A Walk Through Verrettes | Verrettes, Haiti Mission Photography

My most recent mission trip was in February of this year to Verrettes, Haiti. Every trip lends life altering moments that will forever impact my life, and this one was no different. I worked with an amazing team from Lespwa Lavi as they partnered with an engineering team, EMI, to start the process of their new building complex that will have a professional sized football field, bilingual academy, church, and clinic to truly meet every need of the community.

While I saw comparisons to my time in Tijuana and the slums of Kenya, I was also amazed at the beauty of the land. Verrettes is a bustling town with markets and kids going to school, while also having an incredibly scenic view of the mountains and a river that flows through the town.

But above all, the people in the community were by far the most beautiful. Kind hearts, a strong work ethic, and a determination to get an education for the success of both themselves and their families. Education means absolutely everything to them, so their determination is untouchable.

In contrast to their beautiful hearts, its hard not to see the physical pains that have been brought to this country. We visited local clinics, church communities, schools, and the central town square. In all of these places, I collected portraits of people in passing as we walked. Aching stomachs, torn clothes, and dirty feet was the norm.

Its hard not to feel helpless since the days of our return.

I look at the faces from these photos and pray for their beautiful souls. We left the country in the first few days of a violent national riot, only a week later causing the US embassy to evacuate and to our distress, days since have only gotten worse.

Articles such as this one from the New York Times are heart breaking at best. Once you’ve walked in those streets and have met those people… its no longer a news story with tragic stories and imagery, but friends you wish you could reach. Friends you wish you could feed and pray for.

Among all of the terror, there’s hope in knowing that this community hasn’t been forgotten. The Lespwa Lavi team is doing everything they possible can to serve this community with each passing day. And they do so with the help of the Lord who’s making giant waves in the hearts of the local church to give them a hope and future. May we call cling to His peace and faithfulness.

"Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:40

If you’d like to join me in partnering with Lespwa Lavi to help the many great hearts and minds of this community, you can support their efforts today. Thank you for your generosity!