By Stephanie Grinnell

Staff Writer

Lisa Frazier’s family is two members larger as of this week, with the visit of Wilkins Meristal, 21, and Jonathan Santana, 22, two men from the Dominican Republic who stayed at the Frazier’s Scarborough home April 3 through April 8.

Meristal and Santana first met Frazier during a mission trip sponsored by the United Baptist Church in Saco to La Romana in the Dominican Republic. The two served as translators during the mission trip and Frazier invited them to visit Maine. 

This is not the first trip the duo has made to the United States, but it is the first time they have been to Maine and the first time they have ever seen snow. Their initial impression of the state? Cold. Most of their travels to America in the past have been during summer months. 

“This is the first time we’ve seen snow…it’s pretty. But it’s colder here than my freezer at home,” Santana said. “La Romana is never cold, it’s always 85 degrees even in winter.”

Frazier said when she picked up the two men in Boston, she was concerned when Santana’s luggage seemed to be stuck in the door. She said it turned out Santana was cold and did not want to go outside. 

“I didn’t know how cold. I couldn’t even talk. My knees were shaking but I tried to be a strong man,” Santana said. “But I like it here.” 

Meristal was prepared for the colder temperatures and said he attempted to impress upon Santana how cold it would be. Meristal said one winter activity he would like to try is sledding. 

“It is good to come (to the United States) in different seasons,” he said. 

Other trips to America in the past were sponsored by the Christian band the two are members of, Revelation Maranatha. Santana plays the bass guitar and Meristal sings in the band, which is always evolving. The band began in their hometown church and since the pair were young, both aspired to become members, though they do not make any money with their performances.

“We are not just a band of music, we are a band of mission,” Meristal said. “Nobody gets benefits from the band. The benefit is helping others.”

Both credit the band with improving their lives, starting at a young age. Meristal said he grew up in a batey, which is a village located near sugar cane fields that houses workers. He said he was very poor as a child and was always hungry. On days when he went to church, Meristal said he climbed the trees around the church to feast on guavas and papayas. Many of the people who live in bateys eat nothing more than sugar cane, he said.

“I’m here and I can say I am in a better position,” he said. “If this door were open for me, it can be for anyone.”

“We try to keep the door open for the guys behind us,” Santana added. 

Frazier hosted a “La Romana Night” at her home to set aside some time for church members to meet with the two men during their visit to Maine. 

She said there would be a potluck dinner and karaoke. Frazier said she planned to ask Meristal and Santana to cook some Dominican food for the potluck. 

The pair put singing skills to use once again on Monday, when they sang for the children at Heidi’s House Daycare in Scarborough. Frazier’s son, Christian, 5, attends the daycare and he and his peers gathered needed items for the most recent mission trip to La Romana. Meristal and Santana wanted to visit the daycare to say thank you. 

Heidi’s House owner Heidi MacAllister-McDonald said the children in the afterschool program, with the help of their teachers Sarah and Missy, collected items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, toiletry items, Children’s Tylenol and clothing. The children sorted the clothing by size and type before Frazier chose what would be most useful in the Dominican Republic. 

MacAllister-McDonald said the daycare participates in a number of community service activities each year because she personally feels it is an important lesson to teach the children. 

“It’s important to me that people don’t mistake the motive. The kudo is it feels good to give,” she said. “I’m excited to let the kids see where their giving went.”

The children baked cookies and served their guests before giving a demonstration of American culture through the video game “Dance Dance Revolution.” Meristal tried the game and said, “It was very difficult.”

Meristal and Santana sang songs and danced for the children and Meristal shared the story of his childhood. The pair enforced the importance of being grateful.

“My mother made me study hard and learn how to speak English,” Meristal said. “Now I have, so I can share.” 

Contact Stephanie Grinnell by calling 282-4337 ext. 213 or email news@scarboroughleader.com.