Welcome to Rio Chiquito Mission Network and Rio Chiquito Baptist Church!
We are grateful for your interest in God’s work in this mission. Puerto Rico was devastated Sept. 20, 2017, by Hurricane Maria when the island sustained 10 hours of winds up to 150mph and the longest blackout in United States history. Then the Southern part of the Island was hit by a series of earthquakes in 2019 and 2020 with over 1,000 aftershocks. In 2022 Hurricane Fiona flooded the Island with 3 feet of rain. Many communities of Puerto Rico are still struggling today after all these disasters.
Teams continue to respond and serve the people all over the island as they have learned the scope of the destruction. Through God’s leading, many have been called to serve in the ongoing efforts of support to the people of Ponce, Puerto Rico. Our goal is to spread God’s love by providing desperately needed repairs to homes, leading vacation bible schools and sports camps for children and evangelism events.
We have put together an overview so that you may know what to expect, how to prepare and serve while you are there.
Being the Hands and Feet of Jesus in Puerto Rico Since 2017.
Know Before You Go
Travel
Seasonally, there are direct flights into San Juan but most flights are readily available and relatively short. Once in San Juan, travel to Ponce is in a car/van and is about an hour and half. The scenery is absolutely remarkable.
Housing
There are onsite, sleeping, bathing, cooking and worshipping amenities. You will be greeted and will serve alongside a dedicated and vibrant congregation, excited to have you for your stay. Rule of thumb is group size can include up to 10 men and 10 women based on the facility capacity.
Serving
Your team should have significant communication with RCMN to select appropriate projects for your group. We can provide tailored opportunities if you are bringing Families, Youth, or Adults. Previous teams have had pray events, constructed homes, replaced roofs, repaired foundations, sealed roofs, led VBS, cut trees, helped senior citizens with yard work, and much more.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I bring?
Beds and bedding are at the Church. You will need toiletries, work and down time clothes. Keep in mind this is a tropical climate. There are a number of tools at the Church but you can bring small hand tools that you prefer working with. It is wise to take safety equipment such as goggles and gloves and appropriate footwear.
Can our team explore the Island?
Of course! There are many restaurants where you can enjoy a night out with your teams and experience local fare. For teams wanting to take a local experience day, there are beaches, the local towns and other tourist opportunities. Some teams spend and day in San Juan on the way in or out of the country. Old San Juan is a historically significant part of the Puerto Rico experience and is close to the airport.
What does it cost?
We recommend each participant pay $25 each per day to RCMN to help pay for transportation and the facility at the Church. You can manage food cost amongst your group but $20 per day per person is a rule of thumb. It is vital that you consider a donation to pay for materials for your groups projects while you are there. These cost can be significant and should be discussed in detail with RCMN well in advance of your trip.
My team is interested in taking a "vision trip" to explore how to become involved. Is this possible?
Of course! Your church may choose to visit our Mission to see the work firsthand and begin to plan how your congregation may serve alongside other mission teams. This is a great opportunity to take the first steps toward ministering to the people of Puerto Rico. Please fill out our form below to inquire about a vision trip.
We are so grateful for your participation! It is our prayer that you come to this mission with a heart to serve and tell people about Jesus, using your work as a conduit for His work. Please be in prayer well in advance that the Holy Spirit will prepare hearts for your trip. Take time to get to know the people of the Church, surrounding community and in the homes where you will serve. We believe that God will use this time to accomplish His mission.
Work hard! The days are long, but the trips are short, so do all you can to help the people of Ponce improve their lives. We can tell you from much experience that it will be greatly appreciated. We will pray for you and your teams and will support you in any way that we can. We look forward to you becoming a part of this incredible mission in Jesus’ name!
In Christ,
Rio Chiquito Mission Network
Request More Information
