Ever since I read the books Angel of Hope & Angel of Mercy by Lurlene McDaniel I have wanted to go on a mission trip to another country. [[In the book a girl my age goes with a Mercy Ship to Africa and then in the second book her sister goes]] Well, next July there is going to be a mission trip to Haiti.
I want to go really bad, its going to be a great opportunity. I know that it will be a long trip and once I get there I'll be working, but its all for a great cause.
Something that Chad said tonight really inspired me. He was showing us pictures from when he and Ryan went, and was talking about the children there that were going to school, and he said that they were the generation that would change that country.
I want to be a part of that change. I want to help. Really help. More than just donating money to a local charity or working for the Empty Stocking Fund.
Seeing the pictures that Chad and Ryan had tonight really moved me in away that not many things have before. As they were talking about it, I began to remember the feelings I got when I first read those books by Lurlene McDaniel. I feeling of hope, and purpose, the feeling that I was important, and I could make a difference.
The main thing, I think I am most excited and sort of worried about is getting to work with the children of Haiti. I am excited because I love children, and I would really like to help them out and impact their lives, but I am worried that I'll get too attached and break down.
But I think I can handle it.
When we go we are going to be working on repairing an orphanage, and helping to build new buildings to house families, as well as they talked about doing a Vacation Bible School type thing for the kids. Thats what I am most excited about.
I think this is going to be a great experience for me, and the other kids going. Because its going to really change our outlook on life, because right now as a teenager sometimes that I think my life sucks and I have it so hard, but then there are these kids in Haiti that are years younger than me who would do anything to have the life I do, a family, a house, food everyday. It really makes me think.
I am also scared of the fact that I have never even been camping before, and I'm going to be pretty close to roughing it, I mean we're not staying in the villages, were staying at the missions place, but Ryan was talking about having to shower in cold water, there being bugs and rats and lizards in the buildings, and these people live everyday like this and in even worse conditions.
I think if a kid can do it all of their life, I can do it for ten to twelve days.
We're going to learn the language, so that we can communicate better, I believe it is called Creole? Correct me someone if I am wrong, but I think thats what it is. We're also going to learn how to spread the gospel to them, and about their culture.
Us girls aren't allowed to wear pants. We have to wear skirts or dresses the entire time we're there, because in their culture it is frowned upon, we are also not allowed to wear jewelry and that sort as it might entice someone to try and rob us.
Its going to be at least ninety degrees when we're there so I think maybe wearing a skirt will be a good thing, it'll take some getting used to for me, as I don't wear them that often.
But I think its awesome I have the opportunity to be able to be a part of this, and I will update on my progress in getting ready for this trip, what I've learned about Haiti and more of my feelings on it.
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That sounds amazing! I'm going to be going to Cambodia for a couple weeks this summer to volunteer with kids there.
My only concern is that you're going on a mission trip. Is the focus of your trip helping children (without religion) or is it to tell them about your religion? Please remember that those kids are probably going to be vulnerable and trusting, and that you could easily frighten them (if you tell them something like, "If you don't believe in Jesus, you go to hell" or even talk about hell at all...) or make them upset (if they feel you are going against THEIR religion and beliefs). I would strongly, strongly advise not talking to the kids about religion at ALL, unless you feel there's a case where it would really help a child... i.e., if a child feels alone and scared and can't be reassured that you/someone else will be nearby and that he's safe... you could tell him a sweet story about how Jesus looks after all the children in the world and loves them - that's safe enough, as long as you don't get into stuff like, "You have to believe in Jesus" or "My religion is better than yours" or "Jesus's father, God, sent Jesus down to earth even though he knew Jesus would be crucified and have nails hammered into his hands."
Anyway, good luck! It sounds wonderful!
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Please see my recent blog post, "Genocide and Student Activism": http://www.progressiveu.org/041447-genocide-and-student-activism
We're going to help the kids and spread the gospel.
But we go to a very liberal church, and everyone going has to take classes on how to and how to to present it to the people of Haiti.
We want to respect them and their culture as much as possible.