Last Stop—Florida to play with Matthew and Chan for a couple of days. What a treat to see how well they have bonded and are blossoming!! We went with them to school where Matthew shines as well. Mostly we just went for walks, built train tracks, tossed balls & watched Matthew consume lots of food...he eats anything: seaweed crackers, pumpernickel croutons, & spicy soups. It's amazing to think just a bit over a year ago he was in an orphanage!! The weather was actually a bit cool (60-70) which helped climatize us to what we're headed for!
Final Thoughts—
Final Thoughts—
Another winter trip over...our 10th. I never would have imagined when we took our 1st trip to Kenya that it was just the beginning of many awesome adventures. And I thank God for each & every one of them. Many people ask me which was my favorite trip. I can't pick as it is the mix and uniqueness of each that can't be separated from the whole. Like a smoothie...each added fruit makes it better.
Puerto Rico...a diamond in the rough...cracked & chipped by the powerful Hurricane Maria. The Puerto Rican's are struggling to rebuild. Many patiently waiting 6 months for electricity & some water still. We hit the jack pot connecting with Johanna & Mariely. Strong woman who lined up jobs then joined us helping their community in Maunabo. Each night for a month, I went to bed feeling a huge sense of satisfaction knowing we'd made a few lives better. Hope seem to bloom around us. It was a privilege to spend the money that our church, friends & family entrusted us with on needed items: bedding, solar lights, cement and cleaning supplies. It was exciting to have the Slys, Sarah, Juli, Ben & Jen join us making it possible for more to get done & a chance to share a special bond with them as we cleaned yards, homes, repaired, rebuilt, roofed and mostly showed we cared. Getting to spend time with our All Hands gang was an added bonus. Sincere appreciation humbled as as we were smothered with hugs, notes, meals & gifts. Often strangers stopped to tell us thank you just for coming to PR. And those beaches...what a priceless reward for helping them!! God certainly led us to the right spot and I feel incredibly blessed.
But my heart aches for PR. The needs seem overwhelming & the help dwindling. Lack of tourist is adding to their dilemma. Though a US territory, they seem to be almost ignored...not important enough. US makes the rules...like no import/export unless on US ships but they have no political voice. And yet...we saw smiles, determination, pride & appreciation for each tiny bit of improvement. We saw neighbors helping neighbors. It was an honor to work with them.
As I watch the sunset out my plane window, I wonder where I'll see the sunrise next winter!
