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This was the question Danette Segroves asked our mission team before we left. Without much thought I said, "to lend a hand."
In January 2010, a massive earthquake devastated Haiti’s Port-au-Prince area, leaving more than 230,000 people dead and more than a million homeless or living in tents. Even before the earthquake, the people of Haiti faced unrelenting poverty, hunger, violence and disease.
This is the Haiti we saw when we arrived. But at our worksite in the rural village of Thomas, we saw another side of Haiti. For seven days we lived and worked at the Methodist church and school in Thomas. Our team helped Haitian workers constructing a new building for the school. Ann Gregory led a Vacation Bible School. Amanda Webber set up a makeshift clinic, where she saw over 200 people and provided basic medications to people with almost no access to medical care.
But what I will remember most are the special moments. Of kids delightedly chasing soap bubbles. Of a frantic mother desperate to find help for her dying baby. Of Intan Parada winning the hearts of every child she met. Of learning that most of the children were undernourished and dehydrated. Of a little girl, in the 100-degree heat, offering me what may have been her only bag of water for the day. And on the first night, sharing devotions with our Haitian friends, as we quietly sang Amazing Grace under the stars, suddenly hearing a chorus of voices ring out in Creole, the words rising to the heavens.
Here were people with little, many in dire need. Yet they were teaching us lessons in resilience, generosity and faith. As a good friend told me, being in mission was showing us the world the way God sees the world. And that makes all the difference.
I began looking at stewardship as more than writing a check. Countries like Haiti desperately need our support, and we thank everyone who generously donated supplies for us to take. But I also believe we were called to Haiti to share in the lives of the people, to be in the midst of poverty and heartache. To become the eyes as well as the hands and feet of Christ. When you see what God sees in the world, stewardship becomes a place in the heart that takes us anywhere we may feel a call to help.
And, I believe we were called to Haiti to meet God – where God always is. With the poor, and the hungry, and the sick. In the shelters and food lines. On the streets with the homeless. In war zones and refugee camps and tent cities. And for a week this summer, I know I found God in Haiti. Not because we built or fixed or changed anything in a few short days. But through the changes at work in us. To see hope in the midst of suffering. To share our experiences when we returned. To encourage Mount Olivet members to commit to and support mission. And to never stop asking: ”How can I help the world become a better place?”
How weak my words now sound when I said I was going to Haiti to lend a hand. If anything, the hand lent was to me. Weird how that happens.
| Local Mission Opportunities Community Assistance A-SPAN Meals Toys for Tots GRACE Ministries |
Domestic Mission Opportunities Youth Mission Trips UMVIM Disaster Relief |
International Mission Opportunities Haiti Operation Christmas Child Stop Hunger Now Czech Republic English Camp |
Stop Hunger Now
We packaged 10,000 (yes, you read that correctly) meals in just under one hour for our Stop Hunger Now event. The Fellowship Hall was filled with adults, youth, and children all helping to Stop Hunger Now!
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