If only we had more time. Even with many helping at each site we might not finish everything on the site “to do” list. We have 24 willing workers and in spite of some supply and tool shortages, most resolved, a lot of work has been accomplished, but not everything will be done. The good news is that another work crew will be coming in next week. In fact, we were told that crews are scheduled now through March.
Progress In Spite of Shortages
As reported earlier in the week, some sites experienced shortages of essential tools like hammers and ladder, screws, inadequate equipment like very small paint brushes and old, worn out paint rollers. Sometimes these shortages are not the fault of the PR coordinators, they are shortages yet in stores like local hardware stores and Home Depot. For example, all of the tile that Home Depot had were purchased, but he shower tile job came up short 14 tile.
Yesterday and today some of the exterior jobs were cut short or delayed because of heavy showers. People are so appreciative of our efforts. One woman even cooked a delicious lunch for the crew working on her house. When they thank you with tears in their eyes, you know your efforts are appreciated.
Scenery On the Way to Work
Work crews go both east and west from our camp in Patillia. The crew to the east travels along the coast, right along the coast with a drop off to the ocean, then cuts back into the hills/mountains on single lane roads and bridges, up to about 450 feet above sea level. This trip takes about 20 minutes through little towns and at times between banana fields. The other crews go west, one crew up into the mountains. The two further crews travel along the coast, but not right next to the coast. On their way they travel across a wide coastal plain, a very large agricultural area where there bananas, sugar cane, tomatoes and other crops are grown. This farming area is well managed. Near the large “wind” farm they turn toward the coast.
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Gas price on island – per liter
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Banana plantation
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Wind Farm
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Another banana plantation
Animal Life
Life is different here in Puerto Rico in many ways from the climate, to the way houses are constructed, to their life style and customs. It is very common to see chickens running around houses and hearing roosters crow most of the day. Yesterday arriving at my work site we discovered the bull had gotten out of the pasture ten feet from the house we were working on and was enjoying his breakfast eating the shrubs and plants around the house. Papo and Jose who work on our team had to shoo the bull back through the hole in the fence before we did much work outside. Dogs of every kind, none purebred, cows, horses and ponies, birds, lizards (Iguanas), gecko, probably insects, but very few mosquitoes or spiders that I have seen. On the way back to camp yesterday, the group came across a horse dead in the road. Many places the horses are not in pastures, but roam free range.
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Iguana
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Bull being followed by birds.
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Couqi frog of Puerto Rico
Thoughts on Our Trip Here
I asked several if they would like to share their thoughts on coming here.
Laura used the word united. We came from several different churches to work together for a common goal, that of working on a house (for a person or family) damaged by the storm. We are of one mindset, that of making the house a home, or at least doing our part in that process.
Annabell, who feels she has no construction skills, has learned a lot. In fact, she is now featured in a YouTube video where she demonstrates the techniques and skills to fill in and mortar around a door frame/door. Yes, she learned how to “mud,” taught by Papo and Laura who learned this skill on other mission trips. Somewhat kidding, she did want a video taken on her phone of her doing this skilled work.
Phil mentioned that it takes a few days to get to know the locals, the Puerto Rican members working at the site, our translators, and the UMCOR workers. About the time that you begin to develop a relationship, it is time to go home.
Mission Trip Success
As “missionaries” to Puerto Rico we each came with our thoughts on what success here would look like. Our perception of success is often not what the nationals vision of success might be. Sometimes we need to relax, step back, and look at our success by the standard of success in the eyes of our hosts, those that invited us to come. If we are successful by their standard of success, we have accomplished what God has called us to here to do.
Friday – Last Day
Our Friday work day will be shortened because of the need to travel and stay much closer to the San Juan airport because of our early departure Saturday morning back to the cold and snow in New York. There will be a few jobs that will be completed tomorrow, and yet there will be some that remain to be completed by other mission teams arriving next week and in the weeks to come.
Because of the shorter work day, travel across the island, and relocation at another camp site, I probably will not be posting a report on Friday. More will be posted after our return state-side. Also, the pastors are planning on the team giving a report the first Sunday in February.