Live from the Dominican Republic

Wednesday morning, Don Rock, Connie's husband, drove us through the sea of lights along the highway, to the Atlanta Airport. 

At the time, I repeated my conviction that Atlanta highway driving is the 7th ring of hell (read Dante's Inferno.)  We talked about hope and seeking God and living a life that is salty and sheds a little light in the dark world.  We laughed a lot in the pre-dawn darkness.  Soon, we were 30,000 feet above terra ferma and headed to the Dominican Republic.

The Dominican Republic shares an island (Hispanola) with Haiti in the Caribbean.  Folks speak a rapido and hearty Spanish, are some of the most civil and beautiful people I've met in my traveling, and live among color, flowers, dominos, progress, half/un-finished homes (more on this later), the most exciting driving I've ever encountered (woohoo!), and community.  It is in this space that we met up with Miguel & Kristin Shaul; and our host pastor, Juan, and his wife, Alba. 

Our first afternoon/evening in Santa Domingo, we drove hither and yon and that was excitement enough.  Though "some of the most civil and beautiful people I've met in my traveling," Dominicans raise driving to an art form for demolition derby enthusiasts.  Nearly every automobile is crunched, dented, or scratched in some magnificent way.  Driving is governed by suggestion and honking and jockeying for position.  In this mix come the scooter drivers and motorcylists who weave in and out of traffic – usually with one or two passengers – and large…confidence. 

I'm inspired.

The island is beautiful.  Coconut trees, flowers, and this colorful people bring life to buildings in spring basket colors.  And before I bore you with blather, I'm going to post a few pictures and let them tell the tale.

Home & shop in the Zona Colonial district of Santa Domingo near Columbus Plaza

Tree giving sun & rain shelter to domino players and tourists in Columbus Plaza.  Preparations for Holy Week are beginning and we even encountered a parade in Villa Mella yesterday.

A quick shot of a common feature in the Dominican landscape; street vendors, umbrellas, and folks finding shade.

A home/tienda/place to watch the parade of a world honking by.

Thank you for your prayers.  This is a whole new world for me – not the traveling so much – but the more complete dependence upon a God I cannot see.  Connie is already proving a fun and compassionate leader – a leader I can follow and serve. 

Pastor Juan, Alba, and their church family have prayed for God to send people to help them refresh their community and invite them to hope. 

They got us.

And a team of high schoolers from Virginia.

And a big God who heals the broken hearted, sets the captives free, brings  light to the darkened lives of desperation, and celebrates in mighty colors – new life and redeemed hope.

Wow. 

Please keep praying.  We've got a few big jobs, a language gap for many of us, shared hope,
and wonder.

More later.  Gracias.
And may the "fresca brisa" fill you with hope, joy, and a little samba today.