Sitting on the rooftop in Haiti. The wind is blowing the palm trees ever so
slightly, the sun is warm, but not too warm and I feel like I’ve never
left. This place…so familiar yet so not
my everyday….it’s amazing how seamlessly I just fold back in. It’s incredible how much this place has a
hold on my heart. It’s even more
incredible how much I love the people I have come to know over the past 5
years.
Today I really took advantage of seeing blessings amongst
the minutia. Little gifts from god that,
in my own life, often go unnoticed, unrecognized, and unappreciated. This post might seem little scattered, but bear with me!
It started this morning at 4:30am when I realized the
Carbiou Coffee IS open at the airport that early. J Then, on my way back
to my gate, I ran into a good friend, heading to another spring break
destination, whose gate ended up right next to mine! Perfect way to start a much needed vacation
for both of us!
I had the pleasure of sitting behind two young boys that had
never flown before. If you ever take
flying for granted or get annoyed on a flight I urge to channel the excitement
of these boys….they literally thought everything was amazing. I could write an entire book on their
comments, but I’ll spare you. These are
my favorites:
“Mom! Do we start chewing our watermelon gum
now?”
“Mom! Are we going up now?!”
“Mom! That was the bestest airplane turn EVER!”
“Mom! I am getting this all on video!” (and he
was!)
On our flight to Miami, I was spoiled with the coolest
sunrise I’ve ever seen – the picture doesn’t do it justice….ALL of the colors
of the rainbow were there in real life.
While walking through the airport in Miami I saw real CSI (Crime
Scene Investigation) guys and a security dog at one of the gates. I know that should maybe make me
nervous…..but I thought that stuff only happened on TV!
The stewardess on our flight into Port-au-Prince encouraged
us all to turn to our neighbors and introduce ourselves in her pre-flight
speech. Funny thing is, as you walked up
the aisles, most people were already talking to each other. There wasn’t this personal space/mind your
own business bubble that happens far to often in my day-to-day life.
The remodeled airport is gorgeous! I realize now, how much damage the earthquake
really did. Thinking back on my first
trip here, we had to ride a bus to customs and to pick up our luggage and the
building was literally falling apart.
Now, the hallways are clean and air-conditioned!! You are lead right to immigration while
listening to a local band and there are beautiful murals covering the
walls. I was in such a good mood that
the new $10.00 tourism fee to enter the country didn’t even phase me!
My good friend, Manno, picked me up at the airport. Seriously – it is amazing to come to a
foreign country and be welcomed and feel comfortable right from the very
start. It is these moments that I give
thanks for technology because we are able to stay in touch when I am not here
and its almost like no time has passed.
When I arrived at the guest house, 2 of my favorite cooks
were already getting dinner ready in the kitchen. We gave big hugs, exchanged limited creole
pleasantries and I sat down and got to work coring pineapple. These women are beautiful. Seriously, full of grace and joy and
hospitality.
I could go on and on, but I will end with this. While writing tonight, a hummingbird came so
close that it almost landed on my toe.
To be honest, I didn’t know Haiti had hummingbirds! But humingbirds always remind me of my
grandparents and in that little flit of a wing I was reminded of all of the
people back home that are supporting me.
You have listened to my stories, you have prayed and donated, you have
encouraged and consoled.
These are all very little things, pieces of joy that I
picked up along my day, but right now,
my heart is full.
