Last week I flew home to Canada to be in my friend’s wedding and visit my family. My time there included lots of driving around, dressing up, hot showers and Starbucks, all of which truly are foreign things to Haiti. So you can imagine that coming back after all that wouldn’t be the easiest thing. I had my mindset to leave and come back as if I never left. I intended to mesh these two worlds in my life perfectly. That simply was not the case. After two days home I found myself adjusting quite quickly to my room, my car and ability to go wherever I wanted, whenever I wanted. I drove 5 hours to the wedding and spent a couple days in a beautiful mountain resort in BC. It was such a privilege to be a bridesmaid and share in her perfect day. Sunday morning it was the long drive home after filling the gas tank and buying breakfast. I felt blessed to have this mini vacation home to visit everyone, but as quick as I arrived I found myself on the plane again.
Once in Haiti I was greeted by hot weather and sitting in the back of the truck without my luggage because the airport kindly forgot to return it to me. Ah welcome home. Every piece inside of me wants to give what I have to this country, but sometimes it’s really not possible. On my own that is. So I honestly believe that here in Haiti God’s grace comes in the form of joy. The only way to cope with living with 80 people is to laugh it off. Just smile when you’re using left over fruit seeds as face scrub or getting a bucket of water to shower with. The reality is this is only 4 months of my life. My reality is in Canada. I’m surrounded by thousands of people who can’t change their reality of living in a tent city without clean water or three meals a day. I’m part of this school because I want to be a part of this movement of Haitian people standing up and being leaders in their country. Following God and changing the circumstances. Haiti has potential. The people here have the potential. I really believe the world has to stop feeling sorry for Haiti and giving handouts. Let’s clean up the trash, build the houses and get some honest people into power. I’m excited to see Haiti in 50 years and not be able to recognize it. A lady came to our class to speak on Friday, her name is Kim Odwyer. She fell in love with the nation and never looked back. When she first came to Haiti she was taking care of a very sick young boy who as rushed to the Miami hospital. He was a miracle baby; there is no physical explanation why he is alive today. After that point she and another lady started taking care of more children. She is currently running her own orphanage with help of local Haitian woman in the area and is in the process of adopting two boys. (the miracle baby Josiah and his twin brother). After only a year of being in Haiti they have 20 children, a church, a school, and have plans to build a clinic. The name of her orphanage is ‘Children of Grace’ Her story inspires me so much. It reminds me how much is possible when we lay down our own desires and needs. God provides the grace to live in these places, and the joy to continue living there.
After hearing her story God gently reminded me that the little things are really not mine to worry about. That my short 4 month commitment would not break me, and that He would be alongside me the whole time. That my life does have two different worlds and there is nothing wrong with that. Right now I’m not called to sell everything or run an orphanage, and it’s really not about that either. It’s that obedience is better than sacrifice, and as long as I’m in His will, He’s promised to help me through the difficult times. I truly love it here, and the more I focus on each day at a time the more I will fall in love with it. I’m going to give all I have into these next months in Haiti and thank God for finding joy in the most ridiculous things.
2010/2011
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