I met this woman in La Represa, Dominican Republic. She was sitting on her front porch when she heard me walk up. She quickly grabbed a bowl of freshly dried rice and offered me some. It always makes me smile when someone who has little, is fast to offer others a lot.
“Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” ― Mark Twain
"The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing."
- Albert Einstein
The laid back life in the Dominican Republic. Photo taken in LaRepresa with an older Canon T2i and a kit lens. Sometimes, you shoot with what is available.
“To find the universal elements enough; to find the air and the water exhilarating; to be refreshed by a morning walk or an evening saunter... to be thrilled by the stars at night; to be elated over a bird's nest or a wildflower in spring — these are some of the rewards of the simple life.” ― John Burroughs, Leaf and Tendril
I recently went on a mission trip with New Vision Baptist Church in Murfreesboro, TN. We journeyed to the Dominican Republic and visited the small village of La Represa. The team I was on had a goal of teaching children how to play soccer (baseball is the main sport played in the DR). Needless to say, the children picked up on the sport extremely fast. They loved it.
Quick Facts:
The children in the Dominican have some amazing athletic abilities. While there, I witnessed a 19-year old make a 20-foot jump from the side of a dam into 1-foot of water. As Gaba landed he made the perfect roll as if her were a stunt man practicing a movie shot. One teen can even throw a fast ball at 87 mph, according to some.
In this photo, you can see that fishing the old way with a net and a motor-less boat is still popular. The Dominican's are master fishermen.
During my recent visit to La Represa, Dominican Republic it became quite clear... children can instantly relate to one another in a way that adults can never mimic. Children pick up on body movements, smiles, laughter very quickly. It is awesome to watch the Dominican children play with the American children from our church.
I wish I could put into words the kindness and the welcoming of total strangers in the village of La Represa, Dominican Republic. As you walk the streets local residents will actually invite you into their homes and offer you their only chair.
The residents I met would ask for unselfish prayers and hand you fresh fruits they picked. One woman simply asked that I pray for the animals in her community and for them not to be abused or hurt. Another asked that we pray for her 100-year old mother.
This photo was captured in a small village just outside La Represa, Dominican Republic. The majority of those living in this area get from point A to point B on small scooters or motorcycles.
Alcohol was extremely prevalent and the rules of the road were totally open to interpretation. You may see four people on a 100cc motorcycle or three people on a small scooter. The legal drinking age is 18, but that is seldom enforced.
Despite the poverty in this third world country, everyone we came in contact with was filled with joy and hospitality.