Haiti Team Reflections #1

Our team of 17 people that went to Haiti returned Saturday with incredible stories of ministry and life change. Over the next few days they will share short snippets from their experience. Up first is Lori Starkey…

Where does one begin after a trip to Haiti? Do you write about the devastation or the rebuilding? Do you write about the fear or the joy? Do you write about how scared you were or how safe you felt? Do you tell about the earthquake during church or do you tell about the amazing service to honor us? So many emotions and so many stories ….
At the orphanage, I spy Melissa who was found in the rubble where both parents died during the earthquake. I was afraid to pick her up as she seemed so small and frail. Her arms so tiny and her legs so thin, how could this be? Melissa is one year old yet she appears to be so much younger. As I cuddled her to my chest my heart broke. How long did Melissa cry before she was heard? How lonely did she feel? This little baby all alone how long did she wait? Then I realized that God was with her. Melissa was safe in the orphanage where she would be loved and fed, just waiting for that special family who was set aside for this special little girl. Melissa will be engrained into my heart forever as her picture will remind me of the devastation the Haitian people suffered yet through all of this they manage to smile. Joy shines in them, true joy. May I learn to have the true joy that the Haitian people have in my life. The wonderful children that I met in Haiti bring a smile to my face as I think of them.