Imagine 2 scenes for me. The first scene is of a waitress clearing a table with 4 plates. Each of these plates has at least half of the original contents still on it. Focus on that, concentrate on it. You got it? Now for the second scene. 2 small children fight over half an MRE. Their faces are stained with the contents, and the look in their eyes shows the want they have for what's left in that package. Focus on that, concentrate on it. You got it?
The night before we left for Haiti, James, the coordinator of the trip, held a meeting in the hotel lobby. He wanted to go over some last minute details, verify our passports, and warn us about the effects that the trip might have on us. He said that while you would normally experience culture shock, on a trip this short in time we were more likely to go through the phases of reverse culture shock when we returned. By this, he meant that we might start to see the way Americans can sometimes be wasteful, without even meaning to be. Now honestly, I didn't think this would happen to me. I've always felt like I notice the way people waste. And at first, it wasn't a problem coming back.
Then I went to IHOP with some friends last weekend. And this morning, I started thinking about the waitress bringing our plates. I started thinking about us sitting there, talking for 2 hours. I started thinking about how when she took the plates away, almost every one still had food on it(one person had only eaten half a pancake). And I started thinking about those 2 children in Haiti, fighting over half of a cold MRE. Then I started comparing other scenes. I remembered watching someone throw away half a bottle of water, and I placed that image against one of 6 children fighting over a small water container. Children who just moments ago were playing together turned on each other for a few drops of the thing we take for granted every day. I thought about a friend who I once saw throw change into a trash can after leaving the store because he had no need for coins. I merged that scene with one in which a little girl, who normally only spoke Creole, walking from one person to another, repeating the only English phrase she knew: "Give me one dollar."
I thought that I was ready prepared for the difference between America and Haiti. But I was wrong. I never fully realized just how wasteful we are. When did Americans stop appreciating the liberties that we have been afforded? And I know that sounds really judgmental and self-righteous, so let me insert a footnote: I'm wasteful myself. I waste food, water, electricity...I waste opportunities. That's why I'm writing this. Think about how many times you've passed on extra credit in a class, because you didn't really feel like you needed it. Now think about someone who might study for 6 hours a night, and do all the extra credit in the world, and still won't amount to more than a street vendor. Blessed are they, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
This is just something I've been thinking about today. Hopefully, I can get more insights as I spend more time praying and journaling about my trip.
God Bless,
Sam
