Politics and the Price of Rice

The CNN headlines have been full of the economic woes in the U.S.  Banks are foreclosing on homes.  Gas, milk, flour, rice, all apparently hitting record prices and hitting people in the pocket book.  We have been out of the States long enough that the economy and way of life are beginning to seem a bit foreign to us.  We have also heard the reports of rising food prices around the world.

Prices in the Dominican Republic have risen also and we have been asked by friends, family and supporters how we are doing.  We are doing fine, thanks to the faithful support of many and our attempts to "dominicanize."  On May 16 the incumbent president, Leonel Fernandez (known simply as Leonel), was re-elected by a good margin.  Everyone was glad that this was accomplished in the first round, eliminating the need for a run off as can happen in a country with about 10 political parties.  Our Dominican friends predict that prices will rise astronomically after the elections as the current administration has kept things under control to get re-elected.  No one is going to vote for you if they don't have enough to eat right?  We have not seen a big price change yet, thankfully.

The price of rice has risen here.  It is now about 65 cents per pound.  The DR produces more rice than it consumes, so we don't face importing rice to supply the demand. However, since most Dominicans eat rice and red beans every day any rise in rice prices is keenly felt.  A couple of other staples have gone up dramatically.  The price of plantains has risen by at least 50% since the hurricanes of November and December destroyed much of the crop.  There have been widespread reports of plantain thefts recently and the farmers are calling for government patrols to prevent the losses.  Table bananas have also risen and are considered outrageously expensive.

Here is a rundown of prices just in case you are curious.  The prices are in US currency:

Rice .65/pound

Boxed Milk 5.34/gallon (long shelf life, boxed, sold by the liter)

Powdered Milk 4.30/gallon (this tastes closest to "real" milk)

Eggs 1.10/dozen 

Plantains  .25 each

Potatoes .45 to $1/pound

Pasta .75/pound

Chicken .60/pound

Steak 4.00/pound

Gasoline 5.75/gallon (the government sets the price)

Since a large percentage of Dominicans spend most of their income on food, any significant rise really hurts.  We know a few single parent families where the cost of feeding their family is now greater than their weekly income; and these are families who are fortunate enough to have steady jobs.  Viewed from another angle, the average income is about 1/6th of the average income in the U.S.  So multiply all those numbers by 6 and think of paying the bill on your income.  Imagine paying $34 per gallon for gas and you may feel the painful reality of life here for most Dominicans.

I realized recently that the "price of rice" was really stressing me out.  As I have prayed and pondered about this I have come to realize that the tension of my faith in God and the reality of a hungry, needy world.  It is one thing when that hungry, needy world appears on the news.  It is another when I personally know and interact with them.  

Nueva Vida Church takes a food offering each week that is distributed to those in need.  The church also fixes a meal every Saturday morning for the elderly and street kids who desperately need a meal.  (The kitchen was built this past summer by the Calvary EFC team.)  Our hope is this communicates the love of Christ where it really counts.

I believe that God promises to "give us this day our daily bread."  I have never lacked for my basic needs of love, security, food, clothing, and shelter.  I admit I have been discontent with my portion, but that is my immaturity and ungratefulness, not God's lack of love and provision.  But many Dominicans do lack these basics.  Why?  God loves them.  God's promises are trustworthy.  It is true that some spend what little they have on alcohol and women, but many are hardworking, honest folks.   It just isn't fair; evil abounds.  The consequences of sin are not just eternal and they aren't just for the sinner him or herself.   This is painful to witness, much more painful to experience.  

One of the difficult realities we are learning to adjust to is that government and officials are not necessarily motivated to make decisions or use resources to improve the country or the lives of the poor.  I am not so naive as to think that everyone in power in the U.S. seeks those positions for the welfare of others.  But the Dominican Republic has a long, strong history, starting with Christopher Colombus, of people seeking power simply to exploit anyone and everything.  Getting into politics through election or appointment can be a way to get rich quick.

In all this, I return to God's Word and submit myself to His perfect will.  I will never fully understand His purpose in allowing suffering and injustice, but I know His desire is for each of us to cast our cares on Him for there is no other hope in this world apart from the Cross.  I see that it is the suffering from our own wrongdoing or the consequences of others that bring us to the end of our coping and drive us to the Only Answer, Jesus Christ.  I hope that doesn't sound trite, because I find myself continually coming to the Creator of the Universe worn out by the troubles around me to find rest in His presence.  It isn't up to me to solve all the problems in the Dominican Republic (We'd really be in trouble then!).  It's up to God and I believe He will, in His time.