Why so Calm?

Well, thanks to my sweet friend Michelle,I now have an official blog up and running! Thank you Michelle for helping me in the midst of trying to get so many other things ready before we leave on this medical and educational missions trip of a lifetime :)

I really don't remember ever feeling so at peace about travelling before. We've been to lots of countries but never one that compares to Haiti. I know that there are not enough photos or shared stories from others to ever prepare me for what lies ahead.But I do truly feel this sense of peace in my heart about the journey which will begin tomorrow morning at 3am.

I have grown so close simply through emails and Skype and Facebook to our 2 "sons" in Haiti. Some of you may think that we have 3, but I will explain that at another time.

First there is Michel-son, almost 25. Paul and Andy first met him when they were there 5 days after the quake. Michel-son provided translation to our medical team and almost immediately, Paul knew he was someone very special. Very bright, polite and a true gentleman. When Paul returned the first time, he quickly told me all about how Michel-son was in his first year of his masters program in college until he lost everything. The university is gone now and all of Michel-son's hopes and dreams to continue in Environmental Chemistry and be able to clean up the water in Haiti for his people had been stolen from him. Paul was determined to help him find a college here in the states to allow him to continue this dream he had. Unfortunately, as of this writing, not one college will help. A very sad statement about how we view things here sometimes. Anyway, in the mean time, Michel-son and I have become like son and mom. I call him my Haitian son from another mother! We always joke about it and he loves his mom very much, but there is this special bond that we have formed. Sharing about girl questions (his girlfriend Geralda is sooo sweet), things about growing up, talking about politics, our faith, you name it.Before the quake, Michel-son did not have a drivers license. Most don't there. It is extremely expensive by Haitian or US standards for that matter. $250.00 US dollars! That would take the average Haitian YEARS AND YEARS to accumulate, if that. So my son Andy stepped up and decided he needed to help out. He paid the fee and now Michel-son has his license. No car, but a license. One step closer to a sense of security, accomplishment, a job.

Then, my other "son" Dukens. Just turned 20.How can I ever begin to tell you about Dukens...My son Andy first got to know Dukens while staying at a compound there in Haiti where people were being shipped in from all over to be treated by my husband and others. You know how we all have multiple aspects of our personalities? Some people we connect with because we may share a sense of humor and we like to mentor? That would be Michel-son. With Dukens, it's our love for art and my deep inner pain I feel knowing of his past but also realizing how not only resiliant but also tender he really is. Dukens came from a troubled past but none of which was his fault. He was given up by his mom when he was 6 and until the age of 17, suffered tremendous abuse and hurt beyond belief. He was street smart and figured out a way to run away from that horrendous "orphanage" if you wish to call it that. He was later found by a couple who took him in and he currently lives with them on this compound in Haiti. You could never find a more sweet spirit than Dukens. He has been so broken over the years, but they didn't manage to take away his faith or his love for beauty all around him. Dukens also has the most soft and tender voice when he speaks. It is that way because for too long, others tried to steal his own voice from him and with it, attempted to take away any self esteem along with it.

You know, when the abuse was so bad, the only refuge Dukens had in his life was his art. He paints. Sadly, when he fled from that orphanage, he also had to leave behind all his beautiful artwork which was truly a part of him. It was never to be seen again because the American woman who ran that orphanage, fled from Haiti immediately after the quake back into Florida somewhere never be seen again. Proscecuted? Guess again. This is rampant in Haiti and beyond belief what goes on.

So, all the stories of fear in Haiti, bring em on! I guess God has armored me with his grace and protection? I'm not sure. All I can tell you is I am ready and willing to go serve the beautiful and brave people of Haiti. We are going to do medical work at our church's clinic that is just now opening in a real building instead of under tarps. And, we are going to share fun ways to learn with our orphans in the church's orphanage down the street. My daughter Anna and I will stay at the orphanage and my husband Paul and son Andy will stay at the clinic. I am not going to "teach" others already there because I know that is not my place. I believe that once I arrive, they will be the ones teaching me and I just need to sit back and thank God for the opportunity to observe and open my heart to the wonders around me. This country called Haiti may be substandard to ours as far as political, environmental and educational but what it provides in faith and bravery far exceeds any of us by a long shot!

So, I will try if able, to blog each evening. Can't promise anything but I will do my best. Miss you guys already but know that each of you, just like me, can and will be able to do these things if you want it badly enough ;)