A group of Macoun youth returned last week from a mission to Haiti energized but tired, and with a new perspective on the conditions under which many live.
The Macoun Evangelical Church organized another trip to the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere, this time taking eight of the congregation's teens, aged 15 to 18.
"We all had the thought in our minds that it was an impoverished country, but actually seeing that probably impacted us more so than just stories," said Karissa Gustafson.
The youth ran programming at the schools and churches and also attended one of the orphanages.
"We all did the program together, but we each had a different leadership part in it," said Selena Wiebe.
Selecting what each individual would do was a matter of looking inside and deciding what was best for oneself.
"Whatever we felt we wanted to do, or we could lead in the way we thought God wanted us to, that's what we would choose," added Selena.
They organized puppet shows and sang songs with the Haitian children.
"The puppets we took into the audience to kind of mingle with the kids," said Michael Wiebe. The songs were sung in both English and Creole, with the children singing to them in their native tongue. They would be dealing with anywhere from 100 to 350 children at any given time, but the children would be split up too, so they dealt with smaller groups from 15 to 20 as well.
"You need to empathize with them when you're there, but it's hard to put yourself in their shoes because at the same time you're seeing them and how they live, we live in this First World country where we can never be put in their shoes exactly," said Karissa. "It's a humbling experience."
The Macoun group was stationed in the Central Plateau of Haiti, about three hours from Port-au-Prince. They stayed in a compound where the water ran sometimes and a generator would kick on in the evening.
They said the food was an adjustment because they were eating rice everyday, but added that the living conditions weren't bad.
The group was in Haiti from Feb. 16 to 27, returning in the early morning hours on Tuesday last week. All who went agree that the experience was a positive one, and as long as the adults continue to keep the trip open to the youth, they are all looking forward to the next opportunity to head down for a second mission.
"There are different things that people tell you about Haiti, but it's a lot different when you're there for yourself and you see it for yourself," said Selena. "It's really nice to see the way that God actually works through these kids."
"It makes you realize the things we take for granted," added Karissa. "Having power all day, or having power at all, and just the little things that if we went every day without, it would change our lives completely, but you still make it through without them. It prioritizes things."
Michael added that since his return a friend of his came to school with soccer balls, and they hold an entirely new significance now.
"When you're (in Haiti), when they see a ball, they go crazy. So when I have it in my hand, it's like I'm back in Haiti and where are the kids to throw it around with?" he said. Little things like having a ball to throw or kick around is a novelty for the children they were dealing with.
"During the days that we did do our program, when there was any time that we could go play with them outside, or (they asked) can we have a picture with you, they all just wanted to do it so badly. They'd come to grab your hand and ... they're like little kids here. They wanted to show you how good they were at jumping rope, so they each wanted their try," said Karissa.
In the area where the Macoun youth stayed, they were don't get many visitors, and Darlene Bowen, one of the adults on the trip, noted that they would even more rarely have teenagers visiting them, so there was quite a bit of excitement when the teens arrived on day one.
Michael also recalled their experience with Pastor Jack, a Haitian with a church in the area. His house had been partially destroyed when a road was being built right next to it.
"We decided to give the church some money, and also him so he could help repair his house. We gave him $300 and the smile on his face when he got it (said) 'We've been blessed, but I don't know what to do now.' He was speechless for awhile."
The girls also left all of their clothes and shoes in Haiti for the girls there. They returned to Canada on Feb. 27 in flip-flops.
There aren't any details ironed out on a further mission to Haiti for the Macoun church, but if more trips are in the works, they've added to the numbers of whom will sign up to go down. Along with the eight young people who went this time, they have more friends who are ready to go for the next trip.
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