On Jan. 20, we joined eight people from Bowmanville and were privileged to experience a world just beyond the resorts of Dominican Republic. There are far too many stories to tell, but we hope to give you a glimpse of what we experienced.
We went to a church service and met a girl named Mercedes. She was dressed well and encouraged Harold to get his hands out of his pockets and praise God with them. The following day we stopped by her home where she lived with four children in a 15’ x 15’ home that had so many holes in the roof, her children slept under a tarp!
We also delivered beans and rice to a community called Black Water and as soon as people saw our van arrive, there was a lineup of 100 people! There was enough for 200 families and it was handed out in minutes! We spent a lot of time in an orphanage that the group from Maranatha Christian Reformed Church in Bowmanville has adopted. Twenty seven orphans live there and we could never give out enough hugs.
Our guide for the week was Pastor Joelle. It was helpful to have him as an interpreter and to provide meaning to our experiences.
We also had the opportunity to work on a home for a woman and her children. This home was started and finished while we were there and cost $850!
So how do you bring an experience like this home? You encourage others to experience life beyond our North American culture; you find a love for people far away and keep them in your heart and prayers.
We both hope to go back someday, because the people changed us- we are grateful for our lives and for the pride and passion with which they live their lives.
Ask us for more stories and details. Go for it - step out of your comfort zone!
- Jim and Harold
We went to a church service and met a girl named Mercedes. She was dressed well and encouraged Harold to get his hands out of his pockets and praise God with them. The following day we stopped by her home where she lived with four children in a 15’ x 15’ home that had so many holes in the roof, her children slept under a tarp!
We also delivered beans and rice to a community called Black Water and as soon as people saw our van arrive, there was a lineup of 100 people! There was enough for 200 families and it was handed out in minutes! We spent a lot of time in an orphanage that the group from Maranatha Christian Reformed Church in Bowmanville has adopted. Twenty seven orphans live there and we could never give out enough hugs.
Our guide for the week was Pastor Joelle. It was helpful to have him as an interpreter and to provide meaning to our experiences.
We also had the opportunity to work on a home for a woman and her children. This home was started and finished while we were there and cost $850!
So how do you bring an experience like this home? You encourage others to experience life beyond our North American culture; you find a love for people far away and keep them in your heart and prayers.
We both hope to go back someday, because the people changed us- we are grateful for our lives and for the pride and passion with which they live their lives.
Ask us for more stories and details. Go for it - step out of your comfort zone!
- Jim and Harold
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