January 13

Hi everyone. Top of the morning to all of you. Before I got too far into the day I wanted to do this blog, the first of the year. Also, as a reminder, if you want to see any of the photos in their expanded format just click on the image. Now to the blog...

Last night around 12:20 A.M. I discovered the bed shaking. I reached for Mary thinking she was moving around in the bed. About the same time she reached for me thinking the same thing. As it turned out, the culprit was a strong earthquake about forty miles north of the island. This earth movement, 6.4 on the Richter Scale, was the strongest since 1918. Fortunately, it was far enough away that there was no resulting damage of any serious consequence.

Children's bell choir

Well Christmas is finally over. Last Saturday Mary and I, and probably most of the islanders, packed away the Christmas tree and all the ornaments and returned to a normal schedule. At the church, we had one last Christmas event January 5. A Christian band, Matutino Express, presented a Christmas concert. The building was filled to capacity with one-hundred and twenty-six in attendance, with only one problem; our building only had partial electrical service. Thus, no air and no sound system, a must for the visiting band. After about an hour delay, we jerry-rigged the system so the show could go on until we could do complete up to code repairs. Did I mention that same morning a water pipe burst in the men's bathroom? Water was everywhere. WHATEVER, we mopped and sloshed until things were presentable and the day was saved.

Christmas cantata

The week before, the night of  December 29th, the church musicians presented a cantata created by our Fine Arts director. She combined existing music with the script she had written. With the next day being Three Kings Day, (Puerto Rico's other Christmas), and everyone in a mad rush to have everything bought, we were happy to have an attendance in the mid-eighties.

Now that Christmas is over, we have begun the process to elect deacons, a bi-annual event. Yesterday I spoke about deacons and the actual elections will take place next Sunday.

All of the ministries are ramping up as we anticipate a great year.  Blessings on yours as well.  Thanks for reading.