I remember half way through the trip in Puerto Rico turning to Amanda (the other leader, not wifey Amanda) in Martins BBQ to tell her this is my life, I'm just blessed. It was in response to the whole day's activities. We left early that morning to enjoy a Pastor's condo on the beach and his family grilling out for our entire team, and ended the day with the people we came to help/bless buying us all this fantastic meal (some of the best ever chicken and sweet potatoes). It is so evident when you are physically blessed but that just represented the whole spiritual aspect of our trip.
Training camp was incredible. I couldn't get enough of the time where we just sat as a team (15 members and 3 leaders) and talked about what the Lord has done in our lives or what we need Him to do. The intense heat, cold showers in the dark morning, and lovely porta-Johns were totally worth the time we spent getting to know one another. The Lord blessed me so much knowing what He was doing in so many of His children's lives, and preparing them for more than just a mission trip.
Arriving in PR was such a relief. All the anticipation and excitement from the previous weeks all pointed towards this moment. I have to admit that the driving had to be the most fun and most nervous time. You should see the roads they say have two lanes (yeah no need for painted lines). We went straight up a paved goat trail to what seemed to be the top of the island. It was beautiful up there.
The people of La Perla Gran Precio were beautiful too. The leaders were so passionate about the rehabilitation of women's lives and the role God plays in this transformation. Many of the ladies in the program (ages 16-old) struggled with drug addictions or have mental illnesses. We were touched by their lives and many of their testimonies as we lived with them. Our team interacted with presentations, Bible studies, praying, watching movies, cleaning house, beauty salon, dominoes, and a lot of one on one time just sharing Christ's love.
One of my favorite moments was when we first arrived and the leaders had a meeting with the hosts regarding the minstry plans. God totally revealed His plan in that meeting and at the same time implemented it. As we talked, the team went to meet the ladies for the first time. I was imagining our students huddled together in the room not sure what to do. I was wrong. It turns out that they went to the ladies on the first day to pray for them individually. How great to see them not hesitate in following God, and what a relief as a "leader" to see them follow the real Shepherd.
My prayer for the team that God had revealed to me was "thou shalt see greater things than these." (John 1:50). I was blessed to see some victory in the lives of the team and in the lives of the people of PR. We saw faith restored in one lady's life, another lady healed from a stroke, a man that asked God to send angels one morning and that day our group showed up at his house to pray for him, children laughing/smiling while the team shared the Gospel and Christ's love, shadows moving in houses as we sang and prayed over them, and I believe we are not done seeing things God has for us as a team.
It is amazing how close you can become to so many people so fast. The worst part of the trip (other than missing my wifey Amanda) was the first morning I woke up at home realizing it was really over and I missed everyone. It was such a blessing though and it is so amazing to see God show up over and over when you really take time to listen and follow Him.
John! This is beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing… You do a great job leading. Thank you for pouring into the lives of these kids, your co-leaders and the people of Puerto Rico!