Today we went to a batey which is a sugar plantation. I can't tell you who owns the plantation because first I never found out and second I'm not allowed (even if I did find out). But it is probably owned by a big American sugar company. The people there lived in small houses with concrete floors and walls and roofs made of wood or metal. The roads were dirt and very bumpy.
When we arrived we went into a school. The students sang a song for us called "Open My Eyes" and then we went out and played because it was recess. Some of the younger kids got stuck to daddy and thought that he gave a great piggyback ride. I played baseball and then tag with some of the boys. I couldn't speak their language and they couldn't speak mine but we did pretty well. It was a little bit frustrating. Because I speak French and their language was almost like French, I could understand quite a bit of it. When I asked how they were, they said "Bien." We had translators with us who asked the questions for us and then told us the answers. I found it very cool. We will have those translators with us for the whole week.
After this we went to some of the kids' homes. In the first house there was a grandma who laughed a lot. She had her grandchildren living with her because their mother had died. Their children taught me a neat game. You lay both hands out and put their hands on top. They try to smack your hands while you try to pull them away on time. It's a very fun game. At the second house we stayed outside. One of the children there had a sponsor who had given the boy a new football. I played some games with the boys while the grownups talked. The boy made some great catches (and I did, too, I think).
Next we went to a church where many of the kids were singing. One of the boys gave me a piece of gum that was tasty for just a few seconds. We ate lunch back at the school and then played with the kids some more. There was a little girl who kept chasing me and eventually there were a bunch of boys chasing me too. They drove me crazy, but I actually enjoyed it. They kept trying to take me away from where my dad could see me, but I helped them understand that I couldn't go far away. They liked to poke my skin because my skin changes color when you poke it and theirs doesn't. We gave the guy who was leading our trip all the stickers we brought with us and he gave them to the project director. She will give them to the children.
Finally we headed home. When we got back to the hotel dad said I could watch TV for a little while. I saw lots of commercials and one of them was for laser tag. The commercial almost seemed to be saying that you just can't be happy without laser tag. When I was talking to dad at dinner I realized that all those boys in the batey seemed very happy without any laser tag. They had lots of fun even without fancy and expensive toys. Many of them didn't even have a nice home or they slept in somebody else's home. I am amazed at how much we think we need that we don't really need (or how much other people tell us that we need that we don't really need).
Tomorrow we are going to see how Compassion works with the older children. We will do some more home visits and even visit a university. I'll write again tomorrow!
Here is a whole load of photos from today:
When we arrived we went into a school. The students sang a song for us called "Open My Eyes" and then we went out and played because it was recess. Some of the younger kids got stuck to daddy and thought that he gave a great piggyback ride. I played baseball and then tag with some of the boys. I couldn't speak their language and they couldn't speak mine but we did pretty well. It was a little bit frustrating. Because I speak French and their language was almost like French, I could understand quite a bit of it. When I asked how they were, they said "Bien." We had translators with us who asked the questions for us and then told us the answers. I found it very cool. We will have those translators with us for the whole week.
After this we went to some of the kids' homes. In the first house there was a grandma who laughed a lot. She had her grandchildren living with her because their mother had died. Their children taught me a neat game. You lay both hands out and put their hands on top. They try to smack your hands while you try to pull them away on time. It's a very fun game. At the second house we stayed outside. One of the children there had a sponsor who had given the boy a new football. I played some games with the boys while the grownups talked. The boy made some great catches (and I did, too, I think).
Next we went to a church where many of the kids were singing. One of the boys gave me a piece of gum that was tasty for just a few seconds. We ate lunch back at the school and then played with the kids some more. There was a little girl who kept chasing me and eventually there were a bunch of boys chasing me too. They drove me crazy, but I actually enjoyed it. They kept trying to take me away from where my dad could see me, but I helped them understand that I couldn't go far away. They liked to poke my skin because my skin changes color when you poke it and theirs doesn't. We gave the guy who was leading our trip all the stickers we brought with us and he gave them to the project director. She will give them to the children.
Finally we headed home. When we got back to the hotel dad said I could watch TV for a little while. I saw lots of commercials and one of them was for laser tag. The commercial almost seemed to be saying that you just can't be happy without laser tag. When I was talking to dad at dinner I realized that all those boys in the batey seemed very happy without any laser tag. They had lots of fun even without fancy and expensive toys. Many of them didn't even have a nice home or they slept in somebody else's home. I am amazed at how much we think we need that we don't really need (or how much other people tell us that we need that we don't really need).
Tomorrow we are going to see how Compassion works with the older children. We will do some more home visits and even visit a university. I'll write again tomorrow!
Here is a whole load of photos from today:
Nick, It sounds like the kids really know how to have fun. I wonder if that is because they do not have tv and computer games. what do you think? Love, Mimi
These are some great pictures! Thanks for taking the time to upload them. Following your blog makes me feel like I'm there in the D.R. too!
Nick, you are doing a great job of sharing each day's adventures with us. I love hearing how you can have fun with kids, even if you don't speak the same language or have a lot of toys or equipment to use! And trust me - lazer tag will not make your life happier! Take care!
Thanks so much for going & for sharing your trip with us! The pictures and your post reminds me how much I want to go back to see my Dominican brothers in Christ!
Those pictures are fantastic! You're growing up too fast kiddo. You'll have to teach me some of these new games when you get back. Love, Kristin
"I am amazed at how much we think we need that we don't really need (or how much other people tell us that we need that we don't really need)."
Wow Nick...you're going to have to write an essay on North American materialism when you get home! You're giving great insights and I love it that you're learning how kids in other parts of the world play/see the world. I love the pictures too!
Love Auntie Susanna
Nick,
We all read your post early in the morning on the 4th. I now have the opportunity to write the questions that the children had for you:
1. Do the people there carry things on their heads?
2. Does your family sponcer a child?
3. What does a classroom look like?
4. How far are the metal and wood shack like homes from the more affluent areas.
5. Do the richer people in the Dominican Republic help the poor people?
6. What do you think the children need the most?
We all look forward to your next post. Thank you for sharing your trip with us. The Flynn family from Michigan
Love all the photos! It looks like you're having a great time. I hope you're giving hugs to all my friends in the DR --
Nick, I have very much enjoyed reading your blog. You are a good writer and observer. I'm sure this visit to Dominican Republic is very eye-opening and interesting. May the Lord bless and keep you as you go!
What mature observations you are making, Nick! It looks like you all are having a great trip and making memories that will stay with you forever. Thank you for taking us along too!
Looks like you are having so much fun Nick! What an amazing experience for you. I can't wait to read more and see more pictures!
Nick,
You write very well. I love the photos and I love hearing about the things you are learning and enjoying. Blessings to you and your dad.
Hey Nick,
I'm so happy that you have this opportunity to make all these insights at your age. The trick is to not forget them when you get back and reimmerse yourself in North American materialistic culture and forget to be thankful for the things that you have.
We'll miss you at GraceKids! I'll be teaching on the third type of fool: the godless. Do you think there are a lot of godless people in the Dominican? Take care and be careful not to drink the water.
We'll pray for you at GraceKids.
Nick,
It is fun to read about this trip from a young person's perspective. It sounds like God is using this to give you wisdom--our only source of lasting joy is in Jesus Christ!
Have a great time, and keep writing!
Meg from Indiana
"You lay both hands out and put their hands on top. They try to smack your hands while you try to pull them away on time."
Nick I grew up playing this game!! I'm so glad you have been enjoying your time there and have learned new things and made new friends :)
"When I was talking to dad at dinner I realized that all those boys in the batey seemed very happy without any laser tag. They had lots of fun even without fancy and expensive toys"
While I live in the city, the times i've been to small towns and poor towns in other parts of the Island, I've seen this same attitude in grown ups and children as well, I was very confronted by their humility and their contentment.
God bless you!
Rita from DR