Puerto Rico Mission: October 11, 2022

Good afternoon. Let’s catch you up to date on our lives and ministry from this past month. Most of you know we had Hurricane Fiona sweep over the island the 19th of September. The last two weeks of September are always a cause for concern in PR. We have had five hurricanes unleash their devastation over the years in mid-September and many others have passed close by. Or course the worst in seventy years was Maria in 2017, a cat. 4-5 hurricane that crippled our part of the island for four months; no

lights for four and two without water. This recent storm, Fiona, was a minimal hurricane with winds of 80-85 mph. The resultant damage was primarily from the torrential rains (25 inches) which did great damage on the south and southwest side of the island. In our town, Aguadilla, there was damage but it was minimal. Yet, just fifteen miles south, parts of the towns of Añasco, and further to the south, Mayaguez and Cabo Rojo had flooding that brought devastation to many. International Disaster Emergency Service has been in contact with us and awaiting our evaluation to see if they can perhaps be of help to some of these people.

Church grounds cleaned up after hurricane

Locally, none of our church people suffered damage to their houses/cars. However, we all were without water and lights for a week or so. A few of our members were without power for almost three weeks. How about us? Mary and I have a water reserve and recently installed solar panels that generate our emergency electrical needs. So, we fared better than many. Almost everyone in the church has a small generator that provides limited power to their houses so we all came through it as best as possible.

Sunday, September 18th, we had to cancel services. The hurricane came in on us that afternoon. The next Sunday, the 25th, we decide to have services despite no electricity. The church does have a small generator that provided limited electricity to the auditorium. Windows were opened and people were fanning themselves as hard as they could. (September is perhaps the hottest month of the year in PR with the heat index occasionally rising above 110) Back to the fans; it reminded me of my early childhood days in IL when the church buildings had no air, and everyone used hand fans provided by the local funeral home. Perhaps some of you remember those days. Beyond our church building, a church related structure that did suffer damage was the primary building on the island-wide Christian camp facility. Part of the roof was blown off. So, there are repairs to be made. For now, we have covered the roof with a huge tarpaulin.

Affected camp facility

We have had to cancel a couple of special Friday events due to the hurricane and heavy afternoon rains. The church has finally returned to normal Sunday scheduling. The first Sunday back after the hurricane we had a better attendance than I had expected even though many had no lights. Nevertheless, the people were pretty much upbeat. Then, this past Sunday, we had a Christian concert provided by a group of seven men. They did a fine job and were even asked to return for Christmas.

Christian concert at church, October 9

Thinking back over the past twelve months, eleven new attendees have made our church their place of worship. It is encouraging. This coming Sunday I will be baptizing a young lady. I must confess we have lost some attendees as well. It is a never ending cycle....in all churches where ever one goes.

The last five years have been something else. First Hurricane Maria, then a major earthquake followed by 2.5 years of Covid (which still affects us), and now, finally, Hurricane Fiona. The church has taken quite a beating. Yet what do scriptures say? "We are more than conquerors..." "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." "God has not given us a spirit of timidity, rather of power, love and self-control. " And, "I will never leave you." With passages such as these we "strengthen our feeble knees", put our faces forward and "forget the things behind us..." After all, God is the one who gives the increase, and He uses those who are willing to work. SO, our pants are hitched up and our resolve to keep working still shines.

Thanks for stopping by. Blessings.

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