Shaun Groves
I’m sorry I haven’t been able to blog much from the Dominican Republic and I won’t be able to blog anything else after this for a day or so. This is not a blogging trip. It was a trip taken to shoot three small films telling the stories of sponsored children to music festival audiences. Choosing which stories to tell, interviewing enough people to put the story together, shooting them – well, it’s taken up a lot of time with very little left over for sharing my experiences with you.
But I promise I will.
I have video to edit and pictures to post that will anger and inspire you. This trip, unlike any other I’ve taken with Compassion, has revealed the injustice of American corporations and its impact on the developing world. I was truly shocked a few times at the degree of damage these corporations are doing to the lives of children here in the Dominican Republic, and constantly inspired by Compassion’s ability, working through the local church, to release children from the poverty such injustices have created here.
Much to share. I promise I will.
For now, I’m heading to bed. I have a 3AM wake-up call to rest up for.
Ouch.
(I can’t wait to hold my family.)
While you wait for more posts, PLEASE GO SPONSOR A CHILD.
Mariah says:
Is there a link on your blog where I can go to sponsor a child anywhere except Uganda? I would love to sponsor a child in South America.
Grovesfan says:
Mariah,
You can just go to http://www.compassion.com and sign up to sponsor a child in any one of 24 countries that Compassion currently has projects. My family currently sponsors three children, in Haiti, Columbia, and Ecuador.
Shaun,
I know you miss you family. You always do and it’s understandable. For now, cling to the knowledge that they miss you too, but have you be no where else other than where you are because you’re doing what God has clearly called you to do.
Be safe. Take time to process everything and also take time to rest.
Beth
Cali Amy says:
I think it is probably most easily revealed in this area of the world the damage done by America. Study a bit of Latin American history to get good and depressed.
Crystal Renaud says:
i’m eager to see the videos you are preparing. praying for your safety. much love to you.
Pete Wilson says:
Thanks for taking the time to go on this trip. I’m very interested in seeing the video and pics. I have a trip to the D.R. planned this summer as our church continues to build a feeding center there.
Cara Hoeppner says:
Shaun,
Thank you for going over there, and for doing this. I was in the DR in January for a vacation, and ventured a ways off the resort to bring the school supplies we’d brought with us for a local organization. So, I knew that there was poverty there, unfathomable compared to what we see in Canada.
But what you’ve written about is gutting me. The injustice at the hands of “Christian Nations” (I’ll include Canada and speak of North America as opposed to solely the US) – so that we can have cheap sugar, cheap appliances and throw-away gadgets, and clothing is IMMORAL.
Somehow, we have to stand up and say NO MORE.
God was very angry with those who caused oppression and took advantage of the weakest and poorest… I cannot shake the feeling that we are due, overdue, for a Judgement. God have mercy.
I know God is opening MY eyes to how I live my life, and what I value. Maybe we can’t change the world, but I will answer before God someday – and the things I value can easily be seen by looking at my bank/credit card statement.
Today, I went to Compassion,ca and sponsored a little girl from the DR.
I already have had a boy from Haiti for over 4 years. Because of your journal entry from the other day, he will, as will this sweet girl, be getting a monthly letter sent. I didn’t realize the impact, and the value, those letters could have. The children I’ve sponsored are both 7… I ask God to help us have the discipline to pray, and write. May they know that there are those who care, and are not okay with what is happening to them.