It was a last minute decision, but God was with me as I scrambled looking for youth in my community who could pass on school for 3 days to attend a conference on DIVERSITY. Yes, I guess it’s good sign that most parents did not want their kids absent 2 weeks into classes, and yes, the big ¨D¨ word DIVERSITY, arises all around the world.
Now that the conference has passed I can honestly say that without a healthy serving of fun and team building exercises learning would be as dull and bland as over-cooked cabbage. I am always looking to see how kids learn outside their community, outside of their comfort zones, interacting with ¨strangers.¨ I am still developing a sense of trust with those who have ever never left the fringes of this town, San Jose de Las Matas, and I am still very much a foreigner when I try to describe the world outside the island of the Dominican Republic and Haiti. I cannot talk with university level vocabulary, so I connect games to ideas and draw messages and lessons from there. A deck of cards can go a long way as well as any random ball. It´s called KID Oubre trying to be PROF Oubre.
In the mountains of Jarabacoa it was the soccer ball that brought forth a million smiles. Never have I found Dominican boys to be so enthusiastic about playing the worlds sport of futbol. Six thirty every morning was the knock on my door, 6:35 we were on the beautiful field taking wacks at the ball. We played straight for one hour and twenty five minutes before 8AM breakfast, stopping the game only to drop the kids for ¨dame 10 lagartillas¨ (give me 10 push-ups), if they touched the ball with their hands. Prayer before breakfast was said sweating, fresh off the field. I told myself I was back at summer camp… actually, that was my goal!
So another highlight included becoming closer with Nico, a good friend I met playing soccer in Batey Libertad. He’s Haitian-Dominican and receives a fair amount of discrimination from the National Police when traveling to and from his community. He quickly became a role model at the conference with his speed and flash on the soccer field as well as when her took the floor in front of some 45 Dominican youth to share some very real stories about growing up in the DR as a dark skinned boy. Racial discrimination is pretty blatant here in the DR despite the fact that almost everyone is mulato and has some sort of African blood in them. I mean no too long ago this island of Hispaniola was a destination for most slaves heading to the New World. Anyways, at 21 years of age Nico is well educated, understands why he should continue pursuing his passion of soccer, and at the same time study to realize his dream of being a qualified elementary school teacher. If there is one youth I’ve worked with whose story I find incredibly intriguing, it is this young mans. He´s been hauled by the Dominican authorities to the border of Haiti and the DR with his local soccer team of Haitian decent, only to be left there to sleep on the floor of the bus station. The Police said they did not ¨believe¨ their Dominican birth certificates and ID cards to be “real.”
The story of immigration is incredibly interesting here in the DR. It is the only open border in the world, allowing Dominicans and Haitians to walk freely across the border exchanging clothes, jewelry, corn, sugar, beans, goats… you name it. And amid all this exchange there is an unacceptable racial inequality that loudly exposes itself. I want to understand how we can tackle this issue as a Dominican and Haitian Community. Nico was born in the Dominican Republic. He is Dominican. But most Dominicans do not treat him with respect because he looks Haitian. Why is that? I want to understand racism in 2010 in the DR.
Meanwhile I play soccer with Dominican and Haitians and it brings us together!
Go play the sport you grew up playing. It might just be more refreshing than eating watermelon.
Peace,
Jared
Friday, August 27, 2010
Monday, August 9, 2010
Precious Summer
The moments of 2010 have passed with such velocity that I don't imagine it will be too long until we have reached the year 3010. Some Peace Corps volunteers are counting down the months until their service is over, while others are looking to file for an extension. I find myself in neither situation. I am thinking much about the moment. The present summer has consumed my thought, especially with the fun in planning a summer camp called "Organizando mi Comunidad." It's healthy to have these Sunday's as a bit of down time. Here in the Dominican Republic a long extended siesta after lunch visits from family members on the weekend have been some of my most memorable moments. The barrio fills up with kids dressed in bright Caribbean colors and food enough to cure a famine. I try to stay close to home, not work, and enjoy the fact that "I am because you are." (conscientious words of Mexican poet Octavio Paz). We are connected as one force of humanity. A Dominicans desire to be in the presence of each other is a powerful reminder of how we can share the stories of our own lives as a form of basic entertainment.
So two weeks ago I spent preparing for the construction of a vivero (tree nursery). Seventeen Peace Corps Volunteers from the environmental sector came to visit my site to help construct a community tree nursery. The muchachos in my youth group, "Defensores del Medioambiente," (Defensors of the Environment) are most interested in planting fruit trees. They show interest in living the life of the campesino, while at the same time washing their converse squeaky clean, gelling their hair back, wiping off the stunner shades, and heading into the center of town to stroll the park and posting up to find the best looking girl or guy.
It can be a difficult job to read their interests at times, but the focus remains on community projects. I feel blessed to have such freedom to develop compost bins and gardens without the pressures of strict time lines… nobody putting an order to the madness of community development. It's kinda like always Saturday here. You can rest if you want and someone will gladly accompany you, you can play all day long as if you were in an AYSO soccer tournament, or you can break out the pick and tend to the garden as if it were a hobby and not 10 hours of slave paying labor. I love the options, all though I do have to be straight with myself about when I am going to take my own time. I at least know that Saturdays I will dedicate to washing my clothes and cleaning my house... I involve the kids that come over to play because cleaning alone makes the day extra long... and I know that Sundays are peaceful with God and family.
It's summer time so take a moment to enjoy the sun.
With A Tropical Burst of Love,
Yarred
So two weeks ago I spent preparing for the construction of a vivero (tree nursery). Seventeen Peace Corps Volunteers from the environmental sector came to visit my site to help construct a community tree nursery. The muchachos in my youth group, "Defensores del Medioambiente," (Defensors of the Environment) are most interested in planting fruit trees. They show interest in living the life of the campesino, while at the same time washing their converse squeaky clean, gelling their hair back, wiping off the stunner shades, and heading into the center of town to stroll the park and posting up to find the best looking girl or guy.
It can be a difficult job to read their interests at times, but the focus remains on community projects. I feel blessed to have such freedom to develop compost bins and gardens without the pressures of strict time lines… nobody putting an order to the madness of community development. It's kinda like always Saturday here. You can rest if you want and someone will gladly accompany you, you can play all day long as if you were in an AYSO soccer tournament, or you can break out the pick and tend to the garden as if it were a hobby and not 10 hours of slave paying labor. I love the options, all though I do have to be straight with myself about when I am going to take my own time. I at least know that Saturdays I will dedicate to washing my clothes and cleaning my house... I involve the kids that come over to play because cleaning alone makes the day extra long... and I know that Sundays are peaceful with God and family.
It's summer time so take a moment to enjoy the sun.
With A Tropical Burst of Love,
Yarred
Monday, June 28, 2010
Pico Duarte Peace
There's a new kind of Peace I explored last week.
Caribbean tourism commercials present this island of Hispanola as a place of white sand beaches, sexy women, and you and your friends and family relaxed sipping of mango smoothies. Well, maybe that´s true for the foreigner´s 4 day stay at an expensive resort, but inland a new form of tourism is taking shape.
They call it summiting the Caribbean's tallest peak, (Pico Duarte, 10,000ft). I call it loosing yourself in a forest of serenity and spirituality.
Here´s Day 1´s journal entry:
I woke up to bathe in the steam. It felt refreshing again after last night´s skinny dip with Justin and and college buddy Dan. Mangos and hot chcolate were for breakfast at 7am. Life is tought when it's sweet. Last night's stay in the visitor center was enjoyable with the 6 of us wraped up in our sleeping bags on the white tiled floor. I was impressed with the facilities at this recently build visitor center and hope that more eco-tourists will be able to take advantage of them. The hike today was up and down ending at a nice caseta in las Garacuas. Plenty of climb and plenty of decending, however, perhaps most exciting was the furious rain storm after lunch that got the best us as even this very journal is soaked with water. The trail turned into a tomato juice stream and our shoes became sponges absorbing the rich, red colored water with each step. It's pretty clear to see how important plants and roots are to maintaining to soil intact and avoiding erosion.
I will never forget the lightening that struck overhead causing me to duck in fear of being struck. Fortunately we summited our final ridge of the day and the storm moved on echoing through the different river basins of Jose Armando Bermudez National Park. Mata Grande, our starting point for this 5 day terk, is still not far off. The rivers here are absolutely beautiful and clear. They are where the life of this country begins. I am thankful to the Golub family for inviting me on this trip. Tonight we are eating dominican style rice and beans courtesy of Tono and Jeraldo, our guides. I am sure I shall not be let down. I will dry out ferom the down pour and sleep well. 18 kilometers today, wet, well fed... we're just breaking in the hike!
Below is a photo unrelated to the hike, but nonetheless with college friend Dan Golub. We're enjoying some post race smiles with a really friendly Dominican runner named, Nelson Mandela (who knows the connection?)
Caribbean tourism commercials present this island of Hispanola as a place of white sand beaches, sexy women, and you and your friends and family relaxed sipping of mango smoothies. Well, maybe that´s true for the foreigner´s 4 day stay at an expensive resort, but inland a new form of tourism is taking shape.
They call it summiting the Caribbean's tallest peak, (Pico Duarte, 10,000ft). I call it loosing yourself in a forest of serenity and spirituality.
Here´s Day 1´s journal entry:
I woke up to bathe in the steam. It felt refreshing again after last night´s skinny dip with Justin and and college buddy Dan. Mangos and hot chcolate were for breakfast at 7am. Life is tought when it's sweet. Last night's stay in the visitor center was enjoyable with the 6 of us wraped up in our sleeping bags on the white tiled floor. I was impressed with the facilities at this recently build visitor center and hope that more eco-tourists will be able to take advantage of them. The hike today was up and down ending at a nice caseta in las Garacuas. Plenty of climb and plenty of decending, however, perhaps most exciting was the furious rain storm after lunch that got the best us as even this very journal is soaked with water. The trail turned into a tomato juice stream and our shoes became sponges absorbing the rich, red colored water with each step. It's pretty clear to see how important plants and roots are to maintaining to soil intact and avoiding erosion.
I will never forget the lightening that struck overhead causing me to duck in fear of being struck. Fortunately we summited our final ridge of the day and the storm moved on echoing through the different river basins of Jose Armando Bermudez National Park. Mata Grande, our starting point for this 5 day terk, is still not far off. The rivers here are absolutely beautiful and clear. They are where the life of this country begins. I am thankful to the Golub family for inviting me on this trip. Tonight we are eating dominican style rice and beans courtesy of Tono and Jeraldo, our guides. I am sure I shall not be let down. I will dry out ferom the down pour and sleep well. 18 kilometers today, wet, well fed... we're just breaking in the hike!
Below is a photo unrelated to the hike, but nonetheless with college friend Dan Golub. We're enjoying some post race smiles with a really friendly Dominican runner named, Nelson Mandela (who knows the connection?)
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Tag You're It
My Peace Corps experience in the Dominincan Republic has been nothing short of fun play ground activity, including TAG until the sun shines no more. They call me a Environamental Comunity Development Promoter, but really I create adventures with youth, running around with the wheel barrow picking up litter and transforming banana peals and cow manure into fresh compost for our backyard gardens. The big project for this summer is creating compost bins for neighbors to share in depositing their organic waste. With organic waste (leaves, mango peals, burnt rice...) we can create good soil and with good soil we can create gardens. We'll see how the experiment goes. However, before that a few kids in my barrio want to get colorful and paint a world map mural at their school. We'll see if we can keep the paint in the can.
So, what I´ve learned in all this play is that PATIENCE gets things done. When I attempt something alone I realize it is not sustainable because no one else in the small barrio of Ojo de Aguas is learning how to serve their community. It´s not about getting 10 packets of free vegetable seeds from the Department of Agriculture, nor is it about planting trees just because, but it´s about empowering others who haven´t been presented with such opportunities. I find the Peace Corps experience is most exhilarating when I am listening, Thus I realize I am often learning more about myself and my own habits than maybe imparting ideas upon my community. The other day I learned to sow recycled rice sacks together to create an impenatrable fence around our garden keeping the wandering chicken from eating the cilantro and lettuce. Choco and Josue also taught me that it is also possible to construct a sand lot style basketball hoop from rebar, bolts, and a tree alongside the road. It is so fun to see imagination come to life.
In the end I spend much of my day developing relationships and just trying to be a role model to many boys and young men who don´t have fathers, nor a vison of what they want to do when they grow up. So for now we play and I learn. One more year and we´ll be like actual brothers.
Take a visit to another country and listen to the peoples stories. You will learn so much about yourself.
Peace,
Jared Oubre
P.S. And added plus: Dan Golub (Williams ´08) is also here in the country with me serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer. I couldn´t be more lucky to have a great Williams' buddy, runner, and fun dude along on the journey. Next week we're headed to the top of the Caribbeans tallest mountain, Pico Duarte (10,000 ft), with Dan´s parents. God is good!
So, what I´ve learned in all this play is that PATIENCE gets things done. When I attempt something alone I realize it is not sustainable because no one else in the small barrio of Ojo de Aguas is learning how to serve their community. It´s not about getting 10 packets of free vegetable seeds from the Department of Agriculture, nor is it about planting trees just because, but it´s about empowering others who haven´t been presented with such opportunities. I find the Peace Corps experience is most exhilarating when I am listening, Thus I realize I am often learning more about myself and my own habits than maybe imparting ideas upon my community. The other day I learned to sow recycled rice sacks together to create an impenatrable fence around our garden keeping the wandering chicken from eating the cilantro and lettuce. Choco and Josue also taught me that it is also possible to construct a sand lot style basketball hoop from rebar, bolts, and a tree alongside the road. It is so fun to see imagination come to life.
In the end I spend much of my day developing relationships and just trying to be a role model to many boys and young men who don´t have fathers, nor a vison of what they want to do when they grow up. So for now we play and I learn. One more year and we´ll be like actual brothers.
Take a visit to another country and listen to the peoples stories. You will learn so much about yourself.
Peace,
Jared Oubre
P.S. And added plus: Dan Golub (Williams ´08) is also here in the country with me serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer. I couldn´t be more lucky to have a great Williams' buddy, runner, and fun dude along on the journey. Next week we're headed to the top of the Caribbeans tallest mountain, Pico Duarte (10,000 ft), with Dan´s parents. God is good!
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Election Day is Here
Yesterday was Election day in the Dominica Republic and that means the days and months surrounding the is day have equalled organized chaos. Two parties the PLD (Partido Liberation Dominicana) and the PRD (Partido Reformista Dominicana) have displayed their colors, purple and white respectively, with fanatical pride. I know it was a big deal when we elected our first black president, but political campaigning here is ten times the explosion of pride and noise. Everyday for the past two months we´ve enjoyed parades, strikes in the street, flag waving, giant billboards of slick looking candidates staring at you every 15 feet along the highway, and catchy-annoying public announcements booming from a dozen speakers loaded onto the back of a small pick up truck passing infront of every house.
I was most recently in the capital enjoying a relaxing moment of pitch and catch (we were actually playing ¨Pickle¨ with a few kids, Arecito, Christian, and Esteven) when a propeller plane flew low over our neighbourhood showering the streets with shinny sheets of paper on which was plastered those slick pictures of Dominican politicians. No one could escape their gripping stares. Yoryi and Mariano are a vivid in my mind as the very words on this computer screne. The rain of paper was like New Years in New York, but instead we were being showed in election propaganda. I learned that the local mayoral and congressional races are of supreme importance because the Dominicans often get to see their leaders in person... something most presidential races could never offer and small pueblo or rural campesino family.
So a little background on the ¨democratic¨ voting system here: Right now across the country it seems to be two parties dominating the political campaigns, each paying bribes of up to 1000 pesos ($30) to the poor and uneducated if they will promise to vote for their party. Live chickens, salami roles, baseball caps, sandals, bright colored T-shirts, baseball caps again, electrical wire, free water, tired smiles, you name it, are given out by campaign promoters to help each party ¨buy¨ a vote. ¨Promises are made that they will never be follow through with,¨ says my host mom, ¨because anyone in power is going to find a way to siphon the pueblos $ into their pockets.¨ It is as if politics is a game that is played here, where those who are the most corrupt win the gamet. I can´t vote because I don´t have a cedula (Dominican ID card), but even if I illegally bought one, which apparently happens quite often during election time, I still not sure which candidate is promising something they can actually are commited to accomplishing. One can surely not fix all the social inequalities of a developing nation in one election term, so the perfectly crafted speeches of a utopian tomorrow often seem hallow. That is not to say that I do not believe there is great potential and resources her in the DR. It´s a country in which you can do almost anything you want and always be celebrating along with others doing the same.
One thing is for sure is that this country needs to find a way to develop its education system. They put no resources forward to support their students and teachers and thus they receive one of the lowest ranked education systems in Latin American. If there is one thing that I firmly believe is a sustainable path out of poverty, it is education. A pueblo educated is a pueblo that knows how to prioritize its needs. Right now the DR´s filled with many happy people, but I think it could be even more organized and realize its hopeful political agendas if it fought the tough fight of great schooling.
Celebrate your right to be an educated voter,
Paz Paz,
Jared
Here´s a group talented artists and the gringo painting a world map at the local high school.
I was most recently in the capital enjoying a relaxing moment of pitch and catch (we were actually playing ¨Pickle¨ with a few kids, Arecito, Christian, and Esteven) when a propeller plane flew low over our neighbourhood showering the streets with shinny sheets of paper on which was plastered those slick pictures of Dominican politicians. No one could escape their gripping stares. Yoryi and Mariano are a vivid in my mind as the very words on this computer screne. The rain of paper was like New Years in New York, but instead we were being showed in election propaganda. I learned that the local mayoral and congressional races are of supreme importance because the Dominicans often get to see their leaders in person... something most presidential races could never offer and small pueblo or rural campesino family.
So a little background on the ¨democratic¨ voting system here: Right now across the country it seems to be two parties dominating the political campaigns, each paying bribes of up to 1000 pesos ($30) to the poor and uneducated if they will promise to vote for their party. Live chickens, salami roles, baseball caps, sandals, bright colored T-shirts, baseball caps again, electrical wire, free water, tired smiles, you name it, are given out by campaign promoters to help each party ¨buy¨ a vote. ¨Promises are made that they will never be follow through with,¨ says my host mom, ¨because anyone in power is going to find a way to siphon the pueblos $ into their pockets.¨ It is as if politics is a game that is played here, where those who are the most corrupt win the gamet. I can´t vote because I don´t have a cedula (Dominican ID card), but even if I illegally bought one, which apparently happens quite often during election time, I still not sure which candidate is promising something they can actually are commited to accomplishing. One can surely not fix all the social inequalities of a developing nation in one election term, so the perfectly crafted speeches of a utopian tomorrow often seem hallow. That is not to say that I do not believe there is great potential and resources her in the DR. It´s a country in which you can do almost anything you want and always be celebrating along with others doing the same.
One thing is for sure is that this country needs to find a way to develop its education system. They put no resources forward to support their students and teachers and thus they receive one of the lowest ranked education systems in Latin American. If there is one thing that I firmly believe is a sustainable path out of poverty, it is education. A pueblo educated is a pueblo that knows how to prioritize its needs. Right now the DR´s filled with many happy people, but I think it could be even more organized and realize its hopeful political agendas if it fought the tough fight of great schooling.
Celebrate your right to be an educated voter,
Paz Paz,
Jared
Here´s a group talented artists and the gringo painting a world map at the local high school.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Youth Brigade Celebrates
My father´s birthday passed and I was so engrossed in the art of playing with Dominican kids that I forgot to call him from the island and wish him happy birthday. There are moments of extreme alegria (or happiness) in the Peace Corps experience and this past weekend was certainly one of them. Ask me to plan a youth camp that brings together 72 Dominincan teenagers from around the island, including those of Haitian decent, and I´d probably respond: ¨Who? What? Where? When? Why?¨ However, there are some things that are consistent in this world and one of them is that children will always want to play and learn together. Never have I felt so comfortable around Dominicans as I did in that room of 37 boys singing, sharing a sip of water, brushing our teeth, sleeping, waking up, and of course eating together. We were a brotherhood, 25 American Peace Corps Volunteers serving as fathers, mothers, counselors, and trustworthy friends to a captivated audience of vibrant youth. Perhaps the 3 day conference was more time than any of these kids had spent away from their homes and family, but I´m positive Arenayi will remember that first ever bike ride (without shoes and no breaks on the bike... the Dominican way) in the National Park Mirador Norte, and 16 year old Exeido will surely remember his fantastic presentation about the impact of humans on planet Earth´s natural environment.
I lay in my bed completely exhausted from this weekend of recreation and environemtal lessons from ¨Leave No Trace¨ to ¨Indigenous Taino Farming Methods.¨ I am here to reflect upon hom much I enjoyed this expereince. The swimming and singing the Boo-Ga-Loo were my favorites memories with those 15 years olds, followed by the talk about AIDS and self-esteem, the skits performed by animated volunteers, the pizza and home made tamarindo and wheat drink, and ohh yes, elbow tag. Sounds a lot like summer camp, yeah?!
Anyways, I realized nothing can be taken for granted when everthing is completely new to someone. The kids were filled with vigor and emotion about everything... maybe the kind of feeling you get when you ride your first roller coaster. These young dominicans certainly have a grand job in front of them to care for their environment, and clean that which has been contaminated, but they also have the spirit of firecrackers. Explosion of culture one might say. I´m glad to be back here with more of a feeling settled in than ever! This job is teaching and offering me so much. The kids are inspiring!
With the renewed heart of a kid, go out and play today.
Love,
Jared
I lay in my bed completely exhausted from this weekend of recreation and environemtal lessons from ¨Leave No Trace¨ to ¨Indigenous Taino Farming Methods.¨ I am here to reflect upon hom much I enjoyed this expereince. The swimming and singing the Boo-Ga-Loo were my favorites memories with those 15 years olds, followed by the talk about AIDS and self-esteem, the skits performed by animated volunteers, the pizza and home made tamarindo and wheat drink, and ohh yes, elbow tag. Sounds a lot like summer camp, yeah?!
Anyways, I realized nothing can be taken for granted when everthing is completely new to someone. The kids were filled with vigor and emotion about everything... maybe the kind of feeling you get when you ride your first roller coaster. These young dominicans certainly have a grand job in front of them to care for their environment, and clean that which has been contaminated, but they also have the spirit of firecrackers. Explosion of culture one might say. I´m glad to be back here with more of a feeling settled in than ever! This job is teaching and offering me so much. The kids are inspiring!
With the renewed heart of a kid, go out and play today.
Love,
Jared
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Color Brings Life
The breeze made for a refreshing week here in Ojo de Agua. It is tonight that I will celebrate 3 weeks in the country. My good friend and fellow Peace Corps Volunteer, Kevin, from small town Indiana, just came to visit me. My plate is full of project ideas as well as mounds of ¨habichuelas and arroz¨ (beans and rice). On Good Friday every kitchen and Dona in the Dominican Republic was busy stirring together their favorite sweet ingredients to ¨Habichuelas con Dulce.¨ Four mugs were delivered to my home within a couple of hours and my stomach was more than blessed. However, perhaps the most beautiful scene thus far in my return to Ojo de Agua was the faces of 500 plus Dominicans lit by candle light the night that we celebrated Jesus´s resurrection, or Easter Sunday. Their smooth skin gleaned inside the packed church, different shades of brown, light and dark (This is a country filled with mulattos, diverse in appearance but certainly all very much sharing the same loud and happy Dominican culture). Little girls sat on the laps of their fathers fresh in their new dresses and hair straighten and neatly pulled back. Grandpa and grandmas were tightly sandwiched alongside children and children in law, perhaps uncomfortable, but they didn´t have to stand along the walls. Everyone connected through the beautiful light of God, holding candles to celebrate the bright example Jesus gave the world. I felt part of something special, part of a spiritual moment.
And then the most classic of Latin American scenes… the congregation offered water as a blessing to Christ for having given his life to teach humanity the power of the healing Spirit. Together the 500 plus Dominicans and I raised water containers above our heads furnishing a shiny sea of plastic before the crucifix. One can only imagine the dozens of different brand names displayed on the sides of the recycled and reused plastic containers. Two liter Coke-Cola bottles, 20 oz. Dasani water bottles, Clorox, Cristol Corn Oil, and Apple Juice gallon jugs raised high above the church pews. Some even furnished old tupper-wear with water, while others had nicely pealed the plastic bands glued to the sides of the bottles allowing for a more cleaned up look at church. Everyone had water or perhaps a large framed painting of Mary, but for that moment we were again united, different colors, different brand names on out containers, and different amounts of water, but still united. It was a day to colorfully celebrate one of the most admired and humble persons to walk this earth. It was a Latin American day.
The colorful ideas and desire to invent always bring fresh perspective to each and every day here.
Go celebrate with something colorful and recycled today.
Peace,
Jared
And then the most classic of Latin American scenes… the congregation offered water as a blessing to Christ for having given his life to teach humanity the power of the healing Spirit. Together the 500 plus Dominicans and I raised water containers above our heads furnishing a shiny sea of plastic before the crucifix. One can only imagine the dozens of different brand names displayed on the sides of the recycled and reused plastic containers. Two liter Coke-Cola bottles, 20 oz. Dasani water bottles, Clorox, Cristol Corn Oil, and Apple Juice gallon jugs raised high above the church pews. Some even furnished old tupper-wear with water, while others had nicely pealed the plastic bands glued to the sides of the bottles allowing for a more cleaned up look at church. Everyone had water or perhaps a large framed painting of Mary, but for that moment we were again united, different colors, different brand names on out containers, and different amounts of water, but still united. It was a day to colorfully celebrate one of the most admired and humble persons to walk this earth. It was a Latin American day.
The colorful ideas and desire to invent always bring fresh perspective to each and every day here.
Go celebrate with something colorful and recycled today.
Peace,
Jared
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