Dominican Republic, a Country of Love

The trip that seemed doomed from the beginning. An expired passport, bad weather, a billion flight delays, and an injured team member who also didn't make it spelling trouble. But on Monday morning when I walked on to our work site for the next few days, and saw where Milagros and Ramon had torn down their home, a tiny shack, in complete belief that a bunch of complete strangers, whom they know nothing about, would show up that morning and build them a home, I felt God's presence here more than ever before. The pile of old, weathered wood that used to be a home to a family of four broke my heart and more than ever confirmed that this was where I needed to be. Romans 12:13 says, “When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.” We all serve and worship the same God, the same Father, and my brothers and sisters in christ were in need, and the ability to help was placed in SRCC’s hands. As the neighbors sat and watched, members from the church came out and helped build this house in three long days, the joy that visibly grew within Milagros, Ramon, Daniel, and Daniela was immeasurable. At the end of each work day, I'd hug Milagros and the intensity of the hug was all the words she couldn't say, the gratitude, joy, love, appreciation, and so much more. As I sat, played, and talked in my broken spanish to the Daniela and her friends, I was able to show them, through my actions and time, that not only I loved them, but God loves and cherishes them beyond words. Watching the dedication with sweet Daniela sitting on my lap, hearing the worship being sung in Spanish, and Ramon hammering the plaque on his house, God set in my heart an overwhelming sense of peace and joy and love for this family, their church, and their community, and the Dominican Republic because he is working there. Pastor Louis and his congregation, Justin and Julie Kirkland, the interns, the other churches, and every individual striving to bring heaven here on earth are making a kingdom impact, being kingdom workers. So praise God, for he loved us first and now we can love, and that we have the privilege to be the salt and light in this earth.

Dios de bendiga, Blake Bell