In the June of 2014, I had the opportunity to travel to Neply, Haiti with my local youth group to work with the organization My LIFE Speaks. I find myself remembering this trip almost daily and it's not because it was the first time I had ever traveled internationally or because I had the chance to work with the same organization Tim Tebow threw his special needs prom with. I remember this trip because it truly changed my heart.
1. Traveling To Haiti Gave Me More Compassion For Others.
Before we even went on this trip I considered myself a pretty compassionate person. I loved easily and forgave others quickly and justly, however, I learned that there was so much more to compassion than just that. I learned that being compassionate meant giving up pieces of myself in order to love on those around me. I left pieces of myself in the village of Neply where I was able to love on every single person in that village whether I spoke Creole or not. Just giving a smile and simple greeting or a wave was showing some kids and adults in that village more love than they had ever experienced before.
2. I Developed A Love For Special Needs Children.
We don't realize how lucky we are to live in a country where our special needs children have people advocating for them and wanting to welcome them into homes. In Haiti, kids with special needs are often left on their doorsteps to die or are taken to the Voodoo temple to be used as an offering because they come from "black magic". Seeing how My LIFE Speaks takes these children into their orphanage and puts them with loving families and provides them with a quality education truly warmed my heart. Frantzky (pictured below), one of the sweet children with Cerebral Palsy, will always hold a special place in my heart, because he truly showed me what it was like to be joyous in every situation. He didn't really understand everything that was going on or that he was different from the other boys but he always had the biggest smile on his face and was more than willing to cuddle with anyone that needed a hug.
3. I Developed A Heart For Restivikes.
"Restivikes" is the Creole word for children who are essentially slaves. In Haiti, children whose families can't afford to take care of them will often sell them into slavery with other families in hopes that they will be given a better chance at life. However, most of these children start working as early as three or four and at a certain age will be abandoned on the street because they will have to be compensated for their labor and the families don't want to do that. This broke my heart, because I was given the chance to build relationships with these kids during My LIFE Speak's program Redemption 72:14. The name comes from the passage Psalms 72:14 which says, "He will rescue them from oppression and violence, for precious is their blood in His sight." (NIV). This program centers on providing the local youth of the village with tutoring opportunities during the school year and the during the summer a meal, devotional, and the opportunity to get to know other youth in the village in order to build relationships with one another.
4. Haiti Taught Me To Be Thankful For What I Had.
Standing in the middle of a one-room school that housed the 5th and 6th grade classes in weather that felt like 118 degree in the middle of the afternoon, I realized just how truly blessed I am. Here I stood questioning why I complained about having to go to my high school everyday, when I went to the richest high school in the county? Why was I complaining when I had clothes, shoes, food, and a real roof over my head? It was there that I decided to change my attitude about everything and everyone around me.
I could continue on forever about how this trip has completely changed my life, however I feel that it can be summed up into one sentence. I went to Haiti thinking that I could change the country, but in the end Haiti changed me.
Mwen Renmen Ayiti. You will always be in my heart.
If you are interested in a trip with My LIFE Speaks or would just like to check out what they're about, please visit mylifespeaks.com or email darlene@mylifespeaks.com.
All Photos Taken By Reverend Steve Vaughan.
