The Batays!

Going to the Batays was an amazing journey. It deserves its own place in this blog. Many wonderful moments happened on this journey. They are worth sharing and savoring!

There are many Batays, in different spots where we were. The Batays are gov't subsidised houseing for the poor. These people are POOR! Most of the people that live here are Haitian immagrants who work as sugarcane workers. They are in fields all day, cutting sugarcane. The get the equivalent of 3 cents a ton. IMAGINE THAT! This is brutal work especially in the late summer when 90% the crops are ready for harvest! The Batays are painted pink with a baby blue strip in the center....they are small....VERY SMALL. Here, your emotions are raw....you are hit hard in the heart....This was hard...but worth every min. I want to do it more....again and again. This place got to me.

On the way, we piled in the bed of the truck. Not all of us went. The girls were getting their DR hairdos, and jes stayed back for support. (this took 4 or more hours to do.....whew).

Nardo, Salvador, Flor (pastor of the first church we helped build) Bob, Ed, Dave, Jen, Katie and I..gosh i hope i didn't forget anyone....went. We went past the new church site, past Flors church, and down a bumpy BUMPY dirt road. WE approached a creek with a trickle of water in it....Salvador had to gun the engine to get over all the rocks. Well, this was a surprise....Dave who sat on the corner of the side of the truck and gate started backwards....but like a pair of hands caught him and gave him a gentle push back....(thank you again for your prayers!!!!!!) Yes, he moved down to the bed of the truck...whew.... The landscape was beautiful. God created some of the most beautiful land here in the DR. You are surrounded by mountains...everywhere...

When we pulled up, Nardo, Salvador and Flor all went door to door to see how many of the rooms were occupied so we knew how much rice to hand out. 13 were occupied, so we divided up the rice to 5 bls per household....some homes behind the Batays recieved a bag, which was about 2 1/2 lbs. I was amazed at the living conditions some of these folks live in. The first person we gave rice to had a one room place...about 13'x13'. All that was in it was 2 bunk beds against 2 walls, one mattrass, 2 or 3 pots and pans, a few clothes tossed on a bunk and that was it. These people were so greatful for all that we handed them....5 lbs of rice. Ed heard one man in a very low, almost unaudible voice....Bendiga.... A moment not to be forgotten....

The kitchen was a community place. It was a large open area with several fire pits for cooking on. The water was a constant streem into a half metal barrel that must be coming from a spring... This is their life....its not just camping for a weekend.

One thing I noticed....happy...the adults, the kids, just smiled and seemed happy. With the lack of everything we know that would make a easier, better life....they smiled. They were very greatful for the rice we gave....we were more than humbled....to give it to them....

The end of this is going to be nothing more than pictures. I think they speak volumes all by themselves. I have seen God in more ways than one...I have touched Him...shook His hand, taken His picture....I have felt God touch my heart...He showed me life on other terms than what I know. He gave me compassion...a heart....a vision.... a mission.... I will be forever greatful for His guidance here....for I have lived and walked for him....used my hands as His...my arms to hug for Him....my heart to love with Him....I have truely been blessed....
Enjoy the pics....they may hurt...they're hard...they're real.....