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2012 Haiti Team Interview Six: Melody

Before she spoke a word, before the introductions and meeting and planning, it was clear that Melody was a person of kindness. She was among the quiet members of the group, but this did not mean she had nothing to say. Her message was communicated far more clearly in her actions, in the empathy and generosity and interest she took in others. Indeed, it was Melody who sat with others to listen to their stories and struggles, and it was Melody who took the time to ask after others when she thought they had a need.

Melody's contribution to the team went further than her empathy, however. Indeed, it was because of that empathy that she served also as a unifying presence to us. Her friendliness allowed her to reach out to many members of the team, even serving to allay problems that surfaced between them. More than this, she had a nurturing quality that led her naturally to the orphanage children. When not at work, she could be found among them, playing and simply spending time with them.

Melody also grew personally as we prepared for this trip. Being a natural planner, it was something of a challenge for her to let go of some of the responsibility for the planning and allow others to take care of the details. This was as much a spiritual lesson as it was a lesson in teamwork, for her ultimate goal was to focus less on her own plans and allow God to work his own. In her words, she "hoped to learn how to serve and live for God, rather than trying to lean on my own understanding."

This submission of control to God paid off. Always smiling, always optimistic, Melody was to us an example of humility and patience that shone in the way she treated others. This only further emphasized the dignity she carries about herself, for it was this humility and kindness that drew others to her. Indeed, Melody gave much more to this team than she realized. She gave the team its spirit, its unity, and by her example of hard work and the kindness she showed to the orphanage children, she gave to us its faithfulness to purpose. For many of us on this team of eleven, in fact-- both before and during the trip-- Melody displayed a gentleness of spirit that offered peace, a peace more valuable to us than we sometimes recognized.
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  1. AnonymousJune 15, 2012 at 6:37 PM

    Thank you Jesus for giving me a daughter, showing me how to teach her and showing her how to teach me! <><

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