I will start by talking about bad experiences, ending with something good and some advice.
This summer I went to Santo Domingo, it was my third time in this wonderful country, but something happened that, even though I knew it could happen, I really didn't expect it.
I was robbed. Not just by one person but by several people involved in the theft.
We were walking one night and a young man wanted to clean the shoes of one of us, even though it was night and they weren't made of leather. Then he asked us to help him get some food. So some of us had a bad feeling, but we tried to trust. The supermarket was already closed and there were two people on a motorbike from a pizzeria. My partner warned me to hold on to my backpack better because it seemed like the ones on the motorbikes wanted to rob us, since they kept going back and forth. I didn't have time to say to Jesus: "Lord, but this has never happened to me." and behold: it happened to me right at that moment. I heard myself screaming like I had only had in nightmares before, and it was horrible.
But the Lord is good, we were all fine, safe and sound.
From this situation, our eyes were opened. We noticed that some cashiers, along with someone who bags the groceries and some waiters, tried to scam us. How? By giving us items, for which we paid, broken, or by exchanging something of value for something less valuable. It is better to always watch what they do! Or a boy who bagged our things in 2 bags and who wanted to accompany us to the car only for two light items, after having taken a good look at the purse! In fact, we were told that a lady was robbed in that store for this reason, but the Lord granted her justice. Also some cashiers who insisted forcefully that we pay with the credit card, something that unfortunately many there duplicate. In the big stores it should be safer but if they insist, calmly walk away and always check that they do not hold your card too long or move it out of your sight. Be vigilant.
We could see that on the street if you wear something humble or something that screams "I'm a tourist" or a bag, you will have a lot of eyes on you. Also, the police did not help us as they should have done. What I mean is that they wrote badly the information we gave them for the theft report, even though we had someone close to us who helped us with the language. Also, they came to the scene of the theft to take some photos, they told us that we would hear from them in about 2 days and... we never received that call. There were cameras on those streets, so they could see the motorbike of the pizzeria we described to them, if they wanted.
We also had a good part, thank God, Hallelujah!
The Dominican Republic is full of beautiful places and great food!
There are also people who obviously have a good heart and you can see it right away. Through my parents' friends we were also able to taste a delicious homemade cake that was very good. We were able to meet, without imagining it, a prophet of God and receive prayers, prophetic words, words of knowledge and blessings!
Note: word of knowledge ---> something that the other person cannot know about you but that is revealed to them by the Holy Spirit (God). Usually these words help you feel seen by God in a profound way and to believe that the words you receive are inspired by Him, since the person in front of you could not know them if not through God.
In addition to this, we were also able to speak with professionals who love what they do and demonstrate it, chat with other Christians, which is always good for the heart as it reminds us how the hand of God moves in our lives in a wonderful way!
Conclusion: the Dominican Republic is beautiful, the food is spectacular (I love it!) and honestly I would recommend everyone to go there alone: you have to be careful! Better to find out beforehand if the places near the hotel you want to go to are safe, go with someone local, dress modestly, do not wear jewelry and watches (or at most costume jewelry), avoid bags (rather put money in your pockets or shoes to go more unnoticed), if you are a man try to wear long pants, like the locals do and at night go out with a car as they say it is the safest way to go out at night. Have fun, be careful and... trust in the Lord!
"so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves" Bible.
Psalms 23:6
Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Photo by Kilian:
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