The most beautiful things can happen from friendships. During these last several months when tensions were running high and racial divides discouraged those of us who thought we had progressed away from discrimination, I returned to pondering the friendship I have with a Haitian pastor ministering in a community outside of San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic. Everyone’s lives change when we come together over a common goal.
Houses just outside the compound in Las ColinasChildren of Haitian descent in the Dominican RepublicOne family, one vehiclePastor Tanis DerolusCampus of Colegio Moriah today, outside of San Pedro de Macoris in the Las Colinas communityWorship in the partially built church, 2007First Floor Plan of the new church and small renderingCompleted Church in 2017Short term work teams from the U.S. work alongside Haitian workers. They are happy to have work.Entry to the church: under His everlasting wings, in progress 2006.Mezzanine of the church under construction 2007 with the rebar guy, Elias PerezElias coaches a short term volunteer through rebar preparationTime to pour concrete! We need an army.Concrete mixer set up: the pour must be completed in one day.Feeding the mixer continuallyThe army of workers gets it done in one day! 2007Haitians are the foremen; short term volunteers help.Medical short term missionaries see patients in the school and church on Saturday.Pastor Tanis translates for visiting preachers.Worship in completed Church 2019Copper Panels represent “Father, Son, and Holy Spirit”Plan of School Second FloorJeri Spurling awaits the pour of the School Assembly Roof / Discussing measurements with foreman, YvesSchool 2012School 2019Teaching English in the SchoolBuilding relationshipsBasketball in front of the School 2020Kindergarten Class en route to classroomPlaying with children at recessAwards for student projects with principal, Alexis and math teacher, AlexEsther and Tanis Derolus, Joanne Records, Naomi Derolus
