When You Pass Through the Waters . . .

You may have heard of the storms which have been drenching Puerto Rico for the past week. Ponce’s usual annual rainfall of 20 inches has been passed in just four days and more rain is in the forecast. Sunday night the rain began, and it didn’t let up all night or most of the day on Monday. Widespread flooding has left many communities inaccessible. Houses, roads, and lives have been lost throughout the island.

The Lord has protected us, though our road was turned into a river. We joked about a small craft advisory being issued for our street. The only effect we have noticed so far is a small leak in our roof. Since our roof is sealed with urethane, this is a matter of concern. We are told that when urethane starts to fail, it basically turns into a sponge. That is not a comforting thought since our roof is flat and several extensive areas appear to be damaged. Until the rain stops and the roof thoroughly dries, there is nothing we can do but pray. Even when dry weather comes, we are not sure how we will address this problem. Worst case scenario is several thousand dollars of repairs. We will pray for a more economical solution and will appreciate your prayers to that end.

The church did well through the storms. Very little damage occurred outside of the church’s mission apartment. The metal roof leaked rather badly, damaging if not ruining the queen-size bed. We cleaned the room today and more rain arrived this evening. We eventually hope to put a cement roof in this area, but temporary repairs must be undertaken immediately. We are very grateful for the roof over the cafeteria. It kept out almost all of the water. What did get in was cleaned up with a mop in a minute or two. Considering all the damage throughout the island, we are extremely thankful for the protecting hand of God upon us.

The rain has delayed Julia’s treatment (see previous blog entry). The doctor now plans to place artificial veins in her left leg to resolve the circulation problems on Thursday (tomorrow). This is a far better prognosis than the amputation which was planned. I hope to have good news tomorrow, but keep praying for her.

Pressing Health Needs

One of our church members is facing an urgent need. Julia has known the Lord for about 20 years. Until recently, she has been extremely faithful in her attendance. For the past three months she has had a foot ailment. It seems that the circulation in her left foot has been seriously impaired. Today she was admitted to a local hospital where doctors plan is to amputate her foot on Thursday unless something extraordinary occurs. She is in good spirits, but this will certainly be a difficult time for her.

Another recent addition to our church is Danny. He has been battling cancer for the past 6 years. His appetite is almost gone and his hemoglobin keeps dropping. He has received transfusions several times in the last few months. He was admitted to the hospital once again today. Blood is in short supply and most of us have already donated blood recently. Pray that the Lord will encourage Danny and use his situation to reach several family members and friends who are still unsaved.

Earlier this month, one of our teachers left the island to help meet the needs of her mother in Florida. She expected to be gone for about one month. It now appears that her stay will be at least double that time. Bill has been filling in for her since no one else was really prepared to step into the classroom. It has been a challenge to fit this unexpected work load into an already full schedule. Pray for wisdom to order each day so that the important things will be done and that the ministry here will not be hindered by either sickness or exhaustion.

We are confident that the Lord has a specific answer to each of these requests. Our wisdom points out seemingly obvious solutions, but His way is often different and always wise. Our first desire is that lives would be transformed by the Gospel. Our counsel for each person in need is to trust the Lord for His gracious provision, so that is what we are doing as well. Thank you for your prayers.

Summer Projects Coming to a Close

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Our school year began on Wednesday, August 13, just two days after the scheduled opening. The minor delay was necessary to allow for the completion of several of our summer construction projects. We praise the Lord for all His help in bringing all the details together.

First of all, He provided the funds to allow us to build the cafeteria and install floor tile in the upstairs classrooms. Second, He gave wisdom to plan and execute the plans. Third, He provided personnel to do the work.

The funds came from several years of saving funds from both the church and school. Even in our absence, the funds were laid aside. This occurred in spite of the fact that Puerto Rico’s economy has been adversely affected by poor fiscal management on the part of our island government and the added pressures of rising prices due to the inflation of oil prices. God’s people here have learned that it is a joy to give to the Lord, and they have done so sacrificially.

Planning began during our furlough as we exchanged ideas and drawings. No one has a corner on the market of good ideas, so we worked with a contractor in our church, our church’s leadership, and the members themselves. Originally the walls were not going to be done in block, but we decided on the more permanent structure to allow for better security and comfort. The work began in early May while we were still in the States; otherwise, we would never have been finished on time.

The Lord had placed a builder in our congregation during our absence. He is a man of integrity who serves the Lord through his talents. He found a helper who was faithful in showing up for work and cooperative in adjusting his schedule to suit the needs of the project. In early July, the Lord sent us a mission team that installed the roof of the cafeteria in record time.

The flooring project gave us a bit more difficulty. We had a little difficulty finding someone to install the tile, but the Lord provided the right man at just the right time. He worked with us to finish the project on time, even working on Saturdays to meet the deadline.

I have included a photo gallery to help you understand the progress God has granted. Church members, students, and parents have all commented at the amazing amount of work done in just a little over two months. Praise the Lord for His goodness!

VBS and Other Blessings

A week ago we held the closing service for our VBS. We had lots of help from the church folks in organizing and carrying out the entire program. 45 children attended throughout the week, and 9 of them trusted the Lord as their Savior! What a joy to see God bless His work. About 100 people attended our closing program.

This summer we are trying to accomplish two large projects. The first is well underway and should be finished on time. It involves the building of a cafeteria for the school. We had a small roof which did not provide adequate shade from the scorching sun. When we arrived in Ponce the cement walls were about halfway built. Over the next three weeks that phase was completed and preparation was made for the roof.

A mission team from Michigan built the roof for us from galvanized steel. They worked tirelessly for a week with the sun beating on them every day. Without complaint they moved the hot metal, cut it, and bolted it into place. At the same time the rest of the team was busy painting wall, cleaning, cutting trees, and cleaning out a vacant lot beside one of our buildings. Many of our people have commented about the love shown in these tedious and seemingly unspiritual projects, but the effect has been spiritual.

We also planned to tile the floor of our second story classrooms. We are over halfway done with the first stage, but the second step is grinding the floor down to a uniform level. That will begin on Monday. Our contractor wanted to begin on August 4, but Bill persuaded him the start a week earlier in spite of the fact the all the tile will not be down. We have a plan to make it all work, but God must bless in a special way to make all the details come together. Thank you for praying with us.

Doors of Opportunity

Two weeks ago Sunday I met Daniel and his mother Norma. They had begun attending church during our furlough. A week ago I was informed that Danny wanted to be baptized. We set up a meeting for Monday, June 23. In the meanwhile, I learned that he has been told that he has cancer and a terminal diagnosis.

When I arrived tonight, I found a full house. In addition to Danny and his mother, His father, uncle, and two family friends were there. I began by asking Danny to tell me a bit about himself. He is 34 years old, had been raised in church, but had wandered far from the Lord when he got out on his own. Nearly three years ago he awoke to find one side of his face grotesquely swollen. At the hospital he was told that he had lymphoma and would need immediate chemotherapy. After three rounds of treatment, he could not take it anymore and declined further doses.

Throughout the ordeal he thought back to his childhood instruction in the Word of God and cried out to the Lord for salvation. A second doctor advised that the cancer had spread and would require radiation. He consented, but after one treatment, he became so ill that it took a week before he could function normally. As a result, he declined further radiation.

As I spoke to him regarding the nature of saving faith, I became convinced that he has truly repented and is not merely reaching out for a cure. Since there were so many others present, I tried to include them in the explanation of the Gospel and other Scriptures used to counsel Danny. At one point I began to inquire of the others if they attend church anywhere. I found that none of them goes to church or knows the Lord. Yet each of them listened well to the entire two-hour conversation. I was able to leave them each a Gospel tract and an invitation to Danny's baptism as well as to come to church.

I was excited to see the way the Lord opened so many doors at the same time. We will be able to renew contact with each of these persons since they all live in the same general area. Pray with us for Freddy, Miguel, Wanda, and Wendy. God is able to bring them each to Himself. Pray also for Danny's physical and spiritual needs. I will be discipling him as he is able.

Back at Home

On June 6 we arrived in Ponce, PR once again. We praised the Lord for His goodness in returning us to the place that has become our home. Our hearts were especially gladdened to see three familiar faces in the crowd of waiting people. It was especially remarkable that they came since our flight arrived at 2:00 AM! We exchanged hugs and typical Christian greetings with our friends and then headed home to get some rest.

Energy costs have soared in our absence. To help control our expenses, we had already decided not to use the window AC units in our home. We have purchased some fans to increase our comfort, and the Lord is giving us grace in spite of the heat. Our overnight low temps get into the low 80s and when we are blessed they drop into the high 70s. We have to wait a while to see what the damage will be, but the bill should be manageable.

Food costs have also jumped. Milk was $4 per gallon when we left, but now it is $5.60. All other costs are significantly higher, but we are sure the Lord will provide and give us wisdom to cope. Gas is hovering just below $4 per gallon. I know you can identify with these prices since things have gone up around the world. Still it is good to know that the Lord is on the throne.

Today I began a series of messages on the book of Daniel. While 1:1 tells the historical facts of the Babylonian invasion, 1:2 tells the real tale. It says that the Lord [Adonai -- the supreme King] delivered Judah into Nebuchadnezzar's hands. Daniel is a historical case study in the sovereignty of God in the affairs of nations. Just as He controlled all that happened then, so He controls all that happens today -- both the good and the bad. It is remarkably easy to affirm that God is in control when all is well; it is an entirely different thing to declare God's sovereignty when the ungodly prosper and the people of God suffer. Yet this fact is the bedrock of Biblical truth. God's sovereignty is reality; perception is deceptive.

We are more than content to be back where we are supposed to be and to await the Lord's continued blessing. We are attempting some ambitious construction projects this summer. The school year begins in early August, so we have to be quick. We will also have several interesting ministry opportunities. A mission team will arrive July 1. They will help us with some projects and assist us in a youth rally on July 7.

Thank you for praying and helping us continue our ministry here. May God bless each one of us and use us for His glory.

God is Merciful

Praise the Lord for His mercy! Our vehicular adventure seems to be over. The mechanic has informed us that a line that runs to the auxiliary transmission cooler popped off its fitting causing the fluid to provide additional rust-proofing to the undercarriage of our van. The line is now doubly secured to prevent future mishaps.

The bottom line is that the repair came in at just under $100! God is so good! As we prepare to return to the field, the expenses are high enough without adding large repair bills to the mix. Hopefully, the transmission still has a good deal of life left in it. We will be testing it out over the next few days as we prepare for our weekend travels.

Thank you for praying for us, and many thanks to those who called or sent emails to assure us of your concern. Such circumstances are sent from God’s hand to drive us closer to Him and to make us realize how much we depend on His care. We have learned this lesson before, but it is good to review and pass the pop-quizzes.