Haiti (Part 1)

In order to keep this post from being too long I have decided to write about Haiti in parts. Writing about the experience all at once resulted in me writing a few lines and getting frustrated about how to express everything I wanted to. So breaking it down should help avoid that (and keep my readers from getting bored!)

For this first Haiti entry I want to share about why I went down to Haiti in the first place and how my experience was in some ways what I expected and in many ways so much more.

My dad has been traveling back and forth to Haiti since the 2010 earthquake and has been living in Haiti full time for almost a year. In order to move to Haiti my dad had to give up a lot, including a business in the states (I will refrain from details as they are not mine to tell). And yet, whenever I spoke to him he seemed so happy where he was. A part of me understood since I have a heart for helping others as well and yet another part of me wondered what could possibly be so special about this place that my father would give up things that had been very important to him while I was growing up. My dad was changing and developing a new life I knew little about so I decided to go to Haiti so he could share it with me.

From the moment he picked me up in the airport I could see the difference Haiti had made in my dad. He was a calmer and happier person. In fact, as the days went on I realized that this was the happiest I had seen my dad in my entire life! He didn't always know the language but somehow he just fits there. It is like my dad found his purpose in Haiti, his passion, and isn't that what we all need to be our happiest?

It was great to see what my dad does everyday while I spent my weeks in Haiti. Trust me, it is not glamorous, but it is very much needed! It was nice to finally meet all the people he talks about and to be a part of helping those in need. It didn't take me long to realize why my dad fell in love with Haiti and by the end of my stay I was in love with Haiti as well for a variety of reasons: for the happiness it has brought to my dad's life, the loving people I met, the orphans I cared for, the chance to really feel needed and helpful. Yes, Haiti has my heart and while I may not have plans to move there like my dad, I will be taking every opportunity I can to visit!