Oak Grove to Haiti, by, Sharon Solano Huebner, Oak Grove Church of God

 

 1379581_10202176004378532_367709356_n(2)Haiti – October 2013
 
I had heard many stories and testimonies, and seen lots of pictures in the past years, but going on my first mission trip made it all a reality for me.  There was so very much to take in, and then to process it – WOW!  The two hour trip from the Haiti airport to the House of Blessings Orphanage alone, was overwhelming.
 
There was much that was difficult on this trip, but there were blessings abundant as well.  There is so much I can write about, but I have chosen to focus on what was the most moving to me.  This is an excerpt from my journal:
 
“I have no words at the moment.  We just returned from visiting the church where Pastor Monoit runs a school within.  I walked out of there weeping, and I am not able to express what’s going on in my heart yet.  There are 5 “classrooms” with 5 teachers.  The children range in age from 4 years old to 6th grade. At this time, they are all sharing one large room, but the building is being added on to, where there will be a number of separate classrooms as well as an office.  Pastor Monoit asks the families to pay $35 a year for each child to attend his school.  They don’t have it, but he allows them to go anyways.  He pays each teacher $100 a month.  He would like to pay them more.  He provides a meal at least once a month. He would like to provide one daily, but he has no means by which to do so.  The children sit side by side of each other on their benches, sitting up straight, dressed in their uniforms, INTENT on learning.  And their teachers are so very humble.  The children respect their teachers and obey their every command.  After 6th grade, the government gives a test.  If the child passes, then they have the privilege of going on in their education.  Nine of ten students from this school pass.”
Their attention, their discipline, their desire and their plain sweet innocence is what moved me beyond words, and drove my heart to tears.
God has started something within me,…..I’m not sure where He wants me to go with it yet, but I do know that it was in His plan for me to visit that school.
 
I have returned home, with it being even more apparent of how much we have,……too much.  So much is meaningless, and a mere distraction from God.  Lord, help us to simplify, so that who and what we spend our time, energy and money on, is of value to You and so that you can use us to our full potential. 
 
A big thank you goes out to Richard Fields and Helping Hands in Motion.  It was incredible to see the relationships that Richard has built within the orphanage, in the nearby community, and beyond.  He knows their needs, and goes over and beyond to make sure they are taken care of.  It is because of him that there are the many connections in Haiti and around the world, that allow the Love of God to be shared.  His sacrifices are apparent and his dedication is admirable.
By, Sharon Solano Huebner
Oak Grove Church of God
Tampa, FL
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