Final Haiti Journal Entry

There are certain moments in your life that warrant the title of being called "life changing events"....marriage, your first born child....you know that those events will change your life. Then there are events in your life that you don't see coming and they are life changing as well. For me, this trip to Haiti was one of those things. I went in with no expectations and came out different. I don't look different, I'm still overweight, still 1/4 Japanese, but inside I am different. I'm looking at the world through a new pair of eyes.

Throughout my life, my relationship with God could be described as tumultuous, but I never doubted that He had a plan for me. I was, and in many ways still am, unsure exactly what that plan is supposed to entail. But I think this trip was His way of helping guide me down the correct path. Haiti ended up being more than just an unforgettable experience for me, it was a soul cleansing. The things that I saw humbled me and the people I met inspired me. I fell in love with the people and the country. To witness what they have gone through and to take a glimpse at their way of life, is a lesson that cannot be taught or shown here in the States. No words or pictures can capture exactly what it is like there, no matter how hard we may try to relay that message. I saw people who traveled by foot up a mountain, injured and weak, wait in line for hours to be seen by the medical staff, and then treated with what limited supplies we had available to us. In my experience working side by side with an emergency room, complaints would be rampant. However, not one person complained. They were just thankful people were there to help them in any way they could. This kind of positive energy that the people of Haiti provided is something that neither words or pictures can capture. Looking back now, it is no surprise to me that many of the people with whom I traveled with have been there multiple times. For those of us that made the journey for the first time, we now have intentions of making the trip again.

I know it's cliche to say, but the people of Haiti helped me more than I could ever help them. Their strength, will to live, and resiliency are qualities I will carry with me always. These qualities are something I hope that I'm able to share with people that I come into contact in my life.

I'd like to thank my Dad and Debbie for giving me the opportunity to make this trip with them. It was nice to be able to spend that much time with both of them. As you get older, life happens and it's sometimes difficult to make time for those people that mean the most to you and I was thankful to share this experience with them. I'd also like to thank the rest of the team that went with us, they made me feel welcomed and a part of the team from the get go, thank you all.

In closing I wanted to share a phrase that I learned while I was there, it is "bondje beni ou" which means God bless you in Haitian....however, to say it correctly, it goes like this...."bondje beni ou-ou!!"