Back from the DR

Friday, July 27, 2007

Our family just got back from a vacation to the Dominican Republic. It was our first time there and let me tell you we were pleasantly surprised. Here are my takeaways from the trip:

1. The scenery is similar to that of Cuba, only you have stores with actual food in them, newer cars, small malls, and much more congested traffic. There are stores and vendors all over the place selling just about anything you want... tropical fruits, phone charges, cashew nuts, limoncillo (from the leech nut family, and more.

2. The traffic is quite crazy. If you think Miami is bad, you have not experience DR. The streets are in relative good conditions, even though, the traffic laws commonly ignored. Many motorcycles roam the streets and sidewalks... oh yeah; they do not have to obey the traffic laws. The incredible thing is during our stay, I did not see 1 accident.

3. The people are extremely courteous and polite. They love America and many speak English as their second language. Many seek a college career, while also maintaining an entrepreneurial spirit. Most have some sort of business they own, even if they work for someone else.

4. The music of the country is Merenque first, followed by Bachata in most recent years. Artist like Johnny Ventura and the group 440 with Juan Luis Guerra have made it popular worldwide.

5. The food is excellent. Not too much beans and rice. Mostly Platanos (Plantains) cooked in many ways. Boiled and smashed (Mangu, fried with salt (totosnes), Fried and crushed with pieces of pork, chicken or sausage. this is called Mofongo... my favorite. Lots of tropical fruits... mango, pineapples, and papaya.

6. The language is Spanish. Of course, not all Spanish is created equal, so they have their own expressions and accent. One word that is commonly used is "Baina". This word is my favorite Dominican word because it can be used for just about anything. If you want to talk about something you don’t know the word to, you just call it "Baina". In some miraculous way, everyone knows what you mean. For example, you can say: hey go get me that baina over there on top of the table... you will have the baina in no time.

Well, those are my takeaways from the trip and the beautiful country called Dominican Republic. Just like any country, they have the same spiritual need as we do here in the states... the need the saving power of Jesus. While there are some churches, non are like FRC, who knows, perhaps we will have a campus there one of these days?

Until the next time,

ia

Monday, July 9, 2007

We are in the planning stages of our first FRC Doral Family Picnic scheduled for Saturday, July 28th from 3-6PM. Like I said this weekend, the pressure is on to see how many non-church friends you can invite to this fun event. Remember, the person with the most invitees will receive a $50 gift certificate to a local restaurant. I hope you are up to the challenge.

Here's the rest of the details:

When: Saturday, July 28th 3-6PM

Where: Doral Park 5300 NW 102nd Ave

Park discription: This 14-acre state-of-the art neighborhood park features spectacular sports fields, a multipurpose recreational center, and is an ideal venue for celebrations, festivals and community events. Doral Park features:
five hard surface tennis courts
three regulation size and one junior size basketball courts
two artificial turf sports fields with lights
two sand volleyball courts
a fitness walking/jogging trail
restroom facilities
pavilion
shaded playground

What to bring: A side dish and dessert for you and one other family. we will provide the rest.

We will have FREE hamburgers and hot dogs, two jump houses, snow cones, live music by "The Jazz Trinity" and lots of competion (Friendly). Remember we are trying to be good examples.

Make sure you make plans to be there! It is going to be a great time together.

Saturday, July 7, 2007

Today is a special day because it is Grecy's B-Day. For the last 24 years we have been celebrating together. I pray God will give many more to come. Thank you for being my sweetheart. Happy B-Day! You'll have to guess how old she really is. If you want to wish her a happy birthday mailto:igalonso@aol.com.

I love you honey,

ia

Impacting the community of Doral

Thursday, July 5, 2007

Yesterday was one of those days you just have to say… Thank you Lord!

The Parade: we started gathering at 9:15AM… Latin Time and traveled from NW 41st and 92nd Ave to NW 55st and 102nd Ave. Along the way, 35 FRC Doral folks and 21 motorbikes from The Florida Sportsbiker’s club join the fun. Together with our team shirts, we proudly greeted people and gave them gifts along the way. Many of the city officials were impressed that we had such a great turn out.

The Concert/Fireworks: While the concert was rained out, the event finally got going around 6PM… and got going it did. Several thousand people came excited to finally be out of their homes. What a way to make an impact! Together we gave:

1,000 personal invitations
2,000 glow sticks
Hot and cold Pillon café
Endless bags of popcorn
Ooopsy Ths Clown painted many beautiful faces
Several hundred registrations came in for a free iPod. Winner to be announce soon.

I’m so proud to have experienced this with all of you who make FRC Doral your church. In fact, I’m even prouder of each one of you. Even though it rained and you could have stayed home cozy and dry, you came out and made a difference for the kingdom. Thank you for loving God and loving people as you do. I pray that this Sunday we will already start seeing the fruits of our labor. Enjoy the pics.

ia

First Impression turned bad

Tuesday, July 3, 2007

You heard it before, your first impression is the one people remember the most. That is true.

Last week I visited a kosher market in the Cooper City area for lunch. I was very impressed with all the attention to detail. They proudly exhibit their ORB certification throughout the store. The food presentation was incredibly impressive. Every detail was considered. The store was impeccable.

I proceeded to walk to the deli area to order a sandwich. At the time there were two customers waiting including myself. The lady before me had just ordered and was waiting for her order. Behind the counter were two individuals. One was helping the lady while the other was busy tending to making the place look good while I waited.

As I continued to wait, the deli person helping the lady began to argue about a certain work-related issue with his co-worker... I still waited. As he hands the lady her order, he continued to argue and not even look at her. He even ended up putting two prices on her order and then proceeded to hand it to me by mistake.

After finally getting the order into her hand, it was my turn to order. I ordered a tuna wrap, but was informed wraps were not available that day, so I settled for a wheat pita. As my order was being filled, The gentlemen's cell phone rang. He proceeded to talk on the phone through the completion of my order. I was finally able to get my sandwich and headed to the cash register to pay. So much for the beautiful presentation.

My lesson for the day... first impressions are only the beginning to a memorable positive experience. If we are not careful, we will put all our attention to the details of our surrounding, and then forget who we are doing for.

Every week we work really hard to create the best environment we know how so that people can give their lives to Christ. Sometimes, I confess, I forget that the customer is standing right in front of me and that I do not need to be organizing the bibles or anything else, just take care of the customer the best I can.

Let's not forget why we do what we do as a church. When we are open for business, nothing is more important than the customer. That is why we exist.

ia

I don't like doing that!

Don't you just love going to the dentist. That's where I found myself this morning after a couple of years of neglect.

Last week was Grecy's turn. She had to go in on an emergency because her tooth had finally had enough. After several days on antibiotics, she went back and took care of the problem. She has recovered nicely thank you.

Isn't like us to prolong the things that aren't much fun? We know we should practice them, but we don't always have the desire to follow through.

That's where discipline comes in. Are you spending time with God on a daily basis? Are you cautious about eating right? Do you have a regular diet of good books to read? Are you working towards improving the relationships in your life? Do you routinely engage in physical exercise? When was the last time you said I'm sorry? All of these take discipline.

Read Hebrews 12:11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Pleasant no, what I should have done two years ago… absolutely. The secret... just do it! Stop procrastinating and make the changes necessary to build yourself to reach your God-Potential.

God's best,

Ia