Heart, Hands
Health, Hope
The Year: 2012
 
     Often, things happen for reasons that you are not aware of at the time. You meet someone, you turn left at the light instead of right, you decide to do something totally different than what you would normally do. And it happens. Something you did not expect and something which changes your life. And it changes it for the better, and forever.
 
     This is what happened for one team member. She had a friend who asked her to go to Haiti, to do Bible School with the kids, and to see what the world looks like from a different perspective. Now, was Haiti on her Bucket List? Nope. But she waited, and thought, and prayed, and could find no reason to not go, so she said yes. And that was the different path which would lead to the change.
 
     Sharon went to Haiti thinking it would be a good thing, and she says she figured it would be something she could look back on and say that she did it; kinda like a pat on the back. Little did she realize how God would move her to do more. 
 
     Arriving in Haiti was a definite eye-opener. On the following page, you can see photos and video from the trip. But this page is dedicated to the story of Haiti. A few years prior, Haiti had suffered a major earthquake, which had devastated the area. And the aftermath of the earthquake was still evident in the countryside and towns. Add to that, Hurricane Isaac had landed in late August 2012, which caused more destruction. Seeing the rubble, looking at the tarp-covered structures which formed houses, seeing the "tent cities" which were abundant, and smelling the stench which was evident made it for a definite departure from normal.
 
     Than there were the children. With their smiles, and laughter. Watching them play soccer in their bare feet and with using makeshift nets. Seeing their eyes shine when they saw the team arrive for Bible School. And knowing that you could not but help to smile, that their faces inspired you to let your love shine through to them. Having them walk around with our team as we were out and about, seeing them smile, and taking the hands of some team members as we were walking, how could you not love them.
 
     Than there was the day of the devotional walk. Walking around the town and talking to people, asking them their concerns, what they would like to have answered in prayers. And the comments were amazing! Enough money to feed my family, enough to enable my husband to be home more and gone less, a safe place for my family to live, a girl wanting her parents to get back together again, and the lady that wanted her parents healed. None wanted tons of money, fancy cars, or huge homes. Just enough to survive. Just to be happy. Just to be out of pain. Just to live. Who could want more than that?
 
     And than there was the little girl. One day at Bible School there was a little girl with a sore throat. Throat was red and swollen, and sore but able to drink with no problems, she would let us touch the outside of the throat without it being a problem. She had a history of problems with her tonsils, and had an empty bottle of antibiotics at home. The parents could go get more medicine, but didn't have the money. So our team gave them some money for antibiotics, as well as some Tylenol and Motrin for pain, with instructions how to give them. And they were feeling pretty good, having helped this family. But the next day, the girl was worse. Looking at her throat it made them wonder how she could still be breathing, her throat was so swollen. Touching the outside of the neck caused extreme pain. And swallowing was almost impossible. So to the doctor this team took her. And provided the necessary funds to treat her problem. And, it seems, she also had contracted Malaria. She was one very sick little girl.
 
     So what does this all mean? It means that, for Sharon, God showed her how she could make a difference. Why He never told her to not go on this trip.  And how He showed her the road He intended for her to follow. How the medical missions were to become a part of her life, and how others would join her on her path. And how, together, they would join for their quest of helping others have a better life, and in turn enrich our own lives as well.
 
     On the following pages you can see pictures of the first mission trip, as well as the first medical mission trip. But this trip will always be the one that touched her the most. The one that reaffirmed her faith, and opened her heart to what God has in store for her. And started her on the path of encouraging others to join her in this mission. You can't save everyone, but you can make a difference in a life. You can touch others and help them to see that they are loved. You can share your belief and faith in God with others who might not understand, might not believe. And above all, you Can make a difference.