Ke Kontan: Lately in Haiti

Since my last blog post, a lot has happened. I made an unexpected visit home to Minnesota for two weeks in early April when my Grandpa was hospitalized. When I packed my bags up to move to Haiti, I figured I wouldn't visit home during the year. I mean, Haiti is where I was always trying to get to, so it didn't make sense to spend the money and come back to Minnesota once I finally got here.

When I heard the news the my Grandpa was sick, I felt a panic in my heart. Was he going to die? I remember one time last year when my Grandpa had surgery and I left work early to help take care of him in the hospital. I sat with him in his hospital bed and he looked so small and pale in those hospital bed sheets. I pleaded with God that he wouldn't die- my heart wasn't ready to handle it. I reflected on this when I heard that he was hospitalized again. Maybe the time I bought with God was finally running out? I sat in my room and cried. I didn't like the unknown and the fact that I was so far away from everything that was happening. It didn't take me long to decide that I was going home to see him. In fact, I bought my ticket that same day and flew out the next morning.

I spent two weeks at home, and I happened to be there for Easter. My grandpa was discharged from the hospital the day I arrived. I visited him each day and we played Yahtzee, went for walks, talked about Haiti, ate at Perkins, and made a run to the dollar store. He did not have a stroke, as we thought may have happened. He had an infection that has now cleared. He's 93 and still makin' it!

I also was able to spend a lot of time with my mom and her new husband Bob. Being at home had a different feel this time. I didn't feel like a kid anymore ( and yes, maybe I am a little old to FINALLY feel like this, but I am the baby of the family ;). My mom and I had great times together and she was a nice companion to have do the things on my hit-list with! The biggest thing on my hit-list of American indulgences was going to the movie theater! I saw the Hunger Games and Titanic 3D. I ate tons of buttery/salty popcorn and thoroughly enjoyed soaking up the big screen entertainment. Target and I became very close on this trip ;). Wish there was a Target in Haiti! I stocked up on sandals and things to decorate my room and bathroom.

I also loved seeing my friends and neighbors. It opened my eyes to the many blessings and wonderful relationships I have in Minneapolis. It made me realize that although I want to live in Haiti, I still want to visit the States and make an effort to keep up relationships in Minnesota. Overall, visiting home was pretty amazing! I purposely booked a one way ticket and figured I'd know when it was time to go back to Haiti. After about two weeks I felt rested and full of love from family and friends and started really missing my friends and home in Haiti!

When I was picked up from the airport, my first stop was.... to visit baby Michelet! He was what I missed most about Haiti! I even bought him a cute monkey sweatsuit at Target while I was home. I was so happy to see him. His family was happy to see me too and had pounds of grapefruit waiting for me!

Since coming back to Milot, I've gotten involved in the community in a new way. While home, I realized that spending time with the people of Milot was the highlight of my experiences. I decided that upon returning to Haiti I would get more involved in their community health services. This week I went to 3 different schools and helped a Haitian nurse with educating the kids on Cholera and prevention. In the following weeks I hope to also get involved with the AIDS programs, the prenatal clinics in the community and vaccinations in the community. In the afternoon I usually walk to visit Michelet, about a 3 mile walk in all, or else hike in the mountains with some of the volunteers. The hikes are so hard they make me want to cry!

Last night I went into Milot and had juice at a little shack. There was music playing and I danced with a little four year old girl whose family owned the place. At first she seemed like she didn't want to be with me, but later her family came searching for me cause she was asking about me. Her name was Shakira. I asked her if she wanted to dance again and she did.This time she led me to the dance floor. She loved being twirled around and could keep the rhythm to the songs better than I could! We danced for several songs and I had more fun than I have had in a long time! Later that evening I was talking with a volunteer who was in Haiti for the first time ever. He was reflecting on the cultural experience he had soaked in during his first day in Haiti. He couldn't get over how happy and nice everyone was in Milot. He repeated the saying that we all know too well, that "money cannot buy happiness."

I chewed on this thought as I tossed and turned trying to fall asleep last night. Lately, I've been trying to picture where I will be next year. I mean, how long can I really volunteer for. Don't I need a real job? Don't I need to make and save money? Wouldn't it be great to have a normal schedule, to have my own place, etc? Next thing I know, someone comes along and reminds me that those things will perhaps pull me away from the happiness that I am blessed to bask in each day. As I walk through the dirt paths of Milot and see the tropical trees around me and the mountains in the distance, the kids pulling on my hands and the sun beating on my back, I think "Really? This is where I live?" And then I realize I can't imagine living any other way.