This week, we visit the Dominican Republic to meet a church leader named Domingo. As a kid, Domingo didn’t like Christians and would often pull pranks on them. Then, he was befriended by one of the local church members, and after a few months, came to a church service. Eventually Domingo was baptized and later was asked to lead a nearby church in desperate need of help. There were only two members, and the church building was falling apart. In time, a windstorm destroyed it.

Despite their rough pasts, see how both Domingo and his church came a long way with God’s help, and consider how we might treat others, even if they aren’t kind to us.

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Pre-video Discussion Questions
- Have you ever treated someone badly, and later felt sorry about it? What was that like?

Watch the video
In today’s video, a neighborhood troublemaker grows up to help lead a church in desperate need of an answer to prayer.

Post-video Discussion Questions
- Even though Domingo was treating Christians badly, how did they react? How might Domingo's life have been different if that church member had never made friends with him?
- In the Bible, Jesus talks about loving everyone, even enemies. Here it is in Matthew 5:43-44: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Why do you think this was so important to Jesus?
- Is there someone you know that isn’t always kind, but you could become friends with? What might happen to this person because of your kindness?

Prayer Points
- Show us people who need our kindness and friendship.
- Ask kids what they would add to the prayer list.

Did You Know?
- The Dominican Republic was the location of Maranatha’s first multiple site large-scale effort in a country. In 1992, Maranatha sent 1,200 volunteers to the Dominican Republic over a three-month period to build 25 churches. The campaign centered around the capital city of Santo Domingo and was known as “Santo Domingo ’92.”