I am been very lucky to have been exposed to mission trips at an early age. My Sunday School teacher, Doug Bostic, made an offer to pay for the expenses for anyone who wanted to participate in some various mission opportunities located in the states around us. I was hooked. I joined a group of people from Medical Benevolence on a month long mission trip to Zaire Africa in 1986. Life, children, responsibility came along and the opportunities werent so easy. In December 2017, I was able to join several others from Trinity United Methodist Church and travel to Bayonnais Haiti. I was missing something in my life and didnt know what it was. I found it.
We spent the days learning about the community, holding hands of some very special children and watching God’s people smile and love even though they were much lacking the material needs I take for granted. One day, Actionnel was walking us around and I looked down and this sweet little girl with a pink shirt on was reaching up for my hand. I had made a new friend. This sweet little 3 year old walked around with us, holding hands and eating up all the attention we were paying her. Several hours later, I told Actionnel we needed to return my new friend to her home. He casually said ” Let go of her hand.” The question on my face was obvious so he repeated ” Let go of her hand and she will go home. She will come back and find you tomorrow.” And she did. She was there every day when I woke up. The Ewo staff helped me find out her name and where she lived. We have been friends now for 5 years. She is my sponsored child. She and her family are now part of my family. She writes me letters and draws me pictures. She is my girl and I am her person. God is good.
As I got on the bus to leave, my new friend Yolande saw the sadness in my eyes, came on board and gave me the best hug ever and said ” I love you, my sister” My sister, the sweetest words to my ears. I have found my sister in Christ that I was missing. I love her and she loves me.
Our Church family wrote us letters for each day with a devotional. One day it was about finding our Bethlehem. The writer prayed for us to have open hearts, to find what were we looking for. To find our Bethlehem. I found mine. God presented an opportunity. I listened. I obeyed and I went. And I got the greatest gifts of all. I found Emmanese, my new sweet young friend. I found Yolande, my new sister in Christ. I found Bayonnais, my Bethlehem.
To God be the Glory,
Missy
- A trip to Bayonnais… - September 21, 2021
- Meet the Board:Missy Parker - June 10, 2021
