When we approached Penny last fall about joining her for a mission trip to Haiti it seemed like an exciting opportunity that would be more than a new adventure, but a new learning experience and a new step in my own life. I’ve never been involved in a study abroad program or a medical mission trip, or even traveled outside the country. You can imagine my excitement, and fear.
Since then, we have had time to discuss what we will be doing, plan our days and our projects, what to take and what to expect; which makes the idea of traveling to a third world country a little less terrifying. Although, trying to plan a trip like this and successfully make it through my final semester of nursing school was a challenge at times. I am still nervous, but I know that I will learn and experience so much more than I thought possible; more than I could learn in school or from any job.
I have read about and seen pictures of the way of life and culture in Haiti. However, I doubt that will fully prepare me for the things I will see or experience, as my life and the things that I am grateful to have, seem to be extravagant and unnecessary in comparison. I look forward to learning more about the culture, language, environment, and of course health care in Haiti during this trip as I’m sure it will open my eyes to a world I merely knew existed before.
Katelyn,
We are so proud of you and your journey. You cannot be with better people to learn about this culture and have such an opportunity. I look forward to all the stories and your insight into this experience. As the first students to have this experience and this will allow others to have this experience as well! 🙂 Thank you, Katelyn!
Katie
“as my life and the things that I am grateful to have, seem to be extravagant and unnecessary in comparison.” This is so true, your view on our abundance changes, Things we seem to think are so important slip into insignificance when you are in Haiti, then you come back and have a choice to make, are they still going to be important or not. thanks for going on this trip and opening a way for more to go in the future.