On November 11, 2020 I returned to Haiti after 10 days in the US and brought my adopted son Bryan Nails and my niece Ryan Arrendell along with me. For both of them it was their first opportunity to serve as missionaries in a foreign land. Bryan and Ryan had not met before arriving at the airport in Port Au Prince but took to each other right away. I can tell there is now a lasting friendship forged by their shared experiences during the five days they were in Haiti. Below are Bryan’s reflections on what he saw and felt. Ryan’s experiences are shared in a separate post. Vernon.
AN INDELIBLE MARK by Bryan Nails
2020 Haiti Mission Reflections
Being close to and working alongside Vernon for so many years, I quickly sensed his passion for Haiti, the Mission of Grace, and the children of the orphanage. I knew that, before long, I would have an opportunity to go and feel what he felt so passionately about. However, I did not know it would happen so quick! I was fortunate to be one of two individuals sponsored through JJS Missions donors to make the trip and I am so grateful.
Arrival into the airport felt like a cultural immersion. There were a lot of people and they were all speaking Kreyol. Luckily, I flew with Vernon so it required little thought for me to get through the airport wickets. We were met by a good friend of his, Pastor Francois, who [as a local] readily guided us out of the airport to the transport vehicle. Although I had heard of the mass amount of the poverty that had stricken Haiti, actually seeing it was a very different and real experience. Literally right outside the airport in Port Au Prince were so many people who seemed to be in grave need. I could see how this could cause the violence and in-fighting amongst the citizens that is often reported. Following a quick meal while we waited for one additional traveler arriving on a later flight from the US we headed off to the village of Carries which was a little under a 2-hour drive.
We pulled into Ocean View, where the volunteers/missionaries normally stay, and were warmly greeted by Ms. Kim, the director of Missions, and the Ocean View Staff. The next morning we woke up to the waves crashing on the beach
and a hot cooked breakfast. This is when I truly saw the beauty of Haiti. The velvety smooth turquoise waters, warm weather and beautiful mountainous ranges were enough to leave me in awe of God’s creation. How could something so beautiful be so wrought with poverty? The only answer that I could come up with is “man”. But just as the greed of man caused such destruction so could “we” [man] assist in the rebuilding of this beautiful place. And I believe that Mission of Grace [the Mission] is a major part of that plan.
So, let’s talk about the Mission!
Our first day was like a tour of the different parts of the Mission. We visited the school, the clinic, the home for the elderly, the orphanage and drove by the church. Each was very touching. I could see that Mrs. Lynn and her husband Pastor Jean sought to meet the needs of the community in creating this Mission. That’s what makes Mission of Grace so special! The clinic was staffed with a few nurses and a doctor that, even through the civil unrest of the nation, sought to treat the people who came in infirmed. I was able to personally donate some Albuterol to help those who might be asthmatic. I then found out that a child had passed away from breathing issues some time ago and maybe, if they had that medication, the child might have lived. Each day and each step through the Mission I learned that lesson, that each little bit helps, no matter what it is.
Our first interaction with the children was at the school. The school was simply a building, no AC, no electricity, no windows, and few doors – just a building with rooms. It’s easy for us to see despair coming from what we are used to in 
the US but the children were filled with excitement and unspeakable joy! I could tell that they took their studies serious and that the teachers were serious about teaching them. In fact, I felt as though we were interrupting their classes during our brief tour but the teachers were ok with the little break for us to say hello. We later served the kids their lunch for the day and were able to interact with them during their lunch break. You wouldn’t believe how excited the kids were just to see us, ask us questions and find out who we were. Most of all, they were thankful for us to come and spend time with them. In the coming days we went back to the school when class was out of session and put in some sweat equity by staining some tables and doors,
specifically for the Principal’s office and the new computer lab that would be stocked full of donated computer systems that the children would use for their coursework. This is a big deal for the school and it will be fully functional as soon as they are able to run electricity to the room. We also helped sort donated school uniforms for the children which were handed out while we were there.
While the kids finished their school day, we went to the home for the elderly, affectionately called the “Grandma’s House”. Entering this space caught me by surprise because I initially thought that the Mission was solely focused on orphaned children and I didn’t think about “orphaned” seniors. It was amazing to see that the Mission cared for and provided for ALL those who couldn’t care for themselves. The seniors are served 3 meals a day and have daily activities they could partake in as well as a bed to call their own. Many had been abandoned by their families because their needs outweighed their contributions. This was the heart of Mission of Grace on display.
Later that day, and the following days, because we enjoyed it so much, we went to the orphanage to spend quality time with the children. Honestly, there isn’t much to describe other than we went to have fun, play games, talk, dance and sing with the children. There are four separate homes at the orphanage and they are split up by gender and age group so the children can bond with one
another. I spent most of my time in the boy’s home. When I initially walked up, the first thing the boys said to me was “come play basketball!”. Not at all what I expected but like I said, there was unspeakable joy and love in the hearts of the children. They just wanted to play and get to know me. So that’s what we did. We played basketball, laughed, played Uno, Spoons, Jenga, sang, danced and laughed some more. The time there flew by…Vernon had to come get us every time it was time to leave. I titled this writing “An Indelible Mark” because this experience, especially with the children, truly stained my soul, in a good way. I made connections with some of the children that will stay with me for the rest of my life. Looking at their situation from a privileged perspective you see all of what they don’t have and wonder how they could be so happy? But when you get to know them and talk to them you realize that they don’t focus on what they don’t have, their only focus is on what God has provided them. If we could only have the mindset of these children, the world would be so different. I left 
the orphanage changed in a way that is indescribable. I wanted more and even made a special connection with one of the younger boys that rests on my heart to this day.
On our last day we attended church service, organized a clothing donation distribution for the village and went back to the orphanage. The church service was great. I don’t think I have cried so much in a service before in my life! Tears of joy and gratefulness to God for what He was doing through Pastor Jean, Mrs. Lynn and Mission of Grace. To hear all of the children singing praises to our God for what He has given them was the most powerful thing I have ever heard. Most of the service was in Kreyol but I honestly felt that I understood every word that was spoken on a spirit level. The Holy Spirit dwelled (heavily/strongly…) in that church house and I could only cry tears of joy for being able to witness His greatness. I recorded one the songs of praise and as I listen, I can hear God speaking through the mouths of the children. What a mighty God we serve…hallelujah! I thank God for allowing me to be in the place to witness this worship.
Following church, the donations from Alfred Street Baptist Church and other churches/organizations in the DMV were brought up and organized for distribution to the community. This was a highlight for the surrounding community [those not part of the Mission]. It was a full circle experience for me since I helped pack some of the very items that were being distributed. The
best part of this experience was to see Mrs. Lynn talk to the people about God and the vision that God had given her on the future of the village. This was a true evangelistic moment as some of these people were not believers in God, so to witness to them while they were able to enjoy what God had provided was a big moment that was not missed. They received clothes, food and a hearty word. We then went to the orphanage for our last day and to say our “see you laters” to the children. I asked the boys what I could bring them back when I returned…and they didn’t know how to answer but one of them said, “just come back”. So, while the material things might excite them, what really mattered was my presence and just being there with them. This spoke volumes to me.
Thank you to the benefactors of this trip for allowing God to use you in this way so that I could walk in the path God had laid out for me. It is through your generosity that this was possible. I cannot wait to go back. There is work to do, God’s work to do and I plan on seeing it through. For me, this experience was an encounter with God that He orchestrated and it might not be for everyone. If you are “on the fence” about going then that means it’s been placed on your heart…don’t tarry, GO! A blessing from above awaits you.
As I sit in reflection, I know that I am forever changed…forever grateful…and will continue to enjoy this ride.