Eden Prairie Assembly of God
Serving In Puerto Rico
February 4, 2023
Community: Loiza
Partner: Iglesia Impacto de Dios Evangelistico
Staff: Jose David Figueroa Rivera, Heather Rivera Gonzalez, Meagan Buckland
by Jose David Figueroa Rivera | February 4, 2023 9:01 PM
After a long day of travel that started at 3:00 in the morning we are finally here! We can't wait to see what God does this week as we prepare our families for a week of ministry and being the hands and feet of Jesus. Follow along our journal and pray for us as we continue to update on what the Lord does this week.
![We have Arrived!](https://trip-journals.storage.googleapis.com/18009/110491.jpg)
by Heather Young | February 5, 2023 11:55 AM
This morning we had the opportunity to be a part of Pastor David's church service in Iglesia Metodista Carlos Wesley. The girls were able to share a song with the congregation, and we also had a powerful time of prayer for one another. What a way to start our day!
![Sunday Morning Service!](https://trip-journals.storage.googleapis.com/18009/110499.jpg)
by Heather Young | February 5, 2023 5:41 PM
After lunch we visited Pastora Frances' church, Iglesia Impacto de Dios Evangelistico. She and Pastor Felix shared their vision for the church and part of their testimony. We are so blessed to be able to serve alongside them this week!
![Hearing the Vision](https://trip-journals.storage.googleapis.com/18009/110505.jpg)
by Heather Young | February 5, 2023 5:49 PM
![House Projects](https://trip-journals.storage.googleapis.com/18009/110507.jpg)
by Heather Young | February 5, 2023 8:32 PM
As we visited the houses, Delia and Kristie walked arm in arm. It is such a blessing to be able to make these meaningful connections.
![Bridging Cultures](https://trip-journals.storage.googleapis.com/18009/110508.jpg)
by Heather Young | February 5, 2023 8:55 PM
![Holy Spirit Power](https://trip-journals.storage.googleapis.com/18009/110510.jpg)
by Heather Young | February 6, 2023 9:22 AM
Each morning before we begin ministry we join together for group devotional time. This week we are studying the story of Joseph. Today Meagan helped tell the story!
![Devotional Time](https://trip-journals.storage.googleapis.com/18009/110519.jpg)
by Heather Young | February 6, 2023 9:26 AM
The construction team headed to Home Depot this morning to buy project materials. We were able to fit everything we needed in the truck and made it to the church without any problems!
![Teamwork makes the Dream Work!](https://trip-journals.storage.googleapis.com/18009/110520.jpg)
by Heather Young | February 6, 2023 4:14 PM
Will, whose wife attends the church, is helping us work on the church projects. Today we began installing wiring and drywall in the ceiling. With more hands from the community, we will be able to finish in no time!
![Electrical Work](https://trip-journals.storage.googleapis.com/18009/110521.jpg)
by Heather Young | February 6, 2023 4:45 PM
Jamie, Erin, and Ethan helped Tony patch two places in the church where there were exposed bricks. He was a great teacher at his art!
![Cement Patchwork](https://trip-journals.storage.googleapis.com/18009/110522.jpg)
by Meagan Buckland | February 6, 2023 7:15 PM
This morning we sorted supplies for the ministries we will be serving this week. We can wait to see how God uses these supplies for His glory!
![Sorting Supplies!](https://trip-journals.storage.googleapis.com/18009/110524.jpg)
by Heather Young | February 6, 2023 9:04 PM
![Bio Bay](https://trip-journals.storage.googleapis.com/18009/110533.jpg)
by Heather Young | February 6, 2023 9:08 PM
![Fried Ice Cream!](https://trip-journals.storage.googleapis.com/18009/110534.jpg)
by Heather Young | February 7, 2023 12:06 PM
More men from the church showed up today to work with us. We were able to complete about half of the ceiling before lunch!
![Hard at Work!](https://trip-journals.storage.googleapis.com/18009/110536.jpg)
by Heather Young | February 7, 2023 12:09 PM
![New Skills](https://trip-journals.storage.googleapis.com/18009/110537.jpg)
by Meagan Buckland | February 7, 2023 12:10 PM
We arrived at Miss Carmen’s house to begin our work here. We are excited to get to paint her house yellow, in honor of her sister who gave her this house. We started our day off with prayer, so that we may glorify God in all our work here this week.
![Beginning Stages](https://trip-journals.storage.googleapis.com/18009/110538.jpg)
by Meagan Buckland | February 7, 2023 6:48 PM
We worked hard today painting Carmen’s house a beautiful yellow. It’s a work in progress, but we’ll get it finished! As we worked, we got to pray and talk with Carmen. She is a sweet woman, and we are excited to be working on her house.
![Getting There…](https://trip-journals.storage.googleapis.com/18009/110543.jpg)
by Heather Young | February 7, 2023 7:14 PM
We took a break to have a refreshing snack of limbers. Limbers are a locally made snow cone made with fresh fruit or candy mixed with water or milk and then frozen. Yum!
![Limbers!](https://trip-journals.storage.googleapis.com/18009/110544.jpg)
by Heather Young | February 7, 2023 7:56 PM
We walked around the neighborhood near the church to spread the word about our activities for the kids tomorrow. We made it a competition between two teams to see who could invite the most kids, and we ended in a tie! We are hoping to see at least 50 arrive tomorrow.
![VBS Invitations!](https://trip-journals.storage.googleapis.com/18009/110545.jpg)
by Heather Young | February 7, 2023 9:13 PM
The construction crew worked hard to install the church ceiling lights today. There are just a couple more sections left to finish tomorrow morning. It's looking so good already!
![Almost Finished!](https://trip-journals.storage.googleapis.com/18009/110546.jpg)
by Meagan Buckland | February 8, 2023 12:32 PM
We finished Miss Carmen’s house! It turned out amazing. She is very happy with the end results. We thank God that we could honor her sister through this project and minister to Miss Carmen.
![Finished Miss Carmen’s House](https://trip-journals.storage.googleapis.com/18009/110553.jpg)
by Heather Young | February 8, 2023 1:17 PM
![Fixing Luz's Roof](https://trip-journals.storage.googleapis.com/18009/110555.jpg)
by Heather Young | February 8, 2023 1:23 PM
We were able to finish Luz's roof before lunch! With a pro's direction, the five of us worked together well, found our strengths, and learned new skills. What a difference!
![A Fresh Start](https://trip-journals.storage.googleapis.com/18009/110556.jpg)
by Meagan Buckland | February 8, 2023 1:32 PM
We are putting a door on the back of Miss Carmen’s house. With a fresh coat of paint and a new back door, Miss Carmen’s home is coming together. Praise Jesus!
![Open the Door of Ministry](https://trip-journals.storage.googleapis.com/18009/110558.jpg)
by Heather Young | February 8, 2023 10:09 PM
As VBS was about to begin, we walked to the same neighborhood where we advertised VBS yesterday. Dozens of children followed us to the church and were so excited to see us. Lyla dressed up in her t-rex costume and everyone loved it!
![Let the Children Come](https://trip-journals.storage.googleapis.com/18009/110562.jpg)
by Heather Young | February 8, 2023 10:20 PM
![Fulfilling Work](https://trip-journals.storage.googleapis.com/18009/110566.jpg)
by Heather Young | February 8, 2023 10:23 PM
![Leaving a Legacy](https://trip-journals.storage.googleapis.com/18009/110567.jpg)
by Meagan Buckland | February 9, 2023 9:48 AM
We told Miss Carmen goodbye today. We helped set up some new furniture we got for her. Then we prayed for her. She ministered to us just as much as we did to her. She is a very sweet lady. We praise God for allowing us this opportunity to serve her.
![Said Our Goodbyes](https://trip-journals.storage.googleapis.com/18009/110573.jpg)
by Heather Young | February 9, 2023 2:00 PM
Today we are building a terrace to add shelter onto Luz's second story. This will help provide shade as well as protect from flooding.
![Adding onto Luz's House](https://trip-journals.storage.googleapis.com/18009/110576.jpg)
by Heather Young | February 9, 2023 3:11 PM
A few of us worked on Delia's house to increase the overhang of the roof. For years the rain has been getting inside her bedroom and causing damage. Now the rain will fall away from her house!
![Repairs at Delia's House](https://trip-journals.storage.googleapis.com/18009/110577.jpg)
by Meagan Buckland | February 9, 2023 6:24 PM
We had an amazing opportunity to pass out food today to people who are close to Pastora Frances and the local church. We got to pray with each of them. Pictured in the middle in Nini. She is Pastora’s mentor’s wife. She is taking care of her husband who is now very sick. She needs a lot of prayer for strength and endurance. Please join us in praying for her and her family during this difficult time. The Lord is good, and we are so grateful that we got to minister to these beautiful people today.
![Food Distribution](https://trip-journals.storage.googleapis.com/18009/110581.jpg)
by Heather Young | February 9, 2023 9:51 PM
Although there is some work left to be finished on Luz's terrace, we were able to begin building a stable foundation and frame. Members of the church will return to add the rest of the metal sheets. We are happy with the work we have done so far.
![A Job Well Done](https://trip-journals.storage.googleapis.com/18009/110584.jpg)
by Heather Young | February 9, 2023 10:02 PM
![Farewell Service](https://trip-journals.storage.googleapis.com/18009/110585.jpg)
by Heather Young | February 9, 2023 10:20 PM
![Thank you, Pastors!](https://trip-journals.storage.googleapis.com/18009/110588.jpg)
by Jose David Figueroa Rivera | February 10, 2023 1:54 PM
After a week of blessings and many challenges, we are here at our recreation Day in Puerto Rico. We are at El Yunque, which is the largest rainforest in all the Caribbean seeing and experiencing God's creation. Our team is now having time to reflect on the trip and on all the wonderful things God did. We went to the waterfall and then the river. It's been a great week and we can't wait to go back home and share our story.
![El Yunque](https://trip-journals.storage.googleapis.com/18009/110596.jpg)
Subscribe To Updates
Comments
No comments have been posted.