Haiti has a Special Place in my Heart Forever

This blog is written by Serenity Ortiz. She is a student at Baptist University of the Americas and was part of the BUA team that went on First Fruit Haiti's second mission trip.

If you would have told me that I would ever go to Haiti or even out of the country I would not have believed you. I have always been the type to just stay in my own comfort zone and do what I am used to. When I saw that my college, Baptist University of the Americas, was going to Haiti, I immediately felt this tug at my heart and I knew it was from God. It was this tug that I could not have ignored because it was such a strong feeling. I had never been on a plane or traveled without my family, but this step that I was about to take was going to change my life forever.

As the anticipation was rising and the day was coming closer and closer, I had this feeling of peace the whole time. Many people would ask me, “Are you not afraid to travel all that way? In a place you have never been before?” and my honest answer was always, “No.” because I knew God was going to be with me the whole time and His will would be done.

The team got to Haiti and stayed in the First Fruit Guest House. I could not have asked to stay at a more welcoming and loving place. Everything about this guest house was so amazing, I felt at home and it made my experience even more impactful.

The people of Haiti changed my life forever and it was something I was searching for because I knew this came from God. We visited two churches, Delmas and Pernier church, and both were so welcoming the children were so loving and touched my heart in a way I can’t explain. They were so attentive to what we had prepared to teach them and so inviting. We also had youth day and the youth really made me see things in a different way. The way they participated and the questions they answered were so genuine, making an impact in me.

Haiti is such a beautiful place to be, and ever since I got back, I have been talking about it nonstop. I learned so much in twelve days that I don’t think I could have learned anywhere else. The love for God that I saw in these churches made me so happy and just in awe. I am counting down the days waiting to go back because God made a special place in my heart for the people of Haiti.
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Throughout this mission trip God showed me that stepping out of one’s comfort zone is okay because He will be holding our hand through it all. I also felt that God placed it on my heart to go back and teach English to the children of Haiti. This is just the beginning of a new journey in my life and I cannot thank the BUA team, First Fruit Haiti, and the people of Haiti enough because I found my passion because of you all. I will continue to keep Haiti in my prayers and I will be back soon!
 
Romans 10:15
How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!  
 
Serenity Ortiz

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