New Beginnings

Well...Today is day 2 of our journey and we thought we would take a few minutes and update everyone on the things that have been going on.  First off and most importantly we want to thank all of you that are praying for us and thinking of us.

Our journey started on the 10th of September at a daunting 2:30 A.M. followed by a quick tossing of the luggage on top of David and Brenda's SUV and a joyful ride to the airport.  Saying good-bye was definately the hardest part of the day.  It's always so difficult to say bye to those that we love so much.  We took comfort in knowing that Jesus has indeed called us into this work and that we know without a shadow of a doubt that this is what he wants for our lives.

We arrived in Santo Domingo around 3 in the afternoon and made our way to the Hotel Napolitano where I (Jared) got to enjoy two Dominican men attempt to smash a moped into the back of a small 4 door sedan.  After a while they figured it out and they used two old shirts as tie downs.  These are a few photos from our hotel room.

This morning (Tuesday) we left around 8 oclock and began our residence process.  Once we finally found the Ministry of Foreign Relations we quickly found out that we were improperly dressed.  A man yelled at our translator that there absolutely no shorts allowed followed by a second shout that my wife had to cover her shoulders to enter the building (she had on a skirt) So then we jumped in the van and quickly changed.

We arrived in the office and were then sent on a mission.  Unfortunately we did not have a letter that we were supposed to have so we had to find an internet cafe to type the letter.  This was quite a journey and at one point I believe we were in reverse on a one way street while other cars were driving towards us.  We made incredible time getting our letter completed.

We praise Jesus for the next thing that happened.  We were originally told that the completed and signed letter from the Ministry of Foreign Relations would not be ready until at least Thursday.  When we dropped it off she asked us to return later in the day.  Much to our surprise she was able to complete it in less than a day.

We have to report to a second building tomorrow and attempt to complete our Residency process.  Overall its been an incredible couple of days.  Loving how incredible the people are.  Amazed that even though their culture can seem a bit disorganized they don't complain about it at all.

Thanks again everyone for your prayers.  We thank our Lord Jesus every time we think of you.  You are such a huge support to us.