And again at 17 with my brother, our sponsored brother Jackson, and his sweet mother who's name escapes me:
This was the trip that, after the generators were turned off for the night, in a time span of 30-seconds, my best friend and I became newly acquainted with a wandering cow, a scorpion, and a shanty full of TARANTULAS. At the end of that 30 seconds, I became acquainted with the sensation of wetting my pants. But 3rd world adventures aside, I learned so much about how tiny my little world was in the big picture of things. These folks, who had so little compared to my American standard of "living" actually knew how to live. Theirs were lives full of joy, determinatioon and love in spite of their circumstance and I'm thankful to have carried that with me.
The people of Haiti are strong of spirit and low on circumstance - but at this hour, they need our help more than ever.
I ask that you join me in keeping this island nation in your hearts and, if you feel so inclined, on your give list.
Here is a powerful photo essay of the destruction:
http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2010/01/earthquake_in_haiti.html
And here are some organizations that know how to help:
UPDATE:
5 buildings at the New Missions compound in Leogane as well as the Bordmer elementary school have been destoryed. I can't remember if this was the actual school I was in the first picture, or if it was under construction during our visit, but this - as most of the buildings are uninhabitable.
