As I reflect on my first week living in the Dominican Republic, I am slightly overwhelmed. Overwhelmed by the beauty of the people and completely in awe of the landscape of this country. There are so many things that separate us from this people. The color of our skin, our language as well as our attitude. People here are never bothered, no matter the time of day or what they might be doing, everyone here has enough time to flash you a smile, shout an “Hola!” or answer any question you may have, despite the language barrier. I have never felt more welcomed than I do around these people. Everyone wants to meet you, to ask of your name and try to practice the little English they may know.
But if you look past the friendliness of this culture, and past the beauty of their outward appearance, you will find disappointment. Disappointment in the eyes of children who maybe have not gotten enough to eat today, who are dirty because they don’t have shoes on their feet, and disappointment that they never receive the attention or love they desire from their mother, or from the their father, whom they’ve never known. I see eyes that long for Jesus, hands more than willing to serve if you ask, and hearts that only need to be shown the way to love. They need people to model what a moral, loving, disciplined person is. Someone they can look to as they are searching for who they might become in this world. Someone that will encourage them to go to school, even though school is usually never in session. Someone to tell them that their body is not to be used to make money, but rather to be taken care of and saved for one person. Someone to tell them that as a parent you have responsibility for your children, and as a husband or wife, you have promised not only the rest of your life to this person, but eternity in Heaven with them.
Children here don’t know these things, but those that dare to enter the doors of TJ and Holly’s ministry have seen what a healthy, loving, encouraging relationship can and should look like. They have been told about Jesus and of the importance of his word and the joy that can fill your heart when you talk to Jesus. I am so thankful to be able to be with these children and also be mentored by my brother and sister-in-law. I am learning what it means to be a missionary through TJ and Holly’s ministry, as well as the work of Brian and Tammie Wallace, Tim and Lisa Bynum, Corey and Laura Beth Lamb and the work of the 7 other interns that are working here this summer.
I have moments where I completely doubt my presence here. I wonder why God would provide this opportunity to me when I cannot speak their language. But I am trying to ignore these insecurities and I am working on my language each day through all of my interactions. However, I often think of how blessed I am to be able to communicate nonverbally with these precious children with a smile or a simple touch. I am thankful that these people can gain a sense of my personality and what I represent even without words. Thank you Lord, for making us all smile in the same language.
