One of the most practical ways we serve the church in Haiti is through short-term ministry trips. Teams from our US partner churches come to serve and encourage the church in Haiti in a variety of ways, and it’s always a refreshing time for those involved. Today, we asked Bill, our April team leader, to share some reflections from the trip.

One of our primary goals was to completely rewire the electrical system throughout the ministry compound. We had an unexpected shipping error that meant the electrical boxes we received were the wrong ones, but the team still managed to make great progress. All of the wiring is now in place and ready for the final connections when our team returns in July. Even with the setback, we were encouraged by how much was accomplished.

The team also made progress on several construction projects. We built a new roof for the food storage building, providing much-needed protection for supplies. We also completed the tool shed, which allows the equipment to be organized and moved into a permanent, secure space. The Haitian staff and many of the older boys jumped in alongside the team on all of these projects—they even poured the concrete floor for the boys’ dormitory themselves, mixing the concrete by hand while learning valuable construction skills they can use for years to come.

It’s great to see progress on these tangible projects, but I was especially encouraged by the growth in the kids. One young man who has often struggled to connect with others formed a genuine friendship with two members of the team. Watching them invest time in him and simply enjoy being together was a powerful reminder that ministry is bigger than just completing projects.

We also had the opportunity to spend time talking with several of our oldest students as they prepare to graduate next year. They are excited about the future, naturally a little nervous about what comes next, but working hard in school and growing into thoughtful young adults. Seeing them dream about the future is a wonderful testament to God’s transforming power in their lives.

For information about joining an outreach team, visit Support Us.