I think the real work has finally begun. I think that because it really doesn’t feel like work at all. More like what I think God had intended all along. For months I’ve labored endlessly and with much effort to create something that was not to be. And, just when I had decided that all that was planned to be, was not, God starts something. And, the work has begun.
The work is a group of Dominican young men and women (mostly late teens and early twenties; a.k.a. jovenes), and true to form, these young folks don’t really care about my past, or my abilities (including lack of good Spanish language skills). What they really want, and it’s been the repeat story of all the young people I’ve worked with, is someone that can accept them for who they are, care about them, and give them a place in this world to be themselves.
So, that’s what’s happening. And, even with some caution of how quickly things can change here in the DR, I am confident that we have gained a foothold on the work here in Rio San Juan.
Just this past Sunday we had our first band concert. This concert was 45 minutes (by car) out from the village of Rio San Juan, and I’m honored and proud to say that we had about 100 people (mostly young kids and young adults) to come and hear the band play and sing. An excellent crowd for a tiny tiny spot of a placed called Bobita.
This blog will be like all the rest, way too long and way too detailed, but for the faithful few readers, it gives you an idea of what’s happening. First, as the “manager” of the band, my hope and wish, and instructions, is for them to practice, practice, practice. And then for them to use their music to touch people’s lives. Did they, while I was gone to the US?… Beyond my wildest hopes. They have demonstrated a dedication and seriousness to their efforts; the likes of which I don’t see a lot of either here or in the US from young people.
Now, I have to be honest to say that this is a very young band, and frankly some of the talent is not professional by any stretch of the imagination, but they sing with the hearts, and laugh, and have a great time. For what they don’t have in talent, they make up in just enjoying being with each other.
One of the things that I gave up when I sold my big home in Florida was my ability to host people in my home. And, it’s the only only only thing I might miss about my home in Florida. Well, I now have a simple small apartment in the DR, by any US standards, but it has become a new place for me to allow these kids to hang out. A new place to host. And, that’s what we’re doing. Hanging out, just hanging out. But having a great time together. (By the way, my apartment, by Rio San Juan native standards, is luxurious.)
I offered to take them (the group) all to a restaurant after the concert; even offered to pay for the meal. What did they prefer?… to go to my house and cook pancakes and fried salami and just entertain one another with jokes and stories. So, that’s what we did after the concert; we called it the “after party”. It was (if I can be really corny for a moment) a pure honor to have these kids (I call them that, even though kids is not quite what they are) in my home, literally rolling in the floor laughing so hard. This went on for several hours. And for hours I just sat there, and mostly listening to their jokes and their laughter, and watched them make home movies they made with my digital camera, and soaked up every moment.
And, as much as I hated to dismiss the crowd, I feared we’d be up all night unless I closed the party down. So, I did, after 4 hours.
Now, a day later, I look back and wonder how many purely incredible days I will have in the Dominican. Perhaps not many, but yesterday was one. It was work, and it was a lot of preparation. From logistics of transportation, creating our own electric energy, toting sound equipment and instruments, and a car pack with 8 people down a long road, that’s hardly worthy to be called a road; not to mention the heat. But, the destination was well worth it. It was one amazing event and after party. Thank you Lord.
Yep, the work has begun. And, attached are some pictures of the group. The group asked me to give the group a name, so I did, which is Esperanza, which means “Hope”. “Mientras hay vida hay esperanza” (translation; "Where there is life, there is hope".)
The work is a group of Dominican young men and women (mostly late teens and early twenties; a.k.a. jovenes), and true to form, these young folks don’t really care about my past, or my abilities (including lack of good Spanish language skills). What they really want, and it’s been the repeat story of all the young people I’ve worked with, is someone that can accept them for who they are, care about them, and give them a place in this world to be themselves.
So, that’s what’s happening. And, even with some caution of how quickly things can change here in the DR, I am confident that we have gained a foothold on the work here in Rio San Juan.
Just this past Sunday we had our first band concert. This concert was 45 minutes (by car) out from the village of Rio San Juan, and I’m honored and proud to say that we had about 100 people (mostly young kids and young adults) to come and hear the band play and sing. An excellent crowd for a tiny tiny spot of a placed called Bobita.
This blog will be like all the rest, way too long and way too detailed, but for the faithful few readers, it gives you an idea of what’s happening. First, as the “manager” of the band, my hope and wish, and instructions, is for them to practice, practice, practice. And then for them to use their music to touch people’s lives. Did they, while I was gone to the US?… Beyond my wildest hopes. They have demonstrated a dedication and seriousness to their efforts; the likes of which I don’t see a lot of either here or in the US from young people.
Now, I have to be honest to say that this is a very young band, and frankly some of the talent is not professional by any stretch of the imagination, but they sing with the hearts, and laugh, and have a great time. For what they don’t have in talent, they make up in just enjoying being with each other.
One of the things that I gave up when I sold my big home in Florida was my ability to host people in my home. And, it’s the only only only thing I might miss about my home in Florida. Well, I now have a simple small apartment in the DR, by any US standards, but it has become a new place for me to allow these kids to hang out. A new place to host. And, that’s what we’re doing. Hanging out, just hanging out. But having a great time together. (By the way, my apartment, by Rio San Juan native standards, is luxurious.)
I offered to take them (the group) all to a restaurant after the concert; even offered to pay for the meal. What did they prefer?… to go to my house and cook pancakes and fried salami and just entertain one another with jokes and stories. So, that’s what we did after the concert; we called it the “after party”. It was (if I can be really corny for a moment) a pure honor to have these kids (I call them that, even though kids is not quite what they are) in my home, literally rolling in the floor laughing so hard. This went on for several hours. And for hours I just sat there, and mostly listening to their jokes and their laughter, and watched them make home movies they made with my digital camera, and soaked up every moment.
And, as much as I hated to dismiss the crowd, I feared we’d be up all night unless I closed the party down. So, I did, after 4 hours.
Now, a day later, I look back and wonder how many purely incredible days I will have in the Dominican. Perhaps not many, but yesterday was one. It was work, and it was a lot of preparation. From logistics of transportation, creating our own electric energy, toting sound equipment and instruments, and a car pack with 8 people down a long road, that’s hardly worthy to be called a road; not to mention the heat. But, the destination was well worth it. It was one amazing event and after party. Thank you Lord.
Yep, the work has begun. And, attached are some pictures of the group. The group asked me to give the group a name, so I did, which is Esperanza, which means “Hope”. “Mientras hay vida hay esperanza” (translation; "Where there is life, there is hope".)
