I joined a team and was able to visit the beautiful country Haiti for the very first time on a mission trip. There we spent 8 days serving the Haitian citizens. It was a very rewarding and fulfilling mission.
I had always wanted to do missions however, the opportunity never presented itself. Fast forward about two years ago, and almost giving up, I was presented with the opportunity. I immediately responded,“Yes!!!” After months of feeling very anxious about the trip, the team and I touched down in Port Au Prince, Haiti in December. From the moment I stepped off the plane, I had a great feeling about the mission and our purpose there.
Upon arriving to baggage claim…..I found out that my luggage was stuck in the U.S. However, I remained calm and proceeded about my way focusing on the purpose of me being there. There were a total of four days spent, without my belongings. I conceded and embraced the lesson from that situation.
One morning as I was out by the river doing my morning devotion, I asked God to show me a sign. The very next moment, I look over and a woman walked by with a shirt that read “everything will be okay”. I believe that was God reaffirming my purpose there and that was all the confirmation that I needed. Members of my team were gracious enough to share their items with me. Some days I had a change of clothes, other days I didn’t. Oddly enough, I didn’t mind. I continued on with my mission and days as normal. I actually enjoyed the simplicity of it all!
Our team traveled on paved and unpaved roads trying to get from point A to point B. Trips that would normally take two hours in the U.S., took over 5 hours in Haiti. Nevertheless, it was great to learn and experience it all. Bodies of water such as rivers, have a greater meaning to those in Haiti. Oftentimes, it is their primary source of water for the Haitians. Used to mainly bathe, cook, clean, and do laundry.
Seeing Haitian native be very content in their lives, truly touched me. I paid close attention to how they made do with the scarcity of resources that they had. They were very creative, in addition to, being very beautiful and kind people and could cook! They were very welcoming to us in every way. Many were very trusting, allowing total strangers to stay in their homes and eat at their dinner tables. Other times and in other places, we received stares as we walked through villages invading on their territory. Still, they embraced us and allowed us to learn and get a better sense of their way of living, all while we did our mission.
It’s only been a couple of weeks since my trip, but my life has FOREVER been changed. Every day I think about my experience on the trip as a perspective shift. I am now learning to enjoy the simple things in life and have a greater appreciation for the things that I have. And before I complain, I think about those who make do with the little that they have. I pray for the Haitian natives often. Believing that they will have better means and ways someday. Until then, I will continue to take advantage of opportunities to serve and help in any way that I can!
