Que Chevre!

A week in Puerto Rico! How cool is that?? Well, in Spanish we say Que Chevre!

     Part of our mission trip experience was to learn the Puerto Rican culture. Each day we had a unique experience: language lessons, Salsa dancing, cultural meal in one of the barrios, a 4th of July celebration at the beach (which is their tradition–and I'm all for making it ours), and a history of Puerto Rico and their struggle for freedom from Spain.Throughout it all we looked at one another and our surroundings and helped the youth lift up those really great moments. If something was really amazing they would say, "Que Chevre!" which translates "Sooo Cool!" If we encountered those thin spaces where we really felt God's presence, we'd snap our fingers and say, "Yeah God." Needless to say there were many of these moments throughout the week. As a matter of fact, we were revisiting these moments in the shuttle on the way to the airport, in the airport, on the plane, and in the bus on the way home. Many, many God moments and many, many times that were sooo cool.

     The bulk of our labors for the week was to build relationships and help with chores for a group home for former gang members and drug addicts called Hogar Crea. These young men were all teens, were all working hard to clean up their lives and looked and acted very much like our own youth. Sometimes so much so it leads us to wonder whatever happened here. At what point does a child make that turn? Is it all at once or does it happen gradually? Is it born of desperation or just because that's what everyone else is doing? No matter, this is where they were and this is the road before them…a difficult, long and winding road…but one paved with love by all the leaders of their organization that works through these issues with each of them. Yes, they are very hard on them. Yes, they expect a lot from them. Yes, there are many rules that seem to make no sense. But, somehow it all seems to work.

     The help they recieve from YouthWorks adds to the program the element of fun these youth lack. So many times it didn't feel so much like a mission trip. After all, no one was pouring cement or hammering nails. Some were picking up trash and sweeping floors. Others were painting, but what overpowered all this work was the relationships that were built. That is where the ministry really happened. Through the love and fellowship of our youth, these kids learned how to once again be kids. Afterall, many of them were only 15 or 16 years old. They didn't know how to be kids, but fortunately it didn't take much for them to figure it out. On the basketball court, volleyball sand, throwing a frisbee or playing pool or dominoes. Laughter filled the air, smiles were everywhere and they were truly sad to see us leave.

     One said as we departed, "This was the most fun I've had since I've been here."

"YEAH GOD!"

Tracy