Leaving

So, I had to leave Haiti today after being there for almost 7 weeks. It definitely was bittersweet since I wanted to stay, but I also wanted to get home. That feeling lasted only until I landed in Miami and went through Customs. It was definitely gone whenever I ordered a sandwich at Subway. I don't like to complain about service, but this one lady obviously had a long day and I could tell. At that point, I wished I was back in Port-au-Prince.

 

I went to bed a little later than I wanted last night. Okay, so a lot later. I think that I finally got to sleep sometime around midnight, the latest time for the whole trip (at least while in Haiti). I tossed and turned and woke up a couple of times during the night, but that's normal. I woke up around 5:30, then again at 6:00 and a couple more times before finally getting up around 7:00. I made sure that everything was packed, ate breakfast and visited with Gersan some. I then went to finish a project I was doing for Betty and am almost done, just have to add one thing. We ate an amazing lunch and then headed to the airport. I will miss all the different kinds of juice, especially Passion Fruit.

 

Gersan told me that Wyclef Jean was coming to Haiti and the airport was going to be crazy. I hadn't flown out of the big airport since the earthquake so this time was a little different for me. Since I am an American, I was able to get checked in and my bags taken care of kind of fast (self-service is awesome). I waited for a little bit in the terminal for the flight and it was actually on time (relatively speaking). Getting to and inside the airport didn't take long at all and I was pretty surprised. I'm use to waiting in Haiti and was actually expecting to wait longer, so again I was surprised.

 

We flew to Miami and I stared out the window almost the entire time. I love looking out the window and it had been a while since I was able to see Haiti from the air (at least more than just the coast) and I was also able to see the Bahamas. We then landed in the "land of plenty" and my culture shock commenced. I should be used to culture shock by now, I mean five previous times to Haiti (two of them this year) and a trip to Egypt, but I still have it. Maybe it's because I was gone for longer this time. I don't know.

 

After going through Customs and eating at one of my favorite places, Subway, I made my way to the gate for the flight to Houston. I knew that I would have a few hours to wait, but there was a surprise waiting for me. I found out that my flight was delayed, making my layover eight hours long. I just found out that the crew is supposed to get here at 1:18 a.m. (EST) and we will start boarding soon afterwards. I was supposed to take off at 10:30 (EST), and land in Houston at midnight. Now, I will be landing sometime around 3:30 a.m. (CST). Fantastic. My parents are going to have fun picking me up.

 

I'm not surprised or mad or anything. I have learned to just "roll with the punches." Thank you mission trips to Haiti where time is relative. I guess that's one thing that I can be thankful for, not getting upset or anxious whenever I have to wait. I like to say while you are in Haiti, you have to "hurry up and wait." That also applies to boarding and un-boarding planes. I also like to say, "This is Haiti" whenever something happens unexpected.

 

So, what will I do for the next couple of hours? Luckily, I have my computer with a nice selection of movies, music and pictures. I also have my iPod complete with some movies and a lot of music, plus a couple of Breakaway podcasts. I also have a Sudoku book and of course, my Bible. I'm sure I will be able to do something to pass the time. I'm planning on sleeping on the plane for sure.

 

I still have a lot to process from my trip and it usually takes me at least a week or more, but I do know some things. I can't tell you how much I appreciate Gersan and Betty for their hospitality, generosity and for looking out for me. They are like family to me and I'm sure that those of you who know them feel similar to me.

 

I also want to say that I appreciate Kevin Mayne and Angela from Laity Lodge Youth Camp. I didn't know any of the 36 team members and only spoke to Kevin on the phone for five minutes before they came to Haiti, but they made me feel like a part of their team. I saw a change in each and every one of them while they were there and I saw how they fell in love with the kids after spending just a little time with them. All the team members that I asked said that they would come back in an instant if they could. I love hearing that.

 

Lastly, I want to thank each and every one of you for supporting me before, during and after this trip and all the previous ones. Thank you to all who have financially, especially for multiple trips. Thank you to everyone who is part of my prayer support network. I was able to see some of how big that is after the earthquake, but I'm sure that I don't have a clue to how big it actually is. Thank you for reading these updates, looking at the pictures and writing to me. I wasn't homesick at all, but hearing from you guys back home made my day. So, I know I have said this repeatedly before in previous updates, but I want to sincerely say thank you.

 

I guess I will find something to occupy my time now, so I want to bid everyone a bonne nuit (good night).

 

Robert

 

P.S. I wrote this update while sitting in the terminal in the Miami airport. I have now made it back home safely and have been up for almost 24 hours. I thought I would sleep on the plane, but that didn't happen. Thank you all for praying for safe travel for me, God answered those prayers.

Sunday

Lets see, what has happened since the last update? I wrote about what Tiffany, Peter Marc and I did last Saturday going to see those three families who lost their homes during the earthquake and receiving temporary houses from Gersan's church. That day still is staying with me. I hope that it does for a long time and that I will never forget the faces of the people that I talked with and their stories. It reminds me why I am here. To help people in whatever way I can.

Last Sunday, we didn't do too much besides go to church for the 6:30 a.m. service. Monday, we just stayed at the house. Tiffany had an appointment with a girl who had been trapped during the earthquake for two days. She wanted to come and talk to Tiffany about it. I'm glad that she came and was able to talk.

Tuesday, we left the house around 7:30 or so to take Tiffany to the airport. Betty and I then came back to the house. The day before, Gersan went to Limbe for a couple of days. For the next few days, I was basically Betty's secretary. I did some emails, updated her computer with some programs and sorted through some pictures for her, among other random things. I probably didn't know what I was getting myself into when I came and told them I would help out with whatever, but it is worth it.

Yesterday, we went to Gersan and Betty's niece's Kindergarten graduation. It was held in the church that Betty grew up in, but it looks different now. Betty wanted me to go so I could take some pictures for her. Have you ever been the object of every one's attention (when you don't mean to)? That's how I felt when I was there. I was the only white person there and I had some people taking pictures and video of me just sitting there watching the program. I had a couple of girls tell their mothers to turn around and look at me. I was definitely the minority, but I'm use to it. There isn't very much that surprises me here anymore. After that we came back to the house and I took a nap because I had a monster migraine. I have had a couple since I have been here, but not any like yesterday.

Today, I woke up a few minutes past 6 and realized that I overslept. I got up got dressed for church and just as I finished putting my shoes on, Betty knocked at the door. Its weird to think that getting up at 6:00 a.m. on a Sunday morning is oversleeping, but here it is. We went to church and afterwards, I drove some friends to their house and went back to pick up Betty. I got to see a couple of friends today and I'm glad to be able to do so. I don't know if I will see them again before I leave on Thursday, so it was good to see them today. I know I just repeated myself with that last part, so please forgive me.

I just finished an awesome lunch of chicken, rice and beans, salad and a great desert. Betty has her best friend and her husband over for lunch. I asked Betty the other day if I could take Alicia back with me. She is the cook for the Valcins and there are not too many people who rival her in cooking. I told Gersan that the other day and he said that if it was for a week, then it would be okay. Any longer than that would not be okay. Gersan, like me, loves her cooking.

I want to thank all of you who have supported me by praying for me for the last six weeks. I also want to thank you if you financially supported me, I really appreciate that. It has been a fantastic six weeks here and I have learned a lot. I have been able to see a lot and do a lot. Spending three weeks out at the camp was amazing and spending the rest of the time here has been just as amazing. I may be speaking to soon, but I am also thankful for everyone who has been praying for me to remain healthy. Besides a couple of small stomach aches, I have been healthy the entire trip. This usually doesn't happen.

So thank you again and have a great week. I'll be coming home on Thursday afternoon and land in Houston around midnight. I'm not sure if I am ready to leave this beautiful country. I do know that somehow, someway, I will be back.

Robert

Shots of an incoming storm and the sunset taken from the roof on Thursday evening.