Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I never understood the meaning of that quote until now. The Dominican Republic is a beautiful country. It’s overwhelming mountains and vast farmlands are unlike anything in the States.
Guachupita is a slum by our house. Before the hurricane in 1998, it was home to the rich and famous of San Juan. After the devastation of the flood it was taken over by the drug lords and inhabited by the poor. It is poverty at it’s best in the Dominican Republic.
Beauty Among Poverty
Everyday we cross a bridge that separates bad from the worst. We immediately go to the hill that overlooks the village to pray. On the right is a breathtaking mountain range. On the left is the poverty that is reality for hundreds of people.
Both overwhelming. Both beautiful.
The mountains on the right, Guachupita on the left.
Yes, there is beauty in the slums of Guachupita. I felt it the first time I looked down on the village. As we walked through the slums on our way to the hillside that first day kids flocked to us. I had one holding each hand. The first thing I noticed was that the kids weren’t wearing any shoes as they were walking through trash piles and broken glass. My heart broke for them as I became overwhelmed with emotion. To my surprise this wasn’t hurt or anger. I was filled with an unbelievable amount of hope for them.
After being around these people for a month I have to say I do not feel any pity for them. It is actually quite the opposite. They have no material possessions to call their own and yet the contentment they have is unbelievable. They don’t have to worry about mortgages or car payments. Most of the clothes they wear were given to them by missionary organizations and they eat whatever is put in front of them. They enjoy each other’s company and sit and be. Their faith is simple. They pray and God provides for them. I have learned the value of simplicity. I am fully convinced that they can have prosperity in the midst of their poverty.
Our friends Ida and Orioles
My heart breaks and cries out for these people and this village. They have become part of our family over the past few weeks. And it will be hard to leave them on Wednesday. I will share more about their stories in a few days.
Franger
These last few weeks have not been easy. There is a battle happening in this place and I have been fighting with everything in me for their chains to become broken. I’m emotionally exhausted. It’s hot, I’ve been peed on by kids, never been more dirty in my life and the running water and electricity at our house hardly work. Still, I’m embracing everything because I know this is where I am supposed to be. Our character builds as we break and this is just the beginning of me changing.
Thank you Guachupita for shattering my definition of beauty. For showing me that it can be deceptive. That some things can be rough on the outside but have the most tender center. That I need to look deep to see things for what they truly are. That beauty is in the beholder.
