As I sat out on my patio the other day, relaxing, observing all the people passing by and children playing in the streets, I was forced to really reflect on what it is like to live in the slum. Here I am: the barrio man, living in the ghetto- and, believe it or not, I enjoy it! Somehow the tremendous sacrifices I’ve made do not even seem worth comparing to the wondrous mysteries of God I have encountered. His kingdom shines among the poor and thrives in centers of destitution.

It feels liberating to have an understanding of the language and culture- to be able to interact and be accepted into this new world where snow is unheard-of and people see life in a very unique way; a filter of perception that drives their actions. In their poverty the people have formed close and crucial bonds; now I am a part of that. I know and am known by countless people, all of them very special to me. I say I love it here, but I am certain there are few who feel that way. A tension exists: many want to escape.

I have often wondered what it would feel like to grow up here. Doubtless one would be mistreated- perhaps by parents- but definitely by those around them. It is common to hear mocking and insults, or to see young ones running out of their house screaming and crying. Gossip is a common weapon as well, destroying the trust and confidence of many.

The influences of pop culture, especially from the United States, are incredible. Girls feel they ought to be sexy and slim. They regard their bodies as mere objects- though this is no surprise: every man in their life has been asserting, from very early on, that this is so. Due to injustice and lack of opportunity, girls feel that their body is their greatest asset; they dance and flaunt themselves in hopes of attracting men, in order to get married and secure a future- ideally to move up the social ladder. Yet time after time they attract the wrong ones- abusive ones. This almost inevitably leads to bitterness and cynicism towards men in general.

Boys are taught to be tough and assertive; to show little emotion at the realities of life and to command respect, violently if necessary. This, in combination with the image embodied in rappers like 50 Cent, Daddy Yankee and El Lapiz has led to hardness and near disdain of the opposite sex. They want to be thugs- to be feared, cool and adored by the ladies. They get into drugs as a way to forget about the pains of the world, or to gain money. Of course, I am here depicting the negative extreme, but nonetheless it is all too common.

In the entire barrio there is a sense, I feel, of helplessness. America, or the American lifestyle, is looked at as heavenly, and everyone feels dumbfounded as to how to achieve it. I try to explain, where possible, that these desires are almost entirely contradictory to true fulfillment, but it’s hard to convince. Dominicans have it in their minds that the U.S. is some sort of utopia, worth hoping for, even if they hope in vain. Opportunities to advance socially are financially are almost non-existent; being born in the barrio simply means that you are hundreds of times less likely to ‘make it’.

Thus, people hang out on street corners or in Colmados with little to do. They play all sorts of games for hours and hours: checkers, chess, soccer, basketball, dominoes, baseball and marbles are among the most popular. Kids guide tires down the street all afternoon, or play with any object they can get their hands on. People look also to dancing and music; an opportunity to forget and simply enjoy the moment, many call it. Though this often involves alcohol and the movements are, well, sexual. During their afternoons, many sit down and become entranced by idealistic soap operas on TV that idolize romance. Girls dream that some wonderful man will sweep them off their feet and take them away to perfection.

There is only one such man to be found: his name is Jesus Christ. But here, perhaps, is the greatest barrier that exists. Catholicism has turned him into an abstract and far-off concept. He is certainly seen as the Alpha and the Omega- the one who will judge between the goats and the sheep- but not as a personal friend who invites you to follow him in your daily life. People live under fear that they must live a morally faultless life to please him, and everyone is certain they will face many years in purgatory before they are ‘worthy’ to enter paradise. The cross has lost almost all relevance to reality; many remain slaves to religion. God is introduced as the one who likes you if you do this and doesn’t like you if you do that. If you’re good, he’ll let you into heaven; if you’re bad, he’ll send you to hell. Who would want to know or even believe in such a deity?

It comes as no surprise, then, that in a country where 96% are professing Catholics, evil and injustice run rampant. The system is perfectly designed to provide such results. People are being turned away from God.

So I’ve painted a pretty dark picture so far. Let me proceed to introduce the light that drowns it all out in unstoppable glory. As C.S. Lewis puts it: “Our Great Captain has opened a gap in the pitiless walls of this world and bids us come through.” No shadow can keep out God’s Trinitarian dance of love and glory forever. The party’s on its way. We are receiving an unshakable kingdom; one where disease, poverty, injustice, sin and death will be completely done away with. Jesus is making all things new; we shall soon shine in such a brilliant community that all our sufferings will be to our glory. Shalom- the way things ought to be: the webbing together of God, humans and all creation in equity, fulfillment and delight; universal flourishing, wholeness, a rich state of affairs in which natural needs are satisfied and natural gifts are fruitfully employed all under the arch of God’s love. That’s what’s going on.

As for me, I live to demonstrate this hope through my words and actions, guiding people into harmony with their Savior and with one another, through the power of gospel and God’s grace. It has been an adventure of reconciliation so far, and I rejoice in the Lord.