Our Time Serving Together
June 22, 2024 | Written by Ellen Mikkelson and Kylie Young.
Serving Abroad
The time we had in the Dominican Republic was incredible. Not only were there extraordinary moments experienced within our group and with staff, but it was also really amazing to meet the kids and people who make up the Dominican. It’s always said everything there runs on “Dominican time,” not our time, and while it took me awhile to get used to, I began to see how much of a blessing it is to live my life one step at a time and not always planning for what’s next. I never really knew when we were going to get to things we were supposed to, but I knew no matter what schedule people were running on, everyone was always willing to help. The kids were always willing to show you around the barrios. The staff at Solid Rock was always ready to answer any questions about their life or Dominican culture, and everyone was always ready to connect.
– Ellen
Barrios
The barrios were a very special place for me. The kids in the neighboring towns weren’t the same as the children at VBS. These kids ran up to us, gave us hugs, and called us, “my Americans.” This sense of excitement and urgency to be with us and get to know each and every one of us made me feel very special—like I was needed. I think I secretly needed to feel that, because it made me feel like the people I was there to serve appreciated it and that the past Americans who had been with Solid Rock made a significant impact on them, as well.
The first day in San Juan, I met a little girl who shared a name with me. She pulled me over to the sidewalk and painted my nails hot pink. This moment in the barrio really impacted me because she so wanted to share with me her small bottle of nail polish. I didn’t know if she had any more or if she would have more at any time soon. But she was so excited to give ME a gift. I have access to so many things in the US… She has access to very little in her own country, and yet wanted to share with me a gift. An impactful moment like this showed me how God is good. How God created us to help others and share with them gifts and experiences of life, no matter what situation you’re in.
– Kylie
It really changed my perspective to be able to see the difference between the two barrios we visited for VBS and the ones near the guest house. There was a large economic difference between the two VBS sites, and it was impactful to see what different levels of poverty look like in the Dominican Republic.
– Ellen
Language
When I first got here, I was really worried about how I’d connect with the kids since I didn’t speak their language. But I was pleasantly surprised by how much Spanish I actually knew and could use. Once I let go of my worries, connecting with them became much easier. Even though I couldn’t always communicate verbally, I found other ways to express myself. When words failed, dancing and playing became our way of bonding, creating connections that went beyond language.
On the flight from Miami, FL to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, I really began to become anxious about putting my knowledge of Spanish to use and communicating with the Dominican children. In school I felt prepared and speaking to native speakers in the U.S. I had felt confident, but being able to communicate with children who haven’t been taught English was going to be a challenge for me. However, I was really shocked to notice that I hadn’t really had a problem understanding them at all. In fact, I was able to respond and carry on conversations with them without having too much trouble! To be clear, most of the children I talked to were under the age of five and couldn’t really carry on many long conversations other than simple things like ages and names. However, I still feel accomplished with my Spanish use and interpretation during the trip and promise myself that I will continue to learn and put to use to my Spanish so that I can come back in the future and experience it as, hopefully, an almost fluent Spanish speaker.
– Kylie
I really appreciated the challenge of using my Spanish in the barrios, especially since we didn’t have translators. It pushed me to improve my language skills and find creative ways to connect with the kids. Seeing the economic disparities between the different barrios here also offered a real perspective on the diverse circumstances of the people living here.
– Ellen
Family Bonds
The first day of VBS was a bit chaotic. I wasn’t sure what to expect or how the kids in the barrios surrounding the churches were going to act. However, as we spent more and more time around all of the kids, it was very evident that every single child knew the others like family. They all treated each other playfully, but with respect. Specifically, it was evident in the older girls that joined VBS and their mother-figure-like relationship with the youngest toddlers. They were more than happy to and even encouraged us to play with and hold the toddlers. In the United States, people are much less trusting of others. But here in the DR, it’s not like that at all. Everyone seems to be close-knit and completely trusting of us, which was the biggest culture shock for me.
– Kylie
Staff
The entire trip wouldn’t have been possible without the help of the wonderful SRI staff who stayed with us the entire week to help navigate VBS for the Dominican children. Every single staff member had a smile on their face and made sure that things were done properly so that we could have a week of smooth sailing as a team. It is very clear to me that even the guest house staff had hearts for these children; taking time out of their already busy days to walk in the neighboring barrios with us while still committing time to help cook dinner and take care of personal needs. Because of the staff’s eagerness to help and warm, inviting souls, it made the work that my team was there to do so much easier. It showed us where our hearts were and how God is within each and every one of us, connecting us and bonding us to one another.
– Kylie
Our Group Time Together
By far, the most significant part about group time during the trip was devotion in the evenings. It was a time when our group came together to share about our day. At the end, we passed around green and red blocks to take turns giving thanks for whomever had the red block. I love this game on every trip because it gives me the chance to thank someone or compliment someone who absolutely deserves it. Every single member from Roanoke on the trip bonded and became one. Through traveling, VBS, mosquitos, “scary” bugs, and flight layovers, we have gained numerous experiences and stories that we can share with our close ones once back home.
– Kylie
