Reflections of Haiti

Here are a few comments from people in the group...about to take off from Pignon and will try to add to this in Miami:

What is one of the most important lessons you've learned here?

Tyler H: "The value of a dollar. Holy crap!"

Tyler A: "It seems like some people want us here and some people don't."

Jaime: "That we've got it really good in the States."

Tom: "I've never had such an appreciation for clean water."

Regen: "The social aspect of community is really important--true anywhere, but we especially see it here."

Lauren: "Kids everywhere are the same--innocent."

Maddy: "It's one thing to hear about poverty and learn about it--it's another thing to see it and live it."

Alyssa: "I never want to haul rock again!"

Terri: "Change comes slowly. Uplifting a community will ultimately uplift the individuals in that community."

Bill: "Still, after all these years, it so hard to change my deep-seeded thoughts about poverty and service."

Alyssa: "Creole--learned.

             Roosters--everywhere.

             Spiders--HUGE.

             Clean water--limited.

             Money--scarce.

             Fellowship with Haitian brothers and sisters--priceless."

Kristin: "The Haitians will always be better at football!"

Kristin: "You can never escape Bieber fever."

Favorite/Memorable moment:

Terri: "Impromptu competition with Katie and elderly Haitian woman in Haitian-style carrying (carry a rock on our head with two hands, rock on head with one hand, one rock on head + one on shoulder). Haitian woman won."

Regen: "Soccer game with neighborhood kids. Soccer is always serious fun in Haiti!"

Bill: "Working and joking with my three little Haitian amigos in the river. We each knew enough Spanish to get by--mainly laughing together."

Kristin: "Walking behind behind two bulls, swatting them with a stick. Good way to get out some aggression!"

On going home:

Terri: "It's going to be hard not to have people yelling "Blanc! Blanc!" as we go down the street."