10 Things I Learned from My Missions’ Trip to Haiti

Warning – I might write some hard-to-read stuff concerning conditions in Haiti, but I felt that it was necessary to share so that others may be inspired to make a change in the world.

I can’t believe it’s been an entire month since my missions’ trip to Haiti!  I miss the people there greatly, as well as my fellow missionaries 🙁  I learned and gained so much while visiting Haiti that I’m not sure I could ever put it into words, but I’m going to try.  Writing down my experiences while my memories are fresh gives me a better chance of capturing what I saw and felt on that trip.

So, if you’re wondering what exactly you will learn if you go on a missions’ trip, here you go!  10 things I learned while I was in Haiti:

 

1 – The Juice in Haiti is SO Much Better than in the USA

While in Haiti, we were always served the most delicious juice!  Nice and fresh 🙂  When I came back to America, I took one sip from an orange juice dispenser in my hotel and realized I ruined my taste for certain juices in the USA 😉 Whoops!

2 – We Waste a Lot of Food

Seriously.  So much food!  I had a friend who grew up as a missionary in Thailand, and she would be offended whenever we threw away food.  Logically, I agreed with her, but emotionally, I didn’t care.  Now that I’ve seen and met people and children who don’t have enough food, I finally get it.  There were children where you could see their collar bones sticking out because they didn’t have enough to eat.  They only got a small breakfast and one dinner and that was it.  I now know that it’s important to take only what you will eat, and stop eating when you’re sustained.

3 – We Take So Much for Granted

The orphans we had the pleasure of meeting and hanging out with had nothing and no one, yet, they were content with their games and with our company.  They made up games that didn’t involve equipment (just their hands) and played for hours on end.  Every time one of the missionaries would produce something they weren’t used to (like nail polish, sunglasses, or a football), their eyes would like up with wonder.  And then there’s me.  I have access to ANYTHING I want.  It’s not just stuff…it’s everything – healthcare, food, water, shelter, clothing, everything.  I have a much greater appreciation for my world than I did a month ago.

4 – People Seem to be More Impatient and Rude Here

In Haiti, everyone would wave and greet each other (much like when you’re on your boat here), so I got very used to smiling and greeting everyone I met.  I think a lot of people thought I was nuts when I got home, judging by the looks I got.  The lady that drove me back to the airport the next morning was complaining the entire time that people were cutting her off and flipping her off.  Everyone is in a hurry and oftentimes a lot less cordial than they should be (myself wholeheartedly included, but I’m working a lot on that now!)

5 – The Country and the Haitian Culture are BEAUTIFUL

When we weren’t visiting the orphans, we were experiencing the culture!  We got to see the earthquake memorial, visit one of the highest mountaintops, as well as taste a lot of the awesome foods.  It was so cool!  It made me want to travel all over the world and experience every culture.  As if that wasn’t enough, the views were breathtaking.  Sometimes it was hard to believe the country is as poor as it is 🙁

6 – The Need is Great

Have you ever known something in your mind (logically), but not really known it in your heart (emotionally)?  I realize now that what I knew about the need in third world countries was only a logical understanding.  I mean, it’s ingrained in us from the moment we’re able to understand it, but no matter how hard you try, it doesn’t click until the emotional side clicks.  The need is indeed great – I’ve seen it.  Please know that the little things you do (volunteering, donating, and serving) help SO MUCH!  More than you’ll ever know.  Until you understand emotionally, you’re just going to have to trust me.

7 – Children are Creative…If We Give Them the Chance

As I mentioned before, the kids we got to hang out with made up games with their hands, sang songs, and ran around to pass the time.  They were easily entertained for HOURS doing the same thing over and over, while kids here in the US would have complained of boredom after 20 minutes.  Remember when a cardboard box was all your kids needed to be happy?  What happened to that creativity?  I think it’s still in there…we just need to give them a chance to make things up instead of giving them things to do.

8 – You Won’t Understand Until You See It For Yourself

This goes back to #6.  I am completely convinced that even if you WANT to understand my experiences emotionally, that you won’t be able to unless you see it.  A friend of mine once said “If a picture is worth 1,000 words, then an experience is worth 1,000 pictures,” which means an experience is worth 1,000,000 words!  That said, you can read about Haiti all you want, and you can watch as many videos as you want, but you won’t truly understand unless you experience it.

9 – We Are Very Blessed Here

We are blessed with opportunity – and it’s all because of where we were born.  Somehow, we ended up in the USA where everyone has the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.  Why?  I don’t know.  The only way I can explain it is through God’s grace.  But just because we’re blessed does not give us the right to sit back and do nothing.  On the contrary, it’s time to find something to do.

10 – I Got More Out of The Trip than Those We Came to Serve

I feel like I was blessed so much more than any of the Haitians we met and were sent to serve.  God opened my eyes to a new perspective and strengthened my faith in such an astronomical way!  I am forever grateful for my experience, and I know I left a piece of my heart back in Haiti.  Someday (as soon as I’m able), I want to go back and bring all of ya’ll with me 😉

 

It’ll Change Your Life…

That’s the phrase people kept telling me when I told them I was going on a missions’ trip, but I didn’t emotionally believe that.  Now that it’s all said and done, I believe it with all of my heart.

The small things you do every day for anyone you happen to interact with (the grocer, the sales clerk, your family, etc…) make a difference.  Please remember that!  Take my word for it until you can see it yourself.  You were put here by God to change people’s lives, one moment at a time.

It’s time to start living life on purpose.

 

Blessings,

Hope Szymanski