USA East Music BULLETIN - SPRING 2019 - ISSUE 2 | Page 10

ISLAND DREAMS: ETSS GOES TO PUERTO RICO
By Rob jeffery, ETSS Communications Secretary
During the ‘bleak midwinter’ of late February
2019, the Eastern Territory Staff Songsters
(ETSS) were blessed to have been able to
travel to the beautiful Puerto Rico and Virgin
Islands Division, to bless and encourage the
island’s Salvation Army faith community.
After a full day of rehearsals at Territorial
Headquarters, the songsters touched down
in San Juan, Puerto Rico, ready for a short, yet
intense weekend of musical ministry.
Our first engagement at Arecibo Corps
on Thursday, February 28, was the initial
test of our ability to sing in Spanish. Aided
by two Spanish speakers within the group,
we endeavored to sing as many songs in
Spanish as possible. We crammed as much
language and pronunciation as we could
into our short, day-long rehearsal and prayed
that God would bless it. He did! And our
efforts paid off beautifully. The people who
filled the small, yet modern chapel praised
and worshipped God during our singing.
In the days following our concert, we were
informed by the Arecibo corps officers
(pastors) that the corps was in the process
of starting their own songster brigade and
our performance greatly inspired them. The
group’s premiere performance took place on
the Sunday following our concert. We look
forward to hearing more from the newly
formed Arecibo Corps Songster Brigade!
Friday, March 1, we had the morning
to explore this scenic island, a unique and
treasured part of America. It was not surprising
to learn that since the 16th century, Puerto
Rico was sought after by many of the Old
World’s greatest empires. We saw firsthand
some of the remaining destruction caused by
Hurricane Maria (2017), yet we were equally
amazed by the extent to which the island
and its people have rebuilt their lives and
their communities. Later that evening, we
ministered at the Adult Rehabilitation Center
in San Juan. Our Executive Officer, Lieut.
Colonel Renee Lance brought a message of
hope to the residents and staff.
Saturday morning, March 2, we boarded
a bus and drove the near two-hour journey
to Guayama. The journey took us through
some mountainous terrain and there were
times we doubted our vehicle’s ability to
make it up the hill, but our experienced bus
driver got us there intact. At the Guayama
Kroc Center, a group of young Salvationists
(and some not so young) allowed us to share
with them some of the finer aspects of vocal
ministry including workshops on how to
build a singing group, and what resources
are available to help local corps do this. We
rehearsed two songs together as a united
group that we would later sing in concert.
The young people from Guayama were quick
to help us with our Spanish pronunciation to
which we were thankful.
Late that afternoon the Kroc Center
hosted a community concert that featured
two local choirs, the Coral Municipal De
Ponce, and the Coro Intermedio Escuela
Libre De Música. We were blown away by
their musicality and sensitivity to the music.
They were appreciative of our efforts and
enthusiastically applauded the young people
during our united performance.
Sunday morning, March 3, we worshipped
with the Salvationists of San Juan Temple
Corps. As we sang the lyrics of Alguien oro
por mi (Somebody Prayed for Me), the
Salvationists gathered raised their hands in
praise of our Heavenly Father who holds us
all in the palm of his hands. After a delicious
meal prepared by the officers and local
10 • USA EAST MUSIC BULLETIN | S P R I N G 2019
officers, we were on our way to the airport,
homeward bound.
It was an amazing trip. Not only did we
feel that we were a blessing to The Salvation
Army community, but they blessed us as we
saw firsthand their resiliency, generosity, and
joy as expressed through their worship. Our
thanks go out to Divisional Leaders, Majors
Eric and Yolanda Rodriguez, for the invitation
to come; their divisional staff who fed us and
translated for us; the corps and ARC officers
who graciously shared their platforms and
pulpits; and to former ETSS member, Richard
Lopez, the Divisional Music Director who
organized our trip so well.
This was our second trip to Puerto Rico,
and we hope it is not our last. ¡Gloria a Dios! ■
W W W. M U S I C . S A CO N N E C T S . O R G