I’ve been asked, what exactly do we do while we are in Haiti on a short term mission trip? What is our impact? What do we build? The short answer is that we build relationships. We love. We listen. We develop friendships and strengthen existing relationships. We break down stereotypes, and build up cultural awareness. Awareness that each precious face matters. Awareness that there is no “us” and “them”. We are all One Family in the eyes of God. We all are loved and we matter.
How do we love?
How do we serve?
We love by showing up. We love by listening to a child tell a story or sing a song. We love by having a dance party or simply give a hug. We love by having a water balloon fight or paint rocks together. We love by laughing with our friends under the mango tree. We serve by purchasing art in a market so a mother can feed her children that night. We serve by relaxing and soaking up the sun at the beach.
Wait?
What? Yes, we, as missionaries go to the beach. WHY? I thought we were here to serve? Yes, that’s how we serve. We support local tourism in Haiti by spending money at their resorts and restaurants. Haiti is breathtakingly beautiful.
{my view first thing in the morning – mountains and blue skies}
{a view of the beach and pool in the late afternoon}
I can’t even imagine what increased tourism would do to alleviate poverty in the next generation!
We have the honor to gift our beloved pastor and his wife a little respite from their days by taking them to the beach. We have the privilege to celebrate a few children who live at the home by having them join us at the beach. They all work hard in school and at home to earn a trip to those rocky, sandy shores of crystal clear water and warm breezes. Pastor has said their grades and behavior have improved with this incentive. They are motivated to excel in school which will only benefit their futures.
You see, we are pouring into the youth and encouraging them to have dreams for their lives that don’t include having to make the impossible choice to someday bring THEIR children to an orphanage. We are investing in our friends’ lives, one person at a time. We love by encouraging teenagers to dream big and finish school. We love by supporting the training programs that give the children an opportunity to learn a skill or a trade that will help support themselves and a family some day.
Building up and investing in people takes time. It takes relationship and sitting in some uncomfortable places for the long haul. It means challenging our way of thinking and humbling ourselves to listen and learn. It means taking a risk to open our hearts so wide that love pours out, but also knowing that it will, likely be broken for the brokenness we see.
We had the privilege to meet the founders of the oldest mission in Haiti. They have loved and worked in Haiti for over 70 years. I’m sure they have seen more than their fair share of heartache and brokenness. However, what did my dear friend and sister in Christ choose to talk about? She talked about the positives and encouraged us to keep loving well. She and her husband understand what the investment of time and love can lead to and how to not grow weary in the process. She said something so simple, yet so profound.
God can do so much through us if we just let Him and get out of our own way. Just get out of the way.
This dear one is strength – who radiates joy, clothed in humility, all wrapped in one of God’s precious vessels.
Meeting such inspiration, spurs us on to keep doing what we are doing. We get to know our brothers and sisters and call them friend. We break down barriers and create opportunities for others to follow in our footsteps to love their neighbor. We keep going back because our friends know they can count on us to do life with them.
Our short term mission trip can have a lasting, long term impact when we commit to a long term relationship with our friends and continue to love fearlessly. If you are interested in joining me on mission, please leave a comment and I would be happy to connect with you about joining us to help reduce child abandonment in Haiti.
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