The Land of 'Contrast'

Arriving in Haiti was a definite culture shock! I was completely speechless and overwhelmed with what I was seeing! None of us could talk as we rode for a few hours from the airport on the back of a dump truck with all of our luggage to the place where we were to stay for the next 7 days. Filled with tears and mixed emotions we tried to take in and process what we were seeing and smelling. I have to be honest, I really wanted to return home to my country where I could shield myself and protect myself from the reality of this 3rd (now saying a 4th) world country. I have heard, seen pictures and read about Haiti, but I had absolutely had no clue of the seriousness of the famine here. The poverty is beyond anything that I have ever seen or imagined. Such a nation of oppression! Young children with swollen bellies running through the streets trying to find food, the smells, the noise, horns honking, starving animals roaming the streets, the language barriers, the hot and humid weather.....I felt very sad, angry....WHY? HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN? HOW CAN WE HELP? WHERE DO WE START? I became sick to my stomach. I began thinking of how selfish Americans can be and how I personally worry about the 'small stuff.' How busy we all are to even notice our neighbors. We have lost our since of 'community.' We are only worried about how much STUFF we can accumulate, how much money we can make, and how much we can pamper ourselves. After a day or so, God really began to show me how He is here in Haiti....we began to see many glimpses of heaven through the faces of the people. Their beautiful smiles & their love for each other, & His beautiful creation. We also saw glimpses of HELL. Don't ever think you will be able to survive it...because you can't! Although Voo-doo and witchcraft are very rampant here, there are many Christians here who demonstrate the true meaning of community, serving others, and really being 'desperate' for God! They have such joy and hope, and that is what sustains them. They are so thankful for the things God has provided for them, and you can see that in their everyday lives. They notice the sunsets, and the sunrises, and the food on the trees, and they worship our Lord at no cost! Their worship services are amazing! These believers really encouraged me, and taught me that no matter what we think is so bad in our lives that we cannot go on...we must. God is good, he is with us all the time, and one day, we will all be back in His original plan...in the garden where we will have sweet fellowship and communion with Him and with each other! Let us not ever take our blessings from God for granted, and lets get over ourselves, our pride, our arrogance, and get back to serving Him and serving others! My life has been forever changed by being here in Haiti, and I want to come back! Thank you God. Tammy