Before I came down my psychologist promised me that the reality of poverty would ‘hit me’. Well, I feel like it has hit me in waves, crashing upon me as I continue to become more aware of the real injustices that the people of Maria Auxiliadora face.

When one first walks into the barrio it seems like such a colorful, lively place with so much up-beat music and happiness; the satisfied and worry-free attitude is almost contagious. During the first week it is more or less surreal- the place is such a tight-knit, hospitable, beautiful community. Who would not want to move in and live there for a while? Now I’m not saying that all these positive aspects aren’t true, but if that is the only picture one has of the barrio, it is certainly an incomplete one.

About a week ago now, I was feeling broken and nearly depressed after uncovering the physically abusive home situation of one of my close friends. I felt frustrated and furious- who was going to take a stand for justice? I did not want to tolerate it. I spoke with Joy about what initiatives are being taken to reverse the cycle of oppression and violence. Our conversation ended with a sense of hopelessness and the dissatisfying conclusion that we are only a few foreigners in a seemingly unalterable culture of intrinsic destruction. I then got thinking about how the situation here in the Dominican Republic is only the tip of the iceberg when one looks at things on a world scale.

I spent the afternoon in prayer, encountering some key truths found in scripture. The first passage I came upon was in Isaiah chapter 62:

“You who call on the LORD, give yourselves no rest,

and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem
and makes her the praise of the earth.”

It felt liberated, having come across a command that we should be very concerned about all the pain in this world, constantly coming before our Almighty Father in our distress and even in our anger, that we might find comfort in his wisdom. The Bible calls us to be passionate about the redemption of creation, joining with God and his loving purposes to wipe away every last tear from every human face in existence.

The other passages I found right at the heart of the gospel. John 19 says: “Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe and went up to him again and again, saying, ‘Hail, king of the Jews!’ And they struck him in the face.” Jesus witnessed such brutal suffering in order to eventually end all suffering forever. If there has ever been a cause for outrage, this is it: the most innocent man who has ever lived being struck mercilessly- enduring agony, though he did nothing to deserve it. He did it for us, so that we could one day be freed completely from all pain. That is moving…moving beyond words.

The second verse reinforces the picture: “When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.” To those who killed him, Jesus showed the most incredible love, willing that their sins be forgotten and that they be reunited with their Creator.

Now, these verses provide a powerful basis for realizing and feeling the evil of this world without being destroyed by it. Jesus’ crucifixion is a real and radical declaration that God loves us and means to deal with our problem, no matter what the cost. ‘Hell is worth it,’ sounds the cry of the cross, ‘if you and I can be together!’ It gives me radical determination, radical rest and radical hope. It’s all about the glory, the significance- the weightiness of Jesus. He deserves more praise than the universe can give.