Once upon a time...

“So… how did you two meet?”

This is BY FAR the most popular question that people ask Robersy and I. 

Well, that and “Um… you look American but there is something different about you. Where are you from?” comes in a close second :) But since Robersy and I celebrated our 2^nd year anniversary on April 6^th I've decided to retell the story once again. And then when people ask, I’ll refer them to my blog! LOL.

My first answer to this recurring question is, “GOD!” Because really there is no other tangible explanation of how a shy boy from an area near Bani (Cruce de Ocoa) of the Dominican Republic would fall in love with a crazy girl from an island in the middle of the Atlantic ocean. HOWEVER, God had some creative ideas of how it ought to happen.

It all began when I began serving with Word of Life in Bermuda. I knew that God had called me to be a missionary, I just wasn't sure where. I began praying about Scotland (where my mom is from) and the Dominican since both had been on my heart. I was really torn. I looooove Scotland and there was an amazing opportunity to serve with my uncle’s church. I could live with or near my grandparents and have plenty of family around. Made sense to choose Scotland! But my heart was unsettled with that decision.

I had visited the Dominican once before and certainly didn't speak Spanish fluently… but as the opportunity to serve as a financial secretary opened up I decided to take the plunge.

Meanwhile in the Dominican Republic (before I arrived) a boy named Robersy had recently accepted Christ as his Savior. He decided to leave his life of baseball behind when he realized that he’d have to literally live a lie (he had changed his identity to continue pursuing his dreams as a professional baseball player… that’s a whole other story!) and began attending a church in Bani.

At this time Robersy was 20 years old. He was too old to attend youth group, but too spiritually young to be a youth group leader. So he began to help with little things so that he could attend and get some teaching on his level. For this reason alone Robersy was invited to a Bible Club Leaders Conference put on by Word of Life.

As the new financial secretary I helped with the final preparation for the Bible Club Leader Conference to be held in Santiago. Then with my limited Spanish (only a month following my arrival to the DR) I headed to Santiago with the other missionaries.

I didn't understand a word as the leaders began to arrive. Too many people and Dominicans speak fast! So I stood awkwardly in the entrance of the room as everyone arrived.

Then HE arrived! A handsome, skinny, quiet guy walked in to the room. I knew right away. I wasn’t necessarily attracted to this guy… but my heart felt connected! It’s weird to see in writing, but anyone who has experienced this will understand :) That night I called my mom! 

“Mom! I met the man I’m going to marry!” 

That's Robersy shaking the lady's hand as he entered the conference.

“Oh reeeeallly? What’s his name?” 

“Ummm… I don’t know.” 

“Well, where is he from?” 

“I’ll find out!” 

“Oh gosh!”

My only words to Robersy at that conference were “Hola!” when he arrived at the conference and “Adios!” when he left. I tried to investigate more information about this mystery guy… but since he was a new believer he was a mystery to everyone!

This was on the way back from the conference (Turey parada)

A few months later a mission team came from the states and went to visit several churches that Word of Life was working with. Unfortunately, I had to stay in the office but still got to chat with the group a few times. One afternoon while chatting with a young lady named Grace, from the team, she mentioned “the most beautiful man” she had met in Bani. She quickly scrolled through her photos to show me a picture. It was the mystery guy! 

“Ah!!! That’s the man I’m going to marry!!! What’s his name?!” 

“Um, I think Jose or something.” 

“When Jose and I get married you can babysit our children!” 

“Whatever!!! LOL.”

The mystery man was from Bani.

(Side note. I might be able to get a job as a professional stalker if this missionary stuff doesn't work out!) 

(Side note for the side note. I hope you understand that was a joke!!!)

A few months later we got ready for summer camp. I was able to go and my Spanish had improved a tiny bit… just not good enough to be a camp counselor. I’d just have to help where I could.

As the buses from different churches began to arrive, who should I see?! “Jose.”

By God’s design “Jose” and I served in many of the same areas at camp, where I soon came to learn. “Jose” was actually called Robersy. From program team, games, music and washing the dishes Robersy and I seemed to be together a lot. I learned that he was VERY shy. 

This became even clearer when a friend of Robersy came and asked me to go to the camp banquet with Robersy since Robersy was too shy to ask me himself. Unfortunately my Spanish was still struggling so we had someone go with us to help translate. That was our first “date” I guess you can say. LOL!!!

Our first date. Poor Robersy trying to figure out what I was saying!

For 3 weeks we served at that camp and became good friends. Then Robersy returned to San Pedro (where I lived) for a few days in order to help unpack camp supplies.

Since the shed was not sufficient for all the supplies and my apartment had a spare room everyone came to put the supplies there. When the people, who came to unload, went to leave Robersy ran back and just barely got out “Can I have your number?” LOL.

There began our daily phone calls, where a beautiful friendship developed into so much more.

"Born Again To A Living Hope" team

Without asking, I was then assigned to the youth group that Robersy helped at and so I got to see him every weekend in Bani. Then we were asked to be in “Born Again to a Living Hope” (a drama) and traveled around the DR presenting this drama in schools and churches. I began to see a lot of Robersy.

We began dating at the beginning of 2010. I returned to Bermuda in that same year. Thus began our long-distance relationship.

I’ll be honest. It was NOT easy! I got to visit the Dominican 4 times (2-3 weeks each time) before finally becoming Mrs. Lara. Our families were supportive through the whole journey and the first time my father met my husband-to-be was when he arrived in the DR on the week of our wedding!

We made the decision to transfer to SCORE so that we could continue serving in the Dominican Republic together. God has grown us as individuals and as a couple.

That, my friends, was the beginning of our adventure. And there is SO much more to come!!! Our God brought us together in such a creative way, I can hardly wait for all that’s still to come.

Grace… will you still babysit our children when they come along?! :)