Everyone and everything has their own story. Moments of collaboration can make or break how “big” or “small” our worlds can be. We can choose what we want to listen and learn from-who and what we grow from.
After an early morning ferry ride, we made it to the small island of Vieques, located east of Puerto Rico. Upon meeting our guide, Mark, I think everyone could instantly feel his welcoming presence and friendly energy, despite adjusting to the fast/tightly packed-paced schedule. As we rode through Vieques on a little yellow school bus, it reminded me of how far we all have come from our elementary school bus days. We are always learning. Imagine how much more exciting would learning new things be if we always explored new ideas with the bright eyes and open minds of a child who just stepped off the yellow bus for their very first day of school.
Our first stop was at the magnificent Ceiba tree. Mark told us about how the branches of the Ceiba tree are shaped by how the wind blows. I am constantly in awe of how God is always in charge of our lives, and how our growth is shaped by Him. As we learned about the mangroves and all the efforts Mark, Hatuey, and so many others at the Vieques Conservation Trust make in the restoration process, it is hard not to think about the months of collaboration needed. Even though hurricanes made the mangrove restoration process have to start from square one, it was very inspiring to hear how passionate the workers at the mangrove nursery are in creating a better future for the environment, and Vieques.
Hearing passionate stories about how people like Mark and Hatuey have dedicated their lives to educating and restoring the mangroves and protecting the bioluminescent bay, really stuck with me. As we are college students we are only at the “start” of our journey. Imagine how much we can do for our communities if we listen, learn, and are inspired by those around us who encourage growth towards a brighter future. Sometimes we think setbacks are the end of a journey. Just like the mangroves, sometimes we just need to find the right communities and people who can help you back to growing through what you’ve gone through. Sometimes a setback is a setup for something greater!
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