Well I really don't know what I was expecting when coming to a 3rd world country, but my experience in traveling and being in Haiti is much different than I have expected it to be. My flight over was quite interesting. Let me first say that I absolutely LOVE the organization that I flew with, MFI, they are a really friendly and caring organization, and I highly recommend them if you are thinking of traveling to Haiti. But as you all may or may not know, the flight was delayed a couple days because of the storm that was coming through the Caribbean last week, and we found out why on the flight over.
We had to be at the airport at 6 a.m. to get checked-in and luggage loaded; we boarded the plane around 7:15 a.m., and mind you this is no ordinary plane, this plane is an older and smaller plane than your average 747, and from what I recall the pilot said he has been flying it for over 10 years now. It does have a bathroom and some space to move about the cabin though, and we had a beverage of choice, donuts and wonderful service. But it wasn't too soon into the first leg of the trip, that we found out why MFI delayed the flight. We ran into the storm (obviously much more mild than what it had originated to be or we wouldn't have been flying in it) right before we made it to our pit stop for fuel in the Bahamas. And to make it short, the turbulence was so bad that a few barf bags had to be used. I mean I didn’t get sick, but I was clenching my seat. I mean to describe how crazy it was, the man sitting next to me said, "I have been flying with MFI since 2000, and I come to Haiti 8 or 9 times per year, and this is the 2nd worse flight I have ever experience with them” (from turbulence only of course). So yea, barf bags were used. I mean really, I look at barf bags on planes all the time and think, “Why do they have these things?” Welp, now I for sure know why, for BAD turbulence.
And since this plane is older, slower, flying at a lower altitude, and doesn’t have the cabin pressure control planes have today, to say it lightly, this flight was one of a kind. Because the plane didn't have pressure control within the cabin, the temperature that it was outside was the temperature inside the plane. So it started out pretty hot, even at 7 in the morning in Florida, but when we were in the air it was a bit chilly, because the higher you go up into the atmosphere the cooler it gets. So after the hot start, turbulence, and our first leg of the trip, we landed in Exuma, Bahamas. Because of all the limitations the plane has, the trip had to be separated into two legs to stop for fuel. I'm sure you can imagine what it was like when we landed there with the lack of pressure control, VERY HOT. So we landed, got off the plane, refueled, got back on the plane, and we were off the ground again in about 15 minutes. From the previous bumpy ride, some of the passengers, me included, were a tad fearful about the second leg of the trip; the pilot then reassured us that we were scot-free of anymore turbulence--we made it all the way through and passed the storm in the first trip!
The flight in total was about 4 hours, so we landed in Cap around 11ish. We got off the plane to go through customs, or what they call customs..they looked at my green card, my passport, stamped them, and that was that, they let me into their country. About 45 minutes after my arrival, I grew anxious to see Hunter and Jillian. I was waiting on the other small cargo plane that followed for the rest of my luggage. Finally, I see the familiar face I grew so impatient to see--Jillian peaks her head around the corner with searching eyes, and a peace that I can't describe just comforted my heart when I saw her. I guess with being in such an unfamiliar place, with people or a language I do not know was making me a bit on edge, but God knew where I was at and always provides at just the right time.
Ever since I came into contact with Hunter and Jillian they have provided such a blanket of peace over me I can't even begin to describe; they are such giving, kind, caring, comforting, easy-going, fun individuals, so of course God perfectly placed people like them for me to feel confident and comfortable that I am right where He wants me. Hunter and Jillian have sacrificed A LOT to be here with these kids--they have limited access or live without, A/C, purified water, hot water, many nutritious foods (Hunter has lost 50 lbs the past 7 months), and so many more wonderful amenities that we so easily take advantage of in America. The words above that I used to describe this couple are so few and far between to relay just what wonderful and amazing people they are. God has truly blessed me with these beautiful individuals to help me along in this journey ahead.
So I climb into the back of a large truck while in a skirt to start my journey in Haiti off just right, dust is constantly flying in my eyes as we head to our destination; I'm taking in the smells, and I'm watching as the debris, dogs, roosters, chickens, men, women, and children of all ages share the dirt roads together--this was merely the beginning of introduction to this country.
We then arrive at the orphanage, and the kids are so happy to see us and some were even shouting my name from afar to get my attention. To start, Hunter and Jillian wanted to show me where I would be living for the next 5 months. It is a big dorm style apartment--I have my own room and bed, but in the same apartment there are several more rooms with several more beds, a common room, bathroom, and kitchenette. Hunter has done an amazing job at fixing up the bathroom, patching up holes, and cleaning up the place, but again, completely caught off guard, I had no idea I wouldn't have A/C. It is just such a staple item in my life that I didn't even think twice about it. They also reminded me not to drink the water out of the sinks or showers because they don't quite have the funds yet for a purifying system for the dorms or directors housing, so we drink only from large jugs of purified water.
Now to the exciting part, we toured the compound, and I got to meet some of the kids. To my dismay, again, I was a bit taken aback. Yet a happy, loving, ever-present motivation settles and surrounds the walls of this orphanage, the environment was much more worn down than I assumed it to be. If you are reading this and you have a gift of any sort and you feel called to Haiti, come, come give to and help these amazing people of God at the Cap Haitien Children's Home. They need your help and love. There is a Haitien staff around during the day and night to help out, cook, and do laundry for and with the kids, but it’s not your normal "dorm parent" set up that you may see most in orphanages today--the kids have to work together, take care of one another, be part of a team, be a family.
Bottom line, there is just no comparison in reading, thinking about, or looking at pictures verses actually experiencing a place like Haiti. I don't know if it's that I have been so overly blessed in my life that I just couldn't think outside of my comfortable little box, or that I just couldn't fathom or understand what Haiti would be like without actually being here to experience it for myself, but the detriment here is far worse than I could fully understand or imagine without actually physically being present here.
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