Surrey Alliance Church, Haiti: Team Testimonials
November 17, 2009
"[One highlight was] experiencing worship time with the Haitians."
"[On this trip there were] many reminders of God's unconditional love and faithfulness for all who receive Him. I am encouraged to be more vulnerable and risk more."
"[I now have] a renewed heart for God, am encouraged to seek God with more enthusiasm, and am excited and afraid to see how God will continue to speak to me in the coming months."
"[My heart was broken over] the eager and willing spirits of the Haitian believers in a poverty-stricken country. We have so many more resources to help us but make such poor use of it. Seeing the children in such poverty broke my heart."
"[One thing I will do differently is] show more interest in the personal lives of others and their stories and struggles."
"Evangelism on the compound, our team's unity and growth in community were the highlights."
"The one highlight of this trip was seeing the joy on Marc and Lisa's faces when we started the generator."
"To see a church full of people that don't speak the same language but worship the same God we do leaves a lasting impression."
"I will have a new appreciation for what we have and may not need in the future."
"The worship service was very emotional as I felt a true presence of the Holy Spirit."
"[One highlight was the] initial walk through the neighbouring area and seeing the poverty."
"[This trip] re-calibrated my desires."
"I believe this experience will be a filter in my decision and thought process."
"[Two highlights were] skipping down the road with a bunch of kids, and watching the people in the church services and the love for Jesus that they show."
"My spiritual journey has really begun."
"[One highlight was] when I came out of the airport and saw the people of Haiti."
"[This trip has impacted me] by getting me to step out of my comfort zone and pray for people in a large group without being asked."
"[I have been changed by] seeing people have little down here and getting by. When getting home [I hope] not to just sweep this into a box but talk about my experiences."
"[One highlight was] seeing the passion of the people on how they show their faith; seeing their smiles and laughter."
"I became closer to the Holy Spirit."
"[My heart was broken over] seeing the children playing in dirt, naked and hungry."
"[This trip has] brought me closer to God and has unveiled my eyes."
"I will never live the same way."
"[My heart was broken over] listening to other people's stories in our group and around the community."
"[One highlight was] going into the community and meeting the people there; seeing how they live and getting to experience what the people are like."
"I won't fully understand what I've experience or the changes I'll make for some time. However, I will never be able to watch World Vision info-mericals the same way I did before."
"I have been challenged to move deeper in my walk with God; living a divided life won't be as easy to do. I hope to be more consistent in my Christian growth and be attentive to the Holy Spirit's leading."
"When we first went into the community, we came upon a family of ten who lived in a small, run-down shack. I couldn't believe what I saw. I think it was there that I realized who it was God was speaking of when He commanded us to care for the poor."
"I will look for new avenues to serve God's kingdom at home and also abroad."
"[One highlight was] being encouraged and seeing there was hope when you experience the love, passion and worship of Haitian Christians."
"[This trip] made me realize that I need to take more risks. [It] reminded me about where my focus should be and the importance of community."
"There were numerous times when God was speaking and prompting me. I feel it is the start of being more sensitive to His Spirit."
"[My heart was broken over] the poverty and hopelessness. When you see how the majority of people live ... yet I experienced God at work in Haiti!"
"[One thing I will do differently is] live with a renewed passion for Christ in my relationship with my family and community."
"[One highlight was] working side-by-side with the Haitian people and sharing our stories with each other."
"No matter how much you feel like giving up, you must continue to fight injustice, tempered with compassion."
"[I have been changed by seeing] how I need to pursue spiritual maturity."
"I realized how broken our church is and what a role model the Haiti ARISE church is. The North American church has perfect tolls, but broken people and broken community; the Haitian church has broken tools but strong community."
"[One thing I will do differently is to] not allow myself to be isolated when in difficult circumstances; to keep pressing on."
"I was blessed when we went to visit the pastor and team member's homes. Praying a blessing over them connected me to them in a way that is hard to express. I know it will impact me for a long time and deepen the way I pray for them and Haiti ARISE."
"I am overwhelmed with the sense of community and enormous vision that I have seen here. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve here and see first-hand what God is doing in Haiti. ... I hope that Christ will use this experience to ignite a vision in my own community."
"The Lord is continually prompting me to be obedient and step outside myself, especially in sharing authentically."
"[My heart was broken over] having the believers in Haiti pray for me. They have so little and yet they want to share with me in whatever way they can."
"I want to be intentional in my ‘work for the Lord,' connecting with the community of believers and being an encouragement in the same way I was encouraged here."
"[Two highlights were] the sense of community on our team ... and being able to actually see the work done by HAM and see the church that has been planted here."
"[This trip has impacted me by] seeing the body at work; the importance of the body and my part in it."
"[My heart was broken] when Pastor Juliem shared drinks with us-so generous yet financially needy and when Pastor Sirus prayed for us!"
"[My heart was broken when we] shared with the people in the community and saw their need and hurt."
"[Two things I will do differently are] practice community more intentionally, and pray for HAM and the church here."
"[One highlight was the] evangelism-watching the fervour and sensitivity of the Bible school students."
"I experienced the joy of serving others and being served."
"I feel very relaxed, knowing that God will use me as I make myself available, despite my brokenness, and am confident in His unconditional love."
"[My heart was broken over] seeing the two malnourished children. I think [God] showed me that it breaks His heart too."
"[Two things I will do differently are] pray more, and look for opportunities to serve Him every day, being confident His is waiting to use me."
View Surrey Alliance Church, Grand Goave, Haiti, November 1 - 13, 2009 trip page.