Haiti 2016-emotions

I have just returned from a week long mission trip to Cap-Haitian, Haiti. My emotions are high, I feel like I could just break down and cry. I missed my family and I am glad to be back home with them. But, on my drive to work today I wondered what my purpose for this day was. I go to my job and I sit and do my work. It isn't life altering work, just pushing paper.

Last week I was helping to fix a leaking roof on the Pastor's home so that other people could sleep in that room and serve our Lord in Haiti. Last week I saw the poorest people in the Western hemisphere go through their days with smiles on the faces because we were there working side by side with them to make repairs they don't have the means to do on their own. I am not always skilled at the jobs that need done but, I am able to hand tools & supplies where they are needed or learn how to do a new skill to help finish a job. I helped paint people's homes so that they feel a sense of pride in their tiny little homes. I was able to share a smile, a hug, hold a hand in solidarity with people who truly appreciate the work we were doing.

Now, I am back in the States with all my 1st world problems and it makes me sick. I would happily be right back there without hot water and intermittent electricity, no social media, no coffee shops on each corner, just as long as there are jobs to do to help others. People get after me for not helping more in the States. It is something you will never understand until you go to a 3rd world country. Even the poorest American has it better than these people.

I keep trying to put into words all that is weighing on my heart. To try and explain the inner turmoil I am experiencing. When I try to tell people the ideas I have they just sit quietly, probably thinking I am crazy for having these thoughts or they say negative things about why it just won't work. I don't understand why these things won't work. I am a person who would rather be doing than talking about doing. To make plans, set goals and get busy working on them. I am at a loss as where to start with this.

I believe God has called me to serve Him. Whether it is locally or abroad I feel Him pulling me to help others. Is what I am doing enough? I don't think so. I am going to start with prayer. I am going to search my heart and find out where God wants me to start. I just don't think one week a year is enough.

Thoughts from my Haiti Trip 2015 - Part 1

The photo below is of my work gloves after the week of work in Cap-Haitian, Haiti. The ladies painted the outside walls, windows and trim of the current living quarters while the men started constructing a new two story living quarters that would also house toilets and showers. It was a week of hard work, fellowship, meeting new people and serving my God who covers me with so many blessings.

I have so much that I want to share about this trip. I will try to keep on topic but I do tend to ramble. 

You can't imagine how poor these people are. Everything is a luxury to them. While we were painting we would find little things like razor blades, sewing needles, rubber gloves and even q-tips. These things were hidden in between blocks and cracks in the building. They hide them so no one else finds them and because they don't have more to replace them. Things we take for granted and throw away such as disposable paint trays or even paint rollers, they would take them out of the trash and clean them. They do not understand our wastefulness. I would see them look through the trash and shake their heads wondering why these crazy Americans are throwing so much away. We spilled some paint on the 2nd floor near the outdoor 'kitchens'. Some paint spilled on one of outdoor cooking grills. We were trying to clean up the floor as best we could and I looked over and two ladies were trying to clean the paint off of the grill...they were using a wrapper from some type of food item, something we would have thrown away. I gave her one of our paint rags and she looked so grateful. Later we saw that rag in her laundry basket! As silly as it sounds, it made me happy to see she would continue to use that...probably until it falls completely apart. 

One of the days must have been wash day! There was laundry hanging on anything that stood still. The most heart breaking was all the laundry laying on rusted sheet metal roofs. Not only did they have to wash by hand but then they didn't even have a line to dry them on. The same day was also bath day for many. I don't know this for a fact but I wondered if the same water was used for bath and washing clothes. I was painting on the 3rd floor and could see down behind one of the homes. There was an older man bathing outside. He was standing there in only his underwear which were much too large and very worn. I felt so bad that he had to be outside to bathe where all of the people in the upper levels of housing could see him. He wasn't the only one. I could see many people bathing outside. Luckily it is warm in Haiti and yes, it is good that they do have some water to wash. But, how would you like to bathe outside? I surely wouldn't want to.

Below are photos of people we encountered during our stay in Cap-Haitian. Some I met last year, some I just met this year. What a blessing to serve God by helping those who need it.  

Haiti Mission Trip 2015- Matthew 25:40

I leave for Haiti in 15 days. I feel so excited but also anxious!!! We will be working to build another facility for homeless women and children. Last year we built a 3rd floor on an existing facility. 

These are some photos from last years trip:

These kids!! They have nothing but look how happy they are!! 

Yes, that is me in the very back!

 That smile!

 Caleb...he stole my heart

They love to get photographed! 

Those eyes.

"The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'

Matthew 25:40

 Above is the quote I used when I returned from my first mission trip. It altered me, for the better. 

I think about how they live in 12x12 apartments and I have a 4000 sq ft home. I remember shoe-less feet and I have so many pair. The children had no toys but still they had smiles. We drove or walked in areas of Cap Haitian that were so poor. Trash in the streets, children playing in or near these piles. You see things in the news and read or hear about how bad things are around the world but until you see it for yourself you will never 'get it'. I thought I understood. But, when I saw it first hand it made me realize just how spoiled I am. 

This year I raised money to take flip flops with me to pass out. I saw many shoe-less feet and many shoes in extremely poor condition.  So, I am excited to be able to pass these shoes out to the people who need them.

God has called us to be his hands and feet. I believe I get to do just that by serving in Haiti.