January 4, 2009

Hi everyone. This is the first blog of 2009.

Today was a great day at church. I am always amazed at the talent in our congregation. Today three of our church members sang specials. One of the singers composed his own song which incorporated the names of several of the church members. As you can imagine, it was a hit. After the song service the children filed down to the basement to hear the story of the Magi and the Christ child. As the story was concluding, in walked three of our men in full Three Kings regalia. Gifts and candy were given to every child.

The attendance for the day was ninety-six ...just a few from that special number of one hundred. Years ago we dreamed of our church being an example for other Christian Churches on the island by reaching one-hundred in attendance. Although we still do not average one-hundred, we are narrowing the gap.

Tonight we went to our fourth Christmas/Three Kings Day party in four days. Whoa! (Pass the Zantac.) We munched on roasted pork, rice and pigeon peas, potato salad and green bananas in a vinaigrette sauce while enjoying musical compositions with a salsa and merengue beat. It dawned on me we had made light years of progress in our transition from mid-America to Puerto Rico and Latin America in general. Tonight we felt at home in a setting that years ago would have caused the bravest of missionary recruits to flee. I suppose we are fully acculturated and that hints at why the church has grown steadily over the years. And maybe, just maybe, the best is still yet to come.

We are excited about the up-coming year. God will do good things though the church in Aguadilla. Pray with us as we consider the year before us. God bless you.

Thanks for partnering with us.

Johnathan and Mary Reece