Looking around I would be completely filled with hope one second but then overwhelmed with thoughts of how and where do you even start to begin to rebuild a country that is just so completely devastated. Why would God continue to destroy a country already in so much poverty and distress. Then a thought hit me. Everything happens for a reason and this is all a necessary part of His plan.I don’t know the reason yet but I can say that the culture I experienced in Bohoc is very special. Pure, simple…basic. If they had the materialism and abundance that we have…I believe much of what is so special about this country would be non existent. What if He created this disaster to bring awareness to this special country and remind us of the things that are truly relevant in life…things that money cannot buy…FAITH, LOVE, HOPE and JOY. My prayer is that this new president, Sweet Micky will begin to impact this country in a positive manner and help to rebuild Haiti in a way that will ease the level of poverty and suffering yet not take away what is unique and special about this amazing country.Coming back home has been the most challenging part for me. It has been difficult for me to accept the life that I have been blessed with and not feel crushed with guilt. Everything back home looks different….again, hard to explain but I no longer see anything with the same eyes. My small condo, which I have complained about for years is not large enough, now seems like a palace!! I can now clearly see the many blessings that God has bestowed upon me and spend my days so grateful for even the smallest things that I form happy tears on a pretty much daily basis =)This was my first mission trip but it will not be my last. This trip has opened my heart in a way that nothing else could have and has changed me and my life forever in ways I never imagined possible. This is only a blurb of what God has begun do do in my life and I am filled with excitement as well as ideas of how I can continue to help. I can hardly wait to go back!!!! My story will continue.
STEPHANIE