unpacking haiti

Wow. We are back from Haiti. I don't really know where to begin writing about the week I just experienced. It's overwhelming to come back, and I feel like there's so much to "unpack" from my time there. Being back in the United States now, it's weird to think that yesterday morning I was in Haiti. They feel like two completely different worlds. To go from the poorest country in the western hemisphere back to the US.. it's just hard to wrap my mind around. Because it's the same world, the same human race, but it's so different. The life I know here is not anything like the life Haitians know. I'm sitting in my own bedroom, in a nice house, on my computer, with wireless internet, using electricity that will not shut off, drinking clean water that I could have in abundance, with a full stomach, my own car sitting outside, 7 months from earning a college degree. I did laundry today with a washer and dryer, and I took a hot shower. If I got sick tonight, I could go to the hospital that is 5 minutes away and know I would be taken care of. All I have to do is lock my front door at night to feel safe, and if anything happens I can call the police and know they will come. All of these things, and I'm sure there are more, they are just part of the life and world that I know. If I were an average Haitian, none of the things I listed would be part of my world. So, yeah.. I guess my point is that it's hard to assimilate the two places in my mind, to go from being here to being there for a week and now here again. To be in two places that are so drastically different yet the same - the same world created by God, with people created in the image of the same Father. It's craziness. So yeah, those are the thoughts about the world that Haiti conjures up and I'm trying to process in my mind..

Anyway, moving onto my actual experience there! It was so great to go back to Three Angels and see the kids again! I liked the "second time" experience, because I got there and I recognized almost all the faces and remembered a lot of names. I knew generally what to expect around there and felt comfortable. The kids are all so awesome and fun.. they just bring me joy:) Jonathan remembered me! Right when we got there on Saturday, he was sitting outside, and he saw me and got a big smile on his face and went to me. Then, every time I went up to the nursery, he would see me and get that big smile and crawl right to me. It was so encouraging to see how happy he is now! In August, I didn't see him smile until the third day with him, and in general he was discontent. Last week, I saw him smile and laugh countless times, and he crawls around and plays on his own. Wow, I need to remember how good God is.. when I left Haiti last time Jonathan didn't have a family.. and now, he gets to meet his mom and dad in a few weeks!! Yay! I also spent a good amount of time with Monthania (her nickname is Matu) and just fell in love with that little girl. She has the best smile! I enjoyed using the Creole I've been learning. I don't know a ton, but enough to communicate a little with the kids, which was really cool. I think it's such a great language and I can't wait till the day I'm fluent in it!

I definitely have more to write about, but I'm exhausted, so this will have to be a "to be continued.." Goodnight!

Monthania all ready for preschool!

I love this picture of Jonathan! Look how happy he is!