The Trip That Changed Everything: From Reluctant Vacation to Unforeseen Calling

The Trip That Changed Everything: From Reluctant Vacation to Unforeseen Calling

It was early 2014, the chill of January or February still clinging to the air, when I had a crucial conversation with my wife. Her grandfather, who’d lived a full life in Puerto Rico, had recently passed away. The weight of mortality hung heavy, and I felt a strong urge for our children to meet their great-grandmother before it was too late.

But there was a complication. My wife's relationship with her Puerto Rican heritage was complicated, to say the least. Growing up in a predominantly white farm town, her Puerto Rican last name became a source of discomfort, a marker of "otherness." Her childhood wasn't idyllic, and she'd built a wall, wanting nothing to do with the island or its people.

After much gentle persuasion, she agreed to a 10-day trip to Puerto Rico, a reluctant concession to family and a promise that we’d never have to return. My primary goal was simple: to give our children the chance to connect with that side of their family.

At this point in our lives, my wife and I were feeling a profound pull towards full-time ministry. We were navigating uncharted waters, lacking formal training and making decisions that often deviated from the conventional path of local believers. We knew God was calling us, but the shape of that calling remained unclear. Mission work, however, was firmly off the table. Our families were deeply rooted in our community, and the idea of venturing beyond a 20-minute radius was practically foreign.

So, we booked five plane tickets to San Juan for March, a seemingly straightforward family vacation. $1250 round trip, packed bags, and a sense of nervous anticipation. We were ready for what we thought would be a one-time experience. Little did we know, our lives were about to be irrevocably altered.

Our knowledge of my wife's Puerto Rican family was limited. We knew they were Catholic, which sparked a flurry of questions: Should we attend Mass? What would we talk about? Would it be awkward? We also knew that alcohol flowed freely in their gatherings. We were stepping into the unknown, armed with no Spanish and limited understanding of their English fluency.

Stepping off the plane, the humid 95-degree Puerto Rican air hit me like a wave. It was a sensation I’d never experienced. My childhood vacations were sparse, and while I’d been to California as a child, this was different. My wife's family greeted us with warm hugs and the customary Puerto Rican kisses, which I have to admit were awkward at first, and we loaded our luggage into waiting cars. And then, the adventure began.

We had no idea that this trip, born from a desire to connect with family, would ignite a fire within us, leading us down a path we never imagined. It was the beginning of a journey that would redefine our understanding of faith, family, and the calling God had placed on our lives. Stay tuned for the next post, where I'll share how those ten days in Puerto Rico changed everything.


Learn more about our ministry at www.theexchangemin.com

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