My time in the Dominican Republic is over. I have so much I want to share, but can’t find the words to adequately describe this past month. First of all, this is what we woke up to everyday…
One thing that stood out about Los Montacitos from the very beginning was the joy of the people. Every time Pastor Domingo saw us (which would often be 10 times a day) he’d greet each of us with a loud “Heeeey” and a pat on the back. From the beginning, despite obvious language barriers, we were welcomed as family. We would be treated to hot coffee or fresh juice almost everywhere we went, strangers would hand us fruit as we passed them on the street, and everyone we visited with would ask us to stay longer.
I began this month exited about the location, but unsure of the
ministry. By the end of the time there, as sad as I was to leave the
mountains, my heart was breaking to say goodbye to the friends we had
made. The 3 weeks we spent there didn’t feel like long enough, and yet
it is hard to imagine what else could have happened to improve our time
there.
ministry. By the end of the time there, as sad as I was to leave the
mountains, my heart was breaking to say goodbye to the friends we had
made. The 3 weeks we spent there didn’t feel like long enough, and yet
it is hard to imagine what else could have happened to improve our time
there.
Our ministry in the mountains varied quite a bit. Many days we went out
and visited homes, either in Los Montacitos or neighboring communities.
There were a few days where we hiked an hour or longer to get to other
villages. We also got the opportunity to pick coffee beans, run Sunday
school, teach English classes, and help build a new church building. We also attended all of their church services which they had every other day, and even though our songs could never match theirs, they always asked us to sing and share testimonies. I was the most unsure of
the home visits, and yet by the end it became something I looked forward
to. It was a great chance to hear the stories of the locals and
discover more about the community.
and visited homes, either in Los Montacitos or neighboring communities.
There were a few days where we hiked an hour or longer to get to other
villages. We also got the opportunity to pick coffee beans, run Sunday
school, teach English classes, and help build a new church building. We also attended all of their church services which they had every other day, and even though our songs could never match theirs, they always asked us to sing and share testimonies. I was the most unsure of
the home visits, and yet by the end it became something I looked forward
to. It was a great chance to hear the stories of the locals and
discover more about the community.
All of us were pretty apprehensive about the idea of door to door
evangelism. We’re used to the American mindset of not wanting any
unsolicited visitors, especially if it involves religion. We were
surprised when house after house they would run to a neighbor’s to find
enough chairs for us all, make us coffee or juice, and eagerly wait as
we explained why we were there. They were usually very excited for us to pray for them and their families, and no one ever seemed ready for us to leave.
evangelism. We’re used to the American mindset of not wanting any
unsolicited visitors, especially if it involves religion. We were
surprised when house after house they would run to a neighbor’s to find
enough chairs for us all, make us coffee or juice, and eagerly wait as
we explained why we were there. They were usually very excited for us to pray for them and their families, and no one ever seemed ready for us to leave.
But more than the families we met once or twice, were the faces we saw
every day. Domingo had such a radiant joy that always rubbed off on us.
Francis never ceased worshipping the Lord; even when we were all out of
breath from a ridiculous climb, he would be singing praise songs. Nedillo treated me like a daughter from
the first time we met, and was always looking for a way to protect me.
Mari had such a gentle spirit and even though it was hard to
communicate, she felt like a sister from the beginning. And then there
were the little children who followed us everywhere, the young men who
helped build the church despite not being Christians, and the women who
cooked for us at every opportunity. There were so many people who simply
exuded love; I wish I could share them all with you.
every day. Domingo had such a radiant joy that always rubbed off on us.
Francis never ceased worshipping the Lord; even when we were all out of
breath from a ridiculous climb, he would be singing praise songs. Nedillo treated me like a daughter from
the first time we met, and was always looking for a way to protect me.
Mari had such a gentle spirit and even though it was hard to
communicate, she felt like a sister from the beginning. And then there
were the little children who followed us everywhere, the young men who
helped build the church despite not being Christians, and the women who
cooked for us at every opportunity. There were so many people who simply
exuded love; I wish I could share them all with you.
I can’t find a way to describe what this month meant to me any other way
then this: Domingo, Mari, Augustina, Francis, Fau, Genni, Ariel,
Sandra, Nedillo, Gabriel, Kennedy, Gregorio, America, Vito, Santi,
Miguel, and so many more incredible people. I love how they love.
then this: Domingo, Mari, Augustina, Francis, Fau, Genni, Ariel,
Sandra, Nedillo, Gabriel, Kennedy, Gregorio, America, Vito, Santi,
Miguel, and so many more incredible people. I love how they love.
