To help you think about the Dominican Republic this week, and create a gathering point for prayer, print off this Dominican Republic flag, color it, and hang it on your refrigerator or somewhere everyone in the family will see. When you pass by this flag, take a second and pray for the children, families, and churches in the Dominican Republic.

The Lay of the Land

Let’s start the day off by watching this video taken by a drone to get a sense of one of the neighborhoods in the Dominican Republic where Compassion works.

 

Meet Raidania

Raidania works with Compassion and local church partners in the region of Barahona. She’d love to take you on a tour of her neighborhood and the work she and the other Compassion center staff do there.

Activity: Try a Local Recipe

This is one of the most popular meals in the Dominican Republic. In Spanish, it’s called “la bandera,” which means “the flag.” It includes rice, beans and meat — either chicken or beef. Each part is supposed to stand for one color of the flag. Many families living in poverty can’t afford meat very often because it’s more expensive than most vegetables. So this meal would be a special treat!

THE DOMINICAN FLAG (PRINT)

Yield: 4 Servings

Prep time: 45 minutes

Cook time: 1 hour

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup white rice
  •  2 lbs chicken
  •  2 (6-oz.) cans tomato paste
  •  2 pinches oregano
  •  1 bell pepper, chopped
  •  1 large red onion, diced
  •  4 cloves garlic, crushed
  •  1 tsp fresh cilantro
  •  salt and pepper, to taste
  •  2 (16-oz.) cans pinto beans

 

Instructions:

  1. Cook the rice according to package directions.
  2. Cut the chicken into small pieces. Mix it in a bowl with 1 can of tomato paste and half each of the oregano, bell pepper, onion, garlic and cilantro. Let marinate at least 30 minutes.
  3. Heat 2 tbsp. oil in a pot over medium heat. Remove the chicken from the bowl, but keep the marinade. Add the chicken to the pot and sauté until light brown, about 10 minutes.
  4. Add the marinade to the pot and simmer, covered, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
  5. Heat 1 tbsp. oil in a large pot over medium heat. Then add the other can of tomato paste and the remaining spices. Cook about 1 minute, stirring. Add the pinto beans to the pot and cook until the beans are warm, about 5 minutes.
  6. Serve the beans over rice with chicken on the side. Or for extra fun, arrange the rice in a cross shape and surround it with beans and chicken.

Discussion Questions

  1. What could you buy with $1.90?
  2. Do you think you could purchase all the ingredients you need for today’s recipe with $1.90?
  3. Do you think your family could live on a $1.90 a day?
  4. How has your local church helped those in need in your community?

Closing

To bring today’s time in the Dominican Republic to a close, read this verse aloud and then take a moment to pray for the country of the Dominican Republic

Bible Verse

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” —Romans 12:12

Prayer

Jesus, today we ask you to watch over the children of the Dominican Republic. We pray for their safety and that their needs for food, water, shelter, medicine, and safety are met. We ask you to help them feel your presence today, and find joy in whatever they are doing. Amen.

 

Thanks for spending some time with us today! Check your inbox tomorrow for Day 2 of your journey to the Dominican Republic.