Day 5- Dominican Republic

      I clogged the toilet that morning.  At first it was exciting because it meant that I was cured of my VPS, but then I realized that there wasn't a plunger in the bathroom, and that I would have to leave and find help from the leader eating breakfast with the 22 girls at the table, risking the chance that someone may walk into the bathroom in hopes of using the toilet only to find that the four days of constipation already beat her to it.

                                                 --------------------------------------------

     We were in the bus a lot that day.  Our first stop was the radio station.  A Dominican Christian Radio Station with music very similar to that of WayFM, wanted to interview a few of us.  I was chosen.  It was my first time on the radio and it was fine until they started asking question sand then it got a little nerve wracking. I think what made it more nerve wracking was the fact that we had to be translated.  You know when you start talking about something that excites you, you start to roll, and you can't stop rolling.  It just comes naturally and everything sounds good coming out of your mouth despite your pronunciation and linguistic errors.  However when there's a translator you have to stop every couple of phrases so they can translate, which stops your roll, and you forget what you were talking about.

                                                  ----------------------------------------------

     Actually, I need to be completely honest here.  I just lied.  The radio thing was actually the second stop on the bus...  Our first stop was to a school that VisionTrust operates.  This school is dead center in a poverty stricken slum.  You know, the town with cinder block houses, sheet metal roofs, and children playing in the sewer which also happens to be the towns garbage landfill.  On top of the school is a roof-like patio area that is the home of a church.  The church is roof-like because you can see above the entire town, poverty the eye can see.  It's patio-like because it has a ceiling, but it's open on the sides so that it feels like you're outside.

     It's beautiful.

     It's even more beautiful to see how God can take such a materially ugly place and make it look beautiful.  Our trip leader said that because of the open sides when they play worship, the entire town can hear.  That is beautiful too.

    We talked to some recent grads of the school who are now attending the university!  We exchanged information about our universities, and then we went to visit theirs.  The one we went to today was much bigger than the one yesterday, and had many more similarities to those in the U.S.  It was interesting exchanging stories and visiting their schools.  Although a lot is different, a lot is the same.  Naturally,  our schools are much more populated / bigger.  From what I've heard their professors have a lot more power than ours and tend to be late / cancel class because of dumb excuses, including protests for not being paid more money.  Also, there tends to be a higher amount of sexual bribery.  I wonder how much different it is there than it is here in the U.S. though...

                                                      ----------------------------------------

     During out debrief Jenny brought up an organization called Latte Losers, it's the idea that we donate the money that we would spend on one latte a month, $5, and donate it to a Vision Trust outreach that will provide food for children.  Earlier that day, a child came up to one of the girls to get money for food, but was  told not to because it would make them dependent on food and make them come back tomorrow.  Also there are problems with parents throwing their children on the street to make money because people are more willing to give children money than adults.  I asked Jenny what the difference between this and the mission of Latte Losers is.  If we are supposed to avoid the paternalism of giving children money because they will become dependent, what makes the donating of money through Latte Losers any different?  Won't they still become dependent on the money of the rich American?  I liked her answer.  She said that the food would go to feed children that are already in a Vision Trust outreach that gives them poverty rehabilitation and develops them into strong men and women of Christ.  Jenny said that this organization is new and that we are the first people to be asked to become leaders.  She granted us the opportunity to become leaders on our campuses by holding one fundraiser a semester.  Sounds pretty easy right?  Plus, you get a free T-shirt.  I think that I want to bring it up to my Cru leader, but I'll need to find a partner first...

                                                       --------------------------------------------

     Oh, and how could I forget?  We went shopping that day too.  I bought coffee and vanilla for my roommates,  (Vanilla is twice as big, twice as tasty, and half the price.) plantain chips for my friend picking me up from the airport, and 2 bags of plantain chips and 1 bag of yucca chips for myself.