The Work of Peace
Our work in the Dominican Republic is the work of peace. You may ask what does work with orphans have to do with the work of peace? I was reminded of this principle this week when we got the news that an older orphan who was from another orphanage and living in Santiago had been released from jail. In our efforts to do the right thing for him we struggled with the issues of whether we should leave him in jail or work to get him free which was as easy as paying a bribe. The police were quite up front about it at first. They told us to give them $500 US and they would let him out. But then we interviewed the victim who had been robbed by the former orphan and it was quite clear that the the orphan had stolen a passport and a valuable camera from the victim. I also interviewed the orphan in jail and he was not sorry for what he had done. He said it wasn`t his fault. It broke our hearts to hear this lack of regret. Still when I saw the conditions of the jail..one toilet for six people, a foot of filth on the floor, one meal a day, and who knows what else. We were torn between doing the expedient thing and getting him out even though he was as guilty as could be or to let him stay in jail. We were told he would get a six month sentence or more. The orphan is only 19 years old and certainly knows better. He deserved to be punished but he certainly did not deserve such harsh treatment. Then a friend of mine suggested we contact the Mennonite Central Committee Peace team here in the Dominican Republic. They are well known for doing third party arbitration. Because they are a peace church they refuse to assist the military, participate in bribery. They have very strong principles ruled by their theology of peace. In talking to them they reminded me that it is always best to take the high road and to do what is right even if it means suffering. It is the way of Ghandi and Martin Luther King Jr. The use of non-violence is what we are called to do. By paying a bribe, even though the ends seemed to justify the means, it only fosters violence and evil. By waiting and refusing the demands of the police we were able to win the release of this young man whom we are very unhappy with. But we shall continue this path of peace and justice for all. It is a good example we can use with the younger orphans. Through this experience we are aware of how much more we need to prepare these orphans for the world. It is the work of peace.
One More New Orphan
Melvin comes to us from Santiago. He has lived in the orphanage before and his mother is not able to take care of him due to illness and severe economic circumstances. He has no father. He is 14 years old and when we asked him how he likes it here, we detected a note of sadness in him. He feels rejected and that no one wants him. Well we want him and we hope after a while he will learn that he is wanted.
Mailing address
(via the kindness of our friend):
Dale and Marta Johnson%
Leticia Minaya
Roman de Pina �35
Mao, Velverde, Republica Dominicana
September 14, 2004
Field report from Good Samaritan Orphanage, Dominican Republic
Hurricane Hourly Blog
The public schools opened this last week with over 700 children. The principal came to us today and asked for supplies. He said they have no chalk for the blackboards, no pencils for some students, crayons for art, paper, felt pens, frisbees, glue, and pens for teachers. In total we gave away about 150 lbs of supplies. All of the items have been brought here by the many volunteers who came down here this summer and spring. We feel it is a privilege to help the local schools like this because it helps our orphans too. We set aside surplus items for times like this. It amazes us how schools can function without supplies. The parents have little or no money and the school does not seem to be funded adequately by the government.
Ivan was not so Terrible
Hurricane Ivan brushed past us. We did feel some small effect such as heavy wind for a couple of days and a few hours of light showers. We had a week of cloudiness which we appreciated because it cooled us down to 83 degrees.
Anthony Leaves Us
Our oldest orphan, Anthony leaves us and returns to Puerto Plata to live with his father who is a policeman. Antony was our oldest orphan and it was time for him to leave. His father had become stable in his job and is able to care for him now. Before this time his father moved around the country often in his work. We feel we have helped Anthony a lot by giving him some vocational training. We have helped him start a small plant business, earn some money, and most of all feel some pride and confidence in his ability to work and see his discipline rewarded.
Dale and Marta Johnson,
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atten. Dale and Marta
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