RESTORATION

The Lord works in mysterious ways…at exactly the right time.
After a particularly trying group of participants I was feeling the wear and tear of living in another country, communicating in another language, and being responsible for what is the highlight of many teenagers’ summers. I missed PROCESSING, I missed CONVERSATIONS, I missed FRIENDS, and I missed HEARING GOD speak into my life. I felt tired and very alone. My body was crying out for rest and my spirit was crying out for attention. This was God’s response:
- On Friday evening I got to talk to my supervisor and friend for an hour.
- On Friday night I spent 3 hours connecting with friends and family from home.
- On Saturday morning I had the opportunity to journal while I waited for my laundry.
- On Saturday afternoon I got to have a great conversation with one of our community partners for a few hours.
- On Saturday evening I was able to feel like part of a family as we watched the Arecibo basketball team win the championship with some community friends.
- On Sunday morning we sang these words…
o “RAIN DOWN / MY SOUL IS THIRSTY / BUT ILL KEEP SINGING / RAIN ON ME…”
o “I WILL CALL YOU / AND YOU WILL ANSWER / IN AN INSTANT YOU ARE AT MY SIDE / THERE IS NO ONE LIKE YOU IN THE WHOLE WORLD…”
…and tears poured down my face
- After service the pastor’s wife prayed for God’s strength and restoration to empower me
- Sunday afternoon a friend from another YouthWorks! site called me just to pray with me before our groups showed up for the next week
- Our group didn’t arrive until late so my staff and I had enough time to prepare and feel really on top of things for a GREAT start to the week!
I’ve told several people that this is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done in my life. But I’ve also learned firsthand that God will not ask us to do anything we are not equipped for. No matter how many times I have to reach into the depths of myself to find those remaining smiles and chipper mornings, I will never run dry…y signo cantando! I keep singing!

To Know About Driving in Puerto Rico

• It’s okay to park in the middle of an entrance ramp if you’re grabbing dinner to go at Wendy’s
• Shoulder = extra lane
• Flashing stoplight = free for all – the bigger you are the better chance you have of getting through the intersection
• If there is no color lit up…just assume it’s your green
• Honking is how you communicate everything – “Of course you can merge in front of me!” “You just cut me off!” “Hey, it’s my buddy from high school!” “Don’t back out of your driveway.” “I’ll take 3 mangos while I’m waiting for this stoplight!” “Oops…my hand slipped…”

Catching up...What in the world am I doing here???

I want the joy of the Lord to be the first thing people notice about me!
I want God’s love to be what people remember about me!
I want the peace of the Holy Spirit to be what people experience with me!
I don’t want them to remember Adrienne, from YouthWorks! I want them to remember God’s presence in Puerto Rico.