GCOM Mission Trips in Haiti

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“Sometimes the best things in life occur when you least expect it. I signed up for this trip on a whim, not really knowing what I was getting myself into. And boy, was I in for a treat.

Here’s what I did in just one week:

I learned Creole, re-learned French, and I played soccer with hotel staff. I talked politics with Haitians, travelled to serene mountaintops overlooking Port-au-Prince, and toured a zoo. I tasted Haitian food (the vegetarian & chicken Creole are amazing!), visited orphanages, distributed medications, and participated in my first Christian fellowship meeting. I learned how to play the guitar in two days (Thanks to brothers JB and Osbert), serenaded friends, and I even met with the legendary Haitian guitarist Dadou Pasquet.

Going to church on Thursday was, no doubt, a highlight of the trip. You could feel the emotional spirit of 3,000 people packed into a modest, concrete room. The atmosphere was uplifting, and almost rave-like. People young and old were singing, dancing, waving, clapping, and shifting their hips to the music. It’s wild. It’s exotic. And you could only see it in Haiti.

For any other medical student thinking of joining, here is my take on the trip: you will be thrust to the forefront when it comes to treating patients at Ganthier, an hour’s drive from the city. There is no holding hands: you will learn to think quickly, you will become the go-to guy (or girl). You will learn to be creative, and you will learn to make do with whatever you have. People’s lives are in your hands, and it will be an experience that will change your life.” — Richard, GCOM Haiti Trip, March 2008

As we left the airport in Port-au-Prince Haiti I knew we were in a true third world country and the needs would be great. For the next six days I would experience a blend of India, Africa, and parts of China. If I were to look at Haiti in the natural it would have been overwhelming and I would have thought….what’s the use….there is no possible way to help this place. Thank GOD we are not limited to the natural temporary realm where things are subject to change…BUT…We have a realm to draw from that is solid and Eternal…and…where ALL yes that’s right ALL… ( not just some but all ) THINGS which includes the total transformation of a nation HAITI are POSSIBLE TO… who???? POSSIBLE to WHO???????. Thats right THOSE WHO BELIEVE…….. so our job is to believe his job is to do what we cant do in and of our selves. Many things were accomplished on this trip, medical clinics, ministry in churches and all of the things that happen to you when you are in a third world country. We had a great team and as always some issues but in the end most things were worked out and the rest will be. This was just a start there is much more for Haiti and I BELIEVE that the heart of GOD is to the heart of Haiti and we will see the transformation of a nation.

Thanks to everyone who made this trip possible…. Larry Beck

Bonswa!!!!!! Before I left for Haiti I read a book and went to dinner with two people one who had been a missionary in Haiti for 3 years and the other was a Haitian who went to visit frequently. After talking with both of them telling me how it was I became scared and began preparing for the trip reading a spiritual warfare book and a book on a guy who spent 7 days in haiti. Therefore, I had all of these expectations of what I thought would happen and what it was like prior to going on the trip. So, I was in for a surprise God had other plans and taught me through everything. The first two days did not turn out as planned but, I believe that everything that happened was in God’s plan and had a reason. I felt like God was showing me that the first two days were waiting on him and unifying us as a team. Then on Wednesday and Thursday we went to a very small run down church about an hour away and we started a clinic on our own the first year med student organized it for us the second day. In the evening we led revivals in churches. Overall God taught me everything is in His hands and to be thankful in all circumstances. And as you are praying thank God for what he is already doing in the spiritual realm, believing he will do it. My faith has grown and expanded in so many ways

Hello everyone!! Well, two people have asked me to do this… so here goes. I thought it very strange when God first called me to Haiti. It was very obvious through different circumstances and people talking to me that God really wanted me to go. And I’m glad I did. I really loved the group- all of y’all!! I went into the trip expecting to experience big things of God. The first problem I encountered was the language barrier. It is so frustrating to me when I can’t communicate with people. And then we had crazy complications. I really think God just wanted to teach me how to love people by serving them. That’s all I could do. I couldn’t communicate with these people besides asking their names (which I didn’t understand or get the pronunciation right) and asking them their age. All I could do was smile! And hold the kids. And put hydrocortisone cream on them. and put bandaids on them. And hand out vitamins. We are called to serve. And that’s what God wanted us to do there. There’s all of about two things you can do with a language barrier- serve people and serve God. Even though I had no idea what the words were to the songs we sang in “Revival” I loved jumping up and down and clapping my hands (and finally getting to the “Amen Song” because I could finally sing along!) God created a heart for these people. A heart to serve. I feel like he wants me to go back one day and I look forward to that. Stepping back into the American Airport was a wake-up call to me. I was reminded that here in America, people care more about the appearance of things than the heart of the matter. And I hate that! I want to leave everyone with one more thing. The morning we returned from haiti, I woke up with a song by Leeland in my head. These are the lyrics:

There are many prodigal sons on our city streets. They run searching for shelter. There are homes broken down. People’s hopes have fallen to the ground from failures. This is an emergency! There are tears from the saints for the lost and unsaved. We’re crying for them “Come back home!” And all of your children will stretch out their hands and pick up the crippled man. Father, we will lead them home. There are schools full of hatred. Even churches have forsaken love and mercy. May we see this generation in its state of desperation for your glory. This is an emergency! Sinner, reach out your hands! Children in Christ you stand!

Peace, Love, and Jesus!

Kathleen Perry

I learned a lot on this trip.  The experience was good for me .  I got to know the people around me on the trip and I felt that I was following God’s call with the others on the trip.  We saw poverty and the effects of our sharing first hand.  I got to practice a lot of French and overall I’d say that this trip will contribute to my growth as a Christian.

Daniel Palmer

 The trip was more amazing then I can possibly imagine, but such is expected when one is doing the will of God, when one is called to do so. I was amazed to see such a strong difference in all the different places I had visited. The trip was filled with many unexpected and just eye opening situations. I was truly blessed to be a part of the crew. This trip will last my entire life and has changed me in many ways. I thank the Lord for the time I was able to spend with the GCOM group and for the people who do what good they can do to help those in need through missions, through preaching the word, and for bringing help to those in need by providing for their needs. The Lord has shown me much in the life I have lived this far, but I learned more then I could imagine when I went to Haiti, and I was blessed after having experience all I experienced in Port Au Prince and I thank the Lord for this. Amen.

Sincerely Patrick Levine

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