Mission Focus | Puerto Rico
Missionaries | Johnathan & Yesenia Santiago
Puerto Rico is a mountainous island of colorful houses, sunny beaches, waterfalls, lush valleys, and structures right out of the pages of history. A commonwealth of the United States, Puerto Rico is a tropical destination for tourists and surfers.
Puerto Rico’s prime location in the Caribbean Sea is one of its advantages. But this advantage brings with it the risk of violent storms and other disasters.
In Puerto Rico, the need for relief services is daily and long term. “Our Send Relief daily focus is to meet needs and change lives,” said Jonathan Santiago, Puerto Rico’s Send Relief regional director. “We serve our community by identifying practical needs that we can meet in the areas of home reconstruction, meeting needs caused by poverty or crisis response [and] relief.” Send Relief is a ministry of the International Mission Board and North American Mission Board (NAMB).
In addition, missions teams provide much-needed workers and assistance. “We host dozens of mission teams every year,” said Jonathan, who has worked with Send Relief in Puerto Rico for three and a half years. “[Teams] assist with home repairs, prayerwalk, provide prepackaged meals, distribute backpacks, and assist local churches with community projects.”
5 Fun Facts about the Missionaries
Mr. Santiago’s parents loved Jesus and made sure he went to church and learned more about God, Jesus, and the Bible.
In 1996, Mr. Santiago was a summer missionary in Houston, Texas.
Mr. Santiago is grateful for the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering which helps him take care of his family and work as a missionary in Puerto Rico.
Mr. Santiago hosts several missions teams that travel to help families in Puerto Rico.
Mrs. Santiago was a counselor and mental health professional before dedicating her time to homeschool her daughters. She enjoys crafts and cooking.
Prayer Requests
Pray for people in Puerto Rico who need food and essentials to live.
Pray for local churches in Puerto Rico who help the people in their communities.
Pray that missionaries and staff are able to meet needs and tell the people about Jesus.
Pray for missions teams preparing to go to Puerto Rico to help the people.
Pray that people in Puerto Rico who need to know that Jesus loves them will listen and learn to love Jesus.