It has been two years since I was last in Haiti, and three since the devastating earthquake that decimated their country. Haiti has begun rebuilding and they are working hard to just get back to extreme poverty.
This time the airport was so different. They had a small, but nice, new terminal. A great improvement from the temporary metal hanger from last trip. It appeared as if everything was going to be far better than we thought. However, looks can be deceiving.
As we were loading our bags onto the bus, gunshots rang out close by. People ducked for cover as the realization of what was happening quickly set in. I will never forget the look on my daughter’s face of, fear and is this really happening, as I told her to duck and run to the bus. That is a reality that no kid should ever have to experience. The attempt by an airport worker to comfort us by saying, “you are safe in here, that is just out there,” failed miserably as “out there” was where we were headed.
It is always hard to wrap your head around the fact that there are some Compassion projects in Haiti that we cannot visit because they fear it is not safe for us. We can avoid it, but sadly these kids can’t. This is the reality of life for kids consumed by poverty. I am so thankful that we, through Compassion, can provide hope and a future for kids who might not otherwise have a chance.
