August 18, 2012

Good morning. The middle of August leads us to glance eastward as storms roll one after another off the African coast in route to the Caribbean. Presently, Isaac is to blow past Puerto Rico this weekend. We'll see if it strengthens and causes trouble for our island.

Summer has wound down with school starting and summer vacations now but a fond fading memory. Days are finally returning to a more routine schedule. As it is every summer, our church attendance waffled somewhat but it is beginning to stabilize. Pastors everywhere voice the same observation.

All but one mission group has come and gone. The last group is scheduled for mid-September. Most all of these fine people came from KY. They worked their hearts out to get three schools ready for classes, worked at a children's home, helped two families build a block fence and paint their house, and painted the basement our church building, as well as the exterior of yet another church building. HATS OFF TO THESE DEAR PEOPLE. In particular, our thanks to Chad and Chandi Mayes who organized all of these groups and gave it their all to make it happen.

Last Friday our church hosted Claudina Brinn a well know singer in PR. She did a fine job singing and speaking. We had hoped for a huge crowd but the turn-out was somewhat under our expectations. Friday nights seem to be increasingly hard for people to commit to.

As for Mary and I, we are well. This month I will have completed forty years of mission/ministerial work in Puerto Rico.  When I first came I did not expect to stay but a short time. In many ways the years have been short. I suppose that is the case when you are having a good time. A Chinese proverb states, "Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life." And so it is with Mary and me.

Thanks for making it possible for us to work in Puerto Rico. Thanks for your interest.

Blessing to you.

Johnathan and Mary