Whattup!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sorry for the lack of updates but the internet has been really spotty. I havent had alot of time to write in the mornings since being back, and also just general laziness. So, I got back last monday. I was supposed to take a two week break, but I just couldn't stay away from the most amazing people I've ever met in my life. I had to find out when my angels were leaving and I made sure I was there for it. Wow, what an amazing decision that was. When I got back to Haiti I was embraced like I have never felt before. It was simply magic. I got more hugs than I have ever had in my life combined. It's a pretty amazing feeling to know you're loved somewhere so far out of your comfort zone. It just made me even more sure of my decision to come back and finish my mission. Even when I was home, I talked to HODR people the majority of the time. Everytime I talk to my friend Alex, she would just make me want to go back more and more and more. She, along with many other amazing people here really inspire me to go for it and live this experience to the fullest and not let a single moment bother me. I have had my highs and lows here, but mainly because I have lost people I have grown to absolutely love. The main thing I have had to drill in my head is that it doesn't matter that I lost them. I am just blessed to have met them. It has been a true honor to have met all of you.
People here tell me I am amazing, but I would be zero without any of you. You each have a special place in my heart, and it's nice to have an angel on each shoulder:) You have seriously changed my life and make me want to become the best person I can be. When people show up in Leogane its a very intimidating and intense experience. I feel like it's my job to make sure they get comfortable and feel safe and at home. I don't know if I will ever fully succeed in my mission, but I do know I will give it everything I have. Everyone that shows up here deserves it. It doesn't matter if theyre here for a week or a year. They all have given up time to come here and become apart of an amazing experience and joined a beautiful family. Everyone here works their ass off, and they deserve every single compliment they get. I hope that anybody I have shared this experience with knows they have changed the lives of many Haitian people and they will never be forgotten by them as well. Nobody should leave with their head down, because we have all put alot of sweat and tears into this project.
Enough about the HODr people though, let me just tell you that the reception I received from the Haitian people was just as warm, if not even more touching. People I didn't even know knew my name were coming up to me telling me they missed me. It felt like I was gone for years. It felt like the most beautiful of reunions you could dream up in your head. On the third day I was back I finally got to see Jermaise and he literally jumped off a mototaxi to come and give me a giant bear hug. I felt like I had found my long lost brother. We sat and talked for awhile and caught up, and he told me how he had started volunteering with us and was having a ton of fun. It was truly magic to see him so happy to see one person. It made me feel pretty amazing.
As far as the work we have been doing, we have been kicking some serious ass. We are still working on our second school and just about finished the first one. The kids have seen the first finished school, and they were absolutely blown away. I believe it will be ready for operation in the upcomming weeks, and we will be having a big grand opening for it. I cannot WAIT! Other than that, we have been kicking each rubble sites ass as every day goes by. I can't say enough about our team leaders and the people who rubble everyday. It amazes me how fit they are and the stamina they possess. Everytime I go out of the office and work with them I am in complete awe of the work ethic I see there. I am starting to get out more and more and see first hand just how amazing these people are. The girls swing around sledge hammers as if they were yoyo's. They can just toss them around and break up walls with their will alone. I could sit here and write five pages about each person who goes out everyday and completely murders these sites until their is nothing left but a beautiful slab for the people of Haiti to rebuild on. Alot of people who rubble don't give themselves enough credit. So, I am here to tell you, you are the heart and soul of this project. The legs that keep the machine running.
So, thats pretty much whats been going on. Teams are giving up a week of their time to go live in a tent and build more schools for the kids. People are out busting their ass everyday rubbling. We are making alot of progress in the city of Leogane alone, and you can see it happening over time. I am healthy and doing everything I can to make this a better place. I miss everyone from home, and even more I miss everyone I have met here and had to go. Your work here will never be forgotten. I love every single one of you, or at least the ones I added on facebook:P haha.
MISS YOU!!!!!!!!!
LOVE
Dan
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