Haiti Reflections

On my most recent mission trip to Haiti, our team jumped aboard the “tap tap” last Tuesday morning anticipating what God had in store for us to learn that day.  What was God going to teach us?  How were our hearts going to be opened?  How would we learn more about who God is through his own people?

 

That day we delivered water to a tent city where there is no clean drinking water or electricity, and there is sewage running through the streets.  Yet as we arrived in Cite Soleil the children mobbed us with large grins and joyful spirits.  Under the extreme poverty conditions the team was taken aback seeing the joy in their eyes, their large smiles and gigantic never-ending hugs.  Watching the line of water buckets continually growing, partnering with desperation, some team members witnessed excitement and gratefulness as the Haitians received their portion of clean water for their families. As we witnessed them walking with their water buckets to their homes and seeing the conditions, the reality of poverty and lack of comfort they have compared to what we have back in the states was striking and made us ask, “What is God trying to teach me?”  When God breaks our hearts for what breaks His, we can move into action.  Mark 12:31 reminds us, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.  There is no other commandment greater than these.”  We do not have to go to Haiti to serve others or to be moved into action.  We can love and serve our neighbors in our own community and backyard. 

 

You are invited to serve with our church family on faith in ACT!ON Day, Sunday, March 22 when we have the opportunity to put our faith into action! Perhaps you will bring a pet to visit residents at a care center, or help assemble Kids Kits for Camp Noah, a summer camp for children whose neighborhoods have experienced trauma. Maybe you will serve breakfast at a homeless shelter, or perhaps you will build shelves or organize supplies for ReBuilding Together.  Out of town that day?  Consider donating supplies for one of the assembly projects as your way of serving.

Let’s move into action together, and spread the good news of Jesus! Sign up here for faith in ACT!ON Day by Monday, March 16.  Please sign up for the potluck also.

Written by: Hannah Koehler