were able to translate for us and they kept the party alive with their energy.
This is the Dominguez family, and they will always have a spot in my heart. I hope and pray that if God were to lead me back to the Dominican Republic sometime in the future that I would be able to reconnect with this amazing family. I pray that God will continue to grow in them on a personal level as He uses their ministry to reach and touch the lives of those who live in the Dominican Republic.
