Gratitude...

Well, I am finally home. It is a good feeling to be home. I am full of gratitude for all the wonderful people in my life, not to mention a house, food, and oh so many things. It's hard to leave Haiti, but necessary.
As I drove through town on my way to the airport, I saw the beginnings of renewal of the town & the people. I can't express how amazing the Haitian people are to watch & speak with each day. Now- there are so many tent villages set up and still the shanty houses remain along the road. I watch the women sweep the street with a sense of pride. Life goes on. The "street markets" are bustling with lots of bartering of food items and clothing. If this were the US- I can only think that many would still be drowning in the misery of it all. Prayer is powerful in this part of the world. On the ship, each day as I made rounds & spoke with the children & families- they would all say "Ca va bien" to how they are doing- "good, well". There was no complaining for what happened, no bitter feeling to their "God"- just more prayers. Many had bibles & read them to pass the time.
There is a very long road to recovery, make no mistake......so much more to be done.
Friday, we left the ship & spent 10 hrs on the tarmack waiting to get our Navy transport to Florida. It was 100 degrees; we had a decent amount of walking to do, and ended up at the Air Force tent camp to wait for our plane. I do not know how the military can tolerate hot temperatures day in and day out with no relief. The tents were stiffling, the food- MRE's, and the rainy season starts any day.....there is no escaping this place for a better place for the troops. For about 2 hours we were given an air cooled tent to rest inside- I fell asleep- it was heaven!
So- to make a long story short- we boarded a C-40A convoy- it is like a 737. And of all things, the pilot invited me to join him in the cockpit as they landed the plane-what a treat!!! The view of sunset was breathtaking up there in the sky. It was the perfect ending to an amazing journey. I feel so priviledged to have served in this mission and again, I thank all of you so much for all the support that I felt (and needed) during my time away from home.