Commissioned to Go

Sunday, January 13, Pastor Hoyt Brown, also a member of the team, commissioned the Puerto Rico mission team from the Livonia United Methodist Church to go, work, and bring hope and healing to Puerto Rico.  Team members from Livonia will join others from Homer UMC, Rush UMC, Lansing UMC, and two from the Philadelphia, PA area.

Pastor Hoyt Brown commissioning the Livonia mission team for service in Puerto Rico.

Travel Preparations

Travel preparations for the mission trip to Puerto Rico began months ago.  Last summer the call came requesting help with rebuilding homes and churches in Puerto Rico destroyed by Hurricane Maria.  About fourteen from our church and several from the Homer Methodist Church signed on to help with construction.  Team members are not just preparing and packing for an extended trip, but are packing to be ready to assist with construction.

The team is mentally ready, packing work clothes (long pants), work shoes, safety equipment (safety glasses and hearing protectors), gloves, some tools (other tools will be purchased locally), bedding, sun screen, insect repellent, sun hat, and more.

What Does the Team Expect?

• Summer weather
• 8-hour work days with time out for lunch and water breaks
• Meals provided at the camp
• Early rising – up by 6AM (it will feel like 5AM as Puerto Rico is one time zone to the east)
• Daily devotions and team meetings
• Meeting the homeowners, listening to their story and learning the vision for their reconstructed home and future
• Working under the direction the Methodist Church of Puerto Rico and a local site engineer

Like Jesus sent his disciples out to minister, the mission team is commissioned to go and sent under the “covering” of the church to bring hope and healing.

John 20:21  Peace be with you!  As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.

Next blog post:  About Puerto Rico, a little history, and the climate?