Scout Distributes 830 Pair To Needy In Haiti
On November 4, 2013, I left my safe haven in the United States to help my son, Logan, fulfill a dream of distributing 830 pair of shoes to a Third World country. He had decided over one year ago that he would like to collect shoes for the children in Haiti as his Eagle Scout project. His uncle [my brother] had traveled to Haiti the previous year on a mission trip and came back a changed person. He told stories of Haiti and the astounding strength of the people there. Little did I know that this grand idea was growing in my son’s head.
With the support of many friends, family and our community, Logan was not only able to fulfill collection of over his original goal of 500 shoes, but he collected 830 pair! He also raised enough money to ship the shoes to Haiti. While the collection and transport of these shoes fulfilled his requirements to achieve the highest rank in Scouting, I knew that Logan’s dream was not complete. He kept asking if there was any way that I would allow him to go to Haiti to distribute the shoes. I knew that our church [Corpus Christi Parish in Evansville] had partnered with St Joseph Church in Vanderburgh County for annual mission trips; however, when I researched Haiti, I continually read of the dangers that Americans face in this Third World country. As an overprotective mother, I immediately told him “no.”
I put it out of my mind. I had not put much thought into a trip to Haiti, until in the midst of a busy work day, I felt an overwhelming feeling that Logan would be safe if I allowed him to travel to Haiti. I genuinely feel that it was God reassuring me that when we choose to do good for others, He will keep you safe. The message was so clear to me that I immediately told my family that I was going to do all that I could to make sure that Logan could go to Haiti and distribute his shoes.
I went a step further, stepped out of my comfort zone, and decided that if we could come up with the money, I would take this opportunity to go with Logan to Haiti. My husband and three sons didn’t believe me at first as I am a bit of a girly girl. Lack of electricity, air conditioning and clean water was nothing that I have experienced before. But I felt that If my son could be selfless enough to spend his spare time collecting shoes, I could learn from him. He worked as a lifeguard to raise money to travel to Haiti while other children his age were saving for spring break trips to Florida. Was it enough to simply be proud of him for his goal of helping the people of Haiti? I wanted him to know that his dream inspired me to be a better person. I would stand next to him and we would achieve his dream . . . OUR dream together.
Logan’s amazing spirit not only inspired me, but my brother and father also decided to travel with us! It was one of the most challenging weeks of my life. It was also one of the most rewarding and emotional experiences of my life. To watch Logan carry out his dream of matching each of the 830 pair of shoes with 830 needy children and adults in Haiti was truly a gift. We distributed most of the shoes at St. James parish in Plaine-du-Nord in Haiti. The day that the shoes were distributed was a day that I will never forget. As the 12 members of this mission trip got on their knees and put shoes on these little children, I felt that I had been led by God to this exact place. I was truly doing God’s work.
If you would like to know more about how you can help the people of Haiti please visit www.stjoeco.org/mission-to-haiti.
