Hey guys! I am currently in Haiti now, but I’m going to try and catch you up to some things from my final week in the Dominican, up to my first day in Haiti. So again, bear with me.
The hurricane wasn’t too bad! Road it out at Hope Mountain with mostly just heavy rain and winds. Thank you for the prayers! So we made it into the city afterwards, touring some of Dominican Republic’s capital landmarks, tried some amazing new foods (a lot of breaded/fried dishes). Walked the city streets visiting side shops and really experiencing the market style of shopping. Negotiating prices with the owners, running around trying to read signs, and searching for familiar items. Later that day we made it to a street restaurant that served a “genuine” Dominican dish, basically French fries covered with a strange meat, cheese, and many different sauces. As we were all eating in the middle of the street (literally our tables were in the middle of the city street). The neighborhood kids were playing with a beach ball in the street, so we decided to join in on the fun. With all of the adults laughing and giggling with/at us, so much joy filled the streets. All of us running around playing tag, playing keep off the ground with a beach ball, foot races on the street, and endless games of paper rock scissors. These kids days were made, and so were all of ours. I will always remember these moments as the first time I really felt like I was on the race. A sweet feeling that I will never forget. As we got on the bus to leave, kids came up to the windows asking when we would be back… And I can honestly say these are some of the hardest things I have ever had to hear in my life. Turning around a seeing them chase after the bus… Things that you don’t think exist back home in the states, but are sadly very real, and will forever have a major effect on me.
Forming relationships with the locals here is something I will never forget, there is a man down the road that cooks burgers and hot dogs on the weekends. Now they aren’t necessarily “American” style, but having their own Dominican twist makes them all the more special. For 50 pesos (1 dollar USD) you can enjoy one of these homestyle foods. Not exactly sure what kind of meat it is, but hey they sure are tasty. Just the other day my friend Dakota and I were invited into his home so he could cook and eat with us. It’s crazy how relationships can form through Christ, with people who speak a completely different language than you do. Only God can do these things, there’s never an irritation or awkward silence, just more hand motions and laughs when you can’t quite understand.
Just the other day my team and I went into the communities to pray and try to be a service to families after the hurricane. After walking for about a mile or so, reading off of a translated script with basic sayings such as “Can we pray or be any service to you in any way” in Spanish. Carrying brooms, and asking each family sitting outside these kinds of questions. Some families let us in to pray and one even allowed us to clean her home. A mother of six children and more living in the same home. We mopped, swept, laughed, and made good conversation with the family. The next day we were out in the community again, giving out homemade cornbread to families with little prayer cards written out in Spanish. One of my best first memories of the World Race would have to be this one, A little ways down this back road, our team was welcomed into this home with about 10 or so people there. Nobody was with us to translate, we were on our own. Without anyone being able to understand each other, we were able to find common words in things easily acted out such as superheroes (incredible Hulk, batman, superman, etc.) Acted out some sports with the men, just one of the most amazing experiences of my life. We sat with them for about an hour or so, and there wasn’t a part of me ready to leave. It never fails to amaze me when the Holy Spirit interacts in a moment with people.
Our final week in the Dominican held a church service with all of the local community churches in the area. It’s beautiful how even when you can’t understand the words of the sermon or songs in the service, you can still feel the Holy Spirit near. Without focusing on the words, you can more so focus on the feeling in a way. Kinda strange, but very cool and eye opening in a way.
Ok so I know this has been a long post, I am going to try my best to update more frequently. I know I haven’t been the best at it, and I very much apologize.
So, UPDATE :
My team has arrived in Haiti after a 10 hour bus ride, after being here a day ½ we have gone into the villages twice already to Two different villages. Our first village we spoke to a man about Jesus, and he was interested enough to ask questions. At the end of the conversation he finally allowed us to pray for him and his family. The kids are absolutely amazing and so much fun to be around, piggy back rides and the smile they give you when they run up to just hold your hand and walk alongside of you are things I will already never forget. I can’t wait to meet even more kids in the local villages, and have them run up and grab my hands just wanting someone to carry them.The children are very playful and love to dance, natural born pranksters that’s for sure. The amount of joy they pour out when simply playing kick toss with an old worn out soccer ball, or tossing a hackey sack just completely lightened up my heart and brought a warmth I have never experienced. We have been doing House to House ministry everyday since being here, going into villages with a translator, and the amount of love the families have shown us just blows my mind. Sharing the story of who Jesus is and how he has impacted our lives. These families live in poverty like I have never seen with my own two eyes before. No access to clean water, they have to treat it with aquatabs or bleach…. It’s crazy to me how with our cultures being so different, with us having so much compared to the families here, our struggles some how become relatable. The love from Jesus is the same, and the pain he has brought us through, he has brought them through also. Our time in Haiti has been 3 days, with a lifetime full of memories already. I have many more stories to tell, but I will save them for the next blog to keep this one as short as I can. I Cannot wait for the next 4 weeks here. Until the next update,
Thank you again to my supporters, without you truly none of this would be possible. I am so sorry for the chapter book of a blog this is, but hopefully God will teach me how to shorten them over time.
Talk soon,
Joe
