Faces of the Dominican Republic

During my time spent with Students International as an intern, I had the opportunity to also help out with some needs at our media site which meant spending some days with a camera in hand, visiting our ministry sites and participating in whatever activities were happening.

Sometimes that meant being an observer (and sideline cheerer) of an energetic baseball or soccer game or trying to distract a little baby at the clinic in need of some testing or accidentally interrupting story time at the preschool causing complete distraction and chaos amongst the pack of 4-year-olds.

Believe it or not, these kids love the camera and often beg to have their pictures taken. Or beg to use my camera to take their own. It occurred to me one day that some of these kids haven’t seen their reflection before. When they’d ask to see the picture after I had taken it, they’d sometimes exclaim “agh! Thats what I look like?”

And I love the questions and conversations it usually started. Although my Spanish being quite minimal at this point, much was communicated through these moments and I loved experiencing and capturing their beautiful, energetic lives through the lens.

I think this little side-job that was given to me during my internship helped me be even more of an observer and a watcher. It taught me to be still and wait for moments to capture. To capture moments in the stillness. And as I sat behind a computer for many hours editing photos and videos, I grew fond of these faces and it gave me opportunity to pray over their little lives. I witnessed only a piece of their day, but have much to learn about their home lives, lifestyle and physical and spiritual needs.

So much potential and so much in store for their little lives. Can’t wait to see where some of them are at when I return!