Day two in glorious La Romana
This Sunday started with church… no surprise. Our group
split up – half went to have communion at one batey and anther went to have a
plain ole’ worship service at a different batey. I was with the latter. The
plan was for another pastor and me to lead the service complete with a grad A,
Jonathan Malone, bring em’ to Jesus, sermon.
When we got there we found that we would be working with a
local pastor who gave us the tour, showed us the church, then started the church
service. He preached. He reminded us that in the Dominican Republic there are
many, many black people. I was not ready to face that reality. He reminded us
that we (Americans) have a black president. I was blown away with that news.
Skepticism aside, his point was that we are all of God’s
children despite our skin color. To me it may seem like an obvious message, but
one that is important. Perhaps the message was not only for me but also for the
people there who may not be used to seeing white people. We do look kinda weird
and are kinda scary.
It was a heartfelt service even without my patented, grade
A, Jonathan Malone, bring em’ to Jesus, sermon. I’ll save that sermon for next
Sunday.
The batey was what I expected and at the same time took me
by surprise. I remember the poverty from the last time I was here, but memory
blocks some of the details that emphasize the suffering. We were reminded that
the children can only go to school up to a certain age (around 12 or 13) and
then they go to work in the fields. That if they are lucky enough to go to high
school they will not be allowed to go to college. There are very little
possibilities to get out of the batey. There are very little possibilities to
make life better. Hope for them is something that I do not understand. I have
hope for a better life for my children, my wife, and me, but I don’t know if
the people who live in the bateyes have that hope. What hope can one have where
it does not seem that there is anywhere to go?
The pastor preached about being ready for Christ to call you
home (read-heaven) or to return (read – rapture, end-times stuff). The pastor at
church this morning preached that we need to be ready for either at any time.
This is not a message I often preach, if at all. It tends to be apocalyptic and
gloomy and a little to strong with hell and devil stuff for me. Frankly, it
makes me scared. Yet I think I can understand where such a message can offer
hope to many people. The idea that there may be a better life afterwards may
mean more than I can understand for people here in the bateyes of the Dominican
Republic. That assurance is powerful and profound. Something humbling for a
theological snob to consider.
There was another church in the batey, something Pentecostal
where little children are baptized. One batey two churches…. hmmm. I’ll have to
write about that later.
This afternoon we went to the beach. It was indulgent. It
was unnecessary. It was very, very nice. Blue water, warm, etc…
Tonight, after dinner, we went to another church service.
This time it was in the church here in La Romana. There was a lot of very loud
music, screaming prayers, and one mostly white group that sang a timid version
of, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.” I think they were afraid.
Tomorrow I actually get to do some work. I’m supposed to be
doing construction which I think means getting coffee and donuts, standing
around for an hour, moving one cinder block, standing around for another hour,
moving the cinder block back to its original location, and then standing around
some more. Can’t wait!
By the way – the suitcase was returned. No major donations
were made to the mission for our good efforts. I have no kind words for that
person.
A picture of people sorting meds for tomorrow... see, we work!
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