A Perspective

After a month being back in the US, I have had time to reflect on my experience. Some people travel to third world nations and come back whole new individuals with a new perspective on life and a profound appreciation for their life. Do I know that I am blessed...yes. I didn't need Haiti to show me that. I already knew that I love air-condition, padded seats and clean water. What I learned is that there is beauty in every situation. I am a realist on the verge of being a pessimist and often forget to look for the good in the situation. In Haiti, there is no infrastructure. There is a constant smell of trash, urine and sewage. There is little opportunity for the people to escape their reality. Are they angry and sad...yes. But many of them find joy. They find it in religion, family and the other simple pleasures that we so often take for granted. In order to honor the time I spent in Haiti, I try to breath a little deeper and take in the simple joys of my life. It is hard to describe Haiti because it really is another reality, so very different from the one I live in.

Other interesting notes:

1. I am a mule... there was Jesus, who was a carpenter by trade, he could use a hammer. And then there was His mule that carried His supplies, I am a mule. I am terrible at hammering nails but I can carry wood, cement blocks and the like.

2. When you can't get away from a bad smelling Haitian...it's you that smells bad. Go take a shower!

3. Me and children do not mix. We went to an orphanage the second day we were there to play with 100 children. I felt as though I was being tortured. I can not understand English-speaking kids, let alone Haitian ones. I just don't have a soft-spot in my heart for children...however, they are cute in pictures.


4. I truly missed my friends and family. No, I was not home-sick. I was only gone a week. But when you experience such a different reality, you need to express your thoughts. Oh wait, the people you love and trust can not be reach at this time, please hang up and try again. I was able to develop some friendships and share but it is just not the same.

5. Goat taste like beef-jerky. And I really like beef-jerky.

6. Not having a cell phone, computer and any other electronic device for a week was an absolute pleasure.

7. I can mix concrete...just call me the Sr.Concrete-Mix-A-Lot

8. I under pack. I do not like to check bags on flights. However, when travelling to third-world countries for a week, it might be a good idea. I was lucky enough to travel with one individual who so graciously took care of my luggage short-comings.

9. Poop was the topic of way too many conversations.

10. I want to see more of this world.

The Feeling

Today is the day...we are leaving for Little Rock tonight to fly to Haiti early in the morning. As the hour is quickly approaching, I am cool, calm and collected. People keep asking me if I am excited or worried or anxious. My response: ahhh, not really. I am not worried, I know I am well cared for and protected physically and mentally. I am not anxious for I am prepared. If I have forgotten something, all I need to do is look around and remember people live and work with a lot less. And finally, am I excited? Well, it's hard manual labor in blistering hot heat. I do not think excited is the word. I think if I had to describe this state with a single word, it would be open. I have few expectations for the trip. I know that we will help the people, I know that it will effect me. The emotions that are expected come from details. Since I know few details, I have little emotion. It is quite liberating to know that I am going into the unknown with complete confidence. This is what it means to trust.

It's going to be HOT

The group had a pre-trip meeting this Sunday. We were forewarned...it is going to be hot, real hot. Like legs sticking together, looks like I just jumped in a lake hot! I have never been too fond of intense heat, it might be the hardest part of the trip. In this crazy heat we will be building a church, a home and a school (not in totality but additions and repairs). The interesting story is about the school. The church that we are staying at is also a school. It has the rooms available and the entire building has been inspected and approved, it is safe. However, the children are so scared to be inside (they live in tents). So we are putting a roof and short wall around the side of the church for the children to attend school. It's sad to hear how fear is crippling the people. It's not just the children. The leaders of the trip just returned from a short visit to Haiti and spoke of this air of hopelessness. I can not imagine a life without hope. For me, hope is found in your reason for living, whatever it may be. My prayer is that we provide the building to rebuild hope. That we can give at least one person a place to find hope in the church, school or their own home.

7 Days and Counting

I Need Pants

I will be departing for Haiti in less than a month. As I am beginning to gather the particulars, I can not find pants. I need those (oh so trendy) light weight cargo-looking, zips off into shorts pants. I found some similar at Old Navy and Walmart (ugh) but I can not find the ones that zip. If you have any idea as to where I could locate this pant, please let me know.

In other news: the anticipation is killing me. One day I feel completely prepared and the next feel as though this will be a big joke. I have this idea that the greater and more involved my expectations are, the level of anticipation grows more intense. I am trying to draw realistic expectations of the trip, not project grand coming-to-Jesus moments or indifferent labor but something in between. I think the thing I am most looking forward to is looking back. I am a retrospective person, so I am interested to dive into the reflections of it all. But, I am not going to get ahead of myself.

The Details

Location: Port-Au-Prince, Haiti
Dates: August 7 - 14, 2010
Group: Go Journeys, Hope Presbyterian Church

Why: Since I have been home, I have promised myself that I would move to Colorado by January of 2010...ok, well maybe June. As June has come and gone and my deadline has once again been pushed back (I am moving in October), I decided to use my vacation time to go on a trip. At first, I thought about Canada or New Zealand - there is actually a famous triathlon in New Zealand in August which I considered doing. However, not one of the leisure options was really affordable and the time lines were not matching up with my schedule. Then one day in church, I heard about a trip to Belize. It was the right price and the right time. One week later I signed up for a fun filled week teaching VBS in Belize! Then one week later the trip was changed to construction work in Haiti... how about that for a change of plans. I decided not to pull out from the trip despite the dramatic changes. I have never been on a mission trip, and what a way to start. Haiti is obviously in great need. I know I will experience cultural shock and will see devastation and pain. Though I have hesitations and fears, I am excited to see the hope and joy that is present even in the darkest of circumstances. I have few expectations for the trip but I know that I will see a different world from the one I live. I hope my life will change.

If you would like to make a donation, please send a check made out to Hope Church with my name and Haiti -GO Journey in a note with the check or on the " for " line.

Hope Church
8500 Walnut Grove Road
Cordova, TN 38018

Thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated.