Less than 48 hours later, a 7.0-magnitude earthquake rocked the island nation of just over 9 million people.

The world looked on as cities and lives lay in ruin.

For nearly 10 days, Utley distributed food, helped build shelters and developed life-changing relationships with the very same people whose tragedy was being broadcast into homes across the globe.

"At first, I really didn't get it because I was thinking, ‘These people already have so little. Why out of everywhere in the world, would they be the ones that were hit by the earthquake?'" she says. "But this could end up being a good thing for Haiti, because before they were ignored, and now the eyes of the world are on them."

Utley is trying to raise money for a second visit to Haiti and an orphanage only recently given a name - House of Hope.

"It affected her like nothing I've ever seen affect her in her whole life," says her father, Darren Utley. "She came back just absolutely moved by the experience and the reality that there were people down there in need to an extent she's never understood. And that was before the earthquake."

An experience that inspired
Mallory Utley arrived in Port-au-Prince on New Year's Day with a team of 10 other people hailing from Crossroads Community Church in Valencia.

The trip was planned in conjunction with Caribbean Vision Ministries, based out of Panama City Beach, Fla. and Connect 2 Ministries, led by Greg Barshaw.

Barshaw has known Utley for years.

"I wish I had 100 of her," Barshaw says. "She was phenomenal. She loved the kids. She has become an advocate for them, which is tremendous. Her impact in Haiti will go on and on because of her advocacy, even if she never goes back."

Most of the team's time was spent in Cap-Haïtien on the northern coast, with day trips to Labadee to the west.

The original plan was to set up a pastoral training facility, but rain delayed progress.

Instead, the team redirected its attention to other ministry endeavors, including a vacation bible school for children and worship services in the streets.

The streets were not like those Utley was accustomed to in the United States.

She paints a picture of poverty with descriptions of endless garbage, graffiti, corrugated metal and abundant mud.

But in the midst of it all, the people's resolve was astounding to her.

"When I was there, I was really struck by how positive the people were. ... The people there have happiness that is so contrary to their circumstances," Utley says. "That was really amazing to me. I couldn't wrap my mind around that."

Nowhere was that more prevalent than a small orphanage outside of Cap-Haïtien.

"It was a little, tiny wooden shack out in the middle of farm land in a mud pit," Utley says. "There was a well, a single building and a lean-to they used as a kitchen. They had 44 orphans."

Barshaw says the girls slept in a dilapidated building, and the boys slept outside in the elements.

There is one meal provided per day at the orphanage, and the cost of feeding the group comes out to approximately $5.

The beautiful gift
Leading up to the trip, Utley had an idea.

Having played soccer since she was 4 years old, she approached Carlos Marroquin, owner of Planet Soccer in Newhall, about donating a couple soccer balls to the orphanage.

He did, and then some.

"I would never say, ‘No,'" Marroquin says. "I did it before in Africa. We sent shoes. The kids over there, when they opened them, their eyes and mouths opened wide."

Boxes were waiting for Utley, filled with shin guards, soccer balls and clothes.

Given Haiti's economic status, Marroquin says he was compelled to lend a hand, and inspired by Utley's experience, he too would like to take a trip to the impoverished nation.

The children were elated as Utley helped distribute the equipment.

"They couldn't believe that they could keep it," she says. "When we handed it out, they were so excited and they started playing in the streets and trying on the clothes."

She recalls one little boy, who repeatedly cleaned off his new soccer ball, doing everything he could to keep it looking brand new on a rainy day.

It was a rare treat for a youth unaccustomed to such things.

"You don't want to break down in front of the kids," Utley says. "You had to hold it in until you get back to the hotel."

While working with the orphans, Barshaw says he began to see a change in Utley.

"Mallory is pretty reserved emotionally," he says. "She doesn't give you a lot of feedback, but as the trip went on and she had more experience with the people, I saw her become much softer and more responsive."

Even so, nothing could have prepared her for the events to come.

Taking action
According to the Associated Press, the death toll in Haiti stands at over 230,000, with countless more missing.

Utley didn't read the stories.

She couldn't find the strength.

"I have seen her moved to tears more times since she got back from Haiti than I have in her entire life," says Darren Utley. "You are talking about a very tough kid. ... It has really rocked her to her core and softened her heart in many ways."

It wasn't until weeks later that Mallory Utley finally watched the news.

But the moment she found out about the tragedy is still fresh in her mind.

"I was on the soccer field," Utley says. "I have a BlackBerry, and I got an e-mail from our contact saying, ‘You might want to watch the news.' I had a total meltdown. I'm not usually one who gets emotional in public."

Hart was in the middle of its Foothill League opener against Valencia, and head coach Mike Gomez turned to his bench.

"I saw a different Mal," he says. "Normally, she is on as the sideline cheering, but she had her arms crossed and you could tell she was affected by the earthquake."

Gomez says he struggled with putting her into the game so upset, but decided it might help keep her mind occupied.

What she could do, however, was find a way to help.

The following day, Utley met with the associated student body at Hart High School, where she is in charge of fundraising.

She began speaking across the campus, sharing her experience and passion for the Haitian people with her fellow students.

At the end of her presentation, she provided an opportunity to donate.

"All the kids kind of knew what to expect because it had just happened," said Ronny Stewart, a teammate of Utley's and fellow member of Hart's ASB. "But when she said her story, the kids just really listen. High school kids can be cruel, but they took a moment and thought about it."

Utley raised just under $2,000 divided between the Red Cross and outreaches through her church.

Barshaw calls her work an encouragement and a valuable asset to the relief efforts.

Utley never expected to become an advocate, but the need has inspired her to become a local voice for the plight of all the children at the House of Hope.

Return visit
Caribbean Vision Ministries executive director and founder Dr. Chuck Davis says missionaries Utley's age tend to only make one or two trips.

According to Barshaw, that second trip could manifest itself later this year.

"We'll be taking wheelchairs, canes, crutches and doing a whole distribution for the people," Barshaw says. "We'll also be taking a medical team to the orphanage, because they haven't seen a doctor in a long time. I would expect that she will want to go on that team, and I'll certainly be open to taking her if that works."

No matter the capacity, Utley just wants to be utilized in whichever way is most beneficial to the cause.

"(The earthquake) has changed how I feel about my life now and I'm hoping I hold on to that," she says. "Things that bothered me before, I don't complain about anymore, and if I do, I feel so guilty so fast. But long term, I don't know (how it will affect me), because I feel like I still haven't processed, and I don't know where the need is. The need is so great."

Utley recalls the town of Labadee, a tourist destination with areas where the locals cannot venture.

It illuminates the stark contradictions present in daily life on the island, and a vivid comparison to Haiti's current circumstance.

"There is a gate that you walk through, and it is a pristine beach with kayaks and rock walls and a huge cruise ship a little way off the shore," Utley says. "The Haitians don't have any idea what is on the other side."

You can be sure that Utley will be doing everything she can to bring that gate down.

It starts with 44 children playing soccer at the House of Hope.