Haiti

many times I have sat down to blog about the devastation in Haiti and I have been overwhelmed with feelings of hopelessness and sadness. Where do I begin...I guess with the smile of a Haitian boy named Jordan. In February 2008 Jackson, Ayden and I went on a Caribbean cruise with Ryan's parents. One of the ports was Samana, Dominican Republic. There we meet a young man named Jordan. His English wasn't very good but he had a smile that captivated you. He was from Haiti and went to Samana to find work. He had no family there and sent all his earnings back to his family. He had 13 siblings and was married and had 2 children of his own. He spoke Creole so it was hard to communicate. He took us on a ride in his motor cycle ricochet. He pulled us through the mountains weaving in and out of the cars. It was a very eye opening experience for us especially for Jackson and Ayden. They were stunned by how the people lived and had nothing. The city was very dirty and the beach was rundown and there was garbage everywhere. The boys just loved Jordan, he was so happy and played with them. That night back on the ship at dinner Jackson asked me if maybe Jordan could come live at grandma and grandpa's apartment so he could have a better life. It was really sad for them to think of their new friend Jordan living such a hard life.

In the spring of 2009 our entire family went on another cruise and again went to Samana. Once the boys knew we were going there they talked about how we could find Jordan. I honestly thought that it would be impossible but Jackson and Ayden were so excited that I didn't want to tell them that we might not be able to. Once on shore we asked some locals who did the same work if they knew him and they helped us find our friend Jordan. He didn’t really remember us because he meets so many foreigners but it was fun to see him again. He again pulled us through the mountains weaving in and out of the cars as the boys giggled and led us to a beautiful waterfall in the jungle. There he introduced us to other Haitian boys working in Samana, away from their families. we went on a hike through the jungle where he showed us local plants like coconut, mango, cocoa bean (chocolate), and the boys favorite the mimosa (like a Mexican fly trap plant). It was a fun day but the boys were sad to leave their friend again.
When we heard about the earth quake in Haiti the boys immediately thought about their friend Jordan...was he ok, was his family ok. I couldn't answer them as the tears filled their eyes. "Mom how can we find Jordan to see if he is ok" Jackson asked and I said that I didn't know. Every time they see or hear anything about Haiti they grow somber. What an impression Jordan made on my boys. He has been in their prayers and always close in their thoughts.

As the days go on and the horrific images of the earthquake destruction are shown, I am truly grateful for all of my blessings and will never forget the Haitian boy with an amazing smile that left his family behind to find work and that he might be in heaven or alone morning the loss of his family. Life is truly precious, don't take a single day for granted.