The Last Chapter

Dear family and friends,

The last grains of sand have gone through the hour-glass. The day of departure came. The gate shut behind us. We left for the airport. Good-bye's were said. Luggage was stowed and seatbelts fastened. The plane rose into the air. Through the window, through the mist of tears in my eyes, I could see the beautiful green mountains and valleys spread out far below. Then, cloud-covered, they disappeared.

The plane flew north. My heart stubbornly resisted, tried to hold back and stay south. The force was too great and it was torn away. There are times when one is thankful for numbness. That was the feeling of the remainder of the day; the flight to New York City; the long drag through the airport; and finally the 5 hour (+) flight to Arizona. There, seeing the faces of precious family waiting for me,

was healing balm to the heart.

I didn't write about the last two weeks in the Dominican Republic, but there's really not a lot more that I can put into words. The most momentous thing was that Laura came! The days were special. Laura and I took the bus to Sosua and had a little time with Syd and Martha – and the ocean. Laura spent as much time as possible in it! I enjoyed the quieter water in the pool. 

                                                                                     Edward brought Lily and Eileen on Friday, as they are moving to that field and he was showing them the way around. It was so good to see them again! 

We returned on the bus to Santiago where Ruthie and Yocelyn met us, and we continued the rounds of meetings and visits until late Wednesday afternoon. 

In the evening, the friends who could come brought things for supper and to say good-bye. Afterward, we enjoyed the study meeting together.   Our study was I Samuel 13 & 14. Jonathan ate a little of the honey and his eyes were enlightened. He spoke of how much greater victory there might have been if others, too, had eaten! It matters so much that we feed – and what we feed on. It matters naturally – and so much more spiritually! The source of honey is the same now as it was in the beginning. “Yesterday, today, forever – Jesus is the same....”

Thursday, we took Laura to Santo Domingo, and on the way visited friends in Bani. It was special to have lunch there in the batch with Tere and Maritza. In the city, the brothers met us at Rosita's for “tea”, and we went together to see Laura off at the airport.

Friday was my day to leave, and when we were ready, a tire was flat! So....we called a taxi to take us to the Santiago airport. He came quickly and was a good driver, so we arrived in good time.

Now the chapter is finished. I've turned over the hour-glass.                     Priscilla

The Last Day of January, 2013

The last day of January, 2013!

It's been two weeks since I wrote of our doings. Much of our goings have been repeats....over the mountains to Constanza again; to Moca again. The days and the trips and the meetings have all run together like pieces in a puzzle that is finished.

We did have an extra-ordinary weekend in Constanza. This time, we took the two young girls from Bonao with us! This was the first time for each of them to go there. The highway to Constanza curves through beautiful mountain scenery. It is said there are over 300 curves in the 51 kilometers (approximately 40 miles?) to Constanza. These mountains are the highest in the Caribbean. The highest is over 10,000 feet.

We had three Gospel Meetings in three homes on our way. Sunday afternoon, we had another meeting near the city and brought the granddaughter of that lady back with us to get acquainted with the other two girls. Monday was a holiday....and it was decided that we would go to the waterfall. We filled the car – Dominican style – and Waldy drove. The narrow dirt road was full of “washboards” and wash outs. There were plenty of views of the productive valleys below. It grew worse as we went on, with water running over it and rocks to traverse with caution. In places, some of us had to get out and walk. NOT my type of road....but after an hour and a half we did arrive. The waterfall IS worth seeing (just not worth getting to!!). Since it was a holiday, a few other people were there also. Some even dared to jump into the cold pool at the foot of the falls. Yes, the water was very cold and a jacket needed in that valley the sunshine can't quite reach. Some of our group climbed a rough trail to see the two layers of higher falls. They reported it was quite perilous. All did return safely and we had a nice picnic lunch before the trip back.

We took our friends home, gathered our belongings from the apartment and delivered the granddaughter - and were on our way again. Another Gospel meeting on the mountainside....and back to Bonao just before dark.

Now, a building project is going on. Five of the brothers, two Haitian friends and a couple of the neighbor men are working with cement blocks to complete the upper story of one of the buildings. These days are busy with cooking and washing! There are around 12 here for meals. It has been raining a lot....but maybe that is easier on them than the sun beating down.

In the Middle of January

Friday afternoon, and I meant to add this to my post yesterday - but the computer refused to cooperate!

Last Monday, I started this post to share with you more of our days here. Now it is Thursday, and our comings and goings, the weather, the food, and the scenery here, seem not even worth mentioning in the face of far greater happenings. My heart aches for the Wostrel family in their loss of 7 year old Rebecca.    Her short life touched so many of us. Then, to think of Inez Kleeb gone home...and John Lambotte....and others I knew. “The young may die and the old must die”. Sometimes we need this reminder to put things into perspective again.

Today is January 17. Along with the fresh reminders of death this week, it was a year ago today that Krista Slawinski died here from injuries in a bus accident. I feel she left a “memorial stone” in the lives of each on this staff. Her memory lives on in the hearts of many here, as well as in her homeland of Canada.

So, I won't write much about the details that fill in the spaces and make up our lives! Be assured they are cheerful details....enjoyment of the scenery; the sound of rain on the roof at night, the smell of fresh laundry from the line; fellowship; companionship.

Thursday, a week ago today, I got up early to have our laundry done before the electricity goes off at 8:00 – or a few minutes before. By 11:00, we were hurrying on our way to Moca, where we joined Edward and Erick for lunch.  In the afternoon, the four of us headed to Santiago, the second largest city in this country. One thing certain – it is way too big for me to ever find my way around in!

Santiago...oh my. We had a Gospel Meeting - which turned out to be in English! and then made one more visit in the city before walking among the streams of people to find a few things in the shopping district. One more visit...oh my. Things ARE worse back through narrow paths that lead between and behind city buildings. But we were so welcome...and the brothers greeted these people as they would have greeted the richest in the city....actually, this dear lady may be “the richest”. I can't describe my feelings -  but then the thought was so clear, “but we CAN give them something for their soul”. We each shared a thought, but then the most beautiful thing was the joy in her voice as she shared what she had been reading, that was a comfort to her – Romans 8:1.

Supper was waiting for all of us in Moca, and afterward Ruthie and I left to spend the night in the apartment (batch). The outside stairs are very steep, but it is a comfortable little place, looking out over the roof-tops. One does have to get used to the endless noise of the city and of the neighbors who are all around us – beside, and below. The sounds and voices carry through open windows and thin walls as though they were in the next room. I don't have much trouble just “tuning it all out”.

Friday, Ruthie and I traveled west – almost to the Haitian border – to visit Divina in Castanueles. Davina is the only friend in that part of the country, and has few privileges of fellowship. The landscape changed the further west we came, and the air felt drier. This is rice growing country, with a mix of flooded plots and ones green with growing rice. It was interesting to visit with Divina's husband about rice, and how it is grown and harvested.

Two former Haitian ladies came in the early afternoon for a Gospel Meeting. At 5:00, we went to another home beyond a town not far away for a meeting with a group there. Some of these people have listened before, but this was the first time for  either of us to meet them.

Saturday morning, after a breakfast of bread, cheese, and hot chocolate, we studied together with Divina before the two hour drive back to Moca. This is a very productive area, famed for “the best yucca”. The soil is black and rich. We passed through the edge of the city, and went on further east over hills to Tenares. After several “askings” we found our friend's house nestled with other homes among the thriving plantations of cocoa, bananas and plantains. Lunch was waiting. One thing is almost certain; lunch will be some form of rice and beans, chicken, a salad plate, and usually avacado. It is also certain to be tasty! A few extended family were there, and after lunch we had a meeting in the tiny front room. We stopped for a couple more visits before we made our way – partly in pouring rain – back to Bonao.

Sunday began a new week. The sun shone, and our three were ready and waiting to go to the fellowship meeting. In the afternoon, a nap was very welcome!   Monday was a quiet day, and Tuesday, we left for another short “round” in the hills in the Moca area. Two visits and meetings, and then we spent Tuesday night in the home of a friend, and her young teenage son - a lovely home with beautiful flowers blooming on the patio. That is the picture at the top of this post.   The morning was pleasant, with a study together and some hymns after breakfast, and then a tour of her garden across the street. All kinds of fruit trees and vegetables and flowers were there – but so were the snails. It showed to me that no matter how favorable the soil and the moisture and sunshine – there is an enemy! That quiet little enemy had multiplied and done a lot of damage to that garden.

That was Wednesday.  We – went to the 3:30 study meeting in Moca, giving our friend and her young son a ride and picking up others until we had scrunched in 8 of us. (smile). Reminded me of the way it used to be at home when speeds were slower and seatbelts unheard of. After meeting, we hurried back to Bonao for the 7:00 p.m. meeting here. I Samuel 3 was such a good study!

I've lost track of how many homes, how many visits, how many meetings - that adds up to. It doesn't matter. What matters is if they (and we) received something for the soul. Sometimes just a glimpse we see as we pass by gives a message and forms a “picture” in the heart...the thin figure of an old woman, head bent, a blank look of hopelessness on her face as she stood by the road; the bright little black face of a toddler, looking out at her world through the open window of a poor little house.........

The next chapter

     Wednesday morning again. Outside, it is raining. Inside, all is quiet and I need to be writing. Seven days can hold so much!

Last Thursday afternoon we walked to the river. It is a beautiful river, and really very close – though you cannot see it from where we stay. Our three “special” young neighbors met us at the gate, prompt at the appointed time, and we 5 set out, bags, hats, sunscreen and water bottles in hand. At the corner where our “alley” intersects with another, we turned right.  I won't attempt any descriptions of the dwellings along that lane!  A swarm of children, playing, saw us and fell into step behind us. We felt like the “Pied Piper of Hamlin”!

The river flows fast over it's rocky bed and is fairly clear. The water is 2 or 3 feet deep, sloping gently from the edge. We waded in carefully. The children plunged in joyfully. They wore whatever was convenient...and quickly discarded any garments that impeded. To the two-year-olds, the brown “birthday suits” they had been playing in were very sufficient! Nobody asked permission. Nobody came to check on the children. Here, it is just part of life. Our friend Maria and her two boys joined us a little later, and all had a happy afternoon. I wish I had pictures to share!

Friday, we left before noon and stopped for a quick lunch on the way out of town. We turned off the “auto-pista” and headed up, up, and over the mountains to Constanza. The mountains are high and very beautiful. The two lane highway is steep and a constant round of blind curves with glimpses of a valley far below. In places, houses are wedged in between the road and the drop-off behind. Clean laundry is carefully draped over the guardrail to dry. Actually, laundry is draped over whatever available – be it fence, balcony – or guardrail!  Clothes here are clean and whites are very white!

At the summit, we stopped at the lookout and enjoyed the view, then wound down, down the mountains. We turned off in a village and drove up and around on a rutted dirt trail to a home on the hillside and had a Gospel Meeting on the open “porch” with the couple of the home and a neighbor listening. After the meeting and a cup of sweet herb tea, we went up the hill to visit a young mother (who is usually there to listen) with a brand-new baby boy – Jaciel. At the suggestion of the others, we also stopped to visit an older lady – in her 90's – in a quite nice home below. She didn't know us, nor we her, but she welcomed us in, talked a great deal, and was sorry we were leaving so soon. She assured us we were welcome to spend the night. Several grandchildren of the home continued life in the background, but gave us friendly smiles.

We continued our journey into the late afternoon, and stopped at a home beside the highway for another Gospel Meeting, with only the couple of the home listening. 

 Just at sunset we came to a place where we could park and look out over the lovely, productive valley of Constanza. The view in the setting sun was so beautiful! We had supper with an elderly friend and then in the cool dark found our apartment at the other end of the city – and had a wonderful cool night snuggled under blankets. ;-) The night temperature was in the low 60's, and the wind was blowing! I felt right at home....but I DID put on my jacket for the first time since leaving Nebraska in October.

Saturday, we had lunch with our friend Ramona, and her son and daughter who were home on vacation from the college in Santiago. Later, we visited in the home of a contact where we would have had a meeting, but this holiday weekend was not a good time. Monday, here, is kept as “Three Kings Day” or something like that. This is the day, you know, when those three “wise men” come and bring all the children gifts!!! The stores were filled with people buying toys. (All this and Christmas too!). Later, we had supper with Ruben's family, but tragedy struck in the middle of that meal. Ruben and his wife had taken her father to the clinic earlier, and she had stayed with him. Now when the phone rang it was the news that he had died. Ruthie and I did up the dishes, and later we walked with one of the grandsons to the home where the body...and the  mourners...were. There was no comfort or comforting.

And so, as the chapter moves on, so did we. Somewhere in the labyrinth of dirt lanes and neighborhoods outside the town, again among the poorest of homes, we came to the place where an elderly lady with one tooth in her smile waited to welcome us. Like magic, a number of children (young teens and a little younger) appeared, unstacked plastic chairs, and sat down in expectancy. So...the Gospel Meeting was mainly directed to the children. When asked if anyone had a hymn, number 1 was chosen without delay and sung with gusto! They also obviously knew “Was it for me?” . This country is full of surprises, and some – like this one – are delightful! The children left promptly after meeting, as with only a couple minutes to spare, someone from somewhere was going to pass out presents!! ;-) Tired and thankful, we wound back over the mountains to Bonao and “home”.

The holidays are over and the year begins.  We pray it will be a year of progress....a year of watching and praying....a year of walking in faith. That prayer extends to every part. The reminders at convention were very, very sober in regard to this need. 

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

2012 has gone and 2013 is here. I suppose these numbers don't mean much to God, to whom “one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as a day”. Interesting though, that in a world where many try to forget that God exists, these dates are still counted from the approximate time Christ was born.

The week since I last wrote was a lovely interlude “between chapters”. Tuesday afternoon five of us - at the invitation of friends vacationing in the seaside resorts – spent a couple days at Sosua and Cabarete on the north coast. Each of us enjoyed the ocean in our own way....diving and swimming, wading, walking along the beach, or just resting within the sound of the surf. To Roslyn from Barbados, the sea has always been part of life. To me, who has lived so far from an ocean, it never ceases to be special. This time I actually got IN the water. I wasn't familiar enough to venture very far in, so mostly I got a good pounding from waves coming in and a sand-bath as they retreated. I'm in awe of the force of the swells that continually come, crest, break on the shore and pull back into the sea. We laughed and enjoyed, and had a wonderful turkey dinner (a day late) on December 26 at Sid and Martha's.

Wednesday afternoon, we all went out into the “other world” in the hills away from the shore for the study meeting at Nicolas and Eusabia's. The verses in our study were so fitting....Micah 6, “What does the Lord require of thee? To do justly; to love mercy; and to walk humbly with thy God”. Things that are possible for the very poorest as well as the richest; the old and the young; for those of every nation and all situations. This couple, among the poorest in this world's goods, felt “rich” that afternoon. Again and again he expressed how thankful and how privileged he felt to have us in his home. Incidentally, neither of them can read or write, but the rejoicing in 

their hearts was evident.

The air is fresh out on that hillside, and the view of the green hills is beautiful. So were their smiles. 

Thursday we returned to our inland city of Bonao, and very early on Friday we were on the road again, to Santo Domingo, and the airport where Roslyn and Marie left for Puerto Rico. It was nice to have a little time in the city with Glen, Derek and Benigno, and we all had lunch in the home of other friends. Before Ruthie and I left the city, we visited a Haitian girl in a ward in a hospital. OH MY... well, it is for the poor, it was clean enough, and I'm told they are given the services of the best doctors.

Now, after many days together with others, Ruthie and I are left to care for those in this area through January. Sunday morning it was special to have our three young neighborhood “teens” waiting at the gate to go with us to the fellowship meeting. This was the first for the two boys, and good to hear 

their parts in the meeting.

After meeting, we invited everyone to come for supper and time together on Monday evening, New Years Eve. Some weren't free to come, but Venecia and Jacqueline came – and “our” three young “neighbors” plus three more. Those six, ages 15, 13, 13, 13, 12 and 7, kept our evening full of fun.

They ate and ate and ate, and when they finally could hold no more, jumped up and found dish towels, broom and dustpan. We played some games, then sang some hymns. The singing sure wouldn't have won any prize as they didn't follow the tune and our 7 year old couldn't really read the words....but they made up for it with their zest and eagerness to choose another. We passed the Bible around and read the story of Noah and discussed it a bit – and then we sent them home. Ohhhhh....the influence around them is so bad! We long that they would reach for and hold on to this that is better.

Today has been a pleasant, quiet holiday. Well....quiet here inside, but plenty of noise drifting in from outside! It is cool and cloudy with a gentle rain falling, which makes us glad that the last of the convention sheets were washed and dried in the bright sunshine yesterday. The city has left the electricity on most of the time through the holidays. Now we'll have to get used to it being off most of the day again.

Tomorrow we'll move on, a little further into this new “chapter”.

December 24, 2012

Convention days came – and went.

The people came – and they have gone.

Those statements are like the dates on the tombstones with only the little dash between two dates to represent a lifetime. In this case, most of what that little dash held was felt, and cannot be “tellt”.

Convention...the big tent open at the sides, green grass under our feet...the quiet before the meeting ...the same familiar “order”. Of course it was “the best!” just like we've said about every convention we've been to through the years.....but this one had an added dimension I've never seen before. The beauty of the people – all “shades” of color and white, young and old, mixed totally, and in perfect harmony. It was, in a way, like a foretaste of heaven – like the gathering of many nations into one.

A convention is made up of people. I wish you could have seen them arrive! Especially, if you could have been here to greet those from Bani! I don't know how many spilled out of the big modern taxi-van, but more than we would have said was “capacity”. One of our friends drives for the taxi company, and can bring everyone from there. All those little girls in their pretty dresses with their hair parted into any number of braids or “twists” ending in colored balls or beads, kept reminding me of chocolate cupcakes with bright colored sprinkles in the frosting. Smile.

Yesterday afternoon it all happened in reverse, except that children were hard to gather, all were slow to finally get settled in their places. There were so many good-byes to say, so many pictures to take - to try as we do in our feeble way to keep hold of each other; so many hugs and parting kisses. But, one by one the vans finally passed through the gate and were waved out of sight down the alley.

Quite a number were still here for supper and the night. After supper, everyone sang hymns again under the dining tent, as the young people had the night before in the meeting tent. I didn't stay, but the sound came in through the open windows and was beautiful.

Breakfast this morning was at 6:15, and at 7:00 two vans rolled out the gate with all those workers and friends going on to the convention in Haiti later this week. They board the bus in Santo Domingo. Those good-bye's were hard...hard to see them go. But, there was the nice thought that somewhere, before they came to us here, others had told them good-bye – and in Haiti they will receive the same glad welcome we gave them here. I missed the picture of some holding up the flag of the Dominican Republic for them to remember as we all waved until they were out of sight.

Clean-up day! A mountain of laundry that keep growing as fast as we tried to shrink it. Thankfully, the sun shone, and the tents could all come down and be stowed away for next year. A few other cars have left during the day....friends from Canada who will spend the remainder of their holiday at one of the resorts, and also Russell and Ronaele and family from California. This afternoon we told Brenda Lang good-bye. She's been with this staff for two years, and now is on her way back to her home country, Guatemala, to join our Darla Fisher.

Tomorrow the remainder of us will “disperse”.....but I'll face tomorrow when it comes.    

Events, Experiences, Impressions

Only two weeks...surely it must have been longer! How can one learn so much, see so much, feel so much in so short a time? And now, how am I going to sort it out to share with you? If only I could send you each a portion of the richness!

Today, the meeting tent is going up. It is a reality now that convention is NEXT WEEK. I'm remembering, too, the little convention in San Juan, Puerto Rico the end of THIS WEEK. Our visitors from Mexico have been with us the last few days, and are appreciated so much. Samuel Herrera has been in the city of Juarez - famed for crime - and told us of the prosperity of the Gospel there.                  Claudia and Brenda Rodriguez are from Monterrey, where we have many friends.

Friday evening we had a little celebration for Glen's 79^th birthday, and Tere's birthday that follows. Cake and ice-cream, balloons and a banner helped us feel festive. Afterward, we sang some hymns together

 I've mentioned the countries represented around the table, and our two languages – but there are also the colors! We are quite a range of “skin tones”, and it makes a lovely “bouquet”.

Later Friday evening, Stan and Sue arrived from Albuquerque bringing Anna. Everyone is happy to see Anna, who spent so many years here.

Saturday morning, after the study, we hurried to be ready to leave for the weekend. Derek drove our group that started with seven of us. When we came to the city of Moca, we wound in and out and round about through narrow streets crowded with pedestrians, children, motorcycles, bikes, dogs, trucks and traffic that midwest USA has not even imagined. Somewhere in the midst of it all, we came to the home of Yocelyn's parents, where she and Claudia were to stay until Sunday evening. We all came in for a little while, and glasses of cold Coke were very welcome. Each glassful handed over was neatly wrapped with a napkin, which made it nice to hold.

Five of us – Derek, Samuel, Jordan (Jordan is from Canada, an exchange student this year in Guadalajara in Mexico), Marie and myself – went on to our destination on the north coast. The road, curve after curve, goes over the mountains, following the ridges, and the scenery is inexpressibly beautiful....but there was no way to stop to take pictures. The beauty here is not of majestic snow-capped peaks, but of shade after shade of green; of palm trees climbing the slopes; of fence posts along the road that have sprouted and become a living fence; of deep valleys below that are clothed in grass and plant life.

There was a momentary view of the ocean in the distance, and then we came down to the coastal cities of Cabarete and Sosua, tourist destinations, lined along the ocean front with condos. 

 

 We turned in at “The Balcones”. The gate opened, and the gatekeeper smiled and greeted Derek with warm recognition. We followed the stone walk around to the front, and were welcomed into the condo where Syd and Martha Mose from BC, Canada, spend a few months each year. Margaret Greenaway was Syd's aunt, and some of you would also know Donna Mose, Syd's sister. Larry Greenaway and Janet Mose would be cousins. Anyway, you would know we were certainly HOME!

We all had lunch together, and then Marie and I were left to spend the afternoon and night. Oh, it was lovely outside watching the waves roll in and break against the rocks, and spread over the sand at the edge of the beach nearby. The verse that tells us that God has “set a bound that the sea cannot pass over” seems so real. The lovely condos and the pool on the terrace are very attractive, but they can never rival what God has created. One looks at that expanse of sea, going on beyond the horizon, and marvels that God can hold it “in the hollow of His hand”.

But, the very best was Sunday morning. We left the shore with its condos and turned off on a dirt road that led to another dirt road and another. We climbed steep hills, avoided deep ruts, and went thru muddy water in the low places. We passed poor little houses close to the road, and people, dogs, chickens and children reluctantly moved out of the road that is their front yard.

 Another turn onto an almost impassible road, up a hill and we came to the home where the fellowship meeting is held. Life is far from easy in this community of Haitians who have crossed the border to try to keep alive. I can only say that the meeting was priceless, and fitting that the first hymn chosen was “Tell me the story of Jesus”. They were delighted to have pictures taken afterward, but they don't think it is proper to smile for the photos! It reminds me of the old-time pictures we sometimes see. I don't think the picture does them justice anyway.

After lunch, we went to the airport in Puerta Plata to meet Murray and Linda from Canada. Krista, their only daughter, was in the work here and died in a bus accident less than a year ago. Linda was here to visit Krista a year ago. They are glad for the opportunity to have this time in the place, and with the people that Krista loved, and who knew and loved her.

Going back to today, I baked bread and cinnamon rolls this afternoon. It all disappeared fast at the supper table! As it often does, the rain poured down this afternoon. After supper, we sat around the table and Samuel told us more of his time in the work in Mexico.

December, 2012

Dear Family and Friends,

Greetings from Bonao....somewhere in the Dominican Republic! I don't know the country well enough to have much idea just where we are. It's a warm, breezy Sunday afternoon here, and hard to realize that it is York Special Meeting in Nebraska today, with memories of the treacherous icy roads we faced getting there a year ago! We were a small group in the meeting here in the city this morning. The incredible noise of the motorcycles on the street didn't manage to spoil the hour in that otherwise pleasant upstairs room. We were invited to stay for lunch, and we enjoyed the food and the time together. Now I'll try to fill in this past week for you.

On Monday, Jeannette and I flew from Puerto Rico into Santo Domingo, the capitol and teeming city of three million. Ruthie and Brenda met us and took us to the home of friends. Glen and Derek joined us there and our friends, Magnolia, Antonia, and Hilda served us a delicious meal of things familiar and not-so-familiar.

In the afternoon, we traveled through this awesome city, often on a multi-lane highway raised above street level, with street traffic below. Once outside the city, it was about an hour and a half drive through lovely green countryside on a very good highway to Bonao. This is the island of Hispaniola...the one we learned in school that Christopher Columbus discovered in 1492. I must confess that I felt I could empathize a little with how he must have felt that day!!

We arrived at our destination; the gate opened and then closed behind us. We found our rooms, got settled in, and I had a little preliminary tour. Benigno had something prepared for supper, and afterward a shower and bed felt VERY good. So, here we are at this lovely place where the convention meetings will be held three weeks from now. It has been a good week and an interesting week. It has taken a little time to feel oriented. Once more I've been given the privilege of trying to fit into a different culture in a place where I haven't even begun to know my way around outside the gate. I appreciate the patience of those I've had to ask so many questions....”where is....?” “should I....?” “how do I...?”

Interruption....the ding-a-ling-a-ling in the alley outside the gate is the ice-cream man. Anyone care for some right now??

I'm often asked my impression of this country. To them, I answer honestly that I'm very content, and it is beautiful and such a privilege to be here! To you, I will say the same - but I'll add that it is a very “Latin” country, and a composite of Ecuador and Central America with some that is “its own” mixed in. It is very humid, though the heat has diminished some now as we head toward “winter”. Some came to the breakfast table this morning with jackets and sweaters. Not I....when that happens you'll know I've really “arrived”. The humidity creeps into everything, and rancidity and spoilage happen fast. Another thing of interest is that the electricity is off a lot. Thankfully, we have a good battery back-up for most things, but the washers and dryers, and the iron, can only be used when the city electricity is on. Those on laundry duty these days keep a sharp eye out for the light bulb that gives us the signal that it is “on” or “off”. The refrigerators also need the main current.

Here, as in many places, we are a mixture of nationalities.  Glen, Ed, Marie, Jeannette, Ruthie and Eilene are from the States. Derek is Canadian. Benigno and Brenda are from Guatemala. Yoselyn, and Maritza are native here, Tere is from Mexico, and Erick from Haiti. A couple from Calgary, Canada, Brent and Valori, have joined us. This coming week others are expected. You can imagine the mix of conversations in English and in Spanish around the table.

The background noise here is not the coqui's, but the roosters; dogs barking; and motorcycles. If we were a little closer to the highway, there would be plenty of other traffic noise. A trip to the local supermarket gives assurance that “everything” is available here, and plenty of it. The Dominican Republic is said to be the “bread basket of the Caribbean”. It is a very productive land, and I look forward to experiencing more of it. The people – the known and the stranger – are warm and friendly.

Our morning studies after breakfast are in Hebrews.  I've appreciated these chapters. They have helped me to see more clearly God's perfect plan, the order of it and the provision for our help.   In 2:1 is that familiar verse about not letting these things “slip”. In Spanish, it says “it is NECESSARY that with more diligence we attend to the things we have heard that we wouldn't let them slip”. I thought of that again this morning. It can happen; we must make this diligence personal.

Good-bye until next time.

Good-Bye, Puerto Rico!

 Good-bye, Puerto Rico - “Isla del Encanto!” Good-bye, and I wonder when – if ever – I may see you again? I've loved listening to the night orchestra, your little coqui's leading the music. I've loved the view from high on one of your mountains, blue ridge upon blue ridge away in the distance, and the green, green valley below. I've looked out over the sea that surrounds you and loved watching the waves breaking your shore.

“With joy and with weeping much seed has been sown”....well, I think it was only a few seeds. As to the weeping, those seeds were watered with a few tears, but they were tears of thankfulness; tears moved by my unworthiness and thankfulness to the One who IS worthy.

I won't forget our friends here. I won't forget the heartfelt invitations to “Come back to us!” I hope one day I can....if it is the will of the One who plans the way. As we heard yesterday, “our times are in His hands”.

Now we move on. I'll wave good-bye, and hope to “see” you again in the Dominican Republic.

                                        Hilda

From East to West and East again

 On Monday we headed west on the main highway that runs across the northern rim of the island. It is a beautiful drive and a good road most of the way. I drove – for the first time here – part of the way. I'm still very hesitant to drive in or near the city. This island may belong to the United States, but the traffic does not behave like it is expected to behave in the States!

At the western edge, we stopped at an overlook to enjoy the sea below. The heavy clouds made the colors less than we had hoped for, and soon it was pouring rain. We headed south to Aguadilla, then “followed our nose” as Jeannette put it, winding in and out on narrow streets with streams of rainwater running down the hills, and in low places over the road. In the flatland not far from the ocean we came to the nice little home of our friends and were glad for room to drive in beside the house with a roof overhead. Later, the rain stopped and we walked over to look at the river not far from the back of the house. It was high and rushing from the heavy rain. We watched the chickens struggle to reach a roosting place in the trees, the colorful rooster taking the highest place, and admired the lovely little parakeet-like birds in a large cage.

It was cooler after the rain, and we had a pleasant night there. After breakfast and a study in the morning, we headed north and then east, back to the city. We were glad we could make that trip as it is the only chance we've had to spend a little time with those friends who are the furthest away from others and from the city.

Thursday, we came south and east – a little beyond El Yunque park with the rainforest – to visit again in this area where we were two weeks ago. This time we are staying with Irene and Ventura up, up that steep road that ends at their house on the mountainside. We've felt so at home here, enjoying the time with them, and the restful atmosphere where it is cooler and quieter. I love to look at the layers of mountains, shrouded in blue mist, and then the sea in the distance. Close in the foreground is the jungle-like greenery that covers the mountains and valleys.

Tomorrow we'll ride down the mountain with them to the fellowship meeting, and later drive back to the city and a 5:00 p.m. Gospel Meeting there. Tomorrow begins our last week here. It is also Thanksgiving week. When we can, we walk in the large, modern, Mall of the Americas in the mornings before it opens. It is evident here, as at home, that Christmas has over-ridden Thanksgiving. Sad, when we have so much to be thankful for! Psalm 103, our study this past week, reminds us again and again of all that God has done and is doing for us, and that we need to thank Him continually. I've smiled at a couple of the signs....”Don't be a half gifter” with a picture of a bicycle with only one wheel and a few other parts missing. On a store front: “UnScrooge Yourself!”..(come in and find the Spirit of Christmas in our store.)

It is pouring rain again...no wonder that there is a rainforest here.

Upon another island....

Sunday evening again, and a new week. It has rained off and on today, and raining now. The little
“ko-KEEs” love it and are singing loudly. It is so warm and humid that every time I've gotten out of our air-conditioned car my glasses steam over!

But what I really wanted to write to you about is the past week! Monday and Tuesday have already faded away out of memory, but Wednesday we flew to the neighboring island of St. Croix. It is only a 20 minute flight – a whole lot less time in the air than it takes to go through all the “hoops” in the airport, wait for take off, and deplane upon arrival at our destination.

St Croix is one of three United States Virgen Islands. It's size is about 28 miles long by 6 or 8 miles at the widest point. The terrain is quite similar to Puerto Rico, but there the similarity stops. One wonders how they can be so close and have a history and a culture so very different! I didn't realize that they speak English there, and so in trying to pack light, I didn't bring my English Bible and hymn book. Interesting – as a Gospel Meeting had been arranged for about an hour after we landed. So, I had to borrow and quickly find and bookmark verses I had marked in Spanish.

I don't know how to put into words the feelings of the following two days. How to describe the soft, velvet darkness of a Carribbean night? The noise of the breeze moving the fronds of the big palm tree silhouetted against the night sky....stars above bright enough to tell the constellations....and distant lights of the town covering a hillside. In the cool of early morning we sat on the patio to read and meditate – with my eyes often lifting to the view of the sea.

Yes, that was special....but far more special was our visit and fellowship with the couple who so willingly shared their small home with us. Katie grew up in Texas; Michael grew up right there on the island. Little Rylon Philip joined the family in August. Their testimoney, their story, is so encouraging, so heartwarming. There are several chapters in their lives that come before the decision they made – moved by prayer and the hand of God – to return and make their home on this island.

Perhaps the highlight of our stay was the weekly Bible Study meeting one morning when we met together with the three black ladies who are living on the island. We – all from different states and islands and backgrounds and races and cultures sang together “Come Unto Me”, “Sweet Words of Jesus” and “Teach us Lord Our Days to Number”. We prayed together and shared our meditations on the study – Psalm 89 – in a precious unity of Spirit.

I really did enjoy getting a tour around the island and often a view of the sea at every turn. On the hillsides one can see the old sugar cane mills still standing from another era. The highway curves around Point Udall, which is the easternmost point of the United States. I had to actually see it on a map to visualize that.

Friday afternoon we boarded JetBlue again for the brief flight back to Puerto Rico and our Spanish world here. It is good to be back, good to see again today those I've grown to love here, but I will never forget the days on that other island – where, by the way, they drive on the left side of the road – and the friends and fellowship we shared there.