Serving with Love in Haiti

Church service was my brother’s full time job. For 25 years, Michael F. Moody served as the chairman for the General Music Committee for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. During that time he was instrumental in the printing of the 1985 hymnal which was translated in over 20 different languages. As part of his job, he visited countries around the world to provide music training. One of those trips took him to Haiti.

When Michael visited Haiti in 1998, he wrote home to his wife, “I love this place and its people; I did from the moment I arrived. They are black, shiny, and beautiful. They are humble and spiritual. They are hopeful and happy.” As he attended churches there, he found the chapels were overcrowded and often without plumbing and electricity. They didn’t have air conditioning and in that hot, humid climate it was quite an experience for him.

Though the people lived in poverty, Sunday was a special day for them and as they attended church, he observed, “They are unbelievably clean and neat. Today they are all dressed in white shirts, ties, and beautiful Sunday dresses. The women have their hair impeccably done. The men have their shoes shined.” He felt a great love for the people and conveyed this to his wife in that letter. Less than 2 years after that visit, Michael was called to be president of the Haiti Port-au-Prince Mission.

Upon hearing the news of their call to serve, my first concern was for Maria. I wondered how she could survive what some described as a “two year camping trip” in a third world country; but Maria had great faith. Even when the call was extended to three years, she showed her willingness to support her husband. I witnessed that Maria is a woman of strength and a blessing to her husband when I visited Haiti in 2002. I went with my husband, Mike and brother, Milton. It was a trip I will always remember.

On our arrival, Michael and Maria were there to greet us. As we walked through the crowded airport, people reached out to touch him as if my brother was a celebrity. I later found out that he was known to many of the Haitians as “President Love”. Some of the people were seeking a blessing from this religious leader and others may have wanted money. To the latter, he would give them crackers for which they always seemed grateful.

Most memorable to me were the children. We drove through the country one day and saw many school children, some neatly dressed in matching uniforms. They were happy, smiling and willing to pose for photos. Another day, we walked to an orphanage not far from the mission home. I remember picking up a little girl, feeling sorry that she had no clothing on. She stroked my long straight hair as several others gathered around seeking my attention. How I wished I could have taken all of them back to Utah with me and find them good homes.

When I heard of the earthquake and saw the devastation there, I saw a news report that an orphanage had been completely destroyed. I was sad to think it might have been the one I visited that day. My brother told me that about 20 of the church members he knew had been killed, but it was truly a blessing that all of the missionaries were accounted for.

Michael and Maria found happiness in Haiti by focusing on the positive. An email from them said, “We are rejoicing in the daily adventures of our mission – meeting friendly, happy people, experiencing a culture and way of life far removed from our own and basking in the tropical pleasures. We are on a hectic schedule but finding joy each day.” We could all find added happiness in our own lives by reaching out to others in need and serving them with love.