Beyond Belief: The Power of Radical Faith

Arecibo in Da' Moonlight: When Reality Hit in Puerto Rico The humid Puerto Rican air hung heavy around us, a stark contrast to the crisp Michigan breezes we were used to. It wasn't long after the last box was unpacked and the unfamiliar sounds of our new neighborhood settled in that the sheer audacity of what we had done truly hit me. We were here . Officially moved in. Our home was no longer in Hamilton, Michigan, but on this vibrant, Spanish-speaking island. A wave of reality washed over me, bringing with it a potent cocktail of excitement and sheer terror. We spoke virtually no Spanish. Our connections could be counted on one hand, with fingers to spare. We had never stepped into ministry in this capacity before. And to top it all off, our bank account was… well, let's just say lean. I vividly remember one particular evening, the weight of it all pressing down. Our driveway, a slight incline offering an unobstructed view of the vast night sky, became my sanctuary of unce...

From Our Mission Field to Our Home:  Our Unexpected Welcome The boxes were still unpacked, and the to-do list felt a mile long. But as we settled into our new home in Puerto Rico, our minds weren't on finding the perfect spatula or figuring out where to purchase appliances. No, our immediate concern was the quickly approaching Christmas holiday. How could we possibly make it feel even remotely normal for our three kids in this brand-new, unknown land? My wife and I embarked on a mission. Armed with very little money and absolutely no idea where to find anything, we set out to buy Christmas presents and a few festive decorations. Our first stop? A place called "Fallas." For those unfamiliar, Fallas is essentially the Puerto Rican equivalent of a Dollar Tree. Let me tell you, the line was an experience in itself – unequivocally exceptional! But amidst the throng, we managed to snag some basic ornaments, a few sparkly earrings for our daughter, and braced ourselves for what ...

From Dune Dreams to Island Reality:  Our Leap of Faith to Puerto Rico The Michigan air felt different this time. Gone was the tentative curiosity of our first trip; replaced by a tangible buzz of anticipation. Puerto Rico wasn't just a possibility anymore – it was our future. The question that now danced in our minds, and in our prayers, was the how. How would this happen? Would we need to fundraise? Seek employment on the island? Or was there another path entirely? The Lord's response remained consistent, a gentle but firm whisper in our hearts: "Trust me." It was far from September, the month of our previous visit. Our bank account held no moving funds, and the exact timing of our relocation remained a mystery. Then, one crisp fall afternoon, as my wife and I walked the familiar dunes of Saugatuck, Michigan, the weight of the unknown settled upon us. We talked about the logistics, the uncertainties, the sheer magnitude of the decision we were contemplating. Suddenly...

A Cliffside Church and a Coded Book: Our Island Immersion Well, folks, buckle up because once we got our hands on Jack's Ford Ranger, the island of Puerto Rico truly opened up to us. My wife and I were eager to explore beyond Jack and Dama's property and get a real feel for what life could be like here. Our initial focus was the west coast. We spent a good chunk of time driving around Aguadilla, specifically looking at communities that might be a good fit for our family. It was exciting to see "For Rent" signs and actually tour potential future homes. Many of the properties we looked at were near the old military base, and we found several rentals in nice communities that were surprisingly well-priced. Things were definitely looking promising on the housing front. Throughout this initial exploration, Jack and Dama were their usual hospitable selves, but largely let us do our own thing. They were fantastic hosts, providing a base for us, but this week felt very much li...

Bleach Blond Hair and a Bucket Toilet:  Our Puerto Rican Welcome If you know anything about church culture in Puerto Rico, you likely have a certain image in your mind when you picture a pastor. Well-groomed, always in a suit, exuding a specific, practiced persona – it's a look deeply ingrained in the hierarchical structure prevalent in many Puerto Rican churches. The higher up you are, the more respect and honor you receive, often to an unhealthy degree (but that's a topic for another time!). Suffice it to say, there's a distinct "pastor look." And that "look" was precisely what my wife and I were subconsciously expecting when we landed in San Juan. Stepping off the plane and into the humid embrace of the tropical air, we navigated the familiar route to baggage claim. The San Juan airport has a unique setup – those waiting for arrivals must stay outside the luggage area. As we exited, scanning the crowd, we anticipated spotting an obviously "pastor...

Back in Michigan: An End to Puerto Rico or a Divine Confirmation? The familiar chill of Michigan air hit me differently this time. Arriving back felt less like a homecoming and more like an unexpected pit stop on a journey that had just taken a sharp, jarring turn in Puerto Rico. Once the initial shock settled and I navigated the delicate task of sharing the truth of what had transpired just days prior, a distinct impression settled over those closest to us. The unspoken consensus seemed to be: "Well, that's that. Puerto Rico is clearly off the table. God wouldn't have allowed that to happen if He wanted you there, right?" It was a logical conclusion, a comfortable narrative. But little did they know the seismic shift that had already occurred within my heart. The day I surrendered my life fully to God, uttering those now-familiar words – "I will go where you ask , do what you ask, and say what you ask, without question" – it wasn't a casual commitment....