June 24, 2020

Sahara dust

Outside the day is most unusual, rather dim for 5:00 p.m. I have never seen anything like it in the forty-eight years we have lived in PR. Fine dust fills the air. As I contemplate the weather conditions I have a flashback of a photograph taken during the dust bowl years in OK. A farmer is trying to get indoors and all around him dust swirls, filling his facial orifices with sand and dirt. Although conditions outdoors are not THAT bad, it is very hazy. This time of year, occasionally, dust from the Sahara carries over to Puerto Rico. A while ago I learned yesterday and today is the worst it has been in fifty years! By mid-morning I could still look directly at the sun without danger.

Just as I composed the paragraph above, our end of the island was rattled with a 4.6 tremor. It was some distance offshore but nevertheless it made me eye the door, wondering if I should holler for Mary and get outside. Mercy! The  "ground" was swirling around our heads as I felt the earth move under my feet (Hey! Isn't that a Carol King song?). What a year it has been. First in January, the southwest side of the island was severely rocked with an earthquake followed by many thousands of aftershocks even till now, the end of June. Then the Covid 19 pandemic reached our shores and shut the island down for all practical purposes, and now, dust storms. The heat index has hovered around 100 to 105 for a week or so. It makes me wonder if this unusual heat will open the door to strong hurricanes this fall like Maria two years ago. Now I say all that to simply state it has been a challenging six months.

In the context of ministry, how has all this affected the church? The congregation is in pretty good shape, at least as I compare it with other churches. Some are still not meeting and others running at one-third to one-half capacity. We are at about seventy-five percent of our usual Sunday attendance. Why the difference? I suspect it is because we are having the Sunday service outdoors. We conduct the service from the main entrance of the church building while people gather in family groups on the shaded lawn with appropriate distancing. Kids stay with parents at all times. We provide hand sanitizers and check people's temperature as they arrive. Everyone wears masks. Soon we will have an FM station up and running. The feedback has been very positive. People seem to be happy and glad to meet when their safety is always considered.

I must admit ministry during the week is limited. It is hard to visit the church members. Most conversations occur at fence gates. We continue to put up a short Sunday sermon on Facebook and a mid-week devotional thought as well, written by the church members.

Well, I believe that is all till next time. Thanks for "dropping by". Blessings!

Johnathan and Mary.