The Handy Work Of God

Today I check to see if this video was still available, sorry, it has been removed. 6/6/2013 10:44 am Puerto Rico time.

To watch this video you will need about 40 plus minutes. Enjoy

http://youtu.be/BUtuEOA0WD8

A Biographical Note On Rev. Jose V. Espada Marrero

Rev. Jose Vicente Espada Marrero was born to Don Luis Espada Morales and Doña Maria de los Santos Amparo Marrero Green on August 8, 1890 in barrio Helechal, Barranquitas, Puerto Rico. His paternal grandparents were, Don Marcos Francisco Espada and Doña Juana Maria Morales; maternal grandparent, Doña Narcisa Marrero. He was the second of six children, four boys and two girls: Luis Maria Eugenio, Jose Vicente, Francisco, Alfredo, Amelia y Ana.

At the tender age of 8 he lived through the Spanish-American war of 1898 (The change from Spanish regime to American regime). During his teenage years he made his choice to follow Christ and joined the Protestant faith. How this came about is presently unknown; by the time he met his wife to be he was a minister.

He married Josefina Orlandi Questell on October 22, 1918. They had 8 children in the following order: Josefina, Jose Luis, Samuel, Ismael, David, Eduardo, Ibsen Ruben and Kelvin Emerson. They have all lived to a ripe old age with the exception of Eduardo, he died at 11 months during my grandfathers missionary tour in La Romana, Dominican Republic. After his missionary tour he became the pastor of the United Methodist Church in Guayama from 1928 to 1934. 

Familia Espada, Guayama 1930

Rev. Jose V. Espada Marrero pastored several churches within the United Methodist denomination. 

United Methodist Church in Guayama

In Guayama his two youngest children were born in 1928 and 1929, Ibsen Ruben and Kelvin Emerson, respectively.The following is an excerpt from the Annual Conference of 1929:
" Brother Marrero has a special talent in giving Bible studies. He has employed this method a great deal in his church and the results are seen in a deeper spiritual life among the members, The Sunday school has been improved by the organization of the classes as working units."

Rev. Espada also was pastor of the church in Comerio from 1934 to 1938. Towards the end of his tenure in Comerio he became ill and moved to San Juan for treatment. He did not return to Comerio.

United Methodist Church in Comerio, P.R

On August 1941 he was assigned to pastor the church at Playa de Ponce. He was there until 1945. Also, in May of 1941 his eldest child, Josefina Espada Orlandi, my mother, married Sgt. Manuel Morales Nieves.


United Methodist Church in Playa Ponce, P.R.

In 1947-1948 Rev. Espada moved to their new home at 405 Escocia St. Caparra Heights, Rio Piedras, P.R. Below is a picture of Rev. Espada with wife, Josfina (Filin) and her sisters at the entrance of their home. It is at this address that Espada initiates services and the dream of a church begins to take form.



This is the church that Rev. Jose Espada Marrero began at his residence carport, 405 Escocia St., 1947. Construction was completed in 1948. Rev. Jose V. Espada Marrero was the founder and it's first pastor from 1948-1958. He retired in 1958 and dedicated the rest of his life to deposit treasures in the lives of all of his grandchildren.

United Methodist Church Rev. Jose V. Espada Marrero, Avenida De Diego, Puerto Nuevo, P.R.

Rev. Espada, esposa Josefin and children

Rev. and Mrs. Espada with grandchildren

Espada Family in Puerto Rico

Espada Family in Florida

Rev. Jose V. Espada Marrero

PAPILLO

August 8, 1890

to

November 2, 1972

TREASURES

Rev. Jose V. Espada Marrero
Maternal Grandfather

Hi! I am Kelvin Morales (for those whom I have never met). During my childhood, I was fortunate to meet both sets of grandparents. They both created memories to cherish. Though I wish today that they would have lingered a while longer, so I could ask questions about their life growing up, I do not consider it a regret.

My maternal grandfather was from Barranquitas, Puerto Rico, served God as a missionary and pastor for most of his life. He gave and left many treasures to those whom he loved. The following passage of scripture is one of the treasures that he handed out freely and liberally: Proverbs 4:23.

“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”

Manuel Morales Morales
Paternal Grandfather

My paternal grandfather was a farmer from Naranjito, Puerto Rico. I recall his main crop to be tobacco, plantain and a variety of roots. One anecdote about him I learned recently while checking out the family tree. This story I heard from my first cousin Jorge Santini (Gogie); no, he is not the mayor of San Juan but related. Gogie told me the following: When abuelo (Spanish for grandfather) was looking for a wife, he went to the municipality of Corozal. Reason being that he noticed the physical out come of the children born to parents with very close bloodlines; he did not want the same results for his descendants. Therefore, he goes to Corozal to find himself a bride. How long it took the storyteller did not say; I believe he did not know. Te lo digo como me lo vendieron / I am sharing the same way as I was told. My cousin tells me that while at Corozal abuelo saw this beauty of a woman and said this is the one and that was that.

My uncle Eliseo, my grandfathers youngest, visited the island this past Christmas and he completed the story. The rest of the story; ever heard this saying? He tells me that abuelo asked a distant cousin of his, Dr Pablo Morales-Otero, if he could find out for him if his wife, my paternal grandmother, was some how related to him. Dr Pablo Morales-Otero reported, yes your wife is a distant relative of yours. Like we say here, “tanto nadar para morir en la orilla”. In my genealogical search, I discovered the following: My grandmothers parents were Martin Nieves and Juana de Dios Suarez. Juana’s parents were Don Florentino Suarez and Casimira Morales. Abuelo without knowing did what he was avoiding in the first place, marrying within the same bloodline.

Celestial Signs

The video shown below is one of the many treasures that laid hidden until the Creator of the Universe saw fit to be revealed.
Psa 19:1  The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
 
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NGC 7049 Galaxy Zoom