Firsts in the Dominican Republic

" Firsts in the Dominican Republic"

Darrel L. Hammon

This has been a week of firsts:

• First time driving—This has been an experience. 
• First time going to the Santo Domingo Temple—What an experience this was! We were the witness couple. Joanne went through in English, and I went through in Spanish. Whew! Lots to learn.
• First time walking the streets—Mom and I went down to the ocean front and walked on Saturday morning. Gorgeous views!
• First time witnessing a DR baptism—We went to a baptism out in the campo on Saturday. We were humbled by the surroundings but enlightened by the spirit of these pioneering people.
• First time going to a DR branch—President Glazier, the MTC (CCM) President here, gave a pioneer presentation to a branch way out in the campo. Again, these are humble people with huge, huge hearts. They were very welcoming to us. Just an incredible experience.
• First time eating at a McDonald’s—It cost us about $18.00 for a Big Mac/Chicken Sandwich combos and one apple pie. I guess drinks were included.
• First time eating at a true DR restaurant—The food was good. We ate at a second one on Saturday out by a beach. It was called El Mesón. Delicious and plentiful.
• First time teaching a lesson in Spanish—Yes, I have taught a lesson already. President Glazier from the MTC asked me to teach the Priesthood lesson in Spanish.
• First time visiting with Elder Vinas, the Area President—He is such a nice man. His wife is wonderful.
• First time visiting with Presidente Hernandez and his wife—He is the Santo Domingo Mission President. We have been assigned to the Santo Domingo East Mission. Their apartment is incredible.
• First time collecting water in a blue jug—Yes, we have to go for our water in big 5-gallon jugs. Fortunately, the water store is about two blocks away and costs about 20 pesos (about 50 cents) to fill it. It is pretty cool. They put the jug on a conveyor belt and run it through a steamer. Then, it rounds the corner and fills up. They attendant puts on lid, which the machine clamps down and seals.
• First time drinking a mango smoothie—Mom has got this down: mangos, pineapple, and orange juice mixed together. It is absolutely delicious.
• First time using a water purifying on our faucet—Yes, we have to filter every penny’s worth of water.
• First time attending FHE with senior couples—They have this every Monday night. We will be going and becoming acquainted with the couples. They are all very, very sharp and have led incredible lives. We talking to you about some of them later. 
•  First time going to a DR bank—The people at the bank were wonderful. 
•  First time going to a DR grocery store—Actually, we went to several. We really like Jumbo, but it is pretty far from our house.

Many more first to come...