Oh, Ayiti Cherie! I had the amazing privilege of serving the people of Cap-Haitien along with 63 other students, alumni, and faculty from the University of Florida this past week.
We partnered with Projects for Haiti to create, expand and maintain relationships with the community, provide training in health and leadership development, host a VBS, and most of all, further God’s kingdom through sustainable development. My heart broke, got put back together again, and was filled with indescribable hope all in just six short days.
It’s been a challenge to wrap my head around all that I witnessed, and I don’t know how to communicate it effectively at this point. One thing I do know, though, is that Haiti changed me.
Here are six reasons why:
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I learned that Haitian people do not want or need our handouts.
Our team met and spoke with Haitian people throughout the entire trip. We had the opportunity to be immersed in a glimpse of their lives, and this gave me a whole lot of insight on what they don’t need from us.
Each morning, we met with a group of locals and discussed a range of topics such as community issues, faith, development, and their view on the ever-prevalent handout mentality held by so many NGOs and mission organizations.
These people are aware of what needs changing in their communities, and they are willing and able to work for that change. Why, then, do we so often see people coming to “save the day” with a food bank and some old t-shirts? What happens when they leave?
When asked about this topic, one man said “these handouts devalue us as humans.” Another said “to help a country, you must first love it.” Wow. How often do people really get to know and love the nation of Haiti before taking all their freebies to give away in the streets only to soon head home and forget about it? If people truly loved those they serve, they would know that this hurts more than it helps.
Photo by Ivens Applyrs
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Strength and courage found in God is more powerful than any unfortunate circumstance.
For our programming, we decided on a theme verse for the week. Joshua 1:9 says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
By the end of the week, I saw just how fitting this verse was. With so much reliance on God, they overcome their circumstances day in and day out. This was shown in their unity, joy, hope and willingness to take the necessary steps to see real change in their neighborhoods, schools and government. If one thing marks the Haitian people, it is their strength, not their poverty.
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I have no power to change this.
On my own, that is.
I definitely learned this the hard way as we pulled away from the airport to tour the city and I saw things I’d never seen before. I’d thought and prayed about the shock from what I would see, but there are some things you just can’t prepare for. Crumbling buildings, small hills of trash lining the side of the road, zero traffic patterns, livestock wandering around neighborhoods – you name it. I felt discouraged and helpless. Why was I here if there was no way I could alleviate this pain? I couldn’t even speak the language or relate to the culture, so what was I even doing there?
I see now that I was looking at things through blinded American eyes. I was focusing on me; what I can do, how I can fix, how I’m too weak to do anything. God reminded me that this isn’t about what I can do, but what he can do through me. I was humbled once again. As the days passed, I was in awe of the love our Father has for us. He is leading this nation and restoring it in doing so. I don’t know all that Haiti needs, I can’t change this on my own, but I’m so thankful that I got to witness our amazing God’s power through His people.
- Sharing my testimony brought me closer to God.
I had the opportunity to share a piece of who I was before and after I met Jesus with the youth of Haiti during our Cardboard Testimonies skit. Essentially, 24 participants from the P4H team held up a piece of cardboard, first showing a short phrase describing who they were before they came into relationship with Jesus, then turning it over to say how he changed them. I knew sharing even a two-sentence version of my story with other humans would bring me closer to them, but I didn’t expect this act to bring me closer to God himself.
I’ve shared my story many times, but I usually do it in an atmosphere of people who have been where I’ve been or at least understands what it feels like. I’ve always been shy to do this in a “church” setting for fear of judgement, but I knew deep inside that letting fear stop me would do nothing but take away from my chance to glorify God.
“I was a slave to drugs and alcohol.”
“He set me free.”
These words, handwritten in Creole on an old piece of cardboard, held more power than I ever imagined. They opened the door for me to truly walk through life a free woman. They took away the shame I didn’t even know I still had. They unified me with people who I felt blocked off from prior because we might not “relate.” They were a tool to affirm my identity in Christ and bring me closer to him, knowing that he is as loving, powerful, and faithful as he says he is.
But he said to me “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
- I experienced unity in the Gospel on a new level
Wow! That’s my word for this team of humble servants. I love the Projects for Haiti family. I absolutely love the way they serve the Lord, each other and the people of Haiti. I saw first-hand how witnessing the Gospel in action just brings people together. Before the trip, I wasn’t sure if I would fit in. Today, I talk of the group of 63 new family members I gained this past week. We served, loved, and shouted (heyyy #LeGliz) with 110% of what we had. Our collaboration in Kingdom Work served as a mighty testament on its own.
Like I mentioned previously, I felt helpless and useless because I didn’t speak the language or, on the surface, relate to the culture. Here I was, a random white chick coming to this foreign place without the tools to communicate with language. God amazed me with his ability to surpass these barriers with the Gospel. It didn’t matter that my Creole was broken. It didn’t matter that I looked different than the people I met. We are bonded by what Jesus did, not the abilities we have. I also gained a new family in the Haitian people – a family of seekers who thirst for the promises of their God. Nothing can separate that!
- America is overcome with spiritual poverty.
America has many riches, but it lacks much of what Haiti holds. Before you get offended and close the window, hear me out: Haiti may not have the most powerful army, monetary riches, or conveniences of America, but Haiti is not poor. People have the freedom to live in dependence on God without the distractions of chasing after the next dollar, social media, material items, whatever it may be. American society tells us we need success to be happy, but we so often miss the point.
We can’t take any of this with us when we die, so why are we living for it?
Imagine if our country put half as much energy into being unified, loving, and servant-minded as we put into inching toward the top of the ladder. The average American may have more money than the average Haitian, but believe me when I say the average American is more spiritually bankrupt. I’m hoping, dreaming, and pursuing a changed reality here one day – and I do believe that God will provide restoration for us just as he is for Haiti.
- God confirmed this call in my life.
Before heading to the airport to fly back to America, our team sat down for one final meeting. Priscilla, a Projects for Haiti co-founder, warned us that adjusting to life in America would be difficult. I didn’t understand at the time because we had only been in Haiti for six days, but now I see. It’s hard to live in a culture so saturated with things that try to separate us from God. It’s hard to see the unawareness left and right, especially in the realm of sustainable development. It’s hard to go back to my day job when all I want to do is serve God’s Kingdom with everything I have.
When it gets hard, I rejoice in the coming opportunities to serve. I get to do this all over the world for 11 months on the World Race! Wow, wow, wow! Thank God. I can’t wait to be back on the field. Although we are called to mission everywhere we go, I would be lying if I felt as though I’m called to further God’s kingdom in America alone. I can’t wait to see the Lord move beyond anything I could imagine in 11 countries. I am back to a place of awe that he would set me apart to do this work and I’m ever so thankful.
So, thank you Haiti, for changing me. I owe you more than I could ever give. I can’t wait to return one day to see where God takes you. Your people are strong, faith-filled, and capable. Your people are rising.
Photo by Ivens Applyrs
Thank you for taking time to learn more about what God has been doing in me and through me this Spring Break. I am so grateful for those who have partnered with me to make my next steps in serving God’s kingdom a reality. If you’d like to be a part of the World Race mission, please consider partnering with me financially by making a monthly or one-time donation. Your support goes so far beyond paying my way around the world. You are part of an effort to spread love, hope, and service to communities all over the world.
Click “Donate!” at the top right of this page to partner with me. Thank you and God bless!
