Rebuilding, Restoring, Renewing Puerto Rico

On Friday, March 15, 38 members of the American Baptist Rhode Island community traveled to San Juan Puerto Rico for a week of rebuilding homes and churches and establishing friends and relationships. 5 of the participants were members of the First Baptist Church in America.

After a day of relaxation and a day of worship, we were divided into three groups to serve the people of Puerto Rico.

Group 1 returned to Premier Iglesia Bautista Santurce where we attended church on Sunday to seal the roof, paint a Sunday School classroom, clean an area for offices for community outreach, replace doors and do electrical work. Group 2 went to a village where they sealed the roofs on 4 houses and a church and painted. And Group 3 traveled to Arecibo, on the northern coast to replace metal roofs on 2 homes and do other repairs. All 3 groups were greeted with hugs, thank yous and food (beans and rice) on a daily basis.

The take away:

1. There is still much work to be done in Puerto Rico
2. They are a gracious and giving people.
3. Many are struggling due to the death of loved ones during or after the storm.
4. Many are struggling because their family members have moved to the mainland to seek better opportunities.
5. They have a deep and abiding faith and from that faith comes hope.

To learn more of to join the effort visit American Baptist Home Mission Society you don’t have to go as part of a group.