I sleep with a saw now

As many may have heard...yes it is true we were robbed.  Last Sunday we had probably the best day since we've been here.  The entire congregation got together to work a territory where Marilin is the only witness for miles.  Every town from La Otra Banda to el campo knows her for 2 reasons, she's a witness and she's a great seamstress.  So the congregation packed into about 6 cars and traveled through the faulty winding roads to reach the territory that had never before been preached in.  We spent the afternoon following our great morning in service filling our bellies with authentic Dominican food and swinging on hammocks.  That night we went to bed exhausted by our days activities.  The next morning I was startled by Cynthia's panic tone.  I was greeted in our living room by our dismantled cell phones on the counter and our purses spread out on our balcony.  When we were sleeping they went through our entire apartment making off with my computer, Cynthia and Julie's camera, all of our cash and our sense of security.  Since then we've moved apartments and have been trying to regain our footing again.

We appreciate all of the kind messages and most of all your prayers.  All of the brothers here tell us Satan is working hard at trying to discourage us.  I know this to be true.  Since we have been here we have had tremendous success in the ministry and the next few months promise to be months of great growth. 

Sorry about the lack of pictures.  Some thief is probably really mad they have a bunch of pictures of us out in service and at meeting.

Transmitting thoughts and ideas. Not simply words.

I'd like to also introduce our Puerto Rico Bethel family...

Miguel Torres

Maintenance Extrordinare

Nilda Torres

Cosmetologist to the stars and Bethelites alike

Adrian and Steven

Maintenence aprentice

We've had the best days staying in Bethel.  We've been priviledged to have gone to morning worship, Bethel family study as well as sharing meals with the family.  We've learned so much about the work that goes into translating our spiritual food from English to the Spanish language.  I've titled this blog entry by one of my favorite points from today.  The feat is to transmit thoughts and ideas.  Not simply to translate words.

Bethel Library

Behind us over 320 translations of the Bible including the first Bible ever to be accessible to the masses.

Lunch with the Bethel Familiy.

From left to right: Steven, Adrian, Brenda, Me, Mary and on top Miguel Marquez, member of the translation department.

Mira mami, tienes trabajo en Betel!

Assembly in Ponce

(Long Beach convention center has competition)

Our other adventures in Puerto Rico included..

Viejo San Juan

The capital city of San Juan is the second oldest city in the Americas.  The first being of course Santo Domingo.  The old downtown of San Juan maintains strict laws that perserve the authentic look of what the original San Juan was like.  The city is rich in Spanish architecture and history.   

Morro de San Cristobal

We were able to visit and tour el Morro de San Cristobal (San Cristobal Fort).  Way back when Puerto Rico was a Spanish colony this fort was used to defend Spain from land attacks.  We were able to explore this piece of history from the 1500's.  For $2.50 we were able to walk this 1500 fort equiped with dungeons, watch towers, and 10 feet wide walls.

Morro de San Cristobal

(inside looking out)

Morro de San Felipe

This fort was used to defend the bay from attacks by sea.  Because Puerto Rico is a half-way point from Spain the rest of the Americas, it was a central point of interest.  Now people fly kites here and roll down the hills like children...

The rolling hills have a new meaning...

Bienvenido a Puelto Lico Mami

I'd like to introduce our Puerto Rican family...

Rory and Arlene Melecio

Leonardito Melecio

Las mofongas con el Capitan Carlos

It all started in the wee hours of the morning with electing Rory as trip advisor for our first full day in PR.  Based purely on a whim, he cleverly coaxed Arlene into waking up their good friend Carlos, a brother from Fajardo that is the captain of his very own boat.  Startled Carlos' wife answered the phone thinking something was wrong with Rory and Arlene.  Carlos very generously agreed to host us on his boat, a retired Coast Guard vessel he runs from the famous Conquistador resort.  In true Caribbean fashion, his hospitality included beer, fruit and snorkeling off a reef near Palomita Island.  We spend the day defining every sense of the word vacation and of course finding our sea legs.  

Security is tight here. Better pay that toll!

At Conquistador Resort

Carlos' first mate Leonardito and a lost gondolier

I stand corrected...Palomino Islaand not Palomita Island.  Thanks Ambi and Jonathan for keeping me honest!