When Ada first saw a Facebook post about The Gathering—a small English-speaking church in Puerto Rico—she hadn’t even moved yet. At the time, she was attending a large church in Jersey City and asking God for clarity about relocating. That night, during prayer service, she told her pastor, “I’m going to have a hard time—I don’t know how to hear the service in Spanish.” Her pastor replied, “You got it, Ada. You can do it.”
She began attending Spanish services to prepare herself. But deep inside, she still longed to worship in English. Then one evening, as if by divine appointment, the Facebook post about The Gathering popped up.
“To me,” Ada said, “it was like God was saying, ‘Listen, girl—you’re gonna move, right? I got you.’”
But once she arrived in Puerto Rico, the church vanished. She searched Facebook again and again. Nothing. “I know I didn’t dream it,” she said. “I even messaged the pastors before I moved, telling them I’d be there in a year. But it disappeared from my phone.”
One Sunday morning, Ada prayed in faith. “I know you know where the church is, God. I’m going to get ready and you’re going to take my car there.” And that’s exactly what happened. The moment she typed in “English service in Mayagüez” one more time—it appeared.
As she pulled into the parking lot, another woman named Zenaida arrived at the same time. Seeing Ada looking unsure, she walked up and asked, “Are you looking for the church?” Ada nodded. “This is it,” Zenaida smiled. “Welcome home.”
That moment marked the beginning of a new season of growth.
“I wasn’t raised with a relationship with God,” Ada reflected. “I was raised Catholic. I followed the customs, did my sacraments, went to church—but it was religion. Not relationship.”
Since coming to The Gathering, Ada has grown in her relationship with God, especially in reading and studying Scripture. “I did a lot of ministry work back in Jersey,” she shared, “but I wasn’t in the Word. Here, I’m really studying it—and that’s made all the difference.”
💃🏽 A Surrendered Joy
One of Ada’s biggest sacrifices was giving up her love of dancing—something she once did several times a week. “I always said, ‘No one will stop me from dancing,’” she laughed. But over time, God gently revealed that it had become an idol.
Every time she made plans to dance, something drastic stopped her—car problems, a fractured rib, even the heartbreaking loss of a loved one. Eventually, Ada sat down and wept. She realized that her joy in dancing had often taken the place of her joy in God. “He said, ‘I’m more important than dancing.’ And I surrendered.”
She still misses it—but not with the same ache. “It’s different now. It doesn’t have control of me.”
👣 Stepping into Purpose
Today, Ada helps with hospitality and events at The Gathering—but her heart is being stirred toward more.
“I really feel like I need to do something with women’s ministry,” she said. “But I keep telling myself, ‘I don’t know the Bible enough. I don’t have all the verses memorized.’” And yet, she knows God is calling her to help build something beautiful for the women in the church—something real and encouraging, and centered on sharing life together.
Ada believes women need space to feel seen, valued, and uplifted. “Sometimes it can’t just be about the Bible. Sometimes people need to be reminded they are loved and not alone—then their hearts open to the Word.”
🙏 A Mother’s Heart
As a caregiver for multiple elderly relatives and a prayer warrior for her adult children, Ada knows the weight of responsibility—but also the power of surrender.
Her favorite verses?
- “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)
- “For such a time as this.” (Esther 4:14)
These scriptures have carried her through caregiving, grief, doubt, and delay. She trusts that God’s timing is perfect—and that her prayers are not in vain.
“I always say: a mother’s prayer is powerful—especially on your knees.”
