From June 9th – 16th, God’s hand was at work for 34 people from 5 states as they traveled to work with two of our CBC churches in Puerto Rico. While there, a great deal of work was accomplished, but the real blessing came not in the work itself, but in the connections that were formed within the Covenant Brethren family.
This trip had a different objective than many other trips have had. While many trips addressed the needs of the poor, this was more about being an encouragement to the Church in Puerto Rico. The group was made up of 20 teens and 14 adults, led by Craig Howard and Vicki Hoffman. Jamie Diaz, the pastor, pictured far right, and his church, pictured here, were amazing hosts who were a joy to work and worship with.
The team broke into two groups, one group stayed in Castaner while the other group traveled about an hour away to another CBC church in Del Pacto Montesion. The group that stayed got busy painting and landscaping both at the church and the extra housing buildings that the church owns, as well as some work on a home near the church that needed attention. Most of the paint even made it on the buildings.
The second team traveled to a church that needed work done in the church sanctuary. The front stage needed expanded. The current stage would not hold the church instruments and it was a very high step for the people to go up and down.
Our team added a front on the platform 6” high, 94” deep and went from one side to the other on a curve poured in concrete. This was no small task as all the sand, gravel and concrete had to be wheeled in one wheelbarrow at a time. The concrete was mixed on the ground by hand, loaded in wheelbarrows by shovel and carried in. While part of the team worked on that another part worked on installing two new windows and sealing the roof.
By the end of the week, with the work done, it was time for fellowship. Friday night, a large bonfire was built and we shared time singing, sharing testimonies, and roasting hot dogs and marshmallows. What a blessed time!
On Saturday, the team drove back up to the church on the mountain for an evangelical service, which was open to the community. One hundred bags of groceries and 100 Bibles were handed out to community members, purchased by the team and given to the church to share God’s love with their community. It was a way to spread the love and ministry of the local church to the community they serve, and it was well received.
Finally, we shared in worship with our host church in Castaner. Our group shared in singing, a testimony, a moving drama to the song, “The Goodness of God” in Spanish, and Pastor Craig preached. It was a powerful service, and Father’s Day added an extra element to the blessing. There were too many things to list all of the blessings of this trip.
There were fun times of swimming with even Pastor Craig swinging off the rope swing and dropping into the water. There was some shopping and great food prepared by our hosts. It was a trip none of us will forget and look forward to returning in the future. But ultimately, we pray that the churches we worked with were encouraged, and that God was glorified. That was our aim. It was the opportunity to be the hands and feet, the voices and faces of Jesus. This was all because of Him. Gloria Dios!!
Submitted by Craig Howard – Publications Committee
