The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

The Good...
After renting houses in a variety of locations here on the North Coast we discovered the perfect place for us....a condo in Cabarete East - a beautiful development that feels like heaven after a day of errands in the hustle, bustle and heat of town. We love it here and know several of the families who live here part time or year-round. One of our favourite people here is a 77 year old lady who I will call Dorothy.

Dorothy is from a northwest state in the US and spent many years as a victim's advocate for the State. She doesn't look a day over 60 and loves fun clothes and dangly earrings. I would love to be like her when I'm pushing 80!!! However, the most attractive thing about Dorothy is that she is delightful to be with, a great conversationalist and is always interested in the people around her. We (and many others) just love her.

The Bad...
Yesterday this fabulous lady had an altercation with one of the renters here who I will call "G". G was verbally abusing one of the staff members and D challenged him on his behaviour. G came after this "little old lady" and if not for 2 security guards stepping in between them he most certainly would have hit her. Unbelievable.

The Ugly...
G is a drunk, a pervert and a pedophile - preys on very young Dominican girls. Unfortunately the sex trade here is rampant and is fertile ground for perverts from every country.

Everyone here in this family community is hoping this is the "last straw" and G will be evicted.

Dinner and Dominos

On Monday we were invited to the home of one of our Dominican friends for dinner. The three of us joined 2 other families for a lovely meal.

Randy took a few pictures to try and capture the evening but pictures only go so far. The sounds of 20 people playing Dominos outside the window, the band rehearsal in the church 5 steps away, motorcycles going by outside the front door, kids hanging around in the dark outside, the power coming back on (now the fan works), random people of all ages coming into the house and leaving, with or without knowing who they are. As my friend, Sue, would say "there's just a lot going on"!!

We have been friends with these people for many years and spent quite a bit of time in their village, but there always seems to be a new story or experience.

This time we learned about a tragic accident. One of the guys our friend works with had fallen while trying to attach an electrical cord, breaking his back and several other bones. He now lies in the "hospital" in Santiago, paralyzed. He had insurance through the company he works for but apparently the premiums were not forwarded to the insurance company so...no insurance, no money, no medicine, no treatment - just laying on his back while friends and family bring him food, take care of him and wonder if this husband and father will ever be able to walk again or earn a living for his family. This is the reality of life for these wonderful people. It brings stark contrast and perspective to "wait times" in our prosperous country. At least there is expert medical care at the end of our "wait" and no worries about how we will pay for it.

Today I will spend the day at the pool, wondering how we can truly help this community we have come to love.

Purpose on the Beach??

Many North Americans come to the DR (Dominican Republic) for one of 3 reasons....to relax at an all-inclusive resort, to participate in short-term missions, or to retire part-time or full time. We don't fall into any of those categories. As some of you know, I have a high need to analyze (over-think) everything. I want to live a purposeful life and I worry about what my purpose is here. Being at this beautiful condo on the beach seems so selfish. BUT - over the years God has been teaching me a lot about His purpose. Our first morning here I read this:

"The inner thrill that God has invited us to cooperate with Him takes the worry out of the work. People work is His work and He will show us what to do, and even how to do it."

This completely defines why I am here. I have many stories about how God has used us in the lives of people here and I am excited about what His work will be this time!!!

48 Hours

Several times today I looked up from reading my book and said "Wow - is that really where I am?" The condo we are renting is just a few steps away from the pool, the restaurant and the beach. The view is quite breathtaking. Caribbean blue ocean, palm trees, lush vegetation....indescribable really. The only decision I've made so far is where to read my book.

We have been here 48 hours and are completely adjusted to life here...as simple or as complicated as we choose. Today...simple; tomorrow....complicated - as we go to Sandro's community to hang out with our friends there, learning more about how we can be involved in helping them.

The blogging adventure is new to me and I hope to share some of the stories we experience or encounter during our time here. There is something new almost every day.