just wanted to throw out a quick blog to let ya’ll know we made it to puerto rico! my team is combined with another team this month, so there are 12 of us staying at a church in Arecibo. the church property is awesome and the room we are staying in allows us to not need our tents…we have showers (rather chilly and refreshing! :)) and clean drinking water very easily available…plus it’s in the high 70s with a really hot sun outside, which is a win despite any other accommodations.
(this is our home for the month)
while all of those things are a blessing, even more so the people here are incredible. Pastor Peter, the main guy we’re working with is the sweetest man, with such a service minded attitude and heart for the Lord. While listening to him talk with us and share the Word, his passion is so evident.
Since we are just getting settled into the place, most of ministry has been working around the church grounds in a landscape kind of way. (my dad would be so proud! he could never get me to help like this at home…granted he’s never asked me to move trees before!) we also attended the jovenes service Friday night where the young people of the church come together. we are all looking forward to seeing what more we can get involved in around the town.
I am thankful that our first location allows an ease into all of this. the church grounds is big enough to get a morning jog in and the pastor recognizes that we need time to regroup and spend time with the Lord. and i’m so thankful for treasuring sake that PR uses USD…what a blessing for figuring out budgeting and receipts!
Thank you to those who are praying…while the concept of 11 months still is crazy to me, I can feel prayers of peace. I’m not sad and I don’t want to go home, but I am already nervously anticipating the month where it gets hard. I am praying that God allows me to take each day as it comes and enjoy the excitement stage that is supposed to be happening now and handle the hard when it gets here.
even this early on, I see the absolute need for the presence of God constantly. pray I keep seeking that in every moment, in times when ministry is hard and even times when we are relaxing.
you can also pray that I can suck up being embarrassed and go ahead and mess up my spanish so that I can get better. I understand a lot of what is being said….but am incredibly hesitant to ask questions and try to speak.
We have been incredibly blessed already by the people here and are ready to dive in and see what the Lord has for us. I am excited to share what the Lord is doing in my heart…next time! Thank you for doing this with me!
