Back in Pennsylvania

Our journeys through Ohio and Michigan were a special blessing to us. Many thanks to all who made our visits so enjoyable. We were able to renew contact with four of our supporting churches and participate in a wonderful missions conference. The messages were all very good and the fellowship was tremendously uplifting. Each of these churches has been with us for many years and we count them as dear friends. Our one sadness is that furlough travel did not allow us to spend more time with them.

On Friday, November 16, we departed Ohio accompanied by light snow flurries. About an hour into the trip the snow was really flying. Our kids loved the novel sight. Not much snow falls in Puerto Rico! For a while we saw whitened fields and trees outlined in snow. Jonathan wanted to stop and make a snowball, but we never saw that much snow where we could legally stop. In Ebensburg, PA we even had a near white-out. The best part of the whole adventure was that no snow was on the roads. I have driven on snow, but not with a trailer in tow.

On Sunday we visited 2 more supporting churches. Both are encouraging to us in their enthusiasm for what God is doing through them. One of these churches is constructing a new building. Currently the 100 people who regularly attend must split into 2 services. The new building will seat 177! What a joy to see the blessing of God on a faithful group of people who have weathered many storms and stayed true.

Thanksgiving will find us in Elizabethtown with extended family. It's hard to believe, but the weather is forecast to be snow-free with temps in the 70s! Over the weekend, Teresa and I will get together with some of our high school classmates from 1982. This is an unexpected blessing.

The Lord is teaching us many things during this furlough. We are grateful that He is so patient and long-suffering. Truly, it is due to His mercies that we are not consumed every day. Our support is starting to improve. Even the church in Ponce has begun to help us. Our heart's desire is to be back in PR. Pray with us.