I didn’t really know what to expect. All I knew to believe is was what I had heard and saw from different the media sources that piled up around me. I knew that this was a time of need and that God had a plan, a plan that would soon involve me. We made our way through the many discouraging obstacles that laid in our path and finally stepped foot into a world totally different from our own. We made our way through the pole barn that they called customs and baggage claims to reach the large crowd that stood desperately wanting to help any of us “rich people” with our bags simply to make a buck or two. It was at this moment that we knew without a shadow of a doubt that we were in Haiti.
The trip was full of unknowns and speculations about what would seen and experienced. With many ideas cycling through our minds it was clear that until we saw, experienced, and came face to face with the effects of the earthquake and life as it is now and before the devastation in Haiti, we would never be able to grasp the magnitude of the situation in this country. We were only there for a week but this week was meant to challenge every part of who we were. We called home a hot and humid building and laid our head to rest at night on foam mattress within a compound in the town of Pierre Payen. At first there were not huge life changing tasks on the path in front of us and we learned to find peace in the small and mundane tasks that we were directed to complete. Tasks such as fixing a ceiling in our room and painting the walls of a couple offices. Through the mundane we still were able to find peace in knowing that we were loosening the load of others and furthering the kingdom of God even if it was in the most minuet way. But our work did not stop at painting and repairing nor were we about to stop there. After the normal 8:30am to 5:00pm days at the compound we entered into relationship with the Haitian people and what a joy that was. We visited orphanages and played with the kids, we played soccer and goofed around with the kids on the street and around our compound, and eventually handed out rice and assisted in well repairs throughout tent cities and different parts of Port-au-prince. Even though our languages did not mix and we learned a limited vocabulary such as, “Hello, how are you” “what’s your name” and a few simple words like “thank you” and “you’re welcome” in their native language Creole, we were able to communicate and find pleasure in the things that are universal. It was beautiful to see and experience the simple things in life that we so often take for granted like a smile, a hug, and a laugh that break down the walls that cage us in. Although it was very frustrating not being able to communicate to our new friends, we knew simply by the look in their eyes how they felt and I think that they could see it in our eyes as well. 
Life in Haiti is different than ours in the United States of America. With Haiti being the poorest country in the western hemisphere you can imagine that we in America have absolutely no clue what life there is like for the Haitian people, not even myself after being there can truly fathom the life of a Haitian. Even with minimal resources and with all the odds staked against the people they persevere, exemplifying resiliency like none I have seen. The Haitian people work hard at making food, retrieving water, taking care of their children, and trying to make ends meat in any way they can, which was beautiful and heart wrenching at the same time.
Our time was mostly spent in and around Pierre Payen, which suffered very minimal damage from the earthquake, but there were a couple days spent in Port-au-prince. This city has been hit hard, with some buildings pan caked and others with devastating structural damage but the most shocking element is the number of people displaced from their homes, forced to live in makeshift tents or tents supplied from a few groups, and tarp covered huts. These people were in need of food and water proof shelter. Our senses we heightened as we drove through this city. Our eyes were drawn to spaces filled with tents or tarp homes, collapsed buildings and beautiful children and people waving and continuing on in their normal day to day manner much different from our own. Our noses locked onto the smell of burning trash and plastic, food cooking on the side of the street, and different unidentifiable odors that I would just assume leave unidentified. Sounds floated through the air in a screaming manner, horns blasting (from an American view for no reason), kids laughing, playing, and trying to speak to us in Creole, and many people asking for food and handouts from the white people in the back of the truck. Your skin could feel the heat and humidity in the air, with dust sticking to the perspiration that covered your body. And our mouths were dry and our thirst was quenched by different flavored pops or water from a bag. There were few times that our senses were not on active duty, which is another element that made this experience life changing.
It didn’t take long for us to realize that life was different for the Haitian people compared to our own. Nor did it take long to see the resilience and happiness that they had even in the worst of circumstances. Every part of Haiti touched and tore at our hearts transforming our world view causing us to see life in America through new lenses. Now, as I anxiously wait to once again return to the beautiful people and beautiful country of Haiti I can only tell others about my experience and close my eyes and remember the faces gratitude and joy that grip my heart.
