Hey everyone! This is Ama Martinez-or according to our trip leader Chris (hearing impaired) Ama Morrison!
I have had a great time so far on this trip! This is my second time to Haiti; my first time was in 2011. I hadn’t originally planned on going on this trip with the Wesley Foundation. I heard there was an open spot 2 weeks before we left and was very excited to be able to seize the opportunity!
Today was a day that we could choose what type of ministry we got to do for the morning: Hut-to-Hut Evangelism, Construction on the abuse clinic that the mission is building, or have a VBS for kids around the Mole. I chose to do Hut-to-Hut Evangelism. I like Hut-to-Hut Evangelism because we get to go to huts all around the town and basically just learn about the stores of the people here. Some are fishermen, some have children that are healthy, some are sick, some desire for Jesus to become more real in their life, and some desire a better economic situation for their family. It is great to hear the desires of their heart, their troubles, what they’re grateful for, and what they hope for.
It’s an honor to get to pray for them and for God’s presence to come into each Hut. Today Abbey Smith felt she really felt one woman needed to know her life is valued and a celebration, so our group sang “Happy Birthday” to her. Yes, in English. She told us she was thankful for the gift of our song, and even though we felt silly, we were glad that we did it. That’s the thing about being here in Haiti, you do a lot of silly things. God really moves through everything that you do with a willing heart.
I think I’ve done the Hokey Pokey more times in this one week than I ever did as a child. The way Al Martin “shakes his nose all about” has made more kids smile and laugh than I ever would have thought. The Mole is an amazing place of joy, laughs, love, beauty, family, and heartache. I know I can speak for the whole team and say that this trip has been such a blessing.
This was the final afternoon of the youth conference, and I think it concluded well. I can’t wait to hear about the fruit from the conference years from now. The young ladies we got to meet and hang out with this week are beautiful inside and out and my prayer is that God becomes increasingly tangible in their day-to-day routines.
To all the worriers out there: Everyone on our team is happy, healthy, and as far I know, nobody has an overwhelming amount of mosquito bites! We are supposed to land in Dallas at around 5:50 pm on Sunday–I know I told my husband wrong, so no telling who else told their loved ones the wrong arrival time.
Our hearts are broken, changed, full, and a mix of sad to leave and happy to return to our loved ones and share our experience here. We love you all.
Ama Martinez.
p.s. shout out to my ridiculously good looking husband, I love you. Keep on comentin’
