Villa de Yaque update...
The things that happen when I am away! I shared with you that there were some tornadoes in the area of Villa Gonzalez last Sunday- I didn't know it but the wind damaged the big warehouse that INVI (housing authority) maintains there. People were looting, taking advantage of the situation. INVI sent in the troops (literally) yesterday to take down what was left of the warehouse and remove all that was there which provoked the people into a violent protest. From what I saw and heard today, it was quite a scene! Tempers were still at a high today when I was out there.
It really pains me to see such injustice- people struggle to make a decent living, and can't, and then begin to do whatever it takes to get by. Sometimes the things they do seem very immoral to me. As I reflect on these things, and try to process my feelings and what position I should take as a spiritual leader there, I come back to the same theme: God's plan is for all people to be able to earn their living in a dignified manner. Giving out resources isn't the answer because it really doesn't solve their problem long term nor does it contribute to their dignity. This economic system is messed up to use a very non-technical term. Please pray for justice, for dignified employment and spiritual as well as economic well being. Pray for our Dominican team that is serving on the Barnabas Foundation, that we will have wisdom and fortitude in trying to rectify the injustice all around us.
We did get the 1 Horse power pump to them today and are making plans to fence in the basketball court. I have yet to be there when it isn't full of kids playing! Now that the warehouse is gone, according to my folks, the "tigeres" will be looking for something else to keep them occupied at night- we don't want it to be our court or the water project SO we are trying to move quickly to get our area secured by fencing.
It really pains me to see such injustice- people struggle to make a decent living, and can't, and then begin to do whatever it takes to get by. Sometimes the things they do seem very immoral to me. As I reflect on these things, and try to process my feelings and what position I should take as a spiritual leader there, I come back to the same theme: God's plan is for all people to be able to earn their living in a dignified manner. Giving out resources isn't the answer because it really doesn't solve their problem long term nor does it contribute to their dignity. This economic system is messed up to use a very non-technical term. Please pray for justice, for dignified employment and spiritual as well as economic well being. Pray for our Dominican team that is serving on the Barnabas Foundation, that we will have wisdom and fortitude in trying to rectify the injustice all around us.
We did get the 1 Horse power pump to them today and are making plans to fence in the basketball court. I have yet to be there when it isn't full of kids playing! Now that the warehouse is gone, according to my folks, the "tigeres" will be looking for something else to keep them occupied at night- we don't want it to be our court or the water project SO we are trying to move quickly to get our area secured by fencing.
