Reflection: Bridget Coologhan

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Day one in Haiti: complete! Going into this trip I didn’t know what to expect.  I have heard so many stories from past trips, but experiencing it myself was completely different than I could ever imagine.  Looking out from the plane window, you just see beautiful mountains and fields.  As you land you start to realize what Haiti really is like for these people.  After going through “security” (glancing through a few bags) we headed out into the real world.  It was there that it really hit me that I was in Haiti. 

Our transportation through the town was a truck called a tap-tap.  This basically is a truck that we loaded up with all of our luggage and ourselves (17 people.)  I’ve seen pictures, but nothing compares to the reality of Haiti.  It is just filled with people everywhere; there is no organization to anything.  You see women balancing buckets of fruit and other items from town on their heads.  Along the streets, you see roaming animals with clearly no nourishment.  Looking down the side streets you see piles of trash everywhere, which creates a very unpleasant odor.

When entering EBAC Orphanage, I was very nervous of the unknown.  I didn’t know what to expect.  After getting out of the tap-tap, kids immediately grab you and hug you.  EBAC is basically a fenced in complex with a school and shelter for the kids.  There is an open area to play soccer at and a basketball court.  It inspiring to know that this orphanage is run by two women, Kathy and Alice, who dropped their lives in America to come here and serve.  One older girl stuck out to me.  Her name is Fidege (pronounced Fi-Dish).  She is here because her parents both passed away.  She has a sister studying nursing in Port Au Prince, which I found to be very interesting.  She has already told me that she will write to me and I can’t wait to form a friendship with her.  Another thing that stood out to me was the fact that they worship anywhere and anytime.  I was sitting on a swing set with a few girls and they just started singing Christian songs.  It is really moving to see how strong their faith is.  It brings me happiness and comfort to see the joy in all of these kids.

After being here for just this short time, I realize that I can’t save all of Haiti, but I can easily provide love and hope for these children.  Even though it is only the first day, I am looking forward to see what God has in store for the rest of the week.  I hope that we can build relationships that will last a long time.  Please keep us all in your prayers. (Don’t worry mom, I’m not sunburnt yet!!)