Journals from Haiti

I woke up at 3:45 to enjoy my last hot shower for about a week. Yesterday my mom and sister had driven me from our home in Manchester, Maine to the Portland airport where I met my mission team and we continued to Orlando, Florida. My roommate, Abby, and I got ready and met Ron, David, and Allan downstairs.

We stopped at a Waffle House on the way – apparently they’re a big thing in the South – and drove on to the Missionary Flights International airport where we would board our plane to Haiti.

I had heard about the little, rickety, retired military plane we’d be flying in. It pretty much fit the description, but that didn’t bother me – I thought it was cool. Besides, I think we all felt safer flying in a little old plane with a pilot who prayed before we left than a major airline where he’d probably get fired for that.

Soon we rose above the clouds and the sun shone over them with a glowing beauty that I had only read about but never seen, at least not while I was old enough to remember. I marveled at the glory of a God so much greater than even the most stunning of His creations, and I prayed for strength to be a better witness as I thought of all the people who still don’t know Him.

As we approached land, I began to notice how big and shiny everything was. I looked at vast crops and asked myself why we couldn’t feed our friends.

Allan’s wife was waiting for him when we landed. We went through customs and to the rental car with our luggage. I was thankful to have Florida as a transition - at least it still has palm trees and black people - and I hoped I wasn’t creeping them out with my smile.

We checked into the hotel, where there was a group of young men, apparently a sports team. They were using swear words I had not missed. Things were clean. People were speaking English. I frowned.

We went to the Golden Corral for a buffet dinner. I tried fried okra since we were in the South. Everything was good and we all ate plenty, observing that it didn’t take long to return to American habits.

I say these things not out of ingratitude for what we have, or dislike for my own country, but because I missed Haiti already, and because I believe we are blessed so we can be a blessing to others. I think we all forget sometimes.

Back at the hotel, Abby and I called our families. Mom said my email update was pretty exciting. Natalie had stories she would tell me in the car. I also called Brian and Steve.

I enjoyed taking a hot shower and feeling clean. We turned out the lights. I prayed and went to bed, and I think I slept better and woke up feeling rested.