Before she left for her short term missions trip to Haiti, Ashley LaBella heard a lot about what she would experience. But what she found was a land completely different from she expected.
We hear about the devastation and desperation in Haiti. We know the immense need for love and God’s presence, and of course food, water, and homes. We see pictures and stories on the news. We build up our own expectations on what it might be like there, but let me tell you; once you are truly there – nothing is at all like your predictions.
There is so much more than the mind can attempt to wrap itself around.
People at home will tell you about the heat, how unbearable it is and how crazy you are for going. They’ll tell you of all the risks in going; namely health dangers and the unknown.
They’ll try and frighten you out of going, believing that they know what it’s like there.
They don’t.
No one tells you about the amount of love that is present in Haiti. With so many hugs, cheek kisses, and hand holding that it is contagious. They don’t tell you about the incredibly prevalent sense of passion in every heart you meet. A passion for others. A passion for giving. A passion for God.
No one tells you that it will change your perspective of this world forever.
I have found that in Haiti, families do not have the common distractions that America does. Because of this, the things that truly matter in life; such as expressing love, giving to others, living every day for God… these things are focused on with such a higher power. Such a power that you will find yourself broken down in tears for a reason you cannot fully comprehend.
This is how it should be always.
Sure, it’s hot in Haiti. Very Hot. You have to take bucket showers, eat food you aren’t accustomed to, and the hills you trek up daily will have you going home with some scrapes and bruises. These may be some harsh realities, but when you are there, immersed totally and completely with the beautiful people of the country, all of these complaints will be meaningless in comparison to what the Lord will bless you with during your time.
I strongly believe that the experiences in life that we cannot quite put words to are the ones that God Himself has personally blessed us with.
This is Haiti.
In every belly laugh, in every poor attempt at Haitian Creole, in every desperate prayer, God was there.
There was so much of Him present with us that words cannot and will not ever be able to justify my team’s experience.
Do you feel called to serve God in the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere? Click here to find out more about adult missions trips and here for student missions trips to Haiti.
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