Final post from Dominican soil

This last post from the DR begins in the van as we bounce down the road out of Sierra Prieta.  The entire team is overwhelmed by the experience of the last week and especially of Friday.  The tears from the locals on our departure were real tears of people who will miss their close friends.  It almost chokes me up to even type about it.  The people have become a part of us and we are carrying their spirit in our hearts as we leave.  The Dominican people and especially those of Sierra Prieta are so giving and welcoming and they make our thoughts of hospitality seem anemic, despite the great wealth we all live in.

Yesterday we began with an incredible game of softball with the local youth.  It really was a fun time.  It was like being on the playground; we had captains and chose teams.  After being split up we began to play.  It was really incredible how there was no awkwardness or difficulty of acceptance.  The game was much fun and Bob and Steve really shined.  Their skill brought much respect.  After 6 exciting innings we called it a game and all the players and spectators gathered in a circled to be led in prayer.  It was a truly incredible experience.

After lunch the ladies of our team were able to bless the women who had been cooking for us during the week.  They volunteered their time to work with a pastor’s wife came everyday from another community to be trained how to cook for us.  We had been trying to figure out an appropriate way to thank them for all of their work and care.  So Terry led the women of our team in giving all of the ladies a complete pedicure treatment.  The ladies of the community took to the treatment with great excitement.  It was really incredible to see the expressions on the faces of all involved.

After the pedicure treatments came to a close as most of the team spent the afternoon hanging out with the people and children who would gather around the church.  At the same time Lori, Steve, and I (Greg) were able to meet with the leaders of the community leaders at the elementary school to hear of their vision for the community.  It was very inspiring.   One of the things that really impressed us was the hope and truly constructive nature of the things that they wanted to see happen in their community.  The primary requests had to do with safety/sanitation, children, youth, and health.  The primary things they indicated were about education, job training and keeping youth directed away from drugs, prostitution and alcohol.   They expressed over and over that their desire was for resources to overcome problems not for us to fix them. 

Following the meeting with the community leaders we were invited to a most inspiring Farewell Ceremony.  Many different leaders shared words of gratitude and kinship.  The most touching was the address by the community association president. He said that the people of Sierra Prieta were very sad and without hope before they knew of our interest in them.  But now that outsiders from a place such as the United States had come with such concern for them, their children and their young people there is now an atmosphere of hope and a desire to follow a vision for the community.  No one would say “adios” or good-bye.  They all kept telling us “Hasta Luego” until later.  They said over and over that their doors are always open to us and that even if we came only for a visit with them that we would be welcome at any time.  Following these speeches we were each presented with a certificate of appreciation from FFH.  We felt like we were presented with the key to the city when they gave us a beautiful hand painted plaque in honor of our trip and efforts to help this community.  Greg and Dale and Terry shared words of friendship and farewell.  And each person from the community who spoke expressed their concern for a safe trip home and promised to pray for us, as they knew we would be praying for them.

Following the Farewell meeting we grabbed a quick dinner of PB & J and then joined another service in the yard of the church.  The style of worship is so different but very energetic and after much singing and praising Greg spoke a gospel message from Mark 11:15-18.  The message was described as strong and to the point by one listener.

After the service there were many tearful “Hasta Luego’s”, hugs, kisses and smiles.  We look forward very anxiously to our report presentation on Sunday the 22^nd of November.

We are now at the hotel near the airport and very much enjoying the air-conditioning and modern amenities that we will soon be taking for granted again.