Reverse Robbery: We FIND money IN the offering plate!

I was waiting to preach Sunday morning when I noticed our song leader was unhappy. He found a letter in the offering plate from someone who stopped going to our church about 6 months ago. No one knew how it got there.

Apparently The ex-church member had a key to our church that he never returned and just let himself in, leaving a letter where we would find it during the service. The idea that someone had access to the building upset a few of our members.

After the service, the song leader and I opened the letter in private and were surprised. Inside were two money orders for $200! We had forgotten but, over a year ago during a time of need, our church had lent the individual $400 to repair his refrigerator and for some other needs he had.

He decided to pay us back, the note said, because he had just been robbed at gunpoint by someone and had to testify against them in court. It seems this convinced that he didn't want to owe God's church anything, so he made the effort to paid off his debt as fast as he could.

When I got in the car to drive home, Tina was talking about changing the church lock and was still upset about the "break in," and asked what nasty thing the gentlemen said to us in the letter.

I said, "Well, he just gave us $400!"

Tina exclaimed, "Well, if that's how it's going to be, let's make sure he keeps that key!"

Harvest Time Limited

We preach, teach, visit and call. Each week that passes I have at least four scheduled opportunities to share the gospel: Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Sometimes the best sharing comes outside that schedule.

It takes time, shoe leather, a tank of gas and commitment. We have made the commitment and ordered our days to win souls for Christ. If you could help get one tank of gas a month, that would help us. Small gifts given every month add up and makes it possible for us to do this work.

What is our motivation? We love people and know something that they don't that will help them. So do you, if you are a Christian.

There's a storm coming. Help us get the harvest in before its too late.

A Modest Proposal

As much fun as it is for us to come to the USA, buy a used car and travel around the country on a very tight budge, there may be a better way for you to see what we have been doing.

(We really do like visiting you. It's those times on the road between visits that wear us down. Seeing you back home in the USA lifts us back up again.)

Come visit us!

Yes, instead of buying a time share or going on a "secular" vacation, consider visiting a missionary, seeing the work, and maybe even participating in it.

They say enthusiasm is better "caught than taught." Come down and catch some! Then take it back and YOU can tell the churches what you have seen.

Or read our reports and share them with your church. We try and publish a report at least every month. If you could pick one Sunday a month to share our praises and prayer requests, we would appreciate it.

I hope we can see you here someday. I hope also that we may visit you. Either way, we can be a blessing to each other. I hope you will be blessed. We have been blessed by your prayers and support.

Than You!

A Surprise Phone Call and a Gift from a Kind Stranger

Did you ever get a gift from someone you never met before? I just did!

A few weeks ago, I shared an opportunity I have. I got a radio license from the FCC (WP4NVR) but I did not have a radio to go with it. I could participate in the SAR (Search and Rescue) Community if I had one. But since they are very expensive for my budget, I could not just go get one on my own. I put out an appeal to see what would happen.

I got a phone call about a week ago from someone I never met and did not know:  Hermino Rios, a Puerto Rican living in New Jersey.

Hermino Rios; "Pastor, Do you still need a radio?"

Me; "Yes. Who is this?"
Hermino Rios; "I used to live in the center of Puerto Rico, in Jayuya. I felt led of the Lord to send you a radio. Maybe I will send a power supply and tuner also."

Me; "Wow! You are going to send me your radio?"

Hermino Rios; "No! I am buying one, a Kenwood TS680S, and sending it to you. I lived in Puerto Rico over 30 years ago. I bought the radio for your needs and will send it next week."

Well, I was amazed. These radios are NOT cheap. Plus, someone I never met read my blog and was moved to help us here in Puerto Rico. Even more impressive is that he took the time and effort to go out and purchase what I needed and then called to offer his assistence to guide me through the steps in using it.

Dear Brother Hermino Rios, who I have never met...THANK YOU! I hope that we can get an antenna and get on the air soon and put your sacrifice of love to good use by reaching the Puerto Rican people for Christ.