Filthy Rich-Baseballs & 30 Pills

Dominican Republic Post #1

Returning from the Dominican Republic for my fifth trip in five years, I continue to be impacted in different ways each time.  I plan a series of posts talking about my experiences and reflections on the trip.

In the above picture, Dave Ellis, our pharmacist, is explaining to an older gentlemen about the medications he is receiving.  You can see the little baggies of pills in the man's hands.  Each baggie has 30 pills, enough for one month if taken daily.  The thing is, who knows when the clinic will return to this particular batey?  It might be months or even a year before a medical team returns.  Furthermore, we drove almost an hour to get to this batey.  With gas at 5 dollars a gallon and the most common transportation options moped or horse, it is not likely that there will be trips into La Romana to visit the hospital.  In other words, this moment captured on camera is very important for this gentleman.  A moment few of us in America will ever know.  When I need medicine, chances are I have a pretty good supply of basics on hand.  If not, there is a Wal-Mart, a Hanaford, and a Rite Aid within 10 minutes of my house.  I am filthy rich compared to this man and his neighbors.

While at the batey, Andrew Ellis brought a bag of baseballs he had purchased.  Not a big investment, just a bag of baseballs.  There was a group of young men playing baseball...with rocks.  They were very excited to receive the gift of baseballs.  Baseballs are not a staple, not a necessity.  The point is, who of us can't get to a Wal-Mart to buy a baseball, or Play It Again sports for a used ball.  We are filthy rich.

But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? (1 John 3:17)

Taxes, paychecks, recession.  We talk about times being tough.  What we really mean is that we can't live as comfortably with all the comforts we desire.  We struggle to afford our cable tv, our high-speed internet, our dining out, and our recreational activities.   We are filthy rich.

Check out Nate's Blog for his reflections on the trip.  Its a great read!