This summer, I have the privilege of serving as a medical intern for Mission of Hope Haiti, one of Watermark’s international partners.
Mission of Hope seeks to see life transformation in every man, woman, and child through Jesus Christ. I have seen this kind of transformation so tangibly, as it comes through the local Haitian community I get to serve alongside every day. Besides the North American team members and visitors that participate with Mission of Hope weekly, the mobile clinic consists of Haitian doctors, nurses, pastors, and translators. These Haitian men and women work weekly alongside the Americans in loving and serving their own Haitian communities. This group is on fire to see Haiti transformed as a nation through people encountering Christ.
Heartily in Their Own Community
In Haiti – or even all the way in Dallas, Texas – there is a deep need for Jesus, and I love that being bold in your faith is not just a mission trip but an every day reality. These men and women are that example for me.
I’ve asked many of the Haitian staff about why they do this type of job, and each one of them has led me to the root of their work, which is to give God glory in all they do and to advance His Kingdom. I sat down with my friend Patrick, who is a translator at MOH’s prosthetic’s lab, and he reminded me of Colossians 3:23 that he keeps at the front part of his mind: “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men” (ESV). In everything Patrick does, he’s determined to abide in Jesus and give God the praise. This man who once lost everything in the earthquake – including the medical school he was attending and his own mother – now knows the joy that comes only in Jesus. He also knows the urgency of the gospel and seeks every opportunity to make His name known.
What We Do in Our Own Villages
Patrick’s and all the other Haitian staff’s passion to see a nation transformed for Jesus Christ gives me courage to be obedient to the call God has given me in stepping out of my comfort zone and spreading the gospel in Haiti… and back home in Dallas. I’ve learned that each one of us is a part of God’s bigger plan of redemption and we are called out of darkness into His marvelous light so that we can proclaim God’s excellence to a watching world. We are children of God created and placed with purpose within God’s plan of redemption. May our lives be devoted to His kingdom and His glory in all we do.
By obedience we step out in faith, proclaiming the good news and making disciples. How cool that God doesn’t need any of us but He chooses us; He wants us to know Him and be used by Him. In the villages, I get to witness these Haitians pour into the lives of their local communities by spreading His hope, love, and healing into the people that come through the clinic.
I hope you’re able to do the same within your own “village” right now!
“You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” 1 Peter 2:9 ESV
Whitney has been serving at Mission of Hope Haiti this summer as a medical intern, facilitating medical service groups that visit the country. MOH has worked for over 15 years in Haiti, giving orphans a home, spreading the gospel, and providing food, medicine, and education to the Haitian community. MOH exists to bring Christ’s transformation to every man, woman, and child in Haiti. To follow Whitney’s journey, you can see her own blog at whitneyinhaiti.wordpress.com.
Photo Credit: World Bank Photo Collection via Compfightcca href=