The engines roared as we headed down the runway and I was thrust back in my seat as we lifted into the air.
There were several times while in Puerto Rico when I wondered if the airlines might shut down because of the Coronavirus, and I would be stuck on the island. I felt a huge sense of relief when the wheels of that Southwest flight lifted off the ground and I knew I was on my way home.
I was helping to lead a mission trip to Puerto Rico with 20 student athletes (6 from Xavier-photo of our 7 to the right.) The trip was a huge success, as many Puerto Rican student athletes were exposed to the truth of a new life in Jesus Christ. We saw some yield their lives to Him and get incorporated into the local AIA group on the campus. Our students were being challenged and growing in their faith. We as staff taught through the book of Ephesians. That was a great opportunity for me.
Roark, one of our student leaders told Mark yesterday how scared he felt as he approached the first student to build bridges to share about Jesus. Yet, the Lord rewarded his faith and enabled him over the course of the week to take his eyes off himself and his apparent inabilities and place them onto the Lord and His ability. All he needed to do was to make himself available, and Jesus showed up in big ways.
Xavier students witnessing the Puerto Rican athletes
