2019 – Friday

As today is the last day of our mission trip and it brings with it much emotion, it makes me ask, “What does it mean to make a difference?” We all strive to make a difference in this world but how do we know if we have made an impact or left a legacy? I have the goal of always leaving people better after they have been in my presence than before. This week all members of the St. Joe’s team have impacted the lives of many Haitians, Dominicans, fellow Americans and one Canadian in particular.  

I am currently on my 6th mission trip. My first five trips were in Haiti and now we are rerouted to DR which was met with some inner turmoil as I believed the need in Haiti was greater than DR. This is my 5th trip serving with your St. Joe’s group. I thank each and every St. Joe’s mission trip member over the years who have been a part of my ‘adoption’ into your group, but especially Dave. Dave took me under his wing years ago and has become an angel in my life. He has been called to be a Missionary Leader and naturally leads not only his group but many other groups as well. I gave him a coffee mug this year that reads, Faithful Servant, as that is what Dave truly is in the way he leads. 

I had the pleasure of witnessing the fireworks of the 4th of July and celebrating your independence with your team here in the DR. As the fireworks exploded into the sky, I was reminded of our theme of a few years ago, “Be doers of the Word and not hearers only- James1:22” and be living examples of the gospel. I was also reflecting as the lights lit up the skies, on gratitude and being thankful for all the blessings in my life. Stepping into the homes of human beings living in slums, makes me see how lucky I am. As I rode the bus and looked out a window today, kids were in a pile of garbage, probably sifting through for food. One adorable girl turned and looked at me, something in her eyes looked sad, but then she smiled and waved at me! I wanted to cry, but she was smiling! Perspective IS everything in life as a dear friend reminded me last week! 

So how can I take this relational piece of serving others on mission trips back and use it in my everyday life back in St. Marys, Ontario, Canada? That is where we are called to make a difference too. Am I love and joy to all I meet in my daily interactions? How can I serve the poor or poor in spirit back home? How can I welcome the stranger who lives a lonely existence? 

My mission trips remind me, “You can’t feel unloved in Haiti or the DR.” However, with faith and trust in God, we are never unloved. If only every human could remember that every day. 

Today, I was super lucky and got to see a Haitian school for those Haitians displaced in Santiago. Being a principal, I am baffled at the small rooms for huge numbers of kids. How can this be better? We prayed with mothers who left their children in Haiti to come work in the DR and have a better life but have not been able to get work and are living without their families! 

Yes, mission trips include heat, tarantulas, cold showers, tight sleeping quarters, and that might keep some of you from signing up. But, you cannot imagine the feeling of the grace of God when you have God moments and see pure joy in the eyes and smiles of the people you meet!

I am reminded that God has a plan for all of us. I pray when God calls you to go on a mission trip, that you answer.  I came to St. Joe’s this past Sunday after Christmas and we celebrated the Holy Family and family was the theme of the mass. Thank you to all who have brought me into their hearts over the past 5 trips and made me part of your family! 

Dianne Vivian

A note – today we finished the house we were building. We did demo on Wed and actually built the house Thursday and Friday, it’s very satisfying to see the fruits of our labor. We bless those that will dwell in this simple structure that replaced a place none of us could imagine living in.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

•