Walking around Haiti with a large camera bag, I was acutely aware of my status as an outsider. Being unable to speak their language and coming from a completely different part of the world, I was worried about how I would be able to build connections with the kids there. However, I quickly came to realize that speaking fluent Creole wasn’t required for building real human connections. Showing up was all I had to do.
Here are a few special moments from my journal that reminded me of how small our world really is:
Becca and the girls from Chanje Lakay playing in the park.
- The Universal Game: At the local park, I watched the Chanje girls as they sat and played a game on the concrete with five small rocks. They would toss one up while scrambling to grab the rest before catching the rock that was thrown in the air. I smiled realizing it was the exact same childhood game I had learned while studying abroad in Korea – the complete opposite side of the world. I asked if I could join, and they welcomed me wholeheartedly. Each time I messed up, the circle erupted in laughter, enthusiastically cheering, “Again, again!” until I got it right.
- Aspiring Soccer Stars: In the dirt lot near the school, a group of girls pulled me aside from my group the moment they saw I had a camera. They immediately started posing, throwing up peace signs and giggling as I snapped the photos. Through our translator, they explained that they were at the lot to train, sharing their dream of starting an all-girls soccer club. They didn’t have jerseys, cleats, or even a ball. Before I left, they eagerly asked me to be the “godmother” of the team and wish them luck on their training.
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Godmother Becca and the girls soccer team
The Power of Quiet Company: One afternoon, I sat on a wooden bench with my laptop as I went through some of the pictures I took that day. One of the older boys from the shelter came and sat next to me, showing me incredible drawings in his sketchbook. Another boy joined us when he saw his picture on my computer. The three of us sat there as I scrolled through the photos, pointing out my favorite ones to them. Few words were said, but the company was just as wonderful.
The people I met in Haiti have had a profound impact on my faith and the way I view the world. It was an honor to get to watch them, serve them, and know them. If you feel God calling you to serve in Haiti, or any other country, I encourage you to take that step and go. Yes, the language barrier can be difficult. Yes, international travel can be a little risky. Yes, the food is very different. But when God calls you, He always walks with you. And beside Him is the best place to be. He will guide you, be with you in every interaction, and faithfully use you no matter what your gifts may be.
Becca B is the 2026 summer intern for The Global Mission. She is using her talents in photography, story telling and social media to help us communicate with donors.
