The Dominican

First of all, I feel like that would be - and has probably already been used as - a great movie title.  Secondly, I must apologize to my readers for not updating the blog sooner about one of the best experiences I have ever had.  I went down to the Dominican Republic with our church to do some missions work in the town of Hato Mayor.  Our goal was to accomplish two things: build a church in one of the communities that Shalom (my church's partner church) has been working to help and witness to the many children running around the community while we were building.

My hope with this post is to just share a little bit of what was amazing about my trip through pictures of some of the people and stories about what I experienced.  The best way I can think to do that is by talking about three things:  the people I worked with, the things that I witnessed and the lessons I learned.

The People I Worked With

I was on the trip with 19 other people.  There were people who ranged in age from 14 to 44.  At first I thought that might create some awkward cliques as the trip went on, but I could not have been more wrong.  It became clear that each one of the people on the trip had gone to the Dominican with the purpose of growing closer to God, and as He often does I feel like God displayed His glory through the relationships we formed with each other during the week.  I got the opportunity to talk with some of the high school boys about struggles they have had living a Christian life in such a secular school environment.  I had the opportunity to form friendships with people my own age, and to learn from those who have had children and have lived more life than I have.  It was amazing.

The people I spent the week with.

We also met and worked with some of the most dedicated people I have ever known.  We had two "translators", Lionel and Mario.  The reason I put translators in quotes is because when I think translator I think someone who speaks both their native language and the translated language fluently.  Let's just say communicating didn't go as smoothly this week as I would have hoped.  But aside from that, these two men were such amazing brothers in Christ.  When we met them initially they both seemed shy, but as the week went on I saw them worship and praise God so passionately both during church services and through the work they helped us do that my view of who they were was totally changed.  It filled me with such joy to know that we were spending time with brothers of the faith who worship the same God that we do even if they don't really speak the same language that we do.

Lionel on the left, Mario on the right.

We also met one of the most intimidating men I have ever seen.  Not intimidating in the usual sense, but moreso intimidating based on things he did throughout the week.  Like hammer a 3 inch nail into the structure with one swing.  His name was Woscar, and in case you are wondering that translates into English as: Woscar.  He was the right-hand man of Pastor Carlos, and pretty much didn't talk to anyone.  But if he did talk to you, you listened.  And immediately asked someone to translate in case he asked you to do something.  

Woscar guarding the bus.

We also had the opportunity to work with a couple of pastors from the churches associated with Shalom.  Pastor Cruz and Pastor Rudolfo would probably have been considered our project managers when it came to the church.  Rudolfo spoke through the work that he did, and Cruz spoke through a loud and joking demeanor.  Rudolfo would point and often speak in one word commands whereas Cruz would joke with the people around him, laugh at us and then tell us what to do.  Neither of them spoke English - but neither of them really had to.  Their work and personalities spoke for themselves.

Carlos on the left, Cruz in the middle and Rudolfo on the right.

Last but not least, pictured on the left, was the head pastor of Shalom, Pastor Carlos.  I cannot say enough about the work he is doing down in the Dominican.  He has such an outstanding relationship with the community - given what he does for a living - and has such a heart for the people of Hato Mayor and the communities surrounding it.  He took us to see so many different areas that Shalom has been able to reach out to and explained why certain things were handled the way that they were.  He is a big man - he is tall and has a very strong presence.  He was driving us home one night on the bus and someone on the street hit the bus as it went by.  He immediately stopped it, got out, and walked up to the person to see what the problem was.  He didn't lose his temper, but I am sure if he had the person would have soiled themselves.  

The Things that I Witnessed

When I wasn't helping to build the church, I spent my time with the kids who were all around us.  I got to give some of them piggyback rides.  I got to twirl some of them around and around and then just let go.  I got to play baseball in the Dominican.  

In a field.

With cows right beside me.

And their feces right beside that.

Playing baseball with people that don't speak English.  Making a catch in the outfield.  Beside a cow.  Whaaaat?

We also played a little soccer, as you can see.  Soccer and baseball - two sports the rest of the world plays.  AWESOME!

I got to see people worshipping the same God that I do in a completely different language and in a very different way than I normally would.  We went to church on Sunday and heard Pastor Carlos preach, and on Tuesday I went to a church in Guayabal.  I also got to share my testimony on Tuesday.

Me with my ridiculous beard sharing my testimony.

The church we went to on Sunday.

Something else I witnessed: some of the best fried chicken I have ever had.  From a place that also sold Chinese food.  In the Dominican Republic.  You serious Clark?

Chinese in the Dominican.

I saw kids chasing our bus.  Like in a movie.  Because they genuinely enjoyed us.  So cool.

Seriously the coolest thing ever.

The Lessons I Learned

1. Kids are kids everywhere.  Just look at some of these pictures.  I loved getting to know some of them even in the short time we spent together.  These kids were so excited to see us everyday.  It made me so much MORE excited to be having a daughter.  It's gonna be awesome.

2. My beard was so ridiculous that I could fit 78 toothpicks into it without any of them falling out.  And look tribal while doing it.  Weird.

78 toothpicks. Say whaaat?

3. When you get people together and they get on a plane to the Dominican Republic with the intention of doing God's work, His work is done quickly and beautifully.  Look at this church!!  

4. People all over the world worship the same God that we do.  It was so amazing to SEE that - to spend time with those people and worship Him at the same time.  What a glorious God! 

I know I have been long winded and have included a ridiculous amount of pictures, but this trip was amazing and I feel like you need to see what I saw in order to appreciate what I say all the more.  There is still work to be done though, so you should go too.  I would go with you!  Seriously, what else are you doin' right now?