Why Haiti part 2

So we left off with "Go."  That is all He said to me.  "Go."

Honestly, I was a bit afraid to tell this to Paul, my hubby.  I just knew that his overprotective nature would say, "Whatever!"  But I knew it is what God had spoken to me.
I bottled up all my courage and spoke with Paul.  I told him that I was supposed to go to Haiti alone.  To my astonishment, he agreed.

So, upon this revelation, I emailed the orphanage letting them know that I would still be coming.  I didn't know why I was going or what I would be doing. I didn't know if the Lord had another child waiting for me there or if I was to learn something about myself while visiting.  I just knew I needed to be there.  They okayed the situation and sent me a picture of who would be picking me up at the airport.  
Next step was to book flights.  I had budgetted a certain amount of money for flights in my original plan of travel.  To my astonishment, when I pulled up the airlines, the flight prices had Doubled!  This threw a huge kink in the plan.  How would I get another LARGE sum of money in a matter of a few days?
I began to pray again, doubting the message I had heard from the Lord.  I know he was just laughing at me.
I received a phone call from a very dear friend.  You see, she had already given a very generous donation to my trip.  She called to say the Lord had been prompting her to give more.  The amount she wanted to send to me was the exact difference I needed for my flight!  Funny huh?  Know you see why I said the Lord was laughing.  It literally brings tears to my eyes as I type this.
It was official.  I was going to Haiti--alone!

A few weeks later, there I was.  All packed up and headed to the Tulsa airport.  I had all my needed items in my pull behind pilots case along with a blanket and pillow in a small duffle bag.  I then had two large suitcases stuffed full of toys, diapers, clothes, and formula-each 50 pounds.  I checked in, gave my family kisses and set off for the adventure of my life.
My flight plan looked like this:
Tulsa to Dallas; Dallas to Miami; sleep (ha) in the Miami airport; bright and early flight to Port au Prince, Haiti.
As I arrived in Dallas, I found a yummy meal to fill me up.  I didn't know what food was going to be for the next week.
As I got on the flight to Miami, I just knew there was a mistake.  My seat was 6A--first class.  I had bought the cheapest ticket available.  First Class!  I have NEVER sat in first class.  The flight attendant immediately brought me a goblet of warm nuts.  REally?  Who heats up snacking peanuts?  She then proceeded to ask what I would be dining on this evening?  "Nothing.  I just ate a hamburger."  "Really?  Nothing?  How about I bring you a warm chocolate chip cookie?"  
Shut the Front Door!  They have an oven on the plane?  I never knew!  I really had to laugh inside.  Here I sat in first class among men in full suits with their laptops, ipads, sound cancelling headphones and other gadgets.  Here I was in my ripped up jeans and t-shirt with a simple notebook and pen to write my thoughts during this experience.  God really does have a sense of humor!

The night in the Miami airport was less than pleasant.  I only had about 5 hours to catch some sleep.  I found an area that was open without chairs.  Another family had camped out there so I thought I would join them.  Let me just say that the Miami airport is kept at a steady temp of -20.  They also have this "pleasant" voice that comes over their intercom every 15 minutes to alert you to the time.  Not the best sleeping arrangements.

Morning came and it was time to board the plane to Haiti.  I was litterally ill with nerves.  Sick to my stomach.  I bought a pastry before getting on the plane-hoping to eat it on the way.  I stepped onto the plane to notice again I was seated in first class!  You have got to be kidding me!  I was offered a luxurious breakfast.  Upon mentioning my nauseau to the flight attendant, she kindly offered a dry bagel and some ginger ale.  Perfect.  Again, I know the Lord was really getting a kick out of this!

An hour or so later, we landed.  I looked out the window to see men working in a field just outside of the airport.  I saw devestation from the window.  Shacks.  Tents.  and People.  People.  People.  EVERYWHERE!  I took a deep breath and prepared myself mentally for what I was about to encounter.  

The next week changed my life.  Changed who I am.  Changed who I want to be...