Campesinos Wear Boots

I sometimes tell Americans that we live in Dominican red-neck country. Another way to put it is we work with hill-billies. I mean not to insult to my Dominican friends by this. It is just a short-hand way of communicating the culture here in relation to some other parts of the country.

We live in the Jarabacoa Valley in the Central Mountains. It is a favorite vacation spot for wealthy Dominicans because it is cooler in the summer and there are two major rivers through the area with waterfalls to enjoy. But really, this area is agrarian. Vegetables and flowers are the main crops. Many of the folks we know have a bit of land that they grow vegetables and some fruit on and some goats, pigs, chickens or cattle. The dirt is red with areas of clayish or sandy soil. When there is rain, there is plenty of mud and dirt roads are become nearly impassable.

So rubber boots are common.  Recently our niece, Abi, visited us from upstate New York.  She bought a pair of boots while she was here since hers were getting worn out and she told us they were "in" where she lived.  Since they didn't fit in her luggage going home, she thought it would be fun to wear them home.

As she was walking away to go through security, a Dominican man pointed to her and said,  "Look at that girl in boots!  Why is she wearying those boots?"

So I said, "That's my niece, she bought them here.  She lives in the country in New York and her old pair are worn out."

He said, "She lives in New York?"

"Yes, in the Adirondaks, the mountains in northern New York."

"There are mountains in New York?"

"Yeah, not in the City, but north,"  I explained.  Many Dominicans think of New York as just the City of New York.

"Really??  Does she know the kind of people who wear those boots here?"

"Yes, campesinos (hillbillies)"

He laughed and said, "Yeah, hillbillies, the farmers."

"I live in Jarabacoa.  I know a lot of campesinos."

"I can't believe she bought those boots, hehe.  Do you like it up there, it's cold in Jarabacoa isn't it?"

"No, it's perfect.  I love it."  I said.

This interchange reminded me that the people I know and love in this country are often looked down on.  Campesinos are poor, ignorant, uneducated.  They aren't up with the times, they ride burros, they wear old clothes and rubber boots.  They are a lot like Jesus' disciples and the early Christians, not the people the world would pick to start a movement.  They are humble, genuine, poor people.  Jesus loves them and chose them for His own.

Let me take you to Los Calabazos!

A favorite place for everyone who visits is Los Calabazos.  Imagine driving up into the mountains.  The road weaves it's way along the side of a mountain ridge.  There are incredible views to the right.  You are able to see another mountain range that follows alongside the one we are on.  Way down between these ridges is the river Yaque de Norte.  At one point along this river is a small community called Los Calabazos (also called Majaguita).

After a 20 minute drive from Jarabacoa, we park the car along the road.  We stop in a colmado (small neighborhood store) to get something to drink for our little hike.  You ask "where is the commity?" and I tell you "It's below us."  That might seem crazy but it's true.  We leave the colmado and descent down about 200 steep steps to Los Calabazos.  The walk is hot because for all but a small part, you can feel the sun beating down you.  But the views are great as we approach the community below.  Once in the community, you are surprised to see what you find...

Los Calabazos is a community that has learned how to work together.  They are camposinos - farmers, not very educated in a formal way.  And yet, the more time spent...you realize they are very smart.  They know how to live, to survive, in ways that "formal education" tends to ignore.  Here in this community they have a number of businesses.  They all work together to run a small hotel, a restaurant, and a farm.  They have worked hard to beautify the community - flowers are plentiul and some trees/plants have signs telling what they are in 3 languages.    If you look around, you may find they use the river water to power the community.  Or you may see that they are building a fish hatchery as well as other things.  It is a very interesting community.  

The church in Los Calabazos was started in the 90's and it struggles.  When started, there were two communities involved.  The church was built up on the road, a spot that was thought convenient for both communities.  Today, few people attend.  A typical Sunday will see 10 adults in the church.

I, Rick, go to Los Calabazos every other Sunday.  I alternate with Nicolus, an elder from the central church in Jarabacoa.  At times, it is discouraging.  I wonder if I am making a difference.  It's so easy to relate success with seeing greater numbers at the church.    

As I have prayed about Los Calabazos...a few things have consistently come to mind -

1.  Strengthen the believers that are there.
2.  If he is willing, spend more time with Nicolus, investigating how we can help one another.

For this, this is our focus in Los Calabazos.  We see other opportunities but feel that what we are doing now is necessary to build a foundation for new ministries in Los Calabazos.

Pray for this community.  Pray for Nicolaus.  Pray for us as well!

Now we get to climb back out of Los Calabazos.  About 200 steps...take your time!