THE RETURN

So today was my first full day back in the states, and my first day back at school.  I was unsure how I would be received.  While in Haiti, I kept hearing word from the principal that they boys thought I quit on them because they ran me off.  First of all, they have to be almost stupid to think they could run me off that easily.  They all even wrote me letters telling me that they promise to come back if only I would give them another chance.  One boy even said, "I don't know where you are, but I hope you are enjoying it and relaxing, because we really miss you hear and want you to come back.  I almost wonder if someone didn't write them a template and tell them to say something like theirs.  Who knows.

When I got back, the people wanted to hide me from the boys, so they thought I was still gone.  So, like a good employee, I went along with it.  I got on the phone in the office, called the back room where they were and talked to them, but told them I was in Kansas.  Then, I ran back to the room, opened the door and the whole school stood up, clapping because they were happy to see me again.  That really is a beautiful thing to see after returning.  

The day continued, but it was really hard to do anything as I had no plans, and hadn't thought about school for over a week.  But I went along with it, and had a very productive day, as the boys actually did pay good attention when I needed them to.  

After school, I was required to have grade cards done today, and stick around all evening for parents meetings.  Even though I KNEW that none of my parents would come, I still stuck around.  Much to my surprise, 2 parents came, but only one stuck around after the big meeting to talk with me.  That was the only parent that I didn't need to talk to , as his son in the best in the class.  It still is shocking to me how these people just can not get it out of their system to accept failure.  I sure learned that you can take the person out of Haiti, but you can not take Haiti out of them.

As I was in school today, I revealed to the kids that I had spent the week in Haiti.  Of course they were excited, and I showed them pictures.  We all shared stories about their homes there and what I saw.  It was a great experience to hear about how they grew up there, now that I can picture how they actually were.  Knowing what my boys went through to be where they are today just makes my heart melt.  I can't picture my boys waking up early to go to the city dump to collect scraps for the family, or hiking 3 miles to get the family water every day.  I truly do appreciate them 100 times more after experiencing their culture first hand.  

My blogs throughout the week of Haiti are still being written, as I was without power for about the whole week, and without my computer.  But the story should be worth waiting for, or at least I hope so.  If I can write it half as well as God let me experience it, then it will be worth reading!