Hungry For Life International

South Mountain Community Church

Haiti, Jacmel

March 23, 2011 - April 2, 2011

A team from South Mountain Community Church, from Draper, Utah traveled to Jacmel, Haiti to build relationship alongside our partners at Joy In Hope. The team assessed the project opportunities that exist with Joy In Hope as this trip was a vision trip for the church. The team participated in a home reconstruction project and was able to provide funding to go towards another home, as a part of Joy In Hope's community development plan. Three team members were also able to participate in a mobile medical clinic and a community clinic in Jacmel.

Completed Objectives:

• 1 home was constructed
• 15 People were given a new home
• 11 children, mostly orphans, were cared for through spending time with them and delivering supplies
• 200 patients were provided with medical treatment and/or medication
• Team member was able to share biblical truth with 3 small groups of community members

Team Testimonials:

One insight from this trip has been, "the confirmation that as an American we take things for granted, also that many things can stunt our internal and spiritual growth."

One highlight from this trip has been, "the opportunity of getting to know and begin to understand some of the Haitian culture through interactions with the people."

This trip impacted me, "I came thinking how poor these people are and feeling sorry for them, but I am leaving with a sense of hope for their entire community/city and envying their sense of simplicity."

This trip impacted me and, "it has motivated me to continue to clean up my life and learn to be more like Jesus."

This trip has changed me and, "I will continue to give more generously and make more of a point to share Haiti with others."

This trip has changed me and, "I have definitely had a change of heart. I will go back to the States and that's where the culture shock will be. I think I will be surprised by how I will see the way we live life differently."

"What broke me was not being able to treat the people like I can in the USA. It was frustrating; seeing the hospital there was truly depressing. I feel frustrated in not knowing what I can do."

The things that affected me deeply were, "the children, the living conditions and the overwhelming despair and destruction in Haiti. God has spoken to me by telling me it's time to make a change in my life. It's time to live in the present and make a difference."

The things I am going to do differently in the next six months are to "prioritize my time and dedicate more of it to discipleship. The hurts of those around us are deep and wide, I want to just listen and love them through their hurts and difficulties. I am going to pray that I ask more questions and listen more intently to those around me."