DR installment one

it is weird to be back in many ways. noises and distractions. the traffic. wider streets. no people on the streets. no one saying hello. and stuff, stuff, stuff.

a little background. northminster presby is the church i grew up in in cincinnati. they have been working with food for the hungry (and international organization) for ten years in the domincan republic, and i believe five years in the community of las flores, in costanza (in the mountains of the DR). over the course of the week, our team helped build two homes for people homeless b/c of hurricanes last year, ran four days of VBS for up to 150 children in the community, and visited 25 homes... all with the help of the people of constanza and las flores.

some thoughts from the trip...

day one:

we went to las flores at four for a "welcoming ceremony" and tour. the community expects the americanos every summer, and so the kids come pouring out of their homes to hold our hands as we walk around their community. my heart was broken by some of what i saw and overflowing by some of what i saw. we were welcomed with unbelievable love as borthers and sisters. and yet, everywhere i turned were signs of deep poverty. but hope... neighborhood organizations, reduced infant mortality rates, a recently completed library... envisioned and created by the community, and cooperation. the poverty is far beyond individual, it is part of a global system. what is my place in the system? how am i responsible or contribute to it?

if moses came down the mountain in the midst of my home communities, what idols would he see us worshiping and claiming not to know where they came from? money, capitalism, institutions, nationalism, self, power...? what idols am i unconsciously worshiping that i need to turn away from?