Learning Together

This week I joined a lovely Dominican family for a little birthday party.  I have been meeting with Diana on a weekly basis studying English in her home.  Diana is a very spiritual person who spends the majority of her weekends volunteering and participating in programs within her Catholic church.  I am always so impressed with how well she knows the Word of God and how commonly she discusses it.  I am constantly reminded of how connected she is to people in her building, parents from her kids’ school, and the most random people she has met and become friends with.  She is a natural “gatherer” and people visit her constantly.  Our time working on English is interrupted constantly though friends calling her, asking if they can come over or a friend showing up unannounced.  Now this in general is definitely an aspect of Dominican culture, but I believe this is truly amplified in Diana’s case due to her immense love for God and His people.

Food is also a huge aspect of Dominican culture.  Every person who comes over (either panned or unannounced) stays for at least an hour; the majority of that time is spent eating whatever Diana has on hand.  I am in Diana’s home every Monday evening and this past Monday was special as it was her daughter’s birthday.  The place was decorated and some close friends and family were present.  Also throughout the evening, people joined the little gathering who happened to come over unannounced.  Even though they weren’t expected, there was still enough food for them.  At one point I turned to Diana and shared how beautiful it was that she showed such and love and hospitality through offering each visitor such a delicious dinner even if she didn’t know they were coming.  “You must have to make a lot of food every day!” I ended with.

“You know the story in the Bible about Jesus multiplying the bread and fish?”  She said.  “That’s what happens here.  Even my mother and daughters agree.  There are days when I figure no one will be visiting so I only make enough for the family.  But then many people come over and I don’t know where the food comes from, but there is always plenty for everyone.  The only way that could happen would be from God.  I believe He multiplies the food here.”  For some reason, this story really touched me.  I think that it may be because it’s a beautiful picture of how she has such faith in God to provide.  Diana is a single mom of two daughters who also is a caregiver to her mother.  She works hard and it is not easy for her to provide for her family, let alone every visitor as well.  But she uses everything she has and trusts that God is the one providing when she has nothing left to give.
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Diana and I are currently discussing the possibility of her gathering a group of her friends and studying the Bible.  One of her friends once described Diana to me as a “spiritual person.”  It would be a great opportunity for her to gather a community together to study and discuss the Word of God.  Pray that this happens, and praise God for the ways in which He provides for her in her hospitality.