July 21 - October 15, 2009

Hello from the island of Puerto Rico. September has slipped by and it is already October. These past couple of months have been busy and productive as the details below will testify.

LATE JULY: Toward the end of July our church made their fourth missions trip to the Dominican Republic. We had five from our church make the trip along with a medical doctor, a member from one of our sister churches on the island. We also paired up with a missions team from a church in Shelbyville, KY. The trip was marvelous and so much good was done. Almost one-thousand pairs of eyeglasses were collected to be used and/or left in the Dominican Republic. While there we saw nearly 150 patients and fitted them with free glasses. The medical doctor traveling with us saw 150 patients and prescribed medicines (what we all had taken with us). Nearly seven-hundred children and adults were taught in four separate VBSs. Toys and dental hygiene supplies were given to nearly everyone we saw in the VBSs. Furthermore, buildings were painted, driveways were prepared for pouring and sermons were preached. Indeed it was a very good week.

AUGUST: Back in Puerto Rico, we had the privilege of witnessing a baptism in our church family. That same week was capped off with an evangelistic outreach at a local university. We coupled up with a few people from other churches and presented Youthtour 2009 (a Christian concert with a gospel message “stinger”) at the University of Puerto Rico in Aguadilla. It is the same university where Mary teaches. Later on the 29th of August we sponsored a concert. The guest singer was Ezekiel Colon, a well know Christian singer here in Puerto Rico. We had 154 in attendance. The building was jammed packed. Thankfully we had planned to have a separate special activity for the children or everyone simply would not have fit.

SEPTEMBER: The 5th of September, 50 of our church members and guests enjoyed an excursion to a couple of beautiful sites in Puerto Rico. It was the best attendance we have ever had for one of these events. Needless to say, I was delighted with the turn out. The following Sunday was Grandparents' Day a day of special recognition for all those duly qualified. Gifts were given out and a special program marked the event. Dinner was served in the basement. Finally, last week, September 27th, was Pastors' Day, a day in which I and the other elder in our church were recognized for our work with the church.

EARLY OCTOBER: October 2 and 3 our youth held one of their annual events “Conéctate 2009”. It was two nights of music, preaching, talent demonstrations and stand-up comedy. The last night of the two-day event Mary and I shut off the lights at 12:00 AM. Her comment was, “You have to stop planning so much. You are wearing me out.” Before we can rest we still have Splash Day set for October 18 and a Halloween outreach at the Aguadilla mall October 31. May the Lord add His blessing to these events!

Mixed in with these events have been numerous church member house calls, visits with the sick, special services in the home of a lady who has been visiting the church for a couple of months, camp development meetings, sermon preparation, Bible studies to prepare and a long list of other items I will not burden you with. So goes life for the Reeces in Aguadilla.

Blessings.

Johnathan and Mary Reece

Cross-cultural ministers to Puerto Rico.