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Two years ago our family packed up and moved to Haiti. Prior to our move we were hearty Minnesotans living a normal suburban life.
In the past two years I've watched as my children, ranging in age from 1 to 18 have tried to reconcile their two worlds. They have lived in the land of vast prosperity; they have lived in the land of complete devestation. They are changed. Their life-experience will forever make them odd to the kids they meet in America.
For the most part I thought bringing them here to serve the poor would be good for them. I still think that, only now I also see the ways in which this experience might make them weird, uncomfortable and even akward.
The little ones now think all electricity comes from the generator that Daddy has to go start at dusk. They find nothing odd about kids running around naked and dirty. They understand truths about poverty and death that many 40 year olds still cannot face.
I am trying hard to find the balance between giving them a passion and a love for those less fortunate and giving them a happy, "normal" upbringing. I hope they walk away from their life here feeling balanced and compassionate, not bitter and angry.