Elizabeth Wood went to Haiti hoping to make an impact, but she didn’t expect the powerful lesson she would learn from the very people she went to serve.

When you come home from a mission trip, you might get asked, “What did you do for the people? Did you feel like you made an impact? Did God speak to you?”

Honestly, during the trip I asked myself these questions every day, and I struggled to find the answers. I eventually reached out to my team members and leader about my concerns and they had encouraging responses, but in the end God gave the last word.

During the week long adventure I prayed and sought God’s face the best I could. But He seemed completely silent until the middle of the week, when we attended a church service.

There was no translator so I had no earthly idea what was being said, but let me tell you how amazing God is. It doesn’t matter if you don’t understand the language spoken and everything around you is completely foreign. God’s presence will comfort you, and you will recognize it, no matter where you are at, and who you are around.

During the praise and worship the locals were singing hymns in Creole, and since I lack in knowledge of worship songs and the ability to speak any other language, I began to sing the only one I really know. So there I am a 28-year-old woman singing, “Jesus Loves Me”.

It was such a sincere beautiful moment between me and God.

All other people, surroundings, thoughts, and concerns disappeared. There I was alone with God as he listened to me sing to Him like a child.

In that moment God told me loud and clear that He is the Father of nations.     

*photo by Tanja Schoedler

How easily I complain, gripe, moan, and become selfish. How easily I put God in a box without even really knowing it. When all the while God is working all over the world! He is feeding, providing, sheltering, nurturing, loving, strengthening, saving, and doing all things for those who love Him, while I complain that it’s too humid outside.

I went on a mission trip wanting to serve others. My purpose was to help the people of Haiti. Little did I know the people of Haiti helped me—and this was God’s purpose.

I don’t feel guilty for the blessings I have. I realize I took them for granted and became greedy. I also realize I was one of those that walked in the wilderness for 40 years.

I don’t look at the people of Haiti and feel sorry for them; I feel great compassion that overflows. I do however feel sorry for us in America, because we believe we can depend on ourselves, while Haitians live day to day relying on God for everything.            

It seemed like when asked about their prayer needs, 9 out of 10 people wanted to be closer to God. How many of us would have said that? They are living in rustic and sometimes difficult conditions, but all they want is more God.

I went to Haiti to serve, hoping to bless someone. But I’m leaving being greatly impacted—and that’s okay. I will live differently, because God has revealed Himself in a new way to me. I’ve been convicted of needing to live depending completely on God and not myself.

I want what the people of Haiti have: a burning desire for a closer walk with God, despite any discomfort and suffering life brings.

God has called me to the mission field, this is something I’ve known for a while. This desire has been on my heart for many years and God has confirmed it. I don’t know if I will ever do anything great, and I don’t know if I will ever win one person over to God, I’m not the smartest, I’m not a quick thinker, and I lack in knowledge. But every time I pray I remind God of my faults and how I am not worthy of Him, His response is sending me the Holy Spirit and the words, “I am so proud of you, my Beloved.”

And as the people of Haiti have shown me, God is completely, totally, everything I need.

Despite the devastating 2010 earthquake and the recent destruction caused by Hurricane Matthew, the people of Haiti have a joy and desire for God that cannot be quenched. Will you GO serve God in the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere?

CLICK HERE for adult trips to Haiti and HERE for youth group trips!