Thoughts From the Bar

What did I take from this? I ask myself as i sit here in a booth at the Wilde Rover. Its so loud in here i can barely hear myself think. I have a familiar but completely different take on what's important in life. As I look around and see everyone worried about who they're going home with tonight or how they can impress the guy/girl they came with. Conversations about how they can make more money or gain "financial freedom." I can't help but think about the people of Haiti and how happy they are with how little they have. Community and friendship, that's what is most important in life. Material things seems so pointless. You'll gain what you want eventually then you'll move on to the next thing. Seeking new things to make you "happy" when these people find just as much happiness, no, more, when they have so much less. I guess I've always known this in the back of my mind, it just took a trip to another countrt to realize it was true.

Thoughts from Eric

Wow, thoughts from the trip. I went into this trip not knowing what to expect, having everyone around me question the decision to go into a country with so much political unrest and the recent cholera outbreak. But despite all of this I had no fears, no doubts that what I had signed up to do, what I had paid for was the right thing despite all that said no around me.

This was by far the most life changing, eye opening experience of my life. Two things that stick out was watching the community in Kajouwan pour dirty water through a strainer to then drink and looking over at KC and saying this is why we are here. And then being able to pump clean clear water from the pump watching the pure excitement in the communities face as they drank fervently from the pump. Those two images will forever be burnt into my mind and still bring a tear to my eye. I will also never forget Lulu who was my little leach at the orphanage.

It was interesting coming back, maybe three days later I found myself in a very familiar place; in a small concert venue smack dab in the middle of a crazy mosh pit. It had been a dream of mine to see Underoath live and here I was, experiencing it first hand. It was weird though, I couldn't get into it for the life of me, it was almost a miserable experience. Here we were praising these musicians while being sprayed with bottle after bottle of water while there are people all over the world that do not have access to clean water. It was a very surreal experience.

A collection of some of our favorite pics from the trip...

Team Haiti 2011 Liked Pics

Team Haiti 2011! Liked Pics

Thoughts from team member, Nicole...

It is mind boggling the effect one week can have on your life.  I just got home from picking up Taco Time (my favorite fast food restaurant)! A woman that ordered after me started freaking out and yelling at the staff that their service was horrible. They apparently were not getting her food out to her fast enough. She started yelling at the staff a second time… “I am corporate!  This is the worst service ever!  Do you see my number 46? Where is my food?!” Lady, do you realize the world does not revolve around you? Who are you to treat someone like that?  You should be personally thanking the staff because those are the people who contribute to your salary.

 

In early fall I planned on going on this Haiti mission trip because I had heard so many great stories from other people’s experiences.  I wanted that! As time went along, Cholera outbreaks and political restlessness starting concerning my family, friends and eventually myself.  I was ready to pull out of this trip at any point of time.  I felt confused and stressed about the whole thing. Getting closer to the trip, Baby Doc decided to return to Haiti. Are you kidding me?! I became even more uneasy, but finally came to a point where I said, “Lord, I trust you and your plan for me.”  I stopped trying to be a control freak and put my faith in him.  I walked into the airport, got on the airplane and was out of control. It actually was a refreshing feeling.  Arriving in Port Au Prince made me a little bit nervous, but still felt at peace.  Once I got onto the small airplane headed to Pignon, every worry in my body had completely left. I was ready to experience this adventure to the full extent and it was not about ME anymore.

 

I am so glad that I put my trust in God and pushed my worries aside because it was the most amazing experience.  Meeting people who have such pride in the little they have was definitely humbling. The kids themselves had a huge impact on me.  They all were filled with such joy and excitement.  The people were honored to have us present, when in reality it was more an honor to be in their presence. When walking in the orphanage all the children would immediately climb all over you.  Nobody wants to be left out…everyone wants to be loved.  Before you know it, you are carrying 3+ kids! Clean water is so essential to these precious lives and we take it all for granted.  We get upset when we have to park far away and walk to a local bar.  We can’t stand waiting on other people to “serve” us. There are women and children that walk miles and MILES just to get clean water and then carry the 5 gallon bucket on their head.  I ask how can they physically do it?  Because they NEED to. Life can no longer be about what makes ME comfortable, but how God wants to use me.

Link to team member Tim's trip blog

http://timhellinghaiti.blogspot.com/

insight

What was the most important thing I learned?
Easy. IT IS EVERY TO REFRESH 15 HOURS IN 10~IN TIME