We arrived in Puerto Rico on January 9th. We were divided into the teams we would be working with for the month. My team, Alegria, was put with Team United Warriors and Team Radical. That’s 20 people, living in community together! Wohoo!
Our ministry contact fell through for the first week. But God had a better plan for us. We were placed in Mayaguez, PR at a camp ground called Jesamir. There was no WiFi and no T.V. It was a beautiful and peaceful place. I truly believe that it was a week for us to rest, prepare our hearts for the upcoming ministry that God had for us and to get to know our peers a lot better.
There were lots of challenges living in a house with 19 other people that you don't know very well. There were a lot of things we had to adjust to rather quickly. We had to figure out how to cook all 3 meals for 20 people. How to share 3 bathrooms. How to maintain your sanity while getting to know 19 other people on a deeper level. Those were a few things that were a tad bit difficult but we worked through it.
We met some incredible people along the way!
Photo taken by Isa Caszett
God's hand was definitely on that campground. We felt such a connection with Reuben and his wife Lila. They introduced us to some incredible people and were researching places where we could do ministry later on in the week. Towards the end of the week, Reuben bought paint and we were able to touch up the swimming pool and little gazebos.
*** Before ***
*** After ***
We left Mayaguez and traveled to Vega Baja. In Vega Baja we were divided into two ministry teams. My team worked at La Alianza Irlanda Heights in Bayamon, PR. We scraped, painted and built relationships with some incredible people.
Photo taken by Christina Thompson
Photo taken by Danny Colon
We experienced so much love and support from the people in Puerto Rico. It would not have been the same without them. God taught me so much this month. I was stretched in ways that I didn't even know I was capable of. I learned a lot about myself and my team/squad mates. It was a tough first month but I look forward to what God has in store for the remaining months. Adios Puerto Rico! Until we meet again.
