Hi everyone. After a two-week hiatus, we are "back in the saddle again." From the last of May till June 9 Mary and I were in the States (CA, OR). We got to see some places that we had wanted to visit since childhood. As an added blessing we had the chance to visit with some family/friends as well as a dear friend who used to be a missionary in Puerto Rico.During our absence and throughout the month of June, with the exception of Fathers' Day, the church enjoyed a change afforded by guest speakers.
Most of the speakers were members of our church. The end of May, Marta Lasalle, a recent graduate of a local Bible institute, blessed the church with her angelic singing voice. Although due to travels Mary and I were not able to hear her, several members spoke highly of her songs and thoughts. Then, last week, Santos Torres, one of the deacons of the church, preached the morning message. He did a good job speaking about the importance of maintaining a living relationship with the Lord. As for mid-week Bible studies during our absence, Damian Mendez, a good scholar, taught on the origin and formation of the New Testament.In addition to our church members leading the Sunday services, we had two guest speakers from outside our congregation. One of the ministers from the San Juan area spoke the first week in June. The elders said he did a great job. Then today, we had a guest singer/speaker from the east side of the island. Last November he sang and preached. Since he did such a good job the board decided to invite him back. Several people were touched by his music and preaching.
Speaking of preaching, our son Andy has been filling in for a church in town while the minister is on vacation. I am quite proud of his willingness to do some substitute preaching when called upon. More on his family; our granddaughter had her second birthday. She is a delight to all of us. Mary had to miss church today. She threw out her back picking up our granddaughter :-)
Summer attendance is down somewhat as it is in many churches. We have several families traveling in the States on vacation as well as work related matters. Locally, families have visitors from the States and often miss church... it is kind of a cultural thing. So, all of this does have its effect on our attendance. However, this is a temporary situation. Today things were back up. I did not get a count but I suppose we were near 90-100.
I hope your summer is also going well. Thanks for your interest in this ministry and our lives. I 'll close here. God bless you.
Johnathan and Mary Reece
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