Month one. Where to begin? Launch rolled around on January 6. That was the day I arrived in Atlanta for some last minute training about what to expect on the field. That Saturday, January 10, we arrived in the Dominican Republic! Finally , after months of what seemed almost like waiting around, the day was here. We got off the plane, grabbed our luggage, and exited the airport: we were greeted by hundreds of people with noise makers screaming and taking pictures. There was even a live traditional Dominican band leading the way out of the airport seeming to announce our arrival. We were all laughing and gawking until we realized it was all for Pedro Martinez. He flew in on the same day, at the same time, and his adoring fans were exuberant. We got the chance to see him ourselves as he began his parade through Santo Domingo, starting at the airport.
After all the excitement, we finally climbed onto a bus (more like crammed) and made our 4 hour trek onto a mountain to the town of Lajas. We are serving this month at Hope for the Dominican Republic, run by Reuben and Vicky Dominguez. Our ministry hosts are amazing. Their heart for the people of Lajas is humbling and their love for the Lord is an inspiration. So far this month my team and I have had the opportunity to do prayer walking and help develop curriculum for the English learning program here at Hope.
Prayer walking the first week was the most incredible way to kick off our World Race. We got the opportunity to walk the streets of this small town and lift the people up to the Father. The town of Lajas is very poor and unemployment is high. Young men disrespect young women and young women often times allow themselves to be exploited because they don’t realize there are other options. During our prayer walking ministry we got the opportunity to meet a woman named Maria.
Maria is an older woman, probably in her late 60s early 70s, and a powerful woman of God. We got the opportunity to meet her at a women’s meeting our first Tuesday in country. She shared with us her testimony of how God preserved her through heartbreak and destruction. He is her strength, and His Spirit was visibly alive in her. Maria joined us for prayer walking on our last day. She brought us around town to the houses of the other women we had met at the women’s meeting. With Maria’s help we were able to pray specifically to the needs of these women.
The town of Lajas is full of darkness. Alcoholism has a strong hold over hearts and minds. Sexual abuse and trafficking of young girls is a problem that plagues not only Lajas but the entire Dominican republic. The enemy has a foothold. But God is moving. I am overwhelmed by the resilience of the people on this mountain. Maria’s example showed me that there is always a remnant. No matter how bad things may look, God is always present and always holding up His own. Hope is descending on the people of Lajas. Our door to door evangelism teams have had the opportunity to witness souls saved by the blood of Christ. Talking to the kids in town, many of them have aspirations to go to university and study medicine or education. The presence of the Holy Spirit is tangible in conversation with the inhabitants of this town.
I have been unbelievably blessed to be able to meet these people and hear their stories. God has been planting seeds here for years and I am just blessed enough to be able to be a worker during the harvest. Please lift Vicky, Reuben, Kristin, Renee, and the rest of the Hope staff up in prayer. God is using them to further His kingdom to people in desperate need of His hope and truth.
The Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in His unfailing love. Psalm 147:11
Praise God!
