The following is a journal entry from Sharon Spencer during our January 2015 Haiti Mission Trip. The Haitian Children’s Ministry will begin taking applications for our 2016 Haiti Mission Trips this week. Look for the applications forms to be available on this website soon!

Haiti Mission Trip Day 5 – Wednesday, January 28, 2015
It rained today. We went to Mama Denise’s and were there when the children came home from school. They were so happy to see us! I have made a wonderful bond with Kelly’s (our sponsor child) brother, Evens. Even though we don’t speak the same language, I feel loved by him and he feels loved by me. Love is a heart language, words are not necessary. He gives the best hugs!

We learned some of the stories that brought the children to Mama Denise. They are not simply kids whose parents died (although that is sad enough of its own). Some of them have heart wrenching stories of every kind of neglect, abuse and violation. Mama Denise’s heart is so big and her obedience to the Lord is awe-inspiring!

I don’t know how to go home, live the same life, changed by these children, these lives, these stories. Changed by their love and warm embraces.

I thank God for sustaining me through the heat, while playing ball, jumping rope, parachutes, coloring, Simon Says and dancing with babies in my arms. For relationships made, for each team member’s growth, I rejoice in His goodness and love. For feeling God every minute of every day here.

I am most thankful to my Almighty, Everlasting God for breaking my heart for what breaks His and to give me courage as I stepped out of my box and into a world so frail, with the most beautiful, delicate flowers. Help me Lord, to continue to help them grow, in Your name.

Raising money to go on the trip.  Getting time off from work.  Being away from my family.  Concern about out safety and health.  Doubts about going, why, will I be of any help?

These were just a few of the obstacles that would have prevented me from joining the Haiti mission trip in January 2015. Despite those obstacles, I went and learned so much from participating in this mission trip.

I learned how even a little, can mean so much to those orphans.  That God shines his light everywhere.  This poorest nation is filled with God’s love despite a lack of money, food, wealth, and material things. I also learned how much can be accomplished working together as a team and doing God’s work.

I’m not sure everyone would enjoy going to Haiti.  It is an eye opener.  I do think, from my personal perspective that everyone should go and see how everyone else lives.  To see the suffering, the hunger, the disease. And also to see that no matter how bad they have it, they still look to God, they praise him, they find inspiration.

It will open the eyes of your heart to see that it’s not all about how much money you have. It’s sharing God’s love with his people.

It was a tremendous experience that I will never forget and always think back on.  Each day brought a new challenge and finished with accomplishment.  I can still see the children’s smiling faces when we got there, and their heartfelt tears when we left. I feel blessed and honored to have went on the trip and been able to share it with such a tremendous group of Christians.  You look around every Sunday at church and you see faithful lovers of Christ, but you don’t see just how much they love, and how devoted they are, and just how good a people they are until you spend a week with them doing God’s work.