We made it safe to Puerto Rico. My team is working with 2 other teams this month. At this point we are in the dual area of Mayagez for one week. On the 16th we will be traveling to Arecibo for the rest of the month. Because our ministry for the first part of the month fell through, we are staying at Christian retreat grounds hosted by a local pastor and his wife. Although we don’t have ministry it has been wonderful to relax, bond and prepare.
Our third night in country, our host Pastor Ruben, his wife and some extended family gathered a couple cars and took two trips to take us into town so that we could experience the local Christmas festivities. Apparently, Puerto Rico has the longest Christmas celebrations in the world! At least that is what the locals told us. They were celebrating the three wise men that night in the city center. The music, lights, people and food were beautiful! I was so blessed to soak in and participate in the culture.
As one of my teammates and i were sitting on a stone border around the center circle listening and swaying to the music, it was somehow so comfortable and familiar yet nothing like the U.S. Directly in front of us was an older lady sitting a chair and shaking a small gourd shaped shaker to the music as the town square was gathered and listening to concert. To the left of me, a little boy around the age of seven was drumming with an empty plastic water bottle on the edge of the bench. We started to become friends throughout the night and he even offered me his left over pasterie/empanada. The people are so friendly and if you smile and acknowledge them they are the most endearing! To the right of us another older lady was tapping straws together. Everyone is so genuine, laidback and real!
I am so grateful to be on the Spanish route and spending a year with these people. I am in love. A new part of my heart has been ignited.
