We have been having groups come into Haiti throughout
our relief and rebuilding efforts.
We ask these groups to fill out a de-brief form at the close of their missions
trip. We let those who come know, that they do not have to put there name on
the paper yet these friends of ours (who we made in Haiti) chose to sign there
de-briefing forms. Our prayer is that this will be a guide for Pastors and lay
leaders who desire to dig deeper and see what goes on in the hearts of those
who come. I was asked by the Wilmington News Journal in June 2010 how Haiti
affects these groups and if the groups are really helping. I believe these
de-briefings can shed some light on those questions from a different view
point. Regina and I have learned a
lot both in Haiti and in the D.R. from this evaluation process (See March 2008) (See
August 2010) and in several cases have implemented long term changes to our
short term group strategy. The following 3 de-briefings come from Dr. John
Morgan’s church in Farmington, New Mexico.
One thing debriefing triggers is the reentry process.
Reentry is both an end and a beginning.
• an end to a foreign experience, but the beginning of
feeling foreign
• an end of a trip, but the beginning of another
journey
• an end to being/feeling special, but the beginning
of being ordinary with a special heart for God and for the people of Haiti
• an end to being stared at, but the beginning of
looking at people and the world through different eyes
• an end to simple living, but the beginning of a
different lifestyle
• an end to crowded housing, but the beginning of
having more space for God and for people
• an end to eating foreign food, but the beginning of
friendships with International students, immigrants, refugee’s and ethnic
minorities
Casey Garcia - Jeweler’s Assistant
LEAVING
1. When I think
of leaving, I feel . . . conflicted.
Nervous for the impact Haiti has just begun in my life and how that’s
going to be revealed back home even more.
2. My
experience here has been . . . indescribable. There’s the third world and then there is Haiti
3. For me Haiti
means . . . conflict. Conflict
in emotions, perspective, government and the situation.
4. The people I
will miss are . . . The Franklins - those little blondies! The kids from our construction site.
Belen, Taylor and George.
5. The things
that I will miss are . . . cold showers. Rice pudding. Cabbage salad. Bad roads. Bags of Water.
6. The things I
will be happy to leave behind are . . . Sugar Cane Factories.
7. When leaving
a place I usually . . . feel ready to go home, sad to leave, thankful and
joyful about my experience.
8. The easiest
point of leaving for me will be . . . when I get to Florida and get my
Carmel Frappucino!
9. Before I
leave I really want to . . . Thank God for Haiti and promise Him to never
forget Haiti.
10. I feel that
my goals/expectations have been . . . revealed . . . I really had
none. The Lord showed me day by
day what to absorb and THAT blew my mind.
11. The most
stressful part of leaving will be . . . leaving the Franklins, and knowing
this may or may not be be my last time in Haiti (equally stressful)
12. A few
things I would suggest to the missionaries . . . stop spoiling us. Just
Kidding.
13. A few
things I would suggest to the national team at the base . . . continue
helping the Franklins
14. The base
needs . . another generator
15. One thing I
wish we could have done was . . . nothing - it was perfect in everyway
EXPECTATIONS
1. I think the
return home will be . . . Subtle. I feel my reentry is so much like my
entry - little expectation so that I can be open to how this all applies to the
Big Picture
2. I expect the
reception from my family will be . . supportive
3. I anticipate
my church to be . . .
4. I picture my
friends to be . . . so amazed at the devastation, shocked even. I know that those closest to me will
want stories and will be influenced.
5. I expect my
family to
6. I hope my
church will . . .
7. I think my
friends will be . . .
8. I am looking
forward to . . . seeing my fiancé.
RETURNING
1. When I think
of returning to the United States, I feel . . . revived. This new perspective is opening up my
heart and mind and I feel it will be used back home.
2. I will be
going back to . . . planning a wedding and so many new beginnings!!!
3. Going back
will enable me to . . . make my calling and election sure. Haiti re-introduced me to parts of
myself that God is eager to use!!
4. Regarding
money, I will . . . hold it with an open hand, always remembering its
God’s. I am merely a steward.
5. I think the
hardest part of going back for me will be . . . my family.
6. I think the
easiest part of going back will be . . . getting ready to be married and
seeing God unfold all that.
7. I cannot
wait to. . . tell my fiancé about Haiti. Be more intentional about how I relate to people. Love well!
Steve Hebert - Furniture Store Manager
LEAVING
1. When I think
of leaving, I feel . . . Sense of exhausted accomplishment.
2. My
experience here has been . . . life changing
3. For me Haiti
means . . . the possibility of an awakening for mankind
4. The people I
will miss are . . . forever a part of my life
5. The things
that I will miss are . . . the challenges that exist here
6. The things I
will be happy to leave behind are . . . the aromas
7. When leaving
a place I usually . . . take material souvenirs
8. The easiest
point of leaving for me will be . . . to return to my family at home
9. Before I
leave I really want to . . . thank everyone who worked so hard.
10. I feel that
my goals/expectations have been . . . exceeded . . . unbelievable.
11. The most
stressful part of leaving will be . . . knowing I may never return
12. A few
things I would suggest to the missionaries . . . drink plenty of water,
have 3 pair of shoes, lots of Sunblock
13. A few
things I would suggest to the national team at the base . . . they are
great and can’t think of anything
14. The base
needs . . . financial support
15. One thing I
wish we could have done was . . . seen a little more of Haiti
EXPECTATIONS
1. I think the
return home will be . . . poignant
2. I expect the
reception from my family will be . . warm and tearful
3. I anticipate
my church to be . . . curious
4. I picture my
friends to be . . . curious
5. I expect my
family to be . . . interested and motivated
6. I hope my
church will . . . be supportive in the future of Short Term Missions
7. I think my
friends will be . . . curious
8. I am looking
forward to . . . organizing my photos / journal and sharing
RETURNING
1. When I think
of returning to the United States, I feel . . . ready
2. I will be
going back to . . . home and job.
My life changed forever here.
3. Going back
will enable me to . . . provide stronger witness for Christ.
4. Regarding
money, I will . . . find a way to support missions more
5. I think the
hardest part of going back for me will be . . . retain the emotions born
here.
6. I think the
easiest part of going back will be . . . seeing my loved ones
7. I cannot
wait to. . . share my experiences
Steve Damron /
Small Business owner and Golf Pro.
Note: Steve is a new Christian and reminds me
a lot my uncle Tom (where I get my name).
LEAVING
1. When I think
of leaving, I feel . . . not ready!
Although I miss my family, I know there is so much to be done.
2. My
experience here has been . . . life changing, I am far richer than I ever
imagined.
3. For me Haiti
means . . .
4. The people I
will miss are . . . the Franklins and the whole team, I’ve made some life
long friends that I will always pray for and remember not only in my mind but
will love in my heart.
5. The things
that I will miss are . . . the cooking, the cold showers and most of all
the companionship.
6. The things I
will be happy to leave behind are . . . my blood, sweat and tears; as well
as a Christian legacy!
7. When leaving
a place I usually . . . never look back!
8. The easiest
point of leaving for me will be . . . after I board the plane.
9. Before I
leave I really want to . . .
10. I feel that
my goals/expectations have been . . . back and forth. From not feeling as though I could make
a difference to seeing that I have maybe on a few men.
11. The most
stressful part of leaving will be . . . tonight at the property. I have sweat, bled and cried and I know
the men respect us for it.
12. A few
things I would suggest to the missionaries . . . N/A I’ll be back - Keep it
up.
13. A few
things I would suggest to the national team at the base . . . bring me
back.
14. The base
needs . . . nothing
15. One thing I
wish we could have done was . . . swam in the ocean, but I was not here to
vacation either!
EXPECTATIONS
1. I think the
return home will be . . . long, thoughtful, emotional and reflective.
2. I expect the
reception from my family will be . . with arms wide open
3. I anticipate
my church to be . . . very grateful
4. I picture my
friends to be . . . humbled also by my tales and experience.
5. I expect my
family to be . . . I have no expectations, they know I was called by God
for this trip.
6. I hope my
church will . . . continue supporting Haiti and the Franklins as well.
7. I think my
friends will be . . . inquisitive
8. I am looking
forward to . . . a rare Ribeye Steak!
RETURNING
1. When I think
of returning to the United States, I feel . . .
2. I will be
going back to . . . Farmington, Family, Friends, Fiancé and my business of
Hustle and Bustle.
3. Going back
will enable me to . . .
4. Regarding
money, I will . . . it now means a fraction of the importance it had prior
to my trip.
5. I think the
hardest part of going back for me will be . . . I am forever changed for
leaving these people and I thank everyone from family to the church to the
Haitians who have made these changes in me.
6. I think the
easiest part of going back will be . . . nothing will be easy about it for
me.
7. I cannot wait to. . . come back.
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