That our experience was one of immense contrasts is an apt summary of this Faithworks team’s time in the Dominican Republic. As a team growing both inwardly and outwardly in the dynamic surroundings of the DR, we were also keenly aware of the unifying presence of our LORD—Our LORD who is God and Father of all and everything.

Our eyes took in the pure, saturated colour of the flowers thriving along dusty, garbage strewn streets and covering the walls of ramshackle dwellings. We observed these

dwellings of the very poor and were amazed at the brilliantly polished, lovingly cherished possessions inside—these humble huts with sparkling interiors; home to starving families. Impoverished families of children and adults dressed in spotlessly clean clothes, unemployed, happy. Everything there is contrast.

The team worked well together; each member filling an important place. Not only did we enjoy our time together as a group both on and off the job site, but we worked well with the Dominican labourers, the students from Doort College, and with those in leadership roles in the mission organization. The atmosphere throughout the school, and drifting out into the community all around it, was one of Christian fellowship, companionship, servitude, and love; unity in the LORD.

‘.. in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.’ Rom 12:5

We left Canada with a mission to serve our brothers and sisters in the Dominican Republic. That very thing, by the grace of God, we were able to do fully. He gave us health and strength, despite the risks. Much of the blessing came to us through the wide and warm hospitality and excellent cooking of our hosts at the mission centre in Los Angeles, and by the teachers at the school building project site in Bienvenidos (Welcome). We could not have received better care, and in this we came to realize that we were being served by our brothers and sisters in the DR as much as we were serving them.

‘This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us.’ 1 John 4:10-12

Indeed, we became close to our friends in the DR. We sang and cried, laughed and prayed together. Life is not easy in this country of contrasts. Poverty takes its toll on the bones and blood of our brothers and sisters. Racism is alive still and sin permeates everything as it does in our own nation. But love abounds, too. The love of Christ is embraced by the young and old. Voices sing and hands clap of it joyously!

‘You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.’ Matt 5:14.15