It’s the Unexpected

When you go to Haiti, or on any short term mission’s trip you expect to play with kids and help with a church; these are normal things to do.  While those things are great, what holds the larger long term impact are the things that go much deeper than a physical act.  Haiti has shown me that missions is not about what I can do, but rather it’s about what God is already doing, and what He is going to do.

During our team’s time in Haiti the church we worked with was coordinated by the Madame Pastor. Her husband works for long periods of time out of the country, so she does most of the work for the church.  The church also doubles as a school during the mornings, so our team had the opportunity to help out by telling stories and making crafts.  Also during the week we were able to attend and speak at two church services. The first service was for the women of the church.  We had a few of our team members share their testimony, a message, and then we worshiped together.  We were able to sing “I love you Lord,” which they sang in creole and we sang in English.  The harmony of two languages worshiping is one of the most beautiful sounds. The second service was for the youth.  During this service the team preformed the Everything Skit, and we had people speak about patience, perseverance, and prayer.  All of these interactions where we were able to serve with the church were special. 

We were able to grow as a team and able to learn what it is like to serve even when our bodies are telling us not to.  These were our “expected” experiences.   They were great, and I’m so thankful for them. God was working during these times. Yet, the Lord was doing so much more than just what was easily seen on the exterior. It is important that we realized that there was more going on than just what we were doing, because in reality the trip was not about us.  One of the most impactful things our team was able to see was the way Madame Pastor lived her life.  She is currently raising two children by herself, running a school,
taking care of a church, and on top of that still dealing with the struggles of everyday life in Haiti.  She had many excuses to appear tired, or run down, but she did not give herself away to that.  She showed us a beautiful picture of hospitality.  She valued us, and worked alongside of us.  She sang, danced (she
does a great Haitian version of the hokey pokey!), and encouraged us through prayer.   She was able to bring us and her church family together to display what the church really looks like–one that is not bound by language, but instead is rooted in Christ. 

We came to serve but were often the one’s being served.  Every day we were able to witness how she loves the church well.  When we asked her how to pray for her she never responded with prayers that were about herself; they were Christ centered. They always reflected what she desired for her church, children, and community. Her enduring spirit brought life into her community, but it also brought life into us as a team.  She was a testimony.

Being home we are asked to share our stories of what we did, or how we helped, but that is not the story to tell.  The story I pray our team is able to share is one about what it looks like to pursue the character of Christ even in the midst of struggles, even in the midst of Haiti.  God is working in Haiti and
what an amazing gift it is that He allows us to be a part of it.