Give the gift of Sport this year
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This year I am extremely extremely blessed and priviliged to go on a second mission trip to Haiti and Dominican Republic. I took my first trip in May 2014 and it was a life changing experience to say the least. On that trip I witnessed a country of beautiful people (specifically talking a bout Haiti here) who have next to nothing but have a zeal and excitement for life like I have never seen. If you have never experienced what a 3rd world country is like I can not describe to you in words what it looks like. What I can do is share an example from my trip that might put things into perspective.
When I was in Haiti last time we stayed at an orphanage. It was founded and started by a few of the chiropractors who also started the mission. They were in Port Au Prince one day before the devistating earthquake hit in 2010. Three days later they returned to the scene and the number one thing they saw they could do was to help the children who had lost their families in the event. They started Mission Life International and grew an orphanage on another part of the island where the mission spends the most time.
On my first trip, we stayed at the orphanage, it was our home for those 5 days. We woke up with the kids in the morning, had breakfast with them and came home to them at night for dinner and rest. They acted as if it was our home first. They welcomed us with singing and shared their presence and smiles with us throughout our 5 days in their country. Among the pure poverty around us there were 22 amazig kids who were more than excited just to have us there hanging out with them.
One image I can not get out of my mind is witnessing pure appreciation and grattitude for a small round piece of plastic. I took with me some juice packs and the cap was a little round piece of plastic. We had a box for our trash and when I was done with my juice I threw it in the box not thinking twice about it. The mission left for the day--we went out and served by giving the gift of chiropractic to hundreds and returned back to the orphanage that evening. At some point I noticed one of the kids holding the little round piece of plastic. It drew my attention because two of the boys were actually having a moment about whos turn it was to hold it. I watched in reverence as the boy who was holding it, after a second of hesitation, just relinquished the plastic to the other boy without a selfish fit. Not only was it amazing to see that one, this small piece of plastic was the most exciting thing going, and two, that no matter what, there was a sharing attitude amongst the boys. This experience showed me how little it takes to make a difference in these kids lives.
Opportunity is a word we take for granted. There are not many opportunities in their country. They are limited by corruptness and a third world overtone that will take lots of time to change and repair. For me, the chance to go back makes me consider what kind of opportunities can we help to bring to them. Something I loved as a kid and still love to this day is sport. On this trip, I want to give these kids the opportunity to play. Choose to be a part of this and know that you are giving a young soul an amazing chance that they wouldn't otherwise have.
There are 69 kids currently in the orphanage and they have a small patch across from their home to play in. There is a tree there and my vision is to hang up basketball goal on that tree. We will be lucky to find a piece of board to make a backboard but this is not necessary and would just be an extra blessing. I am also planning to take a number of basketballs and soccer balls with a pump and a few extra nets and needles. The only sure-way to get this stuff there is to have an extra checked bag which acures its own cost--it's minimal in the overall picture of whats about to happen! Help me make this vision a reality by sacrificing a little bit of your first world luxuries for some kids who will be amazingly appreciatave of this gift. Perhaps give $5 instead of getting a lattee or $15 instead of eating out tonight. This is an easily obtainable goal (: Thanks for reading and for choosing to give some kids who truly have nothing--something!
When I was in Haiti last time we stayed at an orphanage. It was founded and started by a few of the chiropractors who also started the mission. They were in Port Au Prince one day before the devistating earthquake hit in 2010. Three days later they returned to the scene and the number one thing they saw they could do was to help the children who had lost their families in the event. They started Mission Life International and grew an orphanage on another part of the island where the mission spends the most time.
On my first trip, we stayed at the orphanage, it was our home for those 5 days. We woke up with the kids in the morning, had breakfast with them and came home to them at night for dinner and rest. They acted as if it was our home first. They welcomed us with singing and shared their presence and smiles with us throughout our 5 days in their country. Among the pure poverty around us there were 22 amazig kids who were more than excited just to have us there hanging out with them.
One image I can not get out of my mind is witnessing pure appreciation and grattitude for a small round piece of plastic. I took with me some juice packs and the cap was a little round piece of plastic. We had a box for our trash and when I was done with my juice I threw it in the box not thinking twice about it. The mission left for the day--we went out and served by giving the gift of chiropractic to hundreds and returned back to the orphanage that evening. At some point I noticed one of the kids holding the little round piece of plastic. It drew my attention because two of the boys were actually having a moment about whos turn it was to hold it. I watched in reverence as the boy who was holding it, after a second of hesitation, just relinquished the plastic to the other boy without a selfish fit. Not only was it amazing to see that one, this small piece of plastic was the most exciting thing going, and two, that no matter what, there was a sharing attitude amongst the boys. This experience showed me how little it takes to make a difference in these kids lives.
Opportunity is a word we take for granted. There are not many opportunities in their country. They are limited by corruptness and a third world overtone that will take lots of time to change and repair. For me, the chance to go back makes me consider what kind of opportunities can we help to bring to them. Something I loved as a kid and still love to this day is sport. On this trip, I want to give these kids the opportunity to play. Choose to be a part of this and know that you are giving a young soul an amazing chance that they wouldn't otherwise have.
There are 69 kids currently in the orphanage and they have a small patch across from their home to play in. There is a tree there and my vision is to hang up basketball goal on that tree. We will be lucky to find a piece of board to make a backboard but this is not necessary and would just be an extra blessing. I am also planning to take a number of basketballs and soccer balls with a pump and a few extra nets and needles. The only sure-way to get this stuff there is to have an extra checked bag which acures its own cost--it's minimal in the overall picture of whats about to happen! Help me make this vision a reality by sacrificing a little bit of your first world luxuries for some kids who will be amazingly appreciatave of this gift. Perhaps give $5 instead of getting a lattee or $15 instead of eating out tonight. This is an easily obtainable goal (: Thanks for reading and for choosing to give some kids who truly have nothing--something!
Organizer
Keri Dennison
Organizer
Dallas, TX
