This trip was a whirlwind, to say the least, and our team worked on a couple of projects for the Children’s Homes while also helping with the Children’s Hunger Fund food pak distributions. It is so encouraging to watch ministry happen in real-time. One morning, the Medical Clinic offered vaccines for the community, with women bringing their babies for check-ups and immunizations, and another day, the pastors from our Mercy Network came to the compound for a morning of worship, equipping, and discipleship. The week was filled with ministry.

I have been to Haiti several times, but my heart was touched in a special way that morning as we worshipped with the Haitian pastors. To sit in the back of a church, listening to twenty-five men sing praise to our Lord and Savior, was an experience I’ll cherish. I had the privilege of interviewing several of the pastors (with the help of a translator), and their testimonies were a blessing. I listened to these men share stories of how they came to Christ and made the decision to become pastors, and I was reminded once again of God’s faithfulness.

Many of them shared stories not unlike our own—stories of faithful men and women in their lives who pointed them to Jesus. Stories of bad decisions that led them to cry out to God in desperation. Stories of wanting to know who Jesus is and what it means to love and serve Him. As I asked each of these pastors how we could be praying for their communities, churches, and families, I was humbled by their requests. “Please pray for a deeper understanding of God’s Word.” “Pray that we would grow in knowledge and faith.” “Pray for courage, joy, and daily strength.” What an encouragement.

As the week went on, I realized that my time with the children had been extremely limited, in part because the kids were in school. While I was momentarily saddened by that, I instantly thought of all the amazing conversations and experiences that wouldn’t have happened otherwise. God’s church is growing in Haiti, and the gospel is at work among His people. I am so thankful for the opportunities I had to witness that reality during this week.

As the trip came to a close, I couldn’t help but think about Jesus’ words in the Great Commission. It is so exciting to partner with other believers, especially in an international context like this, in seeking to make Christ known in every area of life.

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” —Matthew 28:19–20.

Shaina Grill serves as a faithful volunteer with Connect 2 Ministries. To learn more about how you can pray for the ministry, visit Pray.