February 17

Mary

Good afternoon. I want to catch everyone up on our lives and ministry here in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. Personal matters first: Mary has begun her last semester teaching before she retires. At retirement she will have taught nineteen years at the university. Her entire professional life, spanning forty years, has been dedicated to teaching. Once we came up with a low-end ballpark figure of eight-thousand students she had a part in educating. She has worked as a teacher's aid, teacher, principal, and finally, college professor. Recently she told me, "Now when you visit the churches I can go with you." I like that idea!

Of course I keep her very busy at church as well. Her university colleagues tease her about not having even the weekends to rest. The university would finish with her on Friday and then I would work her "like a rented mule" on the weekends. I am glad she can slow down...till the weekends...where she is still mine 😀.

Earthquake and minor aftershocks

As for myself, I have been painting the house inside and out, cutting grass (that is a twelve month task in PR.), and throwing out things that for years we were sure we would someday need; not so of course.

On to the work... Some of our time this past month has been figuring out how to help people who suffered loss due to the major 6.4 earthquake on January 7. As the graphic reveals, there have been thousands of tremors since then. Our church, along with other churches and many organizations all over the island, have collected all types of items and sent or taken them to the affected areas. With the money our church collected, as well as monetary gifts we received from the States, we have bought sheets, solar lights, water, and solar powered atomizers for those struggling with asthma. Last Thursday I was in Guánica, PR, close to the epicenter of  the major quake.  Although many homes were not damaged, next to those left intact were schools, homes, and government buildings, condemned and closed. Public schools have yet to open in many towns including ours. Guánica, a town of 19,500, is nigh unto a ghost town. When I was there only a bakery and a Burger King were open. Actually, five towns and surrounding areas received damage. Many dare not return to the area since there is a 25% possibility of another big quake. Those who cannot return to their homes are living in "tent cities". This is not an easy time for the 7,000 to 8,000 people who lost their houses.

Earthquake's aftermath

On to church news. The new year is off and running with the church. Most of the twenty ministry opportunities are functioning well with the leaders doing their jobs. Recently, our Benevolence Ministry, in conjunction with a couple of people from other churches, visited the children's oncology hospital in San Juan. Personal items were take and gifted to the kids. In other matters, one of our deacons and his family traveled to the afflicted area and took all types of items our church had collected. They joined people from other churches to make it a team effort. Finally, Valentine's Day a couple of Sundays ago was marked with a guest speaker who did a great job. Cake, candy and a small gift were given to those present. The attendance was good.

I will spare you more details and pause here.  Blessings to all!!

Johnathan and Mary