As a student finishes testifying, all I can remember is the Haitian pastor frantically pulling my mentor aside. Moments later, my mentor is at the front of the church apologizing that we had to leave immediately. As we rush out of the single roomed half tarped Hatian church, the girls pile into the back of the closed bed truck as the guys pile into the back of the tap tap, an open bed pickup used as a taxi.

Evidently, there had been gun shots and a potential riot was breaking out. After the show the Hatians put on during the last election, the last thing we wanted to be was Americans in the middle of an angry and desperate Haitian mob.

Scripture such as Isaiah 54:17 promise safety, but I believe obedience to God’s leading is an important aspect to God’s protection. There are a lot of uncertainties when traveling to foreign countries, and even the simplest things in the United States such as safety can be taken for granted, and it’s that much more important to be sensitive to God’s leading when traveling abroad.

Other things easily taken for granted in this country consist of what we view as basic life necessities, yet in countries such as Haiti, they don’t necessarily have that luxury. I’m talking about things such as clean water, clothing, shelter, or even a warm shower.

The poorest people in the United States could be considered rich in Hatian standards. Even the homeless in the United States are well off, seeing as they have access to clean water, food, clothing, and housing from the many shelters and missions scattered across our country, not to mention programs that will help provide them with jobs.

The poor in Haiti struggle just to have the clothing to wear and the food to eat, as they make do in their one room hut or tent they live in. Many of them would love to work, but don’t even have the option of ever having a real job, due to the lack of availability mixed with their lack of even the most basic education.

It was a real blessing to be able to make a positive impact on these people’s lives, people who could probably never offer me anything, yet God was able to use me and those with me as a channel of His love and compassion for the Haitian people.

Whether it was providing rice and beans to local families or providing much needed clothing, it was a very meaningful trip. One Haitian said that our
presence not only brought joy and happiness to the orphanage, but to the whole village of Fond Doux where the orphanage was located. This village does not receive a lot of outside help, seeing as most Haitian customs officials haven’t even heard of it.

Only God knows what would have happened if we had stayed during that service. Thankfully He got us back to the orphanage safely with no complications. We returned to that church a few days later to finish what God started. It was one of the most powerful services we had during the trip.

After the seemingly longest two weeks of my life being spent in Haiti, I find myself back in the United States. Having been back a comparable amount of time, the last two weeks has definitely been easier and gives me a whole new appreciation of what God has blessed this country with. I want to thank you for your prayers during the trip; it definitely helped make it a success.