As we came around a bend we were surprised to see beautiful green crop fields with a little village in the middle. There was various trees scattered throughout including palm trees. In the distance behind all of this were huge mountains. It felt as though we had flown somewhere else because we have been living in a city called San Juan which has tons of people and no open space. Yet just 2 miles away from our house in the city was this beautiful place.
Upon approaching the village we were met with smiling faces. My team had been told earlier this week that we would be serving a small farming community. All of us were excited to be able to possibly help with harvesting and painting the back of the one room school house.
We were humbled by the hospitality of the people and it seems to be the Dominican way. We walked around the village of about 30 houses and said hi to everyone who was outside. Everyone we met wanted us to sit down and would give up chairs that they were sitting in for us. We made our way around to each house and the children from the house would join us. They seemed to be so excited that we were there and would grab our sunglasses to try on. One little girl of about 2 hid behind here dad as we sat with her family. She was shy but I soon convinced her to sit on my lap. Even though I couldn’t speak to her she seemed content to just sit on my lap. From that point on she was like a little monkey just clinging to me. As we left that day she cried and had to be held back by the other children because she wanted to go with us. It made me sad.
For the next three weeks we will be walking 2 miles one way to this village 5-6 days a week. We aren’t quite sure all that we will be doing there its kind of up to us to notice things to do. We are just praying that God gives us eyes to see what needs to be done. We are really hoping to help with the harvest but that might not start for another week or two. We might do a vacation Bible school with the kids in a couple weeks.
Aside from the village God is also bringing other people who live in San Juan to us. As we walk around to go to the market or to the internet cafa everyday we end up talking to someone and helping them in some way. It has been so great for everyone in my team to see God’s hand in this because we just can’t plan these moments. Yesterday we were able to offer a sandwich to a woman who was practically in rags and told us that she was nine months pregnant, lost her husband last month and her little girl was with her. It was hard for me not to cry as she sat there looking so weak and could give birth any day. We were able to pray for her but then she went on her way. I have no idea how that baby will be delivered healthy. It will have to be God.
Please pray that God opens doors to the peoples’ hearts in the village to know him. Pray that God gives my team wisdom on what we can do to help and bless these people. Also pray that God continues to bring people in San Juan to us that we can show God’s love to them.
