It's All New Again

The following is written by one of our new short term missionaries. It's always inspiring to see the world through fresh eyes. May you be blessed by Marissa's view.

Today is the end of my first day in Haiti. I feel like words can’t even do justice to the experience I have had so far. The drive from the airport to New Life was a lot to take in. I have seen pictures and heard stories but seeing it in person finally made it real. We drove through an alley way and passed a little girl around the age of four or five sitting on a doorstep all by herself. When she saw us through the back window of the truck she got a big smile on her face and waved to us…and I looked back again at a point down the road where she was barely visible and she was still waving. I wanted so back to jump out of the truck carry her to New Life with me.  I think the image of that sweet little girl waving will stick with me for a long time. The moment I got to New Life, I immediately felt like I was at home. The love I feel for each one of the kids here is overwhelming, and it’s only been one day. We played soccer earlier today and a little boy went flying by me dribbling the ball, I watch him take a shot on goal and then realized he only had one leg. He had a crutch under the opposite arm and was able to play. I was amazed. I also spent a lot of time with the handicapped children, and was touched by the big smile that would come across their faces with just a hug or a touch, or a ride down the sidewalk in their wheelchair. It is so easy to see God working here, and it is so easy to give away his love. I was able to meet the girl that I sponsor, and the girl who my mom sponsors last night and gave them each a little cross necklace, then haven’t taken them off since. I am so grateful that I got the chance to meet each of those girls, and hope to continue my relationship with them. Tonight when we were doing worship songs with the kids, I had a little girl sitting on my lap and we were both singing. At that point, I got completely overwhelmed and couldn’t keep a few tears from falling. I am so thankful I have been given this opportunity and I knew at that moment that this is right where God wants me to be.  I am so excited to see what He has in store for me the rest of the week!