Interview with Danier

This week I wanted to do something different for an update; I think this may be a monthly tradition so that you all can get to know more of the people here. Some of you may remember some of these people from your previous visits.

I would like you to meet Danier. I met him while I was working at the mission and since moving to our house he is one of our daily visitors. Danier is a 13 year old boy who moved to Bocachica three years ago. He was shuffled from his Dad's house now to live with his mom and sister in a 1 room house. His nickname here on the island is Michael Jackson. He knows his dance routines by heart and loves the attention he gets when he portrays him. Danier is known for his loud, goofy personality. But here in my house, he is just the opposite. He is kind, respectful, and loves to be helpful. Don't get me wrong, he still loves to be crazy, but if ever I correct him, he stops whatever he is doing and listens to what we say. I see such potential in him.

Danier's life is a difficult one. His mom is deaf. She works long hours doing massages and hair braids at the beach in Bocagrande. He goes to school at 6:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., then afterward roams the streets of Bocachica. 

Danier and his sister Dory.

 I asked him what are  some of the things he enjoys most about living on the island.  "I think Bocachica is a paradise. Animals can walk free here; we are close to other islands. This island is full of history and the background of slavery is something I enjoy learning about."  He also mentioned that he enjoys the fruit that is available for grabs on the trees. Danier mentioned some of his hopes and dreams for the future of Bocachica would be that people could have cars here on the island. And that children here would learn to have more respect, but he said he thinks they can only get that by having more education.

I wanted to know what are some things he would like to see change on the island and things that may be difficult for him living on the island.  He said the men here who fish work hard and many times they come home with nothing after a day of work. Also those who work a trade here on the island (like jewelry making) don't get enough money and that makes life hard here. For him personally he said he doesn't like that there are drugs on the island. He said if he is out walking late at night people will try and offer him drugs and he just has to ignore them.

Danier mentioned during my interview that he would like to be a police officer when he gets done with his schooling. Not just your normal police officer, but one who specializes in rescuing and emergency situations.

I ended my interview with the question of how my church, family and friends could pray for him. He asked for prayer for his safety. He would like God to protect him during the night.

Thanks for your time reading about a friend of our family.
If you think of him please lift him up in prayer.
Blessings,
The Ariels