In the Summer of 2010 I was one of many lucky people who had the opportunity to take a short trip to Haiti. I fell almost instantly in love and just can't keep myself away. I've spent about 11 months in Haiti since the first time I went two and a half years ago and my time there isn't over. I'm exploring my options on where to take my life from here but it WILL include Haiti in one form or another. This is where I record stories and thoughts about my experiences.

Saturday, June 9, 2012

Yesterday Amy and I headed home from La Gonave. It was  TIRING day. First off, the boat ride was insane. It was a very windy day. So windy in fact, that only a few of the many usual boats were going over. Amy and I took a very packed ferry boat. Everyone was very scared. Almost everyone on the boat was praying out loud or singing. One guy came around and was preaching to people to accept Jesus into their hearts. Amy and I weren't scared of sinking or anything but I got soooo sea sick. I threw up six times over the side of the boat. NOT FUN. I wasn't sitting with Amy (She was busy literally holding a grown woman and singing to her because the woman was so scared). Although it was an awful experience, it had some lovely parts to it. I luckily was sitting on the very back of the boat so I didn't have to worry about accidently vomiting on someones shoes or something. I was sitting in between two lovely woman who helped me out so much. The woman on my right had her hand on my knee the whole time to comfort me. Everyone sitting around me seemed concerned and were helping out too. One man bought me some water. The woman sitting on my left held my legs in the boat every time I leaned over the side to be sick. They held my bags and poured water on my head and washed my face for me. In between the awful moments of hanging over the side of the boat I was so grateful to be in Haiti around Haitians. Every person on the boat that day reminded me so much of how I think Jesus would have acted. People all over were taking care of each other. Amy was holding that terrified woman and singing songs to her, woman were washing my face for me, people were praying for each other. One man on the boat was obviously homeless and so many people on the boat gave him little bits of whatever they had, food, water, money. I see a lot of crappy stuff happen here in Haiti, but I also see some pretty awesome stuff too. Yesterday on the boat made me feel good about being a part of the human race. We were all family on that boat that day. Taking care of each other. I am thankful for moments like those.

Within an hour of stepping off the boat I felt better. Amy and went to do stuff around Port au Prince. We found this shop to make t-shirts and each made a shirt with the Haiti flag on it for seven bucks. Pretty excited for that. We also had to pass by my old house to get to where we were going. It was really sad for me when we passed by on our way to La Gonave. I hated being so close to those kids but not getting to hold them. This time as we were passing Amy said, "why don't we just go. You can go give your boys a kiss and hold them like you want." I had my mind set on leaving only one time and saying goodbye one time. But the moment Amy said that I though "jeez, why not?" Of course I couldn't stop crying. I walked in the gate and went over to my boys. I squeezed Noah so hard. Jackson was alseep in someones arms but I held him too. I couldn't stop crying. The other kids were a little thrown off but happy to see me. I just kept kissing them and getting my tears on their faces. It was really hard to just be there for such a short time but I am so glad I got to kiss their faces one last time. I guess I need to start getting used to saying "hello" AND "goodbye." Hardest thing I've ever done in my life.

Today, Amy and I got to go to the beach with some of the older girls and boys in the orphange. It was a short time but I think the kids had fun.

Amy and I are leaving so soon! Only a few more days. I know I say this every time but I CAN'T BELIEVE IT! CRAZY!!! I don't want to go but I am looking forward to hugging my mom, icee's, my cozy bed, warm showers, and salsa.

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