From Dune Dreams to Island Reality: Our Leap of Faith to Puerto Rico
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, my wife turned to me, a hint of frustration in her voice. "Why is this so hard?" she asked. "I just wish someone would tell us when to go."
And in that moment, standing amidst the golden hues of a Michigan autumn, the answer, unbidden and surprisingly clear, formed in my own voice. "Okay," I said, with a certainty I hadn't felt before. "We are moving this December."
It was that simple. A declaration made on a windswept dune, and the wheels of our improbable move began to turn. I immediately reached out to Pastor Leo, inquiring about housing. He connected us with a woman from his church who had a house for rent in Arecibo and promised to ask her about renting it to us. The response was swift and miraculous. A phone call from Pastor Leo soon followed, informing us that she would rent the house to us for a mere $600 a month. We were ecstatic. Without hesitation, we accepted.
And so, in November, just one month before our departure date, we organized a chili cook-off fundraiser and auction. The outpouring of love and support was humbling. We raised just over $4000 – enough to purchase five one-way plane tickets, pay for ten checked bags, and leave us with roughly $2000. It was a testament to the generosity of our community, but the Lord would later make it clear that He desired our complete reliance, not fundraising, for our future financial needs.
So, with a mere $2000 in hand, zero Spanish-speaking abilities, a small handful of personal connections (none in our intended destination of Arecibo), we packed ten bags crammed with clothing, basic kitchenware, and a few other necessities. Then, with a mix of trepidation and exhilaration, the five of us began to prepare for the boarding of a plane bound for Puerto Rico.
It was, in retrospect, utterly insane. We had no sending church, no mission organization backing us, no formal training, and practically no money. To say our families were concerned would be a monumental understatement. "Crazy" was likely the prevailing sentiment.
We decided that I would fly to Puerto Rico five days ahead of the rest of the family to prepare the house. The daunting to-do list included getting the electricity and water turned on, finding a vehicle, and acquiring some basic furniture. Oh, and Christmas was just fifteen days away!
I arrived in Puerto Rico on December 10th, greeted by a warm welcome from Pastor Leo. After loading my bags into his car, we set off, knowing the next five days would be a whirlwind. In the States, the Christmas season typically winds down around December 25th. But Puerto Rico is different. Known for having the longest Christmas celebration in the world, festivities begin right after Thanksgiving and stretch all the way to the day after Three Kings Day in January. Adding to the challenge, most of the island, especially government offices, operate on reduced hours or even close down entirely during this
extended holiday period. Getting everything done in five days felt like an impossibility, a task requiring nothing short of a miracle. Pastor Leo voiced his doubts. But a quiet confidence resonated within me. I knew God would make a way.
Our first stop was our new home in Arecibo – an empty, yellow, Mediterranean-style house. It wouldn't be my residence just yet, as it was completely bare. But first, the essential phone calls had to be made. Remember, my Spanish was non-existent, making this a particularly "fun" endeavor. Nevertheless, I stumbled and fumbled my way through the first call with the water company. An account was established, and a date for activation was set – within a week. But then, the unexpected happened. The water was turned on the very next day! Leo was astounded. He said that never happens.
Next on the list was the power company. Leo's expectations were even lower this time, citing them as notoriously inefficient. We walked into the office, and the line stretched… well, it stretched. Pastor Leo immediately turned to leave. "Might as well come back tomorrow," he said, clearly expecting hours of waiting. But I felt a different prompting. I told him I would wait, and he left the building, slightly perplexed. About thirty minutes later, I walked out to the car where Leo was waiting, got in, and simply said, "Okay. Let's go." Leo, understandably confused, inquired about the line and when I planned to return. I informed him that everything was done and the electricity would be turned on the following day. And, miraculously, it was. Leo was beyond shocked. He even shared the story in church that Sunday, recounting God's evident favor to the congregation. Apparently, such efficiency was far from the norm. But God.
This initial act of faith, and God's undeniable faithfulness, seemed to unlock a wave of support within Leo's church. By the time my wife and three kids arrived on December 15th, our new home was fully furnished! Couches, chairs, four beds, and even a TV filled the once-empty rooms. We were still without a stove, refrigerator, or washer and dryer, but the transformation was nothing short of miraculous. Pastor Leo and his wife even generously lent us their minivan until we could find a vehicle of our own.
December 15th arrived, and the sight of my wife and three children emerging from the airport with ten bulging bags in tow was a scene to behold. We met them with multiple vehicles to accommodate all the luggage and then headed to Leo's house. Our first night as a family in Puerto Rico would be spent in the warm embrace of their hospitality.
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