Last evening I drove through crappy traffic and for just about two and a half hours one way to meet the team I will be traveling with to Haiti. Remind you, I know no one aside from Marni.
It can be a bit out of anyone's comfort zone to go on any sort of a mission trip. I think it needs to be this way in order to be able to benefit from the experience. My initial thought for this post was to give a snyopsis of what my mission trip may be entailing, but then I thought, no. I want to fully be in the moment, I want to be able to have no real expectations and to just serve in the way I am intended to. We try to control so much of our lives yet forget it really isn't up to us. We are not the ones with the plans. We need to be at the helm to steer ourselves in the right direction, but have faith that we are being guided to be right where it is we need to be.
Last evening it was about packing for our trip. I don't mean packing like we would for vacation. Upon arriving at Carol's home, I see what looks to be a garage sale, yet know it is not. Tables set up and filled with so many donations of items that are needed. I really had never seen so many toothbrushes or little kids underwear in one place. These are all every day things that we think nothing of having in our house or being able to hop in our car and go down the road to purchase. As I walked up the driveway, this lady comes out and gave me a great big hug to welcome me to her home and for being part of the team. Yep, I know this is where I am to be.
So the names are being put with faces (I will need to be reminded again) and being able to know that I am with a great team is reassuring. Some of the people I'll be with have been to Haiti before, some are first timers like myself. What I can say is that we all just clicked. Everyone was willing to pitch in, help out and do what was needed at that time. Mission trips are not for everyone and I could tell that these are people who really wanted to be able to do this. These are the people I will lean on, these are the people I will serve with. I am excited to grow with them.
Now, I said it was a packing party. None of the items going in my personal suitcase to be checked were for me. I believe I have some of the bags with personal care items we will hand out in mine along with soccer balls for the kids. I sorted through children's fever reducer medicine, underwear, soap, washcloths, crayons, care packages and so much more. These items will be in our luggage. Yes, I will have a carry on and a back pack to put my clothing in, but this was a great visual of what is needed for Haiti and this trip isn't about me.
Don't get me wrong. I am on this trip for what could be deemed a selfish reason. I want to learn, I want to grow as a person. I want to know that I could help make a difference if even for a week. I want to see a people who have a true love of life and are ever so grateful for the simple things. I want that for my life. As I shared before, I honestly feel called to do this. I can no longer deny that there is a greater force pulling me towards doing things in life. I believe we were meant to do for others, that this world isn't just about ourselves. I do not know how I will react, I do not know each day what I'll be doing or feeling. I do not know what child may choose me to help comfort them. What I do know, is that the time is now for me to be doing this.
Once again, I will be asking for prayers and positive thoughts for this mission. I ask them for the people of Haiti, this team I am with and for my family. I know my heart will break at what I see, but I trust the mind and soul will be able to make that heart stronger and whole.
I get to spend a whole week with this team!
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