Yesterday marked one week that we have been here.  The first week has been filled with learning Spanish and shopping for food and household items.  I guess these are normal things that come with moving to a new place and starting a new job.  I was excited yesterday, though, to get the first taste of what ministry might be like in the DR.  Miguel and I met with our new landlord (we are moving into a house next week) and a lawyer to talk about the lease.  After we had talked business for about an hour the landlord asked if we worked for a church.  What ensued was an hour conversation about life and faith.  I sat there as Miguel had a conversation with these two middle-aged men.  Here were two professionals on a busy Wednesday afternoon listening intently as Miguel shared.  They were not in a hurry to get to their next appointment.  It was more important to them to sit back and talk about life with us.  Their appointments could wait.  That is one thing I love about this country and their culture.  Time does not control people.  People control their own time.  Relationships are very important in this culture.  Community is present here.  Because of this fact there is great opportunity for ministry.  People's doors are always open.  And where their is openness there is an opportunity for God to change lives.  Pray that we would foster and build relationships in this community.