Hello all, below are our final thoughts on our trip last week to Haiti.

My body is here but my mind is still filled with images from Haiti. I wish I could share something profound or deep. But I feel very much at a loss for words. I didn’t realize how much it gets someone “down” to look around and see so much destruction every minute of every day – to look at rubble – to look at buildings and know there are bodies in there – to think about how many died in this place, in that place – to know that schools are demolished, garbage is mounting, sewage is flowing freely. After just a few days I already longed to see beauty.

And on the fourth day beauty came! and with it came hope.

I had asked Erold, the education director, if he could gather a few children because I had some cards children in Hartford had made for them. I wanted to take their picture with the cards so the kids in Hartford could see I had delivered them. So when these 5 neighborhood children came into the yard – all scrubbed and polished and in their neat and clean clothes – it really was a beautiful sight! Their smiles and enthusiasm and excitement at receiving the cards and having the sentiments read to them and explained – it was a wonderful moment. And those eager faces brought me to a place of hope as well. If we keep working together we can create a Haiti that will not fail these kids. We cannot give up and let them down. They are living daily with what felt to me like a boulder on my shoulders. While I knew I was going back home to a more beautiful place, they have to keep up the daily struggle for survival. So I ask all of you to continue your prayers, your interest, your financial support when you can. I know that we can make a difference for these children! …..Sue

I have never felt guilty about having to leave Haiti. But this time on the way to the airport I felt like I was leaving the scene of an accident. In reality our brief trip could not compare, in terms of impact, to the medical groups that preceded us or that will follow us. Still I felt that we were at least able to show a familiar face to the staff and to the neighborhood. We were able to say in halting and limited Kreyole that we were sorry for what had happened and that HSJ will remain committed long after international organizations and media run out of budget and will to be there. We were able to discuss plans for the future with Max and his management team and even shared a few lighthearted moments.

The contrast of demolition and reconstruction at HSJ was not lost on me and served as a metaphor for the challenge that HSJ faces. We have an opportunity, with God’s help, to recreate and rebuild with the resolve to effectively address the injustices that have long plagued the people of Christ ROi and all of Haiti. Like Sue the smiling faces of the children, the determined work of the contractors on our site, the resolve of Max and the staff, the tough decisions being made and the plans being executed demonstrated to me that hope is not lost.

We, personally and as part of the HSJ organization, have felt your support and prayers throught these past 2 months. It helps to keep us going and for that we thank you very much……..Dennis