Category: Stories

“Hurry Rosalanda!”, John, eleven, called to his fourteen year old half-sister.  “We want to get there before the gringos get settled on the beach.”

“Coming!”  She pushed on her flip flops and hurried out the door of their shack in Belle Vista, a few miles from the north coast of Dominican Republic.  Recent immigrants from Haiti, their family spoke their native Creole to each other at home, but the children were learning English on the beach while earning some much needed cash.

It was a hot, cloudless morning already, and promised to be a scorcher – perfect for customers at Sosua Beach.  They served them drinks and brought them lawn chairs and umbrellas for tips.  They also ran messages for the shop owners.  The beach is an ideal place to learn English, which could get them a real job some day.

Folince met them at the bridge.  Despite his being only 7 years old, he was already in grade 4.  Being inquisitive by nature, he was a sponge for picking up the social nuances of the beach crowd.  His official job was ‘messenger’, and he was quick on his feet and mind, so that everyone liked him.

Had it been a weekday,  Folince could have skipped school and kept up, but John and Rosalanda, both in grade 3, were struggling at school, especially Rosalanda, who was still learning Spanish, never mind the confusing English that John and his friends were becoming accomplished at.

Compared to Haiti, Dominican Republic was a safe wholesome place, and their parents trusted them to navigate the dangers of the drug and sex trades by their own wits.  As long as they brought home some money to put food on the table, they were happy.

Eager to leave behind everything that reminded them of their hardship in Haiti, they had turned their backs on Catholicism.  And when they heard about free admission at a Christian school in Arroyo Seco, they jumped on this rare opportunity to give their children an education.  Folince had been young enough to make the transition smoothly, but the older children still bear emotional scars which presents challenges at school.

The teachers care and understanding is now making a difference in their lives and studies.  Additionally, the positive atmosphere and faith based structure of the school has affected these new Haitian children.  Instead of running home in fear, they’re laughing and singing about Jesus’ love with their friends on the rides with Pastor Chala to and from school.  Some of them have made professions of faith after hearing the gospel message.

In the principal Professor Diogenes’ small office, I talked with Folince, who was eager to try out his English on me.  “I like to drive motorcycles”, he boasts!  Yes, he’s only 7, but going on 17!  Pastor Chala pointed out that a bright boy like Folince is a prime target for drug dealers.  After discussing the dangers of working on Sosua beach, he gladly let me pray for protection, wisdom and discernment for him. My ongoing prayer is for him and the others ‘working the beach’  to have sponsors who pray for them and mentors in their lives.

That was, until Dominican Vision rented his Safari truck to transport the build teams from Sosua to Aroyo Seco.  For 8 days, Pedro pleased his passengers by pretending to be a Christian.  Of course, he didn’t think he was deceiving anyone, as he did his best to talk and act like one.  After all, he generally led a good life.  That’s what it meant to be a Christian, right?

But Cavy, one of the crew leaders from Winnipeg, wasn’t satisfied with the act.  One breakfast he asked Pedro outright if he was a Christian.  Pedro explained how it worked for him…sometimes he was, sometimes not… but he was a good person.  Isn’t that all that mattered in the end?  “It doesn’t work that way.” Cavy tried to explain the gospel.  But the efforts of those around the table, to explain Salvation in Spanish weren’t enough.  

At the job site, Cavy found Pastor Chala and, between the two of them, explained the full gospel and what it meant to give one’s life to God and live for him.  

Cavy asked him, “What would you say if, when you died and were standing at the pearly gates, and God asked, ‘Why should I let you into my heaven?’”  Pedro had a sure answere:  “I’ve lived a good life.  I’m a good man.  I go to church sometimes and help with certain group events.”  “No Pedro!, You will never get into heaven based off those things.” Cavy had Chala read from the book of Ephesians.

 “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

 Pedro began to tear up as he started to understand what they were talking about, and the freedom that Christ could offer – no more heavy burdens of having to do certain things. 

Pastor Chala, sensing the Spirit on him, looked at Cavy and said, ‘I think it’s time to ask him to accept Jesus.  Pedro, Chala and Cavy prayed together.  That day, in the field beside the newly dug well, Pedro gave his life to Jesus.  Now he knows that he is wholly accepted by God, and can freely be the man God made him to be.

Garcia’s parents had had just enough of him.  With Garcia around, things went missing, they slept with their valuables as they couldn’t trust their son to not steal from them.  Something had to change.  The only answer was the Christian Addictions Center in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.    Without hope of change, they dropped him off for good.

Then she got the call from Pastor Chalas saying that Dominican Vision had chosen her, and had sent money for her to buy food for the poor.  She was very surprised that DVI kept helping even when they couldn’t come.  But she was also overjoyed and filled with gratitude to God and the Canadians, The first thing she did upon receiving the money was get down on her knees and pray for the Canadians who had sent it.  

Garcia was also deeply touched by the kindness of foreigners, to him and the other addicts, isolated at the center, rejected by their own parents.  He felt important because Canadians had helped him.  He decided to straighten out his life.  Morena saw this change in him and invited him to join a special advanced group she brought to her church once a month.  They sing, pray, share and eat together with her church, and then she brings them back in her older minivan. This is a special treat for Garcia and the advanced group.  The change in Garcia grew, he got off drugs, and now he also wants to help the less fortunate.