S (pQ^ July 1979 Dear Christian Friends, When I last wrote, I was in Joplin, Missouri, working at Good News Productions with Ziden Nutt while waiting for the "Green Light" to come on down to Puerto Rico and begin the follow-up ministry of Project Look-Up. Toward the end of March, Dr. Wiebe, director of Project Look-Up, asked me to make the final preparations for moving to Puerto Rico. I first flew to Tampa, Florida, to spend a few days there getting more acquainted with Dr. Wiebe and others associated with Project Look-Up. Then it was back to Dodge City to pack and get my things ready to be shipped to San Juan. ,.v Finally7"^pn April 2nd,,}a:^ter a short visit with rry sister and her family in Salina, Kansa^and'^^ofher short visit with other sister in Kansas City, I flew from Kansas City to San Juan, arriving here in the late afternoon. Ity first iicpressions of the island were somewhat mixed. Many of the trees and flowers reminded me of Rhodesia. And the climate is somewhat similar, ex cept Puerto Rico gets more rain. In fact, JJay .1973-was the rainiest month ever in the history of Puerto Rico wi^ 24,".,of rain recorded at the airport. Some parts of the metropolitan area got even more. Have you ever heard of school being called off because of rain? It happened here in May. It was raining so hard that many of the streets were flooded, the electricity was off, and phones were out of order; so most of the schools in the city were closed for the day. My first major impression of the San Juan area was the horrible driving habits of the Puerto Rican people. It's almost as if there are no laws govern ing safe driving. People will turn left from a right hand lane and vice-versa. A three-lane street becomes a two-lane street without warning and no provisions are made for the extra lane except to squeeze in. Drivers are always using their horns, too, which adds to the confusion at times. Needless to say, it's rather disconcerting to be in the traffic, much less drive in it for the first few weeks one is here. From time to time in newsletters I plan to give you information about Puerto Rico—its geography, history, people, etc.—and the work that is being done by those in the Christian Church here. When I first arrived, I made my home with Aij^ey McKean, a teacher at the Christian Day School in Caparra Terrace, a part of Rio Piedras. The first week was spent getting settled and familiarizing myself with the San Juan metropolitan area. Although Audrey is now oh furlough, I'm continuing to stay in her house until school starts in August. The week after Easter was spent conducting interviews for Project Look-Up. Dr. David Bronstein, from Tampa, Florida, and assistant to the director of Pro ject Look-Up, and Dr. John Carter from California, came down to the island and conducted interviews among the various church leaders here to find out in what ways Project Look-Up could help them in their ministries and what kind of pro gramming they'd like to see—evangelistic, leadership training, Christian growth, etc. We were greatly helped by Don Luttrell who knows many of these church lead ers personally and helped arrange the interviews. Despite the good that was accomplished that week, it still takes time to put things into action. As a result the work with Project Look-Up has gone very slowly. In order to make good use of my time, I have also been helping at the Christian Day School in Caparra Terrace. They were without a full-time secre tary from last summer until June 18, so there has been plenty of work for me to do. I'm also trying to do a little translation work for Ziden Nutt with the help of the preacher down here. I'm finding that my Spanish grammar has become quite rusty, but if I really study and apply myself to this task, it would help im prove my abilities in the Spanish language in so many ways. The church here in Caparra Terrance is a Spanish speaking one. I'm attending there and getting involved as much as possible, by playing the piano, leading the singing, etc. It's also helping me to start thinking and speaking in Spanish. We recently completed a two-week Vacation Bible School at the church. Our average daily attendance was 70 children plus the teachers and helpers. Although most of the children who came speak English as well as Spanish, the VBS was con ducted entirely in Spanish. All of the teachers except one were Puerto Rican. I helped out wherever I was needed—playing the piano, passing out cookies and Kool-Aid, helping with the little children, etc. The children gave over $200,00 for their missionary offering during the two weeks. (The original goal was $100.00, but it was increased when over $95.00 was given the first week.) This is really excellent since most of these children are not members of the church.
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S (pQ^
July 1979
Dear Christian Friends,
When I last wrote, I was in Joplin, Missouri, working atGood News Productions with Ziden Nutt while waiting for the"Green Light" to come on down to Puerto Rico and begin thefollow-up ministry of Project Look-Up. Toward the end ofMarch, Dr. Wiebe, director of Project Look-Up, asked me tomake the final preparations for moving to Puerto Rico.
I first flew to Tampa, Florida, to spend a few days theregetting more acquainted with Dr. Wiebe and others associated with Project Look-Up.Then it was back to Dodge City to pack and get my things ready to be shipped toSan Juan. ,.v
Finally7"^pn April 2nd,,}a:^ter a short visit with rry sister and her family inSalina, Kansa^and'^^ofher short visit with other sister in Kansas City, Iflew from Kansas City to San Juan, arriving here in the late afternoon.
Ity first iicpressions of the island were somewhat mixed. Many of the treesand flowers reminded me of Rhodesia. And the climate is somewhat similar, except Puerto Rico gets more rain. In fact, JJay .1973-was the rainiest month everin the history of Puerto Rico wi^ 24,".,of rain recorded at the airport. Someparts of the metropolitan area got even more. Have you ever heard of schoolbeing called off because of rain? It happened here in May. It was raining sohard that many of the streets were flooded, the electricity was off, and phoneswere out of order; so most of the schools in the city were closed for the day.
My first major impression of the San Juan area was the horrible drivinghabits of the Puerto Rican people. It's almost as if there are no laws governing safe driving. People will turn left from a right hand lane and vice-versa.A three-lane street becomes a two-lane street without warning and no provisionsare made for the extra lane except to squeeze in. Drivers are always usingtheir horns, too, which adds to the confusion at times. Needless to say, it'srather disconcerting to be in the traffic, much less drive in it for the firstfew weeks one is here.
From time to time in newsletters I plan to give you information aboutPuerto Rico—its geography, history, people, etc.—and the work that is beingdone by those in the Christian Church here.
When I first arrived, I made my home with Aij^ey McKean, a teacher at theChristian Day School in Caparra Terrace, a part of Rio Piedras. The first weekwas spent getting settled and familiarizing myself with the San Juan metropolitanarea. Although Audrey is now oh furlough, I'm continuing to stay in her houseuntil school starts in August.
The week after Easter was spent conducting interviews for Project Look-Up.Dr. David Bronstein, from Tampa, Florida, and assistant to the director of Project Look-Up, and Dr. John Carter from California, came down to the island andconducted interviews among the various church leaders here to find out in whatways Project Look-Up could help them in their ministries and what kind of programming they'd like to see—evangelistic, leadership training, Christian growth,etc. We were greatly helped by Don Luttrell who knows many of these church leaders personally and helped arrange the interviews.
Despite the good that was accomplished that week, it still takes time to putthings into action. As a result the work with Project Look-Up has gone veryslowly. In order to make good use of my time, I have also been helping at theChristian Day School in Caparra Terrace. They were without a full-time secretary from last summer until June 18, so there has been plenty of work for meto do.
I'm also trying to do a little translation work for Ziden Nutt with the helpof the preacher down here. I'm finding that my Spanish grammar has become quiterusty, but if I really study and apply myself to this task, it would help improve my abilities in the Spanish language in so many ways.
The church here in Caparra Terrance is a Spanish speaking one. I'm attendingthere and getting involved as much as possible, by playing the piano, leadingthe singing, etc. It's also helping me to start thinking and speaking in Spanish.
We recently completed a two-week Vacation Bible School at the church. Ouraverage daily attendance was 70 children plus the teachers and helpers. Althoughmost of the children who came speak English as well as Spanish, the VBS was conducted entirely in Spanish. All of the teachers except one were Puerto Rican.I helped out wherever I was needed—playing the piano, passing out cookies andKool-Aid, helping with the little children, etc. The children gave over $200,00for their missionary offering during the two weeks. (The original goal was$100.00, but it was increased when over $95.00 was given the first week.) Thisis really excellent since most of these children are not members of the church.
The week of June 25-29 we had a day camp for the juniors. I taught one class-twice a day—on the theme "A Close Encounter with Christ-Through the Bible," Wealso have seven summer interns here for the summer, and they are involved inteaching, too.
The three days before Easter, the church here in Caparra had a revival. LarryGreen, missionary at Fajardo, preached. Four responded to the invitation-1 teenager from Fajardo and 1 teen-ager and 2 woman here in Caparra. Easter Sundaymorning another woman accepted Christ as her Savior. Rejoice with us in thesevictories. And pray with us for some men to take this all-important step. Otherthan the missionaries we have only 2 or 3 Christian men coming on a regular basis.However, there are men attending who need to make their decisions to followChrist, too. We pray that they will do this soon.
Also, during those few days before Easter, the missionaries on the island gottogether and conducted a door-to-door canvas in the area near the church building.As a result of this, at least ten Bible studies are being conducted in homes, andseveral others will soon be studying the Bible through a Bible correspondencecourse. We pray also that this will bring more souls into the Lord's kingdom.
I do ask for your continued prayers on my behalf and the work I'm doing. Beespecially in prayer for the Project Look-Up and Gospel Satellite ministries thatthe Lord would guide the people involved in these ministries in the way that Hewants them to go.
Also I would ask for your prayers for my continued support. The Lord hasblessed me in many ways—one of which is cheap housing (a rarity anywhere andespecially here); however, this will change in August when I will move. I already know where I'll be moving to and I know that I will be paying a lot morerent. Fortunately, I'm not paying any car ejipense at the time, so that is agreat help. In my last newsletter I mentioned that I would need between $500.00and $600.00 a month. During April and May I averaged not quite $450.00 eachmonth. While this amoxint is adequate for the time being, I will definitely needan increase by August. Several new people and groups have begun to support mesince the first of the year, and I'm so thankful to God and to them for thishelp. If you would like to help in this way, please contact my forwarding agentMr. Bill McCarty at 617 Ringold, El Paso, Texas 79932. Please make your checks
gyable to Eastgide~Cli.L is Lidii Cliurcli, de^"gnated"~for~mig. TSnd^ive thanks wfthr^me that "God helps me to use what money I do receive wisely, so that all of myneeds are adequately met.
Thank you again for all your help and prayers. I really appreciate them.I'd be happy to hear from all of you personally. My address is G.P.O. Box 2946,San Juan, Puerto Rico. 00936. (Note: This is a change from the address previously given. It is possible for me to get mail through the other address, butthis one is ja.ijjgh-gui^er.)
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication withthanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of Godwhich passes understanding will guide your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."(Philippians 4:6,7)
May God bless each and every one of you. In Christ,
Mayilyn Wood% Bill McCarty617 RingoldEl Paso, Texas 79932
December 1979
Dear Christian friends,
In Proverbs 3:5,6 we read; "Trust in the Lord with all thineheart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy waysacknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths." How true this is,and it is a fact I'm learning more and more each day.
Since I last wrote, so much has happened. I hope you will bearwith me as 1 share with you some of the highlights of the past few months.
The middle of July the churches in Levittown and Caparra Terrace hosted the annualCaribbean Missions Clinic. Missionaries from four or five Caribbean countries, plus HarveyBacus and Gordon Clymer (from Ozark Bible College) took part in this clinic. Everyone gavereports on their particular area of work, plus reports were given concerning the other areasin the Caribbean where we have missionaries. The clinic was also a time for sharing ideasand edifying each other. It was similar to a mini-convention and was an enlightening andvery helpful week. As one person put it, "This clinic should be a must for all interns andthose who come to work on a permanent basis here in the Caribbean."
August was really a busy month. It first began with the move to a house. It was such arelief to be able to unpack boxes and be able to use my own things for the first time inover a year. The Lord has really blessed me with a plarp..in whirh to live andtwo wondejrful roommates to share it.
On^^A^usr^f^TTiT I began wofklhg with the Christian Day School on a fu 11 -1ime basis. AsmentioneH^Tn my last newsletter, I had started~worl<ihg thefe as time*^Rw mY'olEHer job
permitted. However, in August we received word that NASA had iettIsoned the satellitethat Project Look-Up was using, and so my job — doing follow-up worTiTor programs broadcast via satellite -- no longer existed. Since the school was In desperate need of a^sec-rj&t^y. 1 agreed to work there as a secretary. Another secretary was hired at the same"time. She also doubles as a substitute teacher.
For those of you who are not acquainted with the S^tg^lTTarr Day ScbooP, I want to tellyou a little bit about It. It was hftqun fn iTy the ChristlaiTThurch (Iglesia de Cristo)here In Caparra Terrace. The purpose wa's to provide a quality education In English forthe children In the area. The church board doubles as the school board. All but one
person on the board are Puerto RIcans. The entire staff, administrative personnel, andteachers are Christians with the exception of one person. Most of the teachers come fromthe States and work with the school on a missionary basis. The school subsidizes thosewho do not have adequate support. (Praise the Lord! My support Is adequate, and so thatleaves that much more money to be used for school Improvements, textbooks, etc.)
The school yejar^-began Auqust 15. We have 265 students enrolled this year from Pre-Klndergarten through 8th grade. Most of these'̂ c^TTS^n do not come from Christian homes,and so we have a grand opportunity for evangelism. Bible Is taught every day In theclassroom, and chapel services are held every other week. There Is a lot of follow-upwork that needs to be done, but the teachers don't have the time (because of lesson preparations, etc.) to do It. Please pray that more workers will come to Puerto Rico tohelp In this area.
We just received word today (November 19) that one of our students, a girl In firstgrade, was killed In an automobile accident last night. Her brother, a student In fourthgrade, was Injured and Is hospitalized but will soon be released. Please pray for theRosa-Bracero famlles during this time and for us as we use this opportunity for furtherwitness to the family about the Lord.
I'm sure most of you are aware of Hurricane David and Tropical Storm Frederick. PuertoRico was very fortunate In that It suffered very little damage from these two storms —especially In relation to what the Dominican Republic and Haiti suffered. The biggestproblem was flooding because of the excess rain. The San Juan area did not get the heavywinds that were predicted, and for this we thank the Lord.
It Is our understanding that Haiti and the Dominican Republic are still trying to recuperate from the tragic losses suffered during these storms. The churches here InPuerto Rico recently took up an offering of over $700.00 to be used among our brethren InHaiti. We received a letter from one of the preachers there stating that all their cropshad been destroyed.
Gordon and Vivian Thompson, missionaries to the Dominican Republic, were here recentlyand stated that if It hadn't have been for the clothing, food, medicine, and relief sentby Puerto Rico and the United States, the death toll there would have been at least double.As I said before, we just thank God for the safety and protection He provided during thattime.
Some of you may have heard about the earthquake which hit In this area the first partof November. The center was In the ocean between Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republicabout 1^0 miles west of San Juan. It registered 5.3 on the RIchter scale. Several hereIn San Juan didn't even feel It. But one of my roommates and I were sitting on our beds,writing letters, when the beds began to vibrate as though they had built-in vibrators.Our other roommate was sitting at her desk and did't feel a thing. So the earthquakedidn't do any damage, just "shook things up" a bit.
In September 1 began teaching a Sunday School class for those In 3rd through 6th grade.I was prepared to teach them In Spanish, but the first Sunday they said, "Oh, teacher,teach us In English." Most of them go to Christian Day School, so they know English, andthe Sunday School class In English helps to reinforce their English speech. However, whensomeone attends who doesn't speak English, 1 do try to present the lesson In Spanish aswell as English. The kids are really good about helping with the translation.
In October I went to El Paso for the National Missionary Convention. It was so goodto get to see everyone again. But as always there was never enough time to visit witheveryone as much as I would have liked. I have decided that one of the things I'm goingto like about heaven is the fact that I'll have all the time I need to visit with everyonethat I want to for as long as I want.
The convention was really good. And for the first time the people got a chance to seewhat it is like to be in another culture, because four afternoon sessions were held inJuarez at two of the churches there, simultaneously with the afternoon sessions held atthe convention center.
During the convention Ziden Nutt, Rick York (director of the Christian Day School), andjnet^with thf eKdex;^ of the Eastside Christian Church, my "send ing-out" church, to give
them a repdf1 that has happened in regards to my work here. I have decided to continue to stay in Puerto Rico and work with the school. The elders agree with me in thisdecision and are backing me up 100^ in this decision.
Also, during this time, I found jiew foj*warding agents. Bill McCarty had to resign because of too many other things to do. Not too many missionaries have the distinction ofhaving another missionary for a forwarding agent, but in my case this was true. Bill wasthe director of Spanish-American Evangelism. So his duties there, plus being an elder Inthe Westside Christian Church in El Paso, and other responsibilities left little time forhim to be my forwarding agent. I am grateful to him, though, for the fine job he didduring this time as my forwarding agent.
Thanks to a suggestion from a friend in the Eastside church, I asked Gec^rge^nd Sue-Popg^s of the Eastside church to be my forwarding agents. Happily, they acceirted, almost 7)TigM away, and l^qan their duties as my forwarding agents on November 1st. From now onall checks for my support should be sent to me:
Marilyn Woodc/o Eastside Christian Church
7755 PhoenixEl Paso, Texas 79915
Poppa's will pick up the mail at the church.In my last newsletter, I mentioned a need for increased support. I'm very
report that support has been increasing. During the period of July - Octoberalmost $500.00 a month. (500.00 Is the minimum I should be receiving.) Thisgreat help. I thank God for His continued protection and care, and I'mfor the financial help you give. Though I never have an over-abundancesee to it that all my needs -- financial and otherwise — are met, andfor your help in this way.
Originally I had planned to get this letter out before Thanksgiving, but as you can seer~aidn'fmake it. Phdpe'ydu all hatf" a "wonderful day together wi th your^famll IT^T Thechurch here has planned a Thanksgiving Day service to be followed by a Thanksgiving Daydinner complete with turkey. I'm really looking forward to it.
I do want to take this opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a HappyNew Year. May you truly be blessed by the knowledge of the true purpose for Jesus comingto earth.
to hear from all of you, so when you get a chance, "drop me a line." M>I would love
addre.S5 here is:
GPO Box 2946San Juan
Puerto Rico 00936
happy toI averaged
has been a
thankful to youof money, God does'm grateful to you
Thanks
help moreagain to al1 of youthan words can say.
for your support and prayers. I really do appreciate yourMay God bless eadh^nd everyone of you.
MARILYN WOOD
SPANISH-AMERICAN EVANGELISM
3135 FORNEY LANEEL PASO, TEXAS 79935
Rese^ch DepartinentMissions Services AssociationBox 177
Kenpton, Indiana 46049
In Christ,
M
NON-PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
EL PASO, TEXASPERMIT NO. 2295
ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED
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