Haiti, again...

I hadn't intended to blog about this trip; however, I was inspired by two men who joined our team last week in Port au Prince, Haiti. They are photographers, journalists and bloggers. They use their skills to enlighten and maybe change the way people see the world. I may not be the caliber that these men represent; but, if by writing about my experiences, I can help someone else see things differently, it will have been worth the effort.

I have been home for two days and am working to process all of the destruction and need caused by years of political corruption, oppression, and, most recently, the January 12 earthquake. It is hard to come back to such order, cleanliness and excess without feeling a level of guilt for all I have.

I find myself comparing everything to Haiti. We are in the midst of a heat wave, but it isn't as hot as Haiti, and I can find relief in the lake and the air conditioning. My washing machine is broken, so I went to the laundry mat this morning. At least I didn't have to wash everything by hand, with unsanitary water. Yes, I washed seven loads, but what a blessing to have so many clothes, and the money with which to buy them. Showering, flushing the toilet, running to the store, taking my kids to baseball and ballet -- all luxuries beyond what most Haitian can ever hope for....