Youth Mission to Puerto Rico

As the high school youth of First Presbyterian Church of Northville returned home from their 2017 Detroit Mission Trip, the fire was sweeping through their group, compelling them to ask their leadership, “Where will we go next year?” With so many needs in the world, the group began praying to see where God might be sending them next.

After what felt like an endless onslaught of hurricanes ravaged our southern states and Hurricane Maria tore through Puerto Rico, FPCN’s youth began asking their leaders if they could respond to the Island’s growing needs. “We knew it would be a challenge for us as a group and we would have to face many unknowns along the way, but we also felt a strong urge to answer the call,” says Grace, a junior at FPCN. “Last year we served locally, and we knew this year we wanted to reach out further,” added Valerie, a senior.

When the youth were asked the most powerful question of “Why Puerto Rico” their answers gave insight into their hearts. The replies came one after the other, almost as in a prayer for Puerto Rico. Responses included: "We want to help them rebuild their nation. Our group is unique, and the friendships we have here motivate me to go out into the world and do more to change it. We don’t want to just feel empathy or feel heart broken when we see Puerto Rico struggling to recover, we want to be a part of the efforts to restore their home and their peace.”

The group has been working tirelessly since December to raise their minimum cost of $25,000, which covers their building material, supplies, travel fees, and local hospitality. This year, their fundraising has been quite unique. As Grace said it is “all hands-on deck, we enjoy each other’s company, but we get a lot done while we do it.” Makayla, a sophomore this year, recalls their first door-to-door Can and Bottle Drive fundraiser, “At first we felt really concerned it wouldn’t work, we felt defeated. It was cold, early on a Saturday, and we just weren’t sure we’d get the support we hoped for. By the end of it we realized that if we put in the effort and have faith, God really does make all things possible. I truly leave every fundraiser feeling better than I did before I got there.” To date, they have raised 96% of their travel expenses, a goal that was previously just a dream that felt so unattainable. While they celebrate their success thus far, they continue to work diligently to raise both funds and awareness for their mission. “We are not raising money for a vacation, we are raising money for a cause and a mission,” says their youth director and mission coordinator Alyson Payran.

FPCN has partnered with Experience Mission and Hunger Corp to plan and implement their week of service in Puerto Rico. Both are experienced in the world of mission and work year-round to coordinate volunteers who are ready to be the hands and feet of change in the world.

The 2018 High School Mission team of FPCN has been inspired, humbled, and challenged by their family of faith as well as their community. Because of the unbelievable amount of support for their mission, for Puerto Rico, this group can now answer the call on their hearts. This is truly not just a mission trip, but a mission that everyone can get behind and be a part of it. Que vayamos con Dios.

Their next big event is coming up on April 21st where the youth will head door-to-door through our Northville community to collect returnable bottles and cans. To learn more about their upcoming events and keep track of their story, please visit: www.fpcnorthville.org/puerto-rico-mission-trip-2018.