On the Way to Haiti

So here I am, 3 days away from the biggest trip of my life to date. Though close in proximity to the United States, Haiti couldn’t be any further away from American societal norms. The spaces between us vary so drastically on so many levels.  Aside from being a part of the Western Hemisphere, there is very little comparison to be made between the United States and Haiti. Although I have a closer link to Haiti than most of you reading this post, I have so many questions that can’t be answered until I’m on the ground and experiencing the island nation for myself. There must be a reason why my parents left Haiti all those years ago and never brought me to experience their homeland on their various trips back during my childhood. Apparently, I wasn’t mentally or socially ready for the experience, and by the time I was, life got in the way.

Life is a funny thing, and God never ceases to amaze me. On the surface and on paper, I wouldn’t appear to be the person who would end up on a mission trip to design a medical rescue facility for a rural area of an island nation, but somehow, all my life experience has effectively prepared me for such a time as this. I guess the only thing that really had to catch up was my heart and willingness to answer the call.

In the wake of the Associated Presses’ recent report on Haiti’s progress since the earthquake, I am nervous with apprehension yet filled with childlike glee about what’s going to happen during my 10 day trip. How will I feel? What will I see? Will my Creole be good enough to effectively communicate with the locals? Will I laugh, cry or both? Will I be an effective consultant to the project team and our clients? Will my work actually make a difference in the lives of Haitians? Will my service make my family and friends proud? Of course, I know in my heart that the answer to all those questions in “yes”, but it doesn’t stop me from being scared to disappoint. For whatever reason, God deemed it appropriate for me to experience Haiti for the first time with an attitude of service, and I can’t wait to come back to share what happened. I hope to be able to post while in Haiti, but if I am not able to, I’ll definitely do so the minute I get back. I’d love to hear your thoughts, and those of you who have been to Haiti (pre and post earthquake), please share a bit about those experiences. So until next time, never stop exercising faith.

 Ronnie B.