It was comical. Really. Not kidding.
The week before I left for Haiti here is what happened - Biopsies for cervical cancer the day before I flew out, my car died ($1000.00 in repairs) and when we filed our taxes we found out someone had stolen my SSN and already filed a tax return in my name. As you can imagine, I was mentally and spiritually exhausted. I had never gone into a mission trip that way. Yet, I thought I was "fine" and everything was just "okay".
Haiti was amazing. It is impossible for me to explain to you the experience I had there. The children, the school, the market, the "family" of people that were serving with me - all such an incredible experience. Yet, I came back feeling defeated. I wasn't a good witness. I was not the "ball of fire" for Jesus that I wanted to be.
I did the physical labor and I think I did it well, but I was so spiritually dead the entire time, that I fell under attack. I hope there are those of you who understand what I am trying to say. The mission was accomplished, but I did not grow nor did I positively affect those around me.
And so, guess what? God is good - and I came out the other side of this trip stronger.
Just because I was on a mission trip did not mean I was a spiritual superhero - quite the opposite. I learned that I am weak and He is strong. I learned that His mercies are new every day and ultimately I learned that my call to missions still is strong and that this trip was a time for me to grow and learn.
Thank you all SO much for your prayers and support. It was a chance of a lifetime and I we are now sponsoring a little boy there. His name is Davidson. Please pray for him.
I love you all and I love that God is a God of second chances.
Here are some photos: Haiti 2012.
Also, there are some great photos of this trip on my Facebook Page - Melissa Shields Brown.
Love to you all!!! Melissa
