Through My Eyes: From Buckhead to Haiti: Part One

Hello!!

I have been back from Haiti just over 2 weeks and still having a tough time putting my feelings into words and wrapping my mind around the things that my eyes have been exposed to. If I were limited to one word to describe, I would use incredible…. but that does not even begin to explain what an amazing, eye opening and in many ways life changing trip this was for me. I will remember always this week I spent in Haiti.

This is the story of my trip and may be lengthy so read only if you would like to but know that I am truly grateful to you, my supporters, for making this trip a reality for me.

Haiti is such an interesting country. You look to one side and see beautiful mountains and water and look to another and see poverty at it’s absolute worst. On one hand you are so filled with hope but then reality kicks in and you realize how much more needs to happen in order for this country to recover and become whole again.

The pictures you see on the news pretty much prepare you for what to expect. It really is that bad…worse actually. I knew that nothing would have been done to repair this country from the devastating earthquake. I knew that there would be much fear and despair. I knew I was going to the poorest country in the world. ***Aside from our guides, I do not remember seeing one Haitian eat or drink the entire trip!!!*** In comparison to us…they have nothing.

You would think that living amidst all that, they would be jaded and discouraged however what I saw from the people of Bohoc was quite the opposite. What I was not prepared for was this….the people there have the strongest FAITH of anything I have ever seen. They are HOPEFUL that things can and will change. They truly BELIEVE that God will provide for them. One lady (via translator) told me she wakes up everyday not knowing how she or her family will eat that day….yet she never worries what will happen because she believes that God will provide. And He does. They have more LOVE for one another demonstrated time and time again throughout the week in the visible ways they cared for and looked out for one another. Lastly, the JOY in the faces and hearts, despite their circumstances. I found myself wanting more of what THEY have…and that’s about the last thing I had anticipated…..

STEPHANIE