Sunday

Last year at this point, the sheer devastation, despair and overwhelming conditions were all encompassing for our team. It was hard to see how just a small team of 15 could have any impact whatsoever. This year, while the massive poverty and devastation is still just as prevalent, those of us who were here last year are able to see places of improvement. Positive change. Hope in despair! There is less garbage in the streets. Last year the trash and debris spilled out into the streets and were in piles as high as the walls. This year, the city is still far from clean and there is still trash and debris, there are sections of the streets without trash. The piles of debris no longer impede traffic. Positive Change. We have seen freshly painted walls, the election posters have been removed, much of the graffiti has been cleanly painted over. Still, as I pointed out some of these positive changes to Noyo (a native), he slowly sighed, and said slowly “yes, there have been improvements, but getting our Haiti back is slow. Very slow.” I cannot imagine how depressing it would be to live and love a country, see the massive destruction of the earthquake throwing most everyone into tents and extreme poverty, and still be able to go about day to day normal life. Yet, these people are still full of beautiful smiles, warm welcoming embraces and doing everything they can to change their small spot in this world. There is something we should all learn and take from this: every little bit makes a difference. No matter the poverty, destruction, massive corruption and forces of evil against them, they dance on. Life goes on, and it is worth not just living, but celebrating.