Saturday was one of the first real days off that we have gotten in the 6 weeks that we have been here. It was supposed to be a relaxing day of rest and rejuvenation and a day to not think about work. It definitely started off that way!
To begin we went to a WONDERFUL beach and had a blast swimming and playing in the waves and talking and sun bathing. It was just the best morning ever. There weren't a lot of people at the beach, which was nice because it was a Saturday.
Then, we couldn't decide what to do so we went to some caves that are here in Arecibo! We parked in the back of the parking lot because it was pretty full (bad idea), then headed back to the cave. It wasn't anything super deep or anything like that but it has the most hieroglyphics in any cave in... Puerto Rico... maybe just the area. So there are a bunch of carved hieroglyphics and they all looked like aliens! It was crazy. One was a baby in a bassinet but the other ones looked like aliens.
There is a place to get on top of the cave and look out at the ocean and it was BEAUTIFUL! Oh my goodness what a view! I loved it. There was a place to jump in the water and swim a bit too... we indulged and did that as well. :)
When we got done in the cave and swimming we went out to our van and realized that we were missing a window... and a purse, wallet, and backpack. There was glass everywhere. Someone broke our window and stole one of our community friends' purse and also my wallet and back pack. Really lame. My backpack had my license and credit cards and some cash and my passport too. Now I have to start the long process of getting all of that taken care of. Cards are cancelled but I have to wait until Tuesday to do anything with my license and I can hopefully talk to someone about my passport tomorrow. We shall see.
I was doing my best to try and look at the bright side of things, like the fact that I hadn't brought my computer or my camera. But it was difficult. I know that they are just things but a lot of what was taken had a lot of sentimental value for me. Specifically, there was a rock that I found once, while having a bad day, and it was shaped like a cross. I take/took that rock with me everywhere and it was in my backpack. I'm really sad that I don't have it anymore because it was a sort of good luck charm (even though I don't really believe in luck, haha). But then they also got my iPod. I think that was the most frustrating part. I had a really good Spanish/English dictionary (that I use all the time) on there and a list of names and descriptions for people at our ministry sites and Spanish words to remember and a bunch of little things that I had written... oh well.
Our theme for the summer is "Be Different" and Wednesday's theme is "React Different." I have been trying my best to react different and not be upset, especially because we had another theft incident at one of our evening activities this passed week where there was another an broken into and a girl's camera was stolen and she reacted wonderfully. So I feel like I have some big shoes to fill! I did get to take an impromptu road trip to San Juan with my Site Director and we had a pretty good time lol. So yes, I also learned to always put my belongings in the trunk while I am somewhere. Even if they are under a seat, people will be able to see them.
scott, when i worked for yw, someone stole my bible. which shouldn't be a big deal, but it was the bible i had with me on outtatown and was shoved full of notes and leaves and other sentimental things in it, as well as had so many highlighted scriptures that i referenced often. i felt like i had to start over. i also still miss some of the things placed in between the pages... :( so i know how you feel about your rock and other sentimental things. i try to focus on the fact that if someone stole it, they really needed it and i hope the highlighted passages mean something to them. maybe your cross rock will impact the person who took your stuff.
ReplyDeletei hope you got everything straightened out. keep letting God use you!