A team of 12 travelled to Dominican Republic this spring. There were five women from All Nations Church, Sudbury on the team. I was able to be a part of this team through the generous support of many, including Canadian Baptist Women of Ontario and Quebec.
The most impacting day of the trip was our journey into Villa Ascension - a barrio on the outskirts of town. My eyes were opened in so many ways that day. Poverty, oppression and desperation were seen on the faces of the young and the old. I also saw much hope and love for a people who must usually feel so alone and forgotten.
It was the children who taught me the most that day, and not in the ways I expected. They grabbed our hands as soon as our feet touched the ground outside our vehicles. They smiled at us, pulled us through their streets and asked us to come see their houses. They taught me that hospitality is not a spotless house or the finest decor, but rather the attitude with which we welcome others into our homes. They taught me to welcome in strangers as well as friends and family, and to treat everyone with love and respect. (Hebrews 13:2 and Matthew 25:35)
The children played and laughed and shared their hearts so freely with whomever they met. They taught me that contentment is possible in any situation and happiness comes from within. (Philippians 4:11-12)
They lived out the gospel for me as I tried to live it out for them.
