Wow, where do I even begin? This country is just so eye-opening I do not know where to start talking. The way of living is so different it is humbling on so many levels. There are people living out of tin and plastic shacks and yet when you shift your focus on the people you realize that they all have smiles on their faces. There is a huge sense of community in this place, it makes me want to (almost) move here. There is a part of me that wishes that I had grown up in a less wealthy place so that my expectations of life were lower. I guess this is something that I could change, but its hard to go back after living so “richly” for almost all of my life.

This trip has definitely changed my perspective on life.

You can hear about all of this poverty on tv and in the news but to be here in person and smell the smells or see the tin houses within feet of you is a completely different perspective.

Today, we went into Grace Village — which is an orphanage and K-12 school built by Healing Haiti — we were taking pictures of kids for the website in order for them to be able to get sponsorships. The younger kids were so incredible, they swarmed me and wanted to sit in my lap and ask me questions that I could not answer due to the fact that I could not understand what they were saying. But, all these kids wanted was to be loved. Someone to hold them and just love them. Even when I stood up to go walk, I had probably 6 or 7 kids hanging on my arms, legs and backpack. My heart broke for these kids, it was so amazing to know that just spending time with these kids was enough for them and they appreciated every moment.

Tomorrow we are going to Cite Soleil to distribute water for everyeone who shows up. I have been told that it is one of the most fun experiences of traveling down to Haiti. I am looking forward to it and taking pictures as well as spending time with all of the kids.

Overall, this trip has changed me and I am only a few days in. I feel as though my heart has grown larger and my need to help others has grown as well. I have been pushed way beyond my comfort zone and I have been challenged in ways that I dont even know how to process right now. I will continue to be challenged and pushed for these next couple of days. It will be hard, but I have a great support system both here in the compound as well as back home. Being able to get on my computer or phone and talk to my family and friends has been a huge help in getting me through these tough times. I would encourage everyone to take a trip or anything on daily basis that they are completely uncomfortable with. It will change your life and your perspective on life.

As they say in Creole, Bonswa (or good evening)