San Juan, PR – Mar. 8-14, 2026

Volunteers this week focused on one home. They came from Canada, Iowa and Pennsylvania. As is often the case, they began the week as strangers and ended the week as friends. Listening to them interact around the meal table in the evening, one would have thought no serious work could have been done during the day. They joked with each other and laughed often.

However, the workday was taken seriously. The week began with the demolition of a roof damaged by Hurricane Maria in 2017. The homeowner has been living in damp, moldy conditions since that time. MDS helped her recover hope by deliberately being the hands and feet of Jesus as they repaired and rebuilt her home.

Had it not been for an all-day rain on Wednesday, the roof would have been completed by the end of the workday on Friday. The crew leaders’ biggest problem was getting them to stop work in time to get back to camp for cleaning vehicles and the evening meal. Next week’s crew from Ontario, upstate New York and Pennsylvania will get to finish the job.

The Techos presentation this week was made by Lorna, the Development Officer for the organization. She noted the connections Techos has made with the community.  In the event of an emergency, Techos can supply water and solar electricity for charging cell phones.

Rex Graham returned to his home in Tucson on Saturday having served as project director for the past month. Duane Cookson (Big D or D) will assume that role until the project closes March 28. Ellsworth Jones (Ell) will be a crew leader until we close. We now have a D, L, and M as long term volunteers. (Duane PD, Ellsworth crew leader, Em cook)

-Don