Today I found joy in getting to walk around and seeing the culture of Puerto Rico.

My joy today was watching the group laugh and explore Old San Juan making sure everyone was accounted for. Picture taking was a delight!

I was brought joy through the welcoming community I get to learn about.

I found joy in seeing God’s beautiful tapastry. It’s so amazing to see what God has made for us.

I got joy seeing how the people in the church were so loving to us and the other people in the church.

I got joy from when I got to hang out with other people my age all day.

I experienced joy during the church service today. It made me so happy when people were singing, and it was such a cool experience.

I felt joy in the Piña Colada. (non-alcoholic) 🙂

Today we got to worship with the Metropolitan (Disciples of Christ Church) and it was an amazing experience. Everyone was so welcoming and nice there, and the whole experience was so energetic and up lifting. Something that brought me joy was singing songs with them during service because everyone was so into it and just in the moment and I loved it. I also thought it was interesting how the sermon had multiple topics that were talked about.

-Abby Groom

Today our group went to a nearby church Metropolitan (Disciples of Church) for a morning sermon. It was very energetic and welcoming with everyone singing the songs and clapping along. Even though we did not know many of the words, we understood part of it, and with the help of a translator, felt the meaning of these songs more deeply. After the service, we went to a local restaurant for lunch that had lots of traditional Puerto Rican foods. After that we went to Old San Juan to walk around and look at all sorts of shops. On the walk we found a snow cone vendor and stopped to get something to eat. After walking around in bazaar type area, we packed up our leftover snacks and drinks and got into the bus we have rented. We stopped to get pizza on the way back to our base camp, and had to wait for around 45 minutes to get our pizzas. We played games like telephone, charades, and other small games to pass the to pass the time and have fun. Finally our pizza got finished and we got on our way. around half an hour later we all sat down to enjoy dinner and each other’s company.

-Javyer Burtner

I’m looking forward to helping those affected by the hurricane and am also looking forward to the new people and culture I’ll be introduced to this week. – Coleman

I’m looking forward to trying to understand and gain closeness too another culture. I’m hoping I can positively affect someone’s life and watch progress happen before my eyes. -Kade

I am excited for this trip to be able to help people while experiencing a new culture. I also hope that we get to interact with some of the kids around here. -Dominic

I hope to help out a family if not more than one family. I want to be able to see my work helping someone else. I hope to see our group having fun while helping others. -Logan

I hope to learn more about the culture and people through building relationships in our travels whether that be in construction or any other miscellaneous activities. Above all I hope to enjoy the week and to build relationships with the people with me and God. – Max

•I want to get to know this culture

•I want to help people who really need it. – Fiona

I hope I get to use a nail gun because i loved using it on the last mission trip. i’m also interested in seeing the different parts of puerto rico and how the hurricane affected it. i’m also excited to meet new people and hope to hear some stories. – Shelby

i hope during this mission trip i can see God through the people i’m with and the work i’m doing. i can make new friends and build stronger relationships and experience new things. – Abby

I am hoping to use this trip as a way for me gain a stronger connection with God through the work we will be doing. I am looking forward to a week of reflection and to really embrace the world god has created for us. this trip is an opportunity for me to value what I have and give back. – Elsi

I hope to see a lot of the culture in Puerto Rico and get to know other people I am working with. I also hope to see a finished product from the work we do. – Hannah

During this mission trip, I hope that my relationship with God and my faith will grow. I’m so excited to meet new people and experience the different culture! – Maddie

I want to help make homes better living conditions, I want to go scuba diving, and I want to go to a different cultures church – Kaitlyn

The great poet Mary Oliver once compared the morning to the best preacher that ever was in her poem Why I Wake Early. I couldn’t agree more. The world looks different in the morning, as a new dawn calls us toward newness. It’s a breath of fresh air, as darkness gives way to light, for we have the opportunity to experience new hopes, new possibilities, and new adventures.

This morning at 4:45 AM, 14 youth and 4 adults departed on a new adventure from Geist Christian Church as they head out for their week long mission trip to Puerto Rico. During our time on the island we will be partnering with Week of Compassion and local Disciples of Christ Congregations, as we continue to help with areas devastated by Hurricane Maria.

We are excited about this opportunity, and look forward to how the spirit will move throughout our work day and week. We also can’t wait to deepen our relationship with one another, God, and those we will works along side this week. We hope you will join us as we welcome the greatest preacher, accepting the newness each day will bring as we serve, care, learn, grow, and love.

I think the groups looks pretty good for 4:45am

For our 2019 Youth Mission Trip, our Senior High youth will have two exciting options to serve and grow their faith. These two options from which to choose are below:

Our first option is Puerto Rico from June 8-15, 2019. During our time in Puerto Rico, our Senior High will partner with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) relief organization Week of Compassion, as we continue to rebuild areas that were devastated by Hurricane Maria. During our week, we will help on various phases of construction/rehab. The exterior work includes roofing and installing windows and doors, and interior work includes framing or finishing work, flooring, and painting. This trip offers many wonderful opportunities for us to make a difference for the people in Puerto Rico and to gain a broader scope of those in need on a global level.
Our second option is Detroit from June 23-29, 2019. During our time in Detroit, our Senior High will participate in a Methodist-affiliated mission experience called Motown Mission. Motown Mission is an urban ministry designed to connect young people to Wesleyan principles of faith and service. During our week, they will create opportunities for us to help the people in the city fight poverty and other effects of the economic crisis. Our actions will be complemented with moments of prayer and reflection, as we explore how God is changing lives and transforming hearts. Motown Mission motivates people to act in constructive, appropriate and loving ways both now and in the future, challenging individuals to consider ministry and service as an essential daily part of living out their faith.

For our 2019 Youth Mission trip, our Junior High students will join forces to participate in a Presbyterian-affiliated mission experience called Amen St. Louis. Amen St. Louis is an urban ministry designed to educate youth about how poverty, homelessness, systematic racism, and many other issues are impacting St. Louis. Through the week, youth will get their hands dirty working with partner agencies who are addressing these issues directly.  During the evening, youth will be encouraged to pray and reflect about how they might be a part of this kind of work in their own community once they return home.

Hope you have enjoyed the blog.