I think that God has put Haiti on my heart. The six young I met over the summer kicked off my deep concern for that little country of extraordinarily poor people. The day I took the guys to their meet up location with the other Haitians that had been working in New England, was very hard. I had a 4 hour drive to consider and ponder and worry about what I was sending them back to. By this time I had researched Haiti: I learned about children being fed clay and herb “cookies” to stave off hunger, I learned about a people living without medical care, in homes that most of us in this country would not use for a bath room. Because of deforestation Haiti is prone to mud slides and flooding.
My guys considered coming to the states and making 1000.00 for the summer a windfall. While here in the States they at 5 times a day some times 3000 calories. They returned to eating maybe one time a day with 900 cal.
So on that long car ride I was mournful of there return to those living conditions. Upon arrival at the meeting place, a youth camp, I was welcome into a group of 45 Haitians. Some of my guys had relatives there, it was great to meet there families! When it was time for me we all cried and cried, I was so upset I could not drive! I had to stop down the road always and cry it all out. It was the longest drive I have ever made in my life, I cried often and hard.
I look forward to hugging my guys in December, but I know I must pray for the strength to bare all I will see.
