Puerto Rico Missions Experience 2024
Texans on Mission ... in Puerto Rico
doing community outreach, VBS, youth sports & light construction
Karen Rocha, 27, brings home a glimpse of the work in Puerto Rico Oct. 19-26.
She is a special needs teacher in Dallas and member of Primera Iglesia Bautista Mexicana working with Texans on Mission in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. The group is repairing two homes destroyed by Hurricane Maria in 2017, as well as conducting a Vacation Bible School with Coram Deo Church there. We’ve asked her to send in daily stories and videos, journaling her trip experience.
Click on photo (left) for video
Karen — Day 1: Preparation
We’re going to be doing Vacation Bible School and some construction, and I think I’m up to the task. The construction part, well, I don't have any knowledge about it, but I think I'm ready to learn, ready to get my hands dirty and be wherever help is needed.
But I feel much more equipped for my assignment with the VBS arts and crafts. I feel like I have a strong hold on that, so I feel pretty confident. At home, I work for a nonprofit organization where we specialize with kids with disabilities. We have different programs and I serve eight kids that are in my classroom. I think that’s good preparation.
I do have some goals I want to accomplish during this trip. One, I personally want to leave here with my bucket full. What I mean is to be able to make that impact on people, even with just a smile.
Even though I’m ready and excited to be on this team, I sometimes struggle with being an introverted personality, so coming here and meeting new people is kind of a challenge to get out of my comfort zone. But once you get to know me and once I'm comfortable with you, then I'm able to be get that extroverted personality out there.
While being here has been a challenge, I know that God has a plan and I know that God is going to work through me to be able to have that impact on the people that we get to meet this week.
Karen — Day 2: Fun on Mission
Click on photo for video:
Karen — Day 3: What are we here for?
It’s Day 3 of our Texans on Mission Rebuild trip to Puerto Rico, and our second day of rebuilding Siri’s home in Aguadilla. It was destroyed seven years ago by Hurricane Maria when her roof was torn off.
Since then, volunteers have helped replace the roof while we are attempting to level the floor of her concrete home, tile it, and paint around her windows.
This morning, Hermana Roseanne Muñoz (at right) of Primera Dallas and I are putting tape and a plastic mask around the windows (bottom left video) so we don't get paint all over the walls. When all of this is done, we can spray paint and get the windows painted.
If you’re wondering what we are here for, all of this work we are doing for Siri is work I hope is telling her there's hope after the storm. Even though she lost a lot, there’s still hope for her to have that second opportunity to enjoy her time being in the house, spending time with family, spending time with friends. That’s what we’re here for.
It’s also important to say who we are doing this for. We heard Siri’s story from Miriam Lorenzo, president and founder of Stronger than Maria, an aid organization she founded to help victims of Hurricane Maria’s destruction in 2017.
As Miriam told us, “when we found Siri after Maria, her house was destroyed. She was living here, but all her belongings and everything that was inside.
“She is a lady who has cancer but doesn't have anybody that helps her. She’s a low-income person who doesn't have Social Security or anything else. What we're doing is trying to make this house livable so she will be able to come back and have a decent life and a place that she can call home.”
Here on Day 3, I’m also seeing how our team is shaping up. This team is very flexible, very optimistic and very determined to finish something once we start. So I think that's what I consider about my team’ character right now.
And me? You know, it's hot, sweaty work, but I actually love the hot weather. I'm a soccer player.😀
Click on photos for video:
Karen — Day 4: Building Relationships
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Karen — Day 5: God at Work
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Karen — Day 6: Reflections from the Airport
It’s the final day of the Puerto Rico Rebuild mission trip and we’re about to board the plane for the ride home.
What an amazing journey it has been. This week has been filled with the joy of building relationships with one another and connecting deeply with the kids at VBS. We’ve had the chance to experience God throughout this time, and His presence has been so evident in every interaction and moment we’ve shared.
As for our project at Siri’s home, our mission has been completed, even though we didn’t finish the entire house. We’re trusting God to make everything fall into place from here, and we’re excited to see how things continue to unfold. We look forward to updates on Siri’s home progress in the future.
This trip has truly changed my life in every way. I’ve felt God’s presence deeply, both in my own life and in the lives of others.
This mission trip has opened my eyes, reminding me that God’s plans are greater than ours. It’s given me the chance to step back and be thankful for everything He’s blessed me with.
Being here in Puerto Rico, seeing people with far less than I have, has been a powerful reminder not to take anything for granted. I’m returning home with a heart full of gratitude for all that I’ve been given and a renewed sense of hope for the future.