Every trip to Haiti is different. Places visited, team members, situations encountered, the purpose for going. Yet one thing remains the same – God. This was my second trip to Haiti, a place that feels very much like home to me. So much about this trip was quite different from my first - except God! God was all over this trip, in every little detail.
Our truck broke down. Even thought we all ate the same food, two of the team developed very mild tummy troubles. Wondering why she felt led to bring a particular medication, Lee, our medical person went ahead and brought it. Thinking he might need clean clothes for a dirty day ahead, one guy packed extra clothing. I had to buy some hardware for the house, yet I found myself purchasing 2 Sharpie markers. Huh? God in the details….
Our first truck, the one that broke down, was large enough to accommodate the entire 15 member team and all of our supplies needed for the day’s work. The day the truck broke down and we realized we had to find other transportation, 2 team members stayed behind due to mild illness. The replacement truck could only accommodate 13 people + supplies, not all 15 of us. Coincidence or God in the details?
We visited a hospital and dropped off some donated supplies and medicines. Shortly after that, Lee ran into a doctor who specializes in Urology, the same field in which she works. They talked shop, the doctor mentioned a troubling case. “If only I had “X” medication….” Lee perked up. “I brought that with me!” Coincidence or God in the details?
If you think you might need it during the day, pack it. Don’t question it. He thought he might, so one guy packed extra clothing. Later on out in the back country, a situation came up with a Haitian who was in dire need of extra clothing. Guess which team member had that exact piece of clothing to give?! Coincidence or God in the details?
David went to Haiti before our team left the States. He emailed me a list of various hardware items needed for the house. “Go buy it.” I did. But as I walked the hardware aisle in Walmart, I felt this strong urge to go buy Sharpie markers. Ok, that is definitely not hardware, but ok, I’ll go with it… Shortly after arriving at the house, Lee had to break medicines down into smaller packets for distribution. She needed something with which to write on plastic baggies. She asked, “Does anybody have….?” “…a Sharpie marker???” I replied. Coincidence or God in the details?
And these are just some of the God stories that happened during our trip. I could go on about the well-furnished house we stayed in, the food we ate, friendships made and renewed, amazingly inspiring worship services we attended, the love the Haitians showed us, the peace and security that surrounded us as we traveled and worked, and especially about the bonding amongst the team.
Sometimes you just have to go on a mission trip to experience all of God’s incredible provision and protection for yourself. Others can tell you about it, but until you experience it for yourself, firsthand, you won’t understand. When God calls you to go, He will equip you for the journey and watch over you in ways you’d never dream. God is real! And He’s never been more real to me than when I’ve followed Him to Haiti.
Love God|Go love people
