The malaria pills have been started. The donation suitcases have been packed. The bug lotion has been purchased. The passports are ready. The flights confirmed. The anticipation co-mingles with anxiety, topped off by a healthy dose of prayer.
In just 4 days, 17 of us will meet at the airport at 3:45 a.m. to head out to Port-au-Prince, Haiti for a 1-week Mission experience that will leave us changed.
Haiti is one of the most tragically beautiful places I’ve ever been. 
Amidst the chaos of the crowded, garbage filled streets will be smiling children hailing us with “Hey You!” as we drive by in our tap-tap each day. Amidst the sewage filled areas of their “neighborhoods” will be scores of folks gathered in circles to sing songs of praise to Jesus. Amidst the schedules we attempt to keep will be sweet interruptions, bringing wealthy white Americans to their knees in awe of a God who apparently speaks Creole as well as English. Amidst filthy, Haitian children, will be moments of transformation as clean water literally washes over them and we begin to recognize how our dirt might not be visible but it’s there nonetheless.
I can hardly wait to see what God has in store for this Team, this week. He never disappoints. He is always seeking new ways to teach us age-old lessons. And thankfully, the Haitian people always deliver.
If you want to be part of a Haiti Mission experience, there are several ways you can:
1. Follow our team blog HERE while we are gone. I promise you will enjoy the viewpoints as each team member contributes to tell our story and the impact Haiti is having on their life.
2. Support the ministry of Healing Haiti in whatever way you feel called via their donations page.
3. Partner with us in as we seek to make CHOSEN FIELD, a local neighborhood soccer field for kids to play on, a reality. During our first trip to Haiti in 2012 when our team had a change of plans, we began to play soccer in the street with the local boys and our then young teenage boys. A love affair began with those boys – who still wait each night to play soccer with willing teams, even 2 years later! And our American boys decided then and there to try and raise money to build them a real soccer field. And now thanks to their vision, you can HELP!
4. Travel to Haiti yourself! If you’re interested in a trip, check out the missions page, or the schedule for 2015.
5. PRAY for our TEAM. We covet your prayers as we travel and serve. Please pray for safety, protection from illness, open-hearts, willing bodies, peace, unity and the love of Christ to prevail in all we say and do.
Thank you for partnering with me as I embark on this journey!
Have you ever experienced a life-changing mission trip? Share your experience, or what you learned in the comments below.