Rules of the Road

Over the past two decades, I have had the privilege of taking several international mission trips. All of them have been amazing in too many ways to count. Besides providing me with the opportunity to partner with some incredible brothers and sisters of Christ around the globe, they have allowed me to experience cultures in very concentrated doses. The people, the languages, the mannerisms, the food, the worship services, the pace of life, all provide pieces to the puzzle demonstrating the whos and the whats of other nations. Without question, the most nerve-racking and exhilarating experiences I’ve had in my travels come when I get a vehicle and begin going from place to place. Driving has always been an adventure in the countries I’ve visited. Last week in the Dominican Republic provided yet another such adventure.

At home in the United States, traffic is, for the most part, very orderly and organized. Rules of the road are very specific, followed, and enforced. Lane lines are viewed as hard and fast boundaries, serving to guide and protect people as they make their way down the road. Drivers line up in a single-file line and wait for their turn or for space to open up so they can jump in line. Americans tend to get extremely frustrated when those driving around them fail to follow the rules and honk their horns to communicate frustration and anger.

Things are very different in the Dominican Republic. To an American eye, traffic appears to be chaotic and disorganized. Rules of the road are broad generalities with room for personal interpretation. Lane lines, when any are present, are viewed as suggestions and are often ignored. Drivers fill open and available space at will and it is a first come, first serve system. Dominican drivers are much more laid back and understanding of others on the road. While horns are honked in frustration at times, they are more often than not used as a means of communicating presence and intent to other drivers.

I still remember my first time riding in a vehicle in the Dominican. I remember firmly gripping the seat in front of me. Every time we would approach a tight spot and squeeze our way through I would grit my teeth and cringe. As cars and motorcycles would zip in and around us I would push the imaginary brake before me, praying that the driver would follow suit and push the actual brake. He never did. He calmly and confidently transported us all over to our desired destination and he did so very smoothly and safely.

Here’s what I find most interesting as I compare the realities of the road in the US and the DR. On any given trip from one city to another in the US, it is not uncommon to see several accidents on the way. In all of my trips to and around the DR, I have only seen two accidents. In both cases a crazy motorcyclist zipped in front of another vehicle and ended up on the ground. NOT ONCE have I seen a totaled car or truck on the side of the road following an accident. That’s not to say they don’t occur, but they are rare enough that in almost two months of driving around two very busy cities, I have not seen one. So, what is the difference and why does it matter?

Dominicans are willing to share the space. If another car can fit on the road, the Dominicans are willing to move to the side when possible to make room for others. I find this to be true in all areas of Dominican culture. They are incredibly welcoming and understanding of those who are different than them. As I was exchanging currency one day, a Costa Rican/New Yorker made a comment that summed it up well for me. He said, “This is the most gracious country I’ve every lived. The color of your skin, the language you speak, the clothes you wear are unimportant. They treat people like people. If you are hungry, they will share their food. If you are thirsty, they will find you something to drink. They will make space for you in their lives.” Apparently, their patterns of driving are a reflection of their patterns of living.

The Dominican rules of the road struck me as an amazing metaphor for the Christian life. We can’t be so concerned with our man-made boundaries that we keep others out. We must always be willing to make space for those who need to come in. We must be open to receiving communication from others regarding their concerns and needs. How can we meet the needs of others if we aren’t willing to hear what those needs are? And most importantly, we need to see people as people and treat them with the same grace and compassion that we ourselves desire. Is that not the model Christ has set for us by giving of Himself to make space for us? Let’s make some room for those who are traveling the road of life with us and maybe, just maybe, we’ll earn the right to provide them with directions so that we can travel to the same destination.