Day 8 – August 10, 2009
Returning Home
Slept in until 7:30am this morning. The long and winding trips to Jayuya have taken their toll on us. Even the Ashley’s are tired. Bro. Gary shared that Sunday always exhausts him, due to the driving, the preaching and the overall long day.
We left for the airport at Noon. The drive is only about thirty minutes.
Airport security is typical of a small airport. Their searches are more thorough and they move a lot slower. We arrived at the gate with only five minutes to spare. I do wonder why, every time I fly, the gate my flight is leaving from is always the furtherest one away?
As we boarded the plane, it was evident it was another packed flight. As with the former flight, there is always a loud child nearby. This one appears to be about two-years-old. She is screaming, kicking, and beating on her mother, who seems to be totally unaware of anything going on. Everyone within six rows each way is noticeably disturbed. . .
After take-off, I was able to get the young child’s attention. I shook my finger at her, signaled that I was going to spank her, and. . .she laid back on her mother and quietly went to sleep. Ahh. . .Peace and quiet again!
As we travel back, we return with hearts that are burdened for the Ashley’s as they seek to build a work in Puerto Rico. Their time in Puerto Rico has been a time of disappointments. The missionary who invited them to work with him, has distanced himself from the Ashley’s. Their assessment is that they apparently have higher standards and convictions that the inviting missionary thought they had. Living with high convictions is most often a lonely place to live. Few are the people who are willing to make the commitment necessary to live a life of holiness for His glory. Thus, the Ashley’s are having to forge ahead alone.
Their family is a very sweet family. They have four wonderful boys, who are well-mannered and obedient. They also have an infant daughter, that is as cute as can be. Their boys are a testimony that it is still possible to raise children that understand the meaning of honoring and obeying their parents. Their children are certainly a testimony to the validity of biblical principles.
I thank the Lord for the opportunity to have been able to visit the Ashley family and see the great work that God is permitting them to do there. It is great, not because of its size or magnitude. Rather, it is great because is the fulfilling of God’s call on their life. May the Lord prosper the work with many souls for the Kingdom in the years ahead. I have covenanted together with Bro. Ashley to pray that God will soon bring him a young man that will be willing to be mentored in the fashion of Mark 3:14. . .A young man that will be willing to have Gary pour his life into him so that he may become a man that is also greatly used of God.
The Ashley family is certainly a family that will continue to do great things for the Lord.Slept in until 7:30am this morning. The long and winding trips to Jayuya have taken their toll on us. Even the Ashley’s are tired. Bro. Gary shared that Sunday always exhausts him, due to the driving, the preaching and the overall long day.
We left for the airport at Noon. The drive is only about thirty minutes.
Airport security is typical of a small airport. Their searches are more thorough and they move a lot slower. We arrived at the gate with only five minutes to spare. I do wonder why, every time I fly, the gate my flight is leaving from is always the furtherest one away?
As we boarded the plane, it was evident it was another packed flight. As with the former flight, there is always a loud child nearby. This one appears to be about two-years-old. She is screaming, kicking, and beating on her mother, who seems to be totally unaware of anything going on. Everyone within six rows each way is noticeably disturbed. . .
After take-off, I was able to get the young child’s attention. I shook my finger at her, signaled that I was going to spank her, and. . .she laid back on her mother and quietly went to sleep. Ahh. . .Peace and quiet again!
As we travel back, we return with hearts that are burdened for the Ashley’s as they seek to build a work in Puerto Rico. Their time in Puerto Rico has been a time of disappointments. The missionary who invited them to work with him, has distanced himself from the Ashley’s. Their assessment is that they apparently have higher standards and convictions that the inviting missionary thought they had. Living with high convictions is most often a lonely place to live. Few are the people who are willing to make the commitment necessary to live a life of holiness for His glory. Thus, the Ashley’s are having to forge ahead alone.
Their family is a very sweet family. They have four wonderful boys, who are well-mannered and obedient. They also have an infant daughter, that is as cute as can be. Their boys are a testimony that it is still possible to raise children that understand the meaning of honoring and obeying their parents. Their children are certainly a testimony to the validity of biblical principles.
I thank the Lord for the opportunity to have been able to visit the Ashley family and see the great work that God is permitting them to do there. It is great, not because of its size or magnitude. Rather, it is great because is the fulfilling of God’s call on their life. May the Lord prosper the work with many souls for the Kingdom in the years ahead. I have covenanted together with Bro. Ashley to pray that God will soon bring him a young man that will be willing to be mentored in the fashion of Mark 3:14. . .A young man that will be willing to have Gary pour his life into him so that he may become a man that is also greatly used of God.
The Ashley family is certainly a family that will continue to do great things for the Lord.
