It’s taken me awhile to begin to compose my thoughts. I have had up and down emotions before and during the mission trip, and my readjustment to “normal” living and lifestyle in America has introduced even more up and down feelings.
Preparing for the trip was an incredibly spiritual experience. The outpouring of love and support from family and friends was overwhelming! Their generosity was beyond anything we could have imagined. God worked through them to make our trip possible. I was drawn closer to the Lord than I have ever been. I learned to trust Him in every aspect of my life. I finally comprehend His awesome love and power, and that He has me in his Hands. I surrendered myself to Him in areas of my life where I had been trying to keep control. I don’t find myself worrying or letting Satan put doubts in my path; I know God has a great plan for me.
I was disappointed that our departure to Haiti was delayed three days due to the hurricane threat, but God turned that disappointment into joy, as we were given the opportunity to serve a wonderful Haitian congregation building a new beginning in Fort Lauderdale. When Mark asked the pastor there what needed to be done, he told Mark that they really needed flooring tile laid, and grouting completed. God had put Don and I on the mission team at that moment to do just that! I love seeing how God works and how His plan unfolds!
Words can never express the conditions in Haiti and the emotions I felt for the beautiful people on the island. Amidst all the poverty, tragedy, loss of life and basic living conditions, they still respond to a smile and greeting. The children, pastors, translators, and those working with us and on our behalf to provide accommodations and meals, were full of joy in the Lord! I wonder how I would react to such devastation. Would I find joy in the pain and suffering?
The short time we had together with the children and leaders at the orphanage allowed for the beginning of relationships. I look forward to returning to continue serving the Lord for them. They have touched my heart, and I am blessed. I WANT to see them again—I can’t WAIT to see them again.
I was somewhat prepared for coping with the modest living conditions and meals, but nothing could have prepared me for the wave of emotions and the spiritual experiences that came with living out this ministry. It has forever changed me. I had gone to help these people, and in the process God worked deeper in my heart. He filled me with deep love, compassion and caring—feelings that I didn’t possess in much abundance before the trip.
Yet another blessing from the mission is the deep relationships that were developed within our team. Sharing ten days of mission together and drawing so close to each other has also forever changed me. As we were departing Haiti (with mixed feelings of having accomplished so much, yet feeling that we had only touched the tip of the iceberg), I found myself pulled back into our busy, fast-paced life. I became annoyed with other passengers pushing past us in the crowded line, and my previous feelings of irritation toward people I didn’t know. I made split-second decisions about these people as rude and uncaring. It was pointed out to me by a team member that I didn’t “know their story.” I pondered on that for the remainder of the trip home—15 hours provided the opportunity to do that! I searched my heart and prayed for guidance and compassion. My team mate was right—I didn’t know their story.
That “exercise” in developing my character and growing my relationship with Christ has been life-changing for me. Everyone has a story. I realize now that I must consider their story and how it affects the way they are living their lives. God has taught me not to judge and assume other people’s motives because of the way I react. I find myself wanting to consider everyone’s story so that I can respond not with a judgmental heart but with a compassionate and caring heart.
The people of Haiti need help. It is not coming from their government. At a time when they have been reduced to eking out a living one day at a time, they have hope and still find joy. I have been blessed to be a small part of that hope and promise for improving their lives. My prayer is that God will continue to use me to serve Him wherever He leads me. I thank Him for changing me and growing me.
Candy Miller
When I accepted the calling to go on the Haiti mission trip over a year ago, I believed it was for a medical mission trip. I learned that God wanted to use other gifts and talents of mine. This was going to stretch me. I have to admit I became a little concerned about going when I heard about the cholera outbreak, (Ok, the medical side of my brain took over). There is so much in our earthly world that causes fear which can weaken our faith, but when if I placed my faith in God I had no longer had any fear.
During our trip we all said several times that no words would be able to completely describe the country of Haiti. I was encouraged by so many people while in Haiti, the many that we came into contact with. They had faith in God, and they did not question or blame God. They are proud people. Everywhere I looked I saw God at work, whether it was the scriptures on the tap-tap, or at the church service we attended in Vallue. These people are happy with what they have. When we went to the orphanage on the 1st day of our arrival, we were greeted with a song, joy, laughter and a true happiness. I question why we have so much in the United States and yet we are not always happy. I believe that my heart at this time was truly broken.
Our Group that God placed together on this trip quickly became family to me, as I think of all that we shared I am moved to tears. We worked together to accomplish a plan that God had long before we considered this mission. I believe that we inspired each other to grow and be stretched in reverence for life and in appreciation of the people we met as well as all that was around us.
This last summer I started my year of missions, before this I believe that I was focused on my own world but not the world around me. I end this note with a challenge to all. We the church should all become missionaries it does not have to be in a far away country like Haiti, but we can start with the community that we live in. As Don said several times we are the hands and feet of God.
May these notes from the Haiti team inspire and challenge all to let God’s light shine, knowing that He is the light of the world.
Thanks for everyone’s prayers while we were on this mission.
Your sister in Christ,
Darla
