March 21, 2011

Hi everyone. After a month furlough it is great to be back in Puerto Rico. Several events have transpired since we last wrote. Before I go forward with those details let me back up and thank the Hetricks from Shelbyville, KY, my family in Knoxville and Cleveland TN, Mary's family in Ft. Smith, AR, Cincinnati Christian Church, Farragut Christian Church, Madisonville First Christian Church, Mena First Christian Church and Central Christian Church for their warm welcome and kind gestures toward us.

While we were gone our youth had their annual retreat. I have heard only good reports of how it went.  I have asked several parents and the response of everyone has been positive. Our church members did the whole thing, the teaching/preaching, cooking, etc. All came off without a hitch.

Then three weeks ago another annual event, Children's Day, was planned  and organized by our Fine Arts director. Several of the adults as well as many of the kids helped out with the program. Mary said we had ninty-eight that Sunday.

I got back to the island last Wednesday the 16th and then Friday I was involved in a men's retreat. We began this retreat two years ago and this year we passed the baton to another church who did a good job putting it together. Like last year we had eighteen men in attendance, nine being from Aguadilla. My responsibilities were to deliver the evening message Friday and Saturday. 

During my months absence three of our church leaders did the preaching and teaching on Sunday and Wednesday. It is great to realize that the church has many capable leaders when I cannot be present. 

Sunday is our kite festival. There will be more about that in our next blog.

Blessings.