Pre-Departure Festivities

So, I knew that I wanted to find some way to decompress and collect my thoughts before I left for the "Promised Land".  So, Julie Gulling and I partook in a very short, 4 days to be exact, service trip to Puerto Rico.  Essentially, when we left Philly, we hopped on the plane and knew only that we were to look for a Missionary of Charity Sister when we arrived in San Juan.  Our plans for accommodations, transportation, activities, etc. were completely open.  The Sisters arranged everything.  It was amazing.  We had no decisions to make, no stress, and no mirrors.  The whole lack-of-mirror thing may sound a bit strange but it is really liberating.  Everyone should try it sometime...

The next four days were filled with lots of painting of small wooden objects for a small child version of the city of Jerusalem, incredibly beautiful Masses, nuns singing, seeing the ocean essentially all day everyday, Julie learning some Spanish, lizards, rain, and one broken down school bus ("it was only the clutch").  I can honestly say that those were probably the best four days that I can remember.  Julie and I placed all of our trust in God that He would take care of us and place us exactly where we should go.  We gave that trip to Him, and He gave us the most beautiful time one can imagine in return. 

The video attached is of the course that the Sisters were taking while in Aguadilla.  They sang in about 4 languages total throughout their time there, but this one is only in Spanish.  * Take note that these nuns are from all over the world.  As Celine so appropriately described it, "this is like the Catholic United Nations."

Aside from the volunteering we did, we also had some time to do some sight seeing, thanks to the arrangements made by Sr. Violet.  We saw Rincon, Aguada, and Crash Boat amongst other places with Nydia and Julien, our Puerto Rican hosts and padres.  We were able to see places like the pictures below.  This was followed up by an awesome pizza dinner. We were really fortunate to have been placed with such a great couple.  

Our trip was not a typical Puerto Rico experience, but Julie and I would have never wanted it any other way.  When we arrived, we had the Lazy Song by Bruno Mars stuck in our heads, but when we left we were singing Jesus and Marian hymns.  It was a great retreat.  It allowed us to clear our heads and to refocus our thoughts and hearts to where they really needed to be.  It brought a sense of peace to us, and I know that was exactly what I was looking for before I depart for my next months in Ethiopia.