Journal Entry, January 2nd, Haiti

Since I started packing the other night, I've been thriving.  I still don't know what to do with my life, but I know it has to involve adventure.  I am going to do the things most people will not do. Just like Fluer has done.

(Fluer was the other person I sat next to on my flight down to Haiti.  She works in Haiti for the French Red Cross and was on her way back to Haiti after some scheduled time off.  After working in accounting for 8 years, she realized that it wasn't making her happy. She didn't want to be like the rest of the people around her who were also unhappy, but were unwilling to do anything about it.  But Fluer did.  She started working for non-profits in France and, for the past seven years, has been working on humanitarian development projects.  In addition to the current year she is spending in Haiti, she has spent extended time in multiple African countries.  Traveling from job to job, she will work on a project for a year or two, and then when her contract is up, she goes "home" to France for a few months until her next gig.  She sold her house to accommodate her lifestyle, so when she goes home, she stays with friends and family.)

the drive out of Port-au-Prince

Not only am I impressed by what she does and has done, I truly respect her willingness to take the path less traveled. - I really could not have sat between two better people for me.  I mean, look at Dr. Rony (the Program Coordinator for Medishare who happened to be the other person I sat next to.  He is from Haiti but had gone on a trip to see his son in Montreal).  He sacrifices time with his son and family in Montreal in order to make their life better and to make the lives of people in Haiti better.

Driving out to Thomonde, I felt at home.  I'm not sure if this is where I am meant to be, but I know this is the type of work I need to be doing.  Breaking stereotypes.  Tearing down barriers.  Opening people's eyes to the world of possibilities that exist for everyone to make our world a better place.  Because we all have the potential to do amazing things.  And we can do a lot more than we think.

~ Thomonde, Haiti
Jan 2nd, 2014

THE PAYOFF

I just made the last payment on my car today.  Four and a half years ago, I was fresh out of grad school, newly employed, and eager to buy a new car. (Well at least one that would last me more than one year.)  So I brought a pre-owned Prius.  Then, for four and a half years, had monthly payments, oil changes and of course, great gas mileage!  As the teller at the bank processed my last payment, a calming sense of comfort and elation came over me.  It was pretty awesome.

And it reminded me about the fear and elation I experience on my flight to Haiti last month.  It reminded me of the story from my journal that I wanted to share with those interested in reading it.

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~ Thursday, January 2nd, 2014, Central Plateau, Haiti ~ 

It’s pretty damn amazing how things turned out today.  When I left for the airport this morning, I was still not fully sure where I was going to be sleeping that night.  This was going to be my 5th trip to Haiti, but it was my first time traveling alone.  My first time staying for longer than one week.   

I had arranged my extended stay with our host/partner organization Project Medishare, but due to the holidays, I never confirmed where I was going to be sleeping for my first three nights in Haiti.  I wasn't even sure if someone from the organization was going to be there to pick me up at the airport. (I didn't tell my mom or my girlfriend about any of this…)

This is why, when halfway through the flight to Haiti, I discovered that the person sitting next to me was the new Program Coordinator for Project Medishare, I felt a calming sense of elation and relaxation come over me.  What started off as high risk for disaster (the potential for arriving in a developing country with no set place to stay), turned into great potential for good things to happen.  It really is amazing what can happen when you commit to an idea and, when necessary, make a leap of faith. 

Two months earlier, I had hastily booked my flight as a desperate maneuver to force myself to do what it took to have an extended stay in Haiti.  I didn't know how I was going to coordinate my stay or how I was going to pay for it.  What I did know, that I was going to find a way to make it happen.

And amid all the doubt fear and uncertainty, it happened – I was about to have an extended stay in Haiti.  I was about to accomplish a goal that I had firmly set four months earlier in September.  The desire I had since my first trip to Haiti more than two years ago was finally being fulfilled.

“No matter how long it takes, or how hard it is, I’m going to make it.  I’m going to make it.”  - Les Brown.   “And it’s gonna be awesome.” - Katie Lamie

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Thank you for taking the time to read this story.  If you have another second to spare, I would love to hear your stories that relate to "the payoff."  Share with everyone in the comment section below, or shoot me a personal email.  Looking forward to hearing your story.  Kevin