The first week of our time in Puerto Rico was spent leading Scottsdale Christian Academies (SCA) Puerto Rico team. SCA has a missions week every year where they close their campus and send more than 10 mission trips all over the world! Adventures in Missions is proud to partner with them in setting up and leading a few of these trips each year. This year, for the 2nd time, I got to lead the team in Puerto Rico. It is such a joy to see how this school is instilling a heart for missions and service in the hearts of their students, and an honor to be a part of it.
Day 1: Feeding the Multitudes
The sun wasn’t even fully awake when we gathered at 6:30 AM, bleary-eyed but exited for the week to come. Following a simple breakfast, we took time to connect with the Lord before getting to work. Devotion consisted of a deeper look into what it means to listen in prayer, and a discussion on the importance of regular quite times to learn what the voice of God sounds like.
Our ministry for the day was at El Comedor de la Kennedy, a soup kitchen in San Juan. The team fell into a rhythm quickly, packing 522
meal bags and countless snack bags. Each bag wasn’t just food—it was a prayer, a whisper of hope slipped into someone’s day. The team laughed as we worked, voices weaving together with the clatter of supplies, turning even the mundane restocking of rice and tomato paste into an act of worship. God’s provision shone through every grain, every can. Read more about day 1 on the SCA stories page.
Later, the day softened into play—spike ball, football, volleyball. The games weren’t just a release; they were a glue, binding the team together.
Day 2: Dust, Love, and Fragile Moments
Day two started with Team 1 spotting an elderly man struggling with his wheelbarrow—a small, unplanned act of kindness that set the tone. Then came the house cleanup, a chaos of clutter and dust that stung my eyes and clung to my skin. The smell was heavy, a mix of neglect and time, but we cleared it out just like God does with us—takes our mess and makes it new. Read more about the cleanup effort on the official City of Caguas Facebook page!
Meanwhile, Teams 2 and 3 poured themselves into the community, painting homes and scrubbing away grime. Their work was a sermon without words, a gospel painted in service and smiles. Julio’s story impacted everyone who served in his home. A 42-year-old man, trapped in his bed after a stroke, his mother’s weary hands caring for him day after day. His mothers eyes—grateful, glistening—reminded us that compassion isn’t just a word; it’s a call, and that moment echoed it loud and clear. Read more about day 2 on the SCA stories page.
We ended the day with worship and debrief in the town square, followed by ice cream.
Day 3: Over the hump
Wednesdays are always a challenge on the mission field. The initial spiritual high is starting to fade, and bodies are getting tired. But, for the participants who choose to push through and rely on God to carry them on, the rewards are immense. 
Team 1 took on Julia’s house, slathering fresh paint over weathered walls. Each stroke felt like a promise, a covering of old wounds with new hope. The neighbors cheered us on, their voices a vibrant thread in the tapestry of Puerto Rico’s spirit—resilient, warm, unbroken. Read more about team 1, day 3 on the SCA stories page.
Teams 2 and 3 tackled the community garden, yanking weeds and blasting away dirt with power washers. The locals joined in, and I felt the beauty of connection bloom around us. This wasn’t just about paint or plants; it was about planting seeds of love in cracked soil. Read more about team 2 and 3, day 3 on the SCA stories page.
Day 4: Dancing Through the Rain
Day four scattered us like seeds on the wind, each team finding its own way to serve. Some scrubbed homes, others breathed life into gardens, and one group even bought essentials for a man whose need pierced my heart. Team 2 painted a house in the rain, water streaking their work, but they didn’t stop. It was a stubborn, beautiful defiance—like life itself, pushing forward despite the storms.
The afternoon shifted gears. We met local students at the plaza, and what unfolded was a dance of cultures—laughter our shared language, joy our common ground. I watched their faces light up, and mine did too. This was God’s love in motion, bridging gaps I didn’t even know were there. Read more about day 4 on the SCA blog site
Adventure Day: Waterfalls and Whispers of God
Adventure Day lived up to it’s name, spending the day exploring all of the beauty of God’s creation that Puerto Rico had to offer.. We hiked to a waterfall, and swam in it’s waters. Some kids learned to surf and appreciate the power of God in the waves, while others baked in the beauty of God’s sun, and other played a game of volleyball with sand between their toes. Then off to old San Juan to enjoy God’s most prized creation: His people. The vibrant culture of Puerto Rico is on full display in the shops, restaurants, and plazas of Old San Juan. Read more about adventure day on the SCA blog site.
We finished the adventure with debrief and worship on the beach. With waves as our chorus, we talked about Jesus calling His disciples to be “fishers of men.” As locals looked on the team worshiped God through song and testimony, before heading back to the lodging spent and ready for one final sleep in Puerto Rico.
The best summary I can offer of this trip, is in the words of the participants. After all, they are a big part of why we do this. These are just a few examples of what the participants wrote about this trip:
“I think i learned to use prayer more”
“I genuinely just feel closer to God personally and through my friends”
“I became closer to the Lord through worship and prayer, when we did a 15 min quiet prayer that impacted me a lot”
“God pushed me to go outside my comfort zone and rely on him for strength and bravery”
“I grew by being patient with the lord and trusting in him”
“I felt closer to God and felt like a burden had been lifted off my shoulders”
“I think I grew Spiritually on this trip because I normally wouldn’t have set time to worship God either worship or just opening the Bible once in the morning and once at night, however we did that every day and it’s something that I want to keep active when I get home.”
“I grew to listen to what God tells me to do. When things were messy and uncomfortable, God told me that it didn’t matter and to get the work done no matter what was in the way. So many things that I would normally run away from I stepped up and worked with what used to make me quit.”
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