Memories of the tragic Haiti earthquake in January 2010, the reality of displaced people, and hopelessness of residents filled the minds of Wesleyan leaders who traveled to the country in August.
Ten young adult leaders from Wesleyan churches in North Carolina and Maryland traveled to Haiti to serve victims of the tumultuous earthquake.
Pastors Josh Keesling of Ramseur Wesleyan Church (Ramseur, N.C.) and Eric Crisp of Keymar Wesleyan Church (Taneytown, MD) led the team, many of whom also traveled to Haiti in 2010 to serve just months after the earthquake.
“When we landed in Port-au-Prince we began to be filled with joy as the mountains that were once covered with blue tarps (where thousands of families lived in tent cities) were mostly gone,” saidPastor Keesling.
In fact, today, many roads are repaired, buildings are resurrected and residents who were once hopeless are now “full of life.” The team connected with children as they played soccer, sang songs, made crafts, and taught Bible lessons. They also visited La Gonave Island, where they visited with many people they met on their first visit.
The new hope that is evident in Haiti is not just because of improvements in the physical surroundings. “God is obviously moving in the hearts and lives of our Haitian friends,” said Pastor Keesling. “His presence was felt in our conversations, activities, and service projects.”
The group is already making plans to return next year.