Do It for One

December 2, 2017 Posted by Jocelyn Pitman

Often times when people look at a mission field, they get overwhelmed by the sheer vastness and depths of needs in a community or country. It can be overwhelming. When you stop to think about how many people there are in an area, or how great their needs are, it can be devastating and overpowering.

As I drive and walk through the communities of Haiti, it is sad to see how people have to live.

To see little kids wearing no clothes, or wearing adult sized shirts as dresses.

To see how much work and time it takes to make one meal.

To see people trying so hard to sell their wares just to make enough money to feed their families for that day.

To see kids playing with garbage because they don’t have toys.

It breaks my heart. And I want to help change those situations. Many other people do too. It’s why people are called into missions, God has placed a desire on their heart for a certain country or people group. I’ve often heard the statement “I want to change the world”. That’s a big statement for one person, or one organization. Is there a better way to make a difference?

But what if we stopped focusing on changing the world? What if we stopped looking at population numbers or statistics? What if we stopped looking at how poor a country is?

What if we started looking at names? What if we started looking at each person’s face and realizing that each and every one of those faces is valuable and worthy? What if we stopped and helped one person and showed them the love of Jesus?

Can you do that? Can you stop and help one person? Can you change the world for one person?

You don’t need to fix their life, or come in to re-vamp the way they live. You just need to love them and ask, “How can I show this person how Jesus loves them?”

Sometimes there are things we can’t fix. Or there are things that we shouldn’t fix. But everyone needs love. Everyone needs to know that they are important, and they are worthy. Showing respect and dignity for someone is one the very simple ways we can love someone.

As I walk across the schoolyard, fifty little Haitian bodies run towards me and yell “Blan!”. Sometimes I just want to run across the yard and avoid getting yelled at and pulled over by all those little bodies. Sometimes I don’t want to stop to play with twenty different children and have their sticky hands going all through my hair. Sometimes I wish I was invisible, so I wouldn’t get stared at everywhere I go. Sometimes I just want to get back to my work and avoid all of it.

But then I think about how I could make a difference in one of those little one’s lives. I think about how I can show them that Jesus loves them. How can I show those sticky fingered, brown eyed kids how Jesus loves them? I wish I could take them all home, I wish I could give them all a clean, warm bath and a nutritious meal to fill their bellies. I wish I had medicine to treat all of them. I wish I could kiss them all and hug them tight and tell them that everything will be okay and no one is going to hurt them. But I can’t do it all. I can’t fix every one of those kids lives. But I can do something.

Helping someone is not always about giving physical things. Our North American mindset is to fix any situation by giving a thing. Giving a toy, giving clothes, giving money. Sometimes the best “thing” we can give, is our time.

Giving our time is a lot more work than just dropping off a bag of stuff. Giving our time hurts sometimes. Giving our time opens the opportunity for relationships. Giving our time makes us feel raw emotions and opens our eyes to another life.

Do you know how simple it is to show a three-year-old love? It’s as simple as playing hockey with him when the older kids don’t want to play with him. Do you know how sweet those giggles are when he scores a goal? Do you know what kind of bond you are forming when you take the time to spend with him?

Sometimes it’s taking a cranky seven-year-old and spending some one on one time with them and understanding the real reason they’re lashing out. Just sitting quietly with them while colouring can speak volumes without even saying a word.

Sometimes it is sitting down with an older kid and having a heart-to-heart and asking how they’re really doing. Ask their opinion, get them thinking. Sometimes it takes time to open up, but it is worth it.

What if we focused on changing the world for one person? What if we stopped for one person? What if we showed love to one person today and made a difference in their life?

You don’t need to travel to another country to change the world for one person. There are people right next door, there are people in your church, there are people in your home, and there are people in your workplace, who need to be shown the love of Jesus. There are people all over the world that need to see the love of Christ and that is what will change the world.

“I have learned that I will not change the world, Jesus will do that. I can however, change the world for one person. So I keep stopping and loving one person at a time. Because this is my call as a Christian. And if one person sees the love of Christ in me, it is worth every minute. In fact, it is worth spending my life for.” -Katie Davis

So do it. Do it for one. Stop for one. Love one. Change the world for one person.

Jocelyn

About Jocelyn Pitman

Jocelyn Pitman was born in a small town on the East Coast of Canada. She always had a desire to serve people and enjoyed helping in her church and at home with her family but never really looked beyond the small town of Yarmouth. In April of 2015, she traveled to HATS for the first time and fell in love with the country and people. After returning in December 2016, it was clear that God wanted her there longer than a week. After much prayer and guidance, Jocelyn returned in October 2017 to begin a six-month term. When home in Yarmouth, Jocelyn is actively involved in her church, serving on the mission’s board, and doing fundraisers for HATS.

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Testimonials

It’s my hope that I manage to touch their hearts in some small way, the way that they have touched mine – in a major way.

Cherie MacDonald
HATS Visitor
It’s going to be impossible to put my thoughts into words about this experience, so I’d say this – if you can get here – do. I think most people probably think they’re coming to help others. To some extent, that’s true (at least this temporary blogger thought so). To a larger extent, you’ll leave Haiti a better person than when you arrived. Nelson Mandela once said something like “Everywhere I go, I wear you”. It means that none of us is our own person entirely. Rather, we’re the culmination of the people and experiences we have had. I leave Haiti wearing 16 HATS children, 10(ish) Haitian staff members, a Calgarian, 2 Winnipegian’s, and a Newfie. And I couldn’t be happier about it. Until we meet again my friends.

Rick
HATS Visitor
Culture shock for this Canadian team at first, but a ride through busy, vibrant streets proved terrifically interesting; busy markets, vendors selling exotic fruits, clothing and shoes, used tires and rusty metal… and then the gorgeous countryside: banana plants, mangoes, cows and goats and pigs and dogs, the Golfe de La Gonave by our side. Rice patties indicated we were close to our home for the next week. We were greeted by Magalie, a house mother, with hugs for all and, of course, the children themselves, so gorgeous and endearing. A beautiful meal was followed by a sharing of impressions: there is a lot of poverty but so much potential and hope. We are already in love with Haiti.

Team Canada
HATS Visitors
It is our last day and there is always a certain amount of sadness and joy when we come to the end of a trip . We look forward to our homes and loved ones but there is a part of us that wants to stay and be near these dear dear children. They open their hearts and arms to you when you enter the front gate. They give you laughter and tears all week long and then they cry and hug you when they know you are going away. Being near that kind of unconditional love effects us all very deeply. So we leave part of our hearts here and promise to return.

Gerry Rhyno
HATS Visitor
Amazing organization! Had the pleasure of visiting twice, and can’t wait to go back again someday. God is doing some wonderful things at HATS!

Jess MacDonald
HATS Visitor
This is my first trip to Haiti and I’m hoping that it will not be my last! I could start by telling you all about my experiences however I’ll start by saying that Haiti DOES hit you in your heart! Not a day goes by when I’m not fighting back tears. Hands Across the Sea is an amazing place! Our team has been assembled of different men that all who all felt God calling them to do his bidding. Since I have been here I was quick to realize that we are just helpers here. Karen and her team of workers are, what I believe to be, the real workers of God! Each child presents their own challenges and Karen and her staff make sure that all of the children, not one child, are seen to!

Bernie Melanson
HATS Visitor
This is my first time traveling outside of Canada and I am proud to say it was for a mission trip. I have always wanted to go on one and see what it like in other parts of the world and do what I can to help out. Haiti is a terminus life change for me and how I look at things. Seeing these kids and how they have such a passion for each other and for us is truly inspiring. I look back to what I was like at that age and I don’t think I was half as kind or generous as they are. This morning we did devotions and as I was speaking about what an impact they had on me only in one day I started to tear up…it was very emotional to talk about.

Isaiah Henderson
HATS Visitor
A huge thank you to aunt Karen, who always seems to be doing something with her children and the HATS mission. The only time she takes for herself is long enough to spread some almond butter on a banana that she eats on the run. Thank you so much for all your hard work and unwavering dedication. Thank you for being an inspiration to me and so many others. We love you and our Haitian family very much. The longer I spend at HATS, the bigger piece of my heart remains. Take care of yourself and our kiddies until we see each other again.

Jocelyn Barnes
HATS Visitor
I’m not sure what we’re doing here, just showing up for a week – it’s not like it’s sustainable. And I don’t want to become depressed by some of the harsh realities that Karen has to deal with every day. You know it’s ONE thing to start an orphanage and school (Yes, Karen has done things that are beeeeyond me), but it’s ANOTHER thing to raise the 20 babies that become YOUR kids!!! Not only are they a big family, but they are a big family containing individual stories that got them all to where they are in the orphanage. I don’t even know how to describe it…I have never seen a woman her age with this much energy…fun loving energy that is. She so inspired me today and really is a wonderful mother to all these children.

Barbara
HATS Visitor
I am so thankful to God for allowing me the opportunity to be here and experience his splendor. This day will forever be in my heart and mind. The scripture that resonates with me today is “…whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Matt 25:40. I am so happy I decided to come to HATS, this experience will stay with me for my life time.

Crystal Young
HATS Visitor