It’s been over a week since we landed back in San Antonio, and as I reflect on the experience of being at Jacob’s Well in Haiti, my soul is resting with an extreme level of contentment regarding the mission. It was really a victory in itself to travel with 36 successfully, but to look into the eyes and hearts of those 36 leaves me with much hope. It is clear to me that there will be some personal changes back home. I remember one of my heroes of youth ministry, Mike Yaconelli, once said “If you do missions, it will wreck your life!” He certainly meant that in a good way, but I believe it’s true. If you want to remain a mainstream, normal, status quo, don’t make waves kind of person, then stay away from missions. If you do missions, watch out! It will realign your compass, cause you to color outside the lines, and take you to a new way of thinking about life beyond your own life. And that is precisely what I believe has happened to this team of 36 missionaries. From that perspective alone, this mission adventure was a success because that’s what Outbound is all about—experiences beyond our Canyon that have the possibility of changing us! When I spoke to our mission team and parents on Friday night, July 2, I talked about why I love missions. First, it forms intense community that cannot be duplicated anywhere else. Second, every time I go on a mission trip, I see Jesus face to face. And third, mission trips break your heart and this one was no exception. One of my lasting memories was our final drive out of Jacob’s Well, and as I was holding back my tears, I could hear the children of Limbe chanting the names of our mission team. That’s right, they were calling out to the ones they loved all because of the way they had received love.
As I look at the basic goals of the mission, I believe our goals were accomplished. Our main objective was to facilitate a camp, and we were able to complete three full days of camp activities and storytelling with 200 Haitian kids. They clearly heard the gospel through the daily dramas and testimonies. These kids were so hungry to engage with our team. It was the simple things that made the greatest impact. Things like playing soccer, exchanging bracelets, playing games, braiding hair, holding hands, being called by name, eating and drinking, and laughing. In many cultures, children are not valued as an important member of community. I’m not an expert on Haiti and their culture, but I am a witness to what our team did in Haiti, and it is my opinion that the kids in the Jacob’s Well area felt valued and loved and accepted. They felt safe, and this is a component we strive for at LLYC. I remember a moment when Ang and I were talking under a shade tree in the neighborhood, and a teenage boy came our way who clearly had his feelings hurt or was physically hurt. We couldn’t discern his situation, but we do know he had tears streaming down his face. What did he do? He tucked himself right under the wing of Ang. That’s right, he didn’t know her personally, but he felt safe with her and desired her comfort. That visual example tells me we accomplished something significant—we built trust and community.
And, of course, there were many projects accomplished at Jacob’s Well. First, with the money raised, a water well was drilled at the entrance of the camp. It was the water that allowed us to take showers. Since it takes energy to run a camp, we provided the nucleus for the power. We funded the purchase of a large diesel generator, and it allowed the water pump to draw water from the well in addition to providing electricity for the new appliances in the kitchen. The team was able to construct three cabins while they were there which will be used for lodging in the future. Our group took on the first four months of a contract with a local horticulturalist who will be planting, nurturing, and growing 5,000 mango trees which will in 6-7 years be able to produce a revenue stream that can fund camp. Literally, we were planting for the future.
Clearly, the country of Haiti has overwhelming needs. There are many good people in Haiti trying to make changes, and it will be a very long term endeavor. A couple of things I am certain. First, these people are worthy of our time and effort. And second, this I know is true. There is a little 40 acre camp, the only one of its kind in Haiti, that might just be a new epicenter. Not of an earthquake or not the eye of a hurricane, but a launching pad to a new way of life—a life rooted in the love, acceptance, and compassion of Jesus. Where there is vision there is hope, and I see a future for this village and this nation. May the God of all creation use us to make it happen!
Humbly,
Kevin Mayne
