Yesterday, Jordan resident Melody Monyok stopped by the office of your local newspaper, the Jordan Independent, to talk about and show me photographs of her church mission trip to Haiti. It is the second time Monyok has gone on a mission trip to Haiti, both times with Friendship Church of Prior Lake. This year, Monyok wrote this about the trip:

I have a lot of great memories and fun times in Haiti this
year.

One of my favorite parts about the trip this year was spending time with
the Haitian girls my age. I didn't do much of that last year, because I was too
busy playing Frisbee with the guys.

Even though there was the language barrier between us, we were able to teach each other games and just enjoy the beauty of life. We could also fellowship with each other in prayer, worship, and our
common belief in Jesus Christ.

One thing I have taken back from my trip is a stronger wanting and will to stand up for what I believe in, no matter the
consequences. I shouldn't have to fear to say what I believe in.

Here is another thing I realized on the trip:

Before my trip started a lot of people kind of had big eyes when I told them how much the trip cost -- $1,700. They told me that I should think of all the people I could feed or the medicine I could buy with that money. This kind of got me and I wondered if I should
really spend and raise money to go down there myself instead of just sending the money itself.

One of my leaders, Dave Lucas, answered this question for me. He told us that when Jesus healed the leper in the Bible, he didn't just say be healed and that was all. He touched the leper and told him he was healed. Jesus knew the leper needed that human touch and physical care.

It is really easy to send a check and forget about the bad stuff going on around us. It is much
harder to take time out of your life to go to a drastically different country
and see with your own eyes what is going on. It is much harder to forget the
things you see and the memories you made when you use your hands.

Coming down to Haiti in person and not just sending money showed the Haitians I cared for them sincerely. I know I had an impact last year, because as I was getting off our transportation into a village we had visited last year, one girl I had made
a small connection with last year, Melina, came running up to me and saying
"Melody, Melody!" She was so excited to see me.

It really touched me, especially that she remembered my name!

Amazing things happened in Haiti this year, and I will never be able to put into words what my feelings towards Haiti and the
people there are. All I know is that I love being there and helping the people,
and I know I want to go back again. I think God has put a special spot in my heart for this small forgotten country. I will return next year hopefully,
God-willing.

A few of Monyok's photos from the trip: