Testimonials
Megan was a member of the June 2012 missions trip.
Read about her life changing experience ...
My experience in Haiti cannot be compared to anything I have ever done in my life before. The things I did there and the people I met changed my life forever.
My name is Megan, I'm a sixteen year old senior in high school, and I went to Haiti with the June 2012 mission team. I was introduced to Love and Grace Ministries when as a Christmas gift, my grandmother sponsored a boy from Love and Grace in our family's name. After learning the stories of the people in Haiti I knew I wanted to help. I decided I wanted to participate in a trip. I was excited during the planning phase leading up until June. My parents were a little nervous but Nancy assured them that I would be safe and cared for. As the travel date drew closer I became nervous about meeting the team that I would spending the ten days with. They turned out to be incredible people, they were so loving and caring. By the end of the trip it felt like more of a family than a team. It didn' feel like I was traveling alone, it felt like I belonged with these people. I will never forget the team and was not prepared for what they would come to mean to me.
Corresponding with Nancy before the trip I knew that she was a nice person, but in Haiti I realized what an incredible person she is. She is so loving, caring, and full of faith. She is truly an inspiration. I hope to be as selfless and giving as she is in my life. The days that I got to spend with the boys at the orphanage changed my outlook on life forever. These boys are the most amazing people I have ever met. After all those boys have been through, they are still capable of sharing so much love. Many times I would just be sitting and a boy would come up to me and give me a hug or lean on me. Even though I could not speak their language, that hug or that head on your shoulder is enough, its better than any words they could speak. You feel so much love from that little touch, it can't compare to anything you have ever felt before. They are just so affectionate and loving. It was comforting to see that even though these boys live in an orphanage and have not had the easiest life, they are still just little boys that like to play in the dirt and ride bikes. They are just regular kids that got a rougher deal than most, but you never see them pitying themselves, they are grateful for what they do have.
My life will never be the same after meeting these boys. I will never forget all of the wonderful people I met in Haiti. To understand what amazing people they are, you have to experence it yourself. Even though it doesn't seem like the people I met in Haiti have much, I left feeling like they gave me more than I gave them. They so willingly opened their home and their hearts to us.
Nothing will ever compare to the love and the faith the people I met in Haiti have. This made me realize when I went home, how much we have and how much we think that we need. Driving home from the airport I just stared out the window, I couldn't believe what excess we live in. The large houses with garages and big yards was a total contrast to the place I just came back from. I remember hearing stories of how people have to take turns sleeping in their houses because there is not enough room for everybody to sleep. The first night I got back I laid in my bed feeling guilty for all that I have been given. I am no different than the people I met in Haiti and yet I have so much more, it doesn't seem fair.
My decision to go on this trip was the best decision I've ever made. While I was in Haiti I felt whole. I felt like a new person. I felt better about myself than I ever have before. Since returning home I feel an empty space in my heart that was filled when I was in Haiti. Its difficult to be back home when all the people I grew to love are still in Haiti. This trip taught me so much, this sounds cliche but there is no other way to put it, the people I met gave me much more than I ever could imagine giving them. I cannot wait until I have the chance to go back.
~Megan Gorton
