R&R

The last full day in Haiti we had the privilege of going up to the top of the mountain to treat the team to some well deserved R&R and to do some sight seeing and shopping.  Haiti is a beautiful Island and its’ highest peak is 8,793 feet.  It is noticeably cooler up the mountain with cool gentle breezes (below is a team picture taken at a scenic overlook).  Below we could see the slums that we served the past week.  From that elevation everything looked beautiful, however we all knew what the living conditions were like down below for thousands and thousands of people living in the slums. 

Haiti is a nation of extreme contrasts.  The difference from the ultra rich to the ultra poor is astounding with not much in between.  The temperature difference from sea level to mountain top is also drastic.  The biggest contrast I found is the deplorable conditions we found in the slum contrasted with the smiles and joy you found particularly in the children’s faces living in the slum.    There is beauty found even in the worst parts of Haiti, there is hope, and there is a good future ahead.  I have a good friend in Haiti who I met on my first trip, we became close friends very quickly.  I remember talking with him once as we were both admiring the view from up high … he looked over his country and said… “Haiti could be such a great nation”.  I believe he is right, and look forward to seeing it happen in our lifetime.

- Michael