It’s hard to think of a way to put my experience in Haiti in a nutshell. It was seven days of being “up close and personal” with God—how do you sum that up?

Once we arrived at our final destination and climbed into the back of the pick-up truck that would take us to Sonlight—all eight of us—I was instantly comfortable. From that moment on I was present. I can’t tell you how long it’s been since I’ve felt that. God is so amazing. I will never forget that ride through town and beyond as we took a detour due to construction. I’ve never been so happy for a detour! That was just extra time to get a first glimpse at how the Haitian people live. Don’t get me wrong, it was heartbreaking; but God was so amazing to let me see them and not their circumstances.

One of the most powerful experiences of the entire trip was at church the next day. Most of the service was in Creole, which was wonderful; but the communion service was in both English and Creole. As I sat there, hearing so many of the same words I’ve heard a thousand times before, I began to cry. The more I heard the more I cried. It hit me, all in one instant, that Christ died for every single person on this earth. All of a sudden the world seemed very big and very small all at once. I couldn’t stop crying; it was one of the most beautiful moments of my life. Really, that defined the whole trip.

My days at Sonlight were amazing. The kids were eager to learn, and to love. The teachers were so passionate. The best way to describe it is that it’s the way school is supposed to be. Each day in Haiti—at school and after school—was like a whole new experience. I learned so much from the wonderful Haitian people. I’ve never seen people with less than they had, and I’ve never seen people so content in their circumstances. If they have it, they are willing to give it, and that is truly a picture of what we are called to do. Only God and I will truly know the gift that I was given while there. I will never be the same, and I can’t wait to go back.

Olivia Byrne