Some people have asked me what a typical day looks like for me on the race. Except on the World Race nothing really happens that is typical. But, last week our days were pretty consistent. They looked kind of like this:
7:00am- Wake-up (unless we are super tired and need 10 extra minutes)
7:15am- Morning devotion with my team/ Breakfast
7:45am- Rush to get ready before 8:00am. Getting ready to go to ministry at Guatchupita looks a little different than some other ministries. We have to wear close-toed shoes, short or pants, and high neck t-shirts. No Skirts. No Tank Tops.
8:00am- Leave the house to walk to Guatchupita.
8:30am- Arrive at Guatchupita. Yes, that does mean it is a 30 minute walk there.
9:00am- VBS with the kids in the neighborhood.
11:30am- Leave Guatchupita. Walk home. Usually stop at the grocery store on the way home for a cold drink. In my case, a cold coke.
12:00pm- Change clothes. We want to stay amoeba free! Before my team arrived in San Juan, 11 other teams from our squad were here. While they were here they had a few problems with amoebas. So our teams are being extra cautious about cleanliness! Lunch with my team and Team SOAR
1:00pm-3:00pm- SIESTA (nap time)
4:00pm- Walk back to Guatchupita.
4:30pm- Every other day we dig a canal that will keep the neighborhood from getting flooded when it rains. Which ultimately helps elimininate mosquitoes that cause malaria and dengue fever. The other days we pray with the people of the neighborhood during house visits.
7:00pm- Walk home from Guatchupita. That makes 2 hours of walking everyday around San Juan.
7:30pm- Change clothes again. No amoebas here! Dinner with my team.
9:00pm- Feedback with my team.
Around 11:00pm we finally make it to sleep! And what wonderful sleep it is after a long day of work and play.
*Because this is The World Race, our schedule is subject to change….usually everyday.
Our time in the slums has been awesome. I love the people there. They are incredibly hospitable and kind. Although, the men that hiss at us are a little creepy. Our contacts for ministry this month, Emily, Miguel, and Kristin, have invested a lot of time in the community of Guatchupita. Their ultimate goal is to make Guatchupita one of the most upstanding neighborhoods in San Juan, and I can definitely see that goal slowly becoming the reality. My first day of ministry, our contact Emily, told us to be praying about only one or two children we felt like God was calling us to love on. After a few days of ministry I met my new friend, Coni. Coni is 6 years old.
She is absolutely precious and I can’t wait to see the smile on her face when she greets me everyday. Right now, I am slowly getting to know her through the translators and just playing with her. Please be in prayer with me for Coni. The only thing I know about her family life is that she lives with her mother and her uncles. Her father passed away. My prayer is that she will see the love I have for her and understand that it is Jesus shining through me.
