Hola all the way from Juana Diaz!

Hola all the way from Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico!

This is Leah bringing you this blog message and hoping you all got more sleep than we did today. It has been a long day to say the least. It started with an early wakeup call at 3:30am. We departed from Spring Arbor University and made our way to Detroit Metro Airport.

After making it through baggage check, security and boarding we faced our first test of patience which will most likely not be our last on this trip. We sat on the plane for at least an hour waiting for the runway to be cleared of snow and ice and for our plane to be “defrosted/de-iced”. Eventually we departed and arrived in Orlando in time to get some lunch before boarding our second and final plane to head to Puerto Rico!

Planes always hold interesting experiences but the trip is what you make it and today, we made it fun. Kaley and I befriended the woman sitting next to us and before we knew it she was sharing candy, coloring books, and gum with us. She laughed and talked with us. It was nice to exchange stories and gain a new perspective (she was from Puerto Rico and spoke fluent Spanish and English). Upon landing, she gave our whole group homemade bracelets and smiled profusely. It was kind of sad to say goodbye to our new friend but I am thankful for tiny moments like these where I realize how much power we have to make or break someone’s day, attitude, confidence etc.  

After successfully claiming EVERYONE’S luggage, we were picked up by Matt, an employee of Camp Caribe and prepared for the last leg of our trip. By this time it was around 5pm Michigan time but 6pm Puerto Rico time so naturally we were hungry. We pulled into none other than Taco Bell. I don’t think anyone was prepared for the challenge that lay ahead. The lady who took our order spoke very quick Spanish. It was fun to get to practice but was definitely challenging.

We arrived at Camp Caribe in Juana Diaz around 7:30. It felt so good to finally see the place we have been preparing to impact for months. We unpacked our things in the rain (but were so grateful it wasn’t snow) and settled into our new home for the next 9 days. Next we had a quick orientation and then it was time to make a Walmart run for all the things we forgot or had confiscated from our bags at the airport. Like the kids we are, we headed for the candy aisle and discovered lots of Puerto Rican specialties. Everyone picked something out and we had a lot of fun trying them all. We came to the consensus that the candy in the States is much more desirable.

The night ended with a team meeting and student devotional/testimony from yours truly. It was fun to grow closer to the team and dig a little deeper into vulnerable subjects. Today has been frustrating, challenging, long, fun, hilarious, and more. We definitely looked like tourists everywhere we went due to our matching shirts and looks of misdirection but it was a successful first day. We are looking forward to what this trip holds and all the work God is going to do here. Until tomorrow, Adios!