Faith, Friendship and Creole

Recently, I had the incredible opportunity to travel to Haiti on a mission trip with some amazing people from Fuel Church. When the opportunity was presented to me, I was both excited and a bit apprehensive. Haiti, unfortunately has been facing a number of challenges, politically and economically, but specifically rising security concerns with gang violence, which also was a big concern for my wife, yet in her heart, she knew that God would do great things through me by going on this trip and that I should trust in God's plan and that he'd keep our group safe.

The mission was simple but profound, to assist with the needs the school and church building needed and to offer my support anywhere it would be needed, whether it'd be translating Creole or fixing leaks on the church's roof or cleaning chalk boards.

The journey itself was an adventure unlike any I've experienced before. We flew into Haiti on a 1943 Douglas DC-3 plane, where my relationship with Pastor Jaime from our group would start as he was my seating buddy. We didn't land on a paved runway as you would expect. Instead, we touched down on a grass strip, but from the moment we arrived, even in the midst of that uncertainty, I felt a deep sense of peace. I knew we were exactly where we needed to be.

On our way to the village of Marmont, passing these small little houses made out of wood and mud and scraps of metal through this rough pathway you couldn't even call a road, all of us packed in the back of the Toyota Land Cruiser, we arrived at the school and quickly saw the purpose in all of us with open arms and wide smiles, their joy despite the difficult circumstances they faced was a reminder of why we were there, not just to help with the school or bring supplies, but to serve in ways that would truly impact their lives. The humility, resilience, and gratitude these kids displayed were far beyond what I expected.

The days were long but fulfilling. We helped with repairs, played soccer with the boys of the village, passed around treats and simply loving on those kids, but more than anything, we shared in the lives of the community, learning as much from them as we hoped they learned from us. Being able to see what opportunities our sponsors were giving these kids

in person was amazing.

One of the most eye-opening aspects of the trip was seeing how little these children had in terms of material possessions, yet how rich they were in spirit. Their gratitude for the smallest things opened my eyes to the realities of the poverty they face daily but also revealed the strength of those kids and their families, love, and faith. It humbled me in ways I could never have anticipated and gave me a fresh perspective on the blessings in my own life. The moms and dads of these kids would do anything they could to ensure their children would be given the change to get an education.

I'll always remember, while talking with the children, I decided to speak to them in Creole. Their reactions were priceless. The second the words left my mouth, their faces lit up with surprise, quickly followed by giggles and laughter. To them, seeing someone like me, from another country, speaking their language must have been like seeing the impossible happen right in front of their eyes. The "blanc" spoke Creole.

At first they were shocked, and probably a little confused. "Li pale Kreyol!" they shouted, which means, "He speaks Creole!" The astonishment soon gave way to pure joy. The children were both amused and thrilled, and for the rest of the day, they kept talking to me in Creole and shout my name while laughing which made me laugh.

While the trip had its challenges, including navigating the dangers that still lingered in the region, it also brought immense blessings. I felt my relationship with God deepen as I leaned on Him in moments of fear and uncertainty. There's something about stepping out of your comfort zone, about putting your full trust in God in an unfamiliar and, at times, dangerous place, that changes you.

And as much as this trip brought me closer to God, it also strengthened my relationships with my church family. Serving together in such a meaningful way built bonds that will last a lifetime. We prayed together, (some at our rectangle table) worked side by side, laughed, and supported one another through every moment, no matter how difficult. It wasn't just about the work we were doing for others, it was about growing together as a community of believers, united in our mission.

Looking back, this trip to Haiti was life-changing. Yes, it was a bit scary. Yes, there were moments of doubt and was definitely missing my family back home, but it was in those moments that I saw the greatest growth in my faith, in my connection with the people around me, and in my understanding of what it truly means to serve. Haiti humbled, opened my eyes to new realities, and brought me closer to God in ways I never expected.

If you ever get the chance to go on a mission trip, especially one that takes you outside of your comfort zone, I encourage you to go. It's in those unfamiliar places, where faith is truly tested, that God does His greatest work.

[Written by LHP Team Member, Lawrence "Frenchy" Spieler]