Puerto Rico Mission: September 14, 2022

Día Familiar (Family Day)

Five years ago, almost to the day, we were informed of a brewing weather front moving off the western coast of Africa. That weather eventually developed into Hurricane Maria, the worst storm to cross the island in seventy years. It left devastation in its wake. Even to this day, buildings in downtown Aguadilla remain closed and some highways have yet to be repaired. It was catastrophic: No potable water for two months and no electricity in our area for four. Now, we see a storm developing off the coast of Africa and its trajectory takes it over Puerto Rico. It is to pass over the island Saturday/Sunday. So far, the forecast sees it only as a depression or tropical storm. We can handle those without too much concern. Like many, to be safe and to avoid last minute rushes, we have filled our gas tanks, filled up additional gas cans, purchased water and canned food. Now we wait to see what will develop.

Speaker for Family Day
(Not me! The other clown.)

Three weeks ago was Family Day. That included a guest speaker (dressed as a clown), a water slide, dinner on the grounds and table games for the men and women while the kids played on the water slide. Attendance was good and spirits high.

Then, last Sunday was Grandparents' Day. It was a festive occasion. Three of our church members spoke about some aspect of grandparenting. Also, one of our worship leaders, dressed as an aged woman (quite the livewire), traded jokes and barbs with one of the deacons. They had the whole church in stiches. Toward the end of the service everyone got a gift and enjoyed a piece of cake and juice on the church lawn.

Crew that helped a man in need

Last Saturday, there were two events taking place concurrently. One was a group of women from the church who met to learn how to make jewelry. It was well received and talks of doing another workshop before Christmas was kicked around. The other was a mission of mercy. A gentleman from the area was in desperate need of help. He is essentially incapacitated and had a home that was in shambles; the product of years of life- controlling alcoholism. Five of us men spent almost three hours picking up junk and garbage in the rooms of his home. The city hauled away three trucks of junk and more remains to be done. In projects such as these the reasoning in one’s inner thoughts goes like this: “Mister, you made the bed. Now lay in it.” “One reaps what one sows.” “No mercy, no grace, no extended helping hand for you. You don’t deserve it...do you?” On the other "shoulder" is a nudge from the Spirit to extend God’s love, not based on merit rather, based on grace, unmerited favor, and mercy. We chose the second option. As God shows unmerited favor toward us we did the same with him. My short-term goal is to visit him soon and talk with him about the Lord.

Coming up next week is a one-night evangelistic service with a guest preacher. It was scheduled for this Friday, but we postponed the service to promote it better and it appears the weather would have forced us to cancel the service anyway.

Well, these are the highlights. Thanks for reading. Until next month.

Johnathan and Mary

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