E-mails from Neal:
Subject: Final Family Night in Haiti
"I spent the day getting caught up on expenses, payroll and the ordering of additional food from the DR today becuase I was still fighting stomach trouble and I wanted to get everything in order for my replacement, Daniel Tea coming in tomorrow.
The word got out that this week was my Birthday because the drivers saw birthday wishes to me from Facebook. I didn't tell them what day, so one of the doctors, Ried Harrison, found me a symphony bar. One of the house helpers, Natacha Dubuche, made me a card, and the rest of the gang found a cake in the market. They sang happy birthday in Haitian, then the Family Serices guys played a movie in French called "A little Princess".
Note to self; I heard that it is available in English. I want to show it to Hannah when I get home.
I didn't want to tell them that it wasn't my Birthday yet, so I enjoyed every minute.
Haiti is close to Heaven"
Subject: There's no place like home, there's no place like home...
"I have been up most of the night in Jacmel trying to help one of my Haitian driver friends who ended up on the hospital after an accident where he broke his right femer in his leg. He was not able to be transported to better medical care, so he remained in an army style tent because the hospital was damaged beyond use. I really felt guilty in leaving him knowing that I was flying out in a couple of hours back to America. The best thing we thought to give him was a Priesthood Blessing. It was a moving experience.
Leaving Haiti early Wednesday morning was a bitter sweet experience. You really grow close to one another during crisis mode, especially when you share close quarters. It was like an extended three and a half week boy scout camp in alot of ways.
Traffic was unusually heavy that morning for some reason so I nearly missed the flight out of Port au Prince. At first they said the plane left, but I knew better. I learned that many people speak english if you try to speak Creol first. (they teach French, English and Spanish in school) I tryed my best desperate Creol so one caring flight worker took pitty on me. She quckly processed my paperwork and litterally ran me through the airport. My heart was pumping as they shut the door to the plane behind me.
American Airlines will take me to Miami, Dallas and then Salt Lake City. I left at 7:40 SLC time and will arrive at 8:40pm SLC time. It will be a long day but I can't wait to see my family again."
Subject: Flying Home
"Had an hour layover in Dallas which gave me time for lunch. With all the choices, you wouldn't believe that I craved a Big Mac and McDonalds fries because I rarely eat them when I'm home. Must be a psychological thing."
Subject: Finally Home
"Seven returning missionaries from the Mexico City South mission joined our flight in Dallas. It was fun to talk to them about thier experiences and thier anticipation to see loved ones again. I knew it would be special to witness the banners and family greeting them. However, I wasn't prepared for how difficult it was to control my emotions on seeing my wife, kids and grandkids cheering for my return. I was surprised to see Jamie, my daughter in law, because it was her birthday and I thought She would be celebrating.
Haiti is close to Heaven, and my heart is finally home."
Subject: Things I learned
"Myths:
1. Haiti has no Christians. They all worship Voodooh.
2. There are very few church members in Haiti.
3. The Lord caused an Earthquake to punish and humble the Haitian people.
4. Haiti is one of the poorest nations because of the lack of education of the people.
Facts:
1. Most people in Haiti are religious and they attend every Sunday. The largest is the Catholic church. They had a national fast while I was there because the Arch Bishop was killed in the earthquake. Every taxi (Tap Tap) has religious writing on it, mostly Christian sayings or scripture references. They memorize the Bible.
2. Kevin Joseph, the Haitian Mission President, estimates that there are about 13,000 LDS in Haiti. He has 60 missionaries serving in his mission (All native Haitians) and they set apart 12 more while I was there. President Monson dedicated the land for missionary work in the middle 80's and they have a special church spot that they hope with be thier temple site one day. It cost $75 for a bus ride to the Dominican Repulic Temple, and so many members can only attend a few times in thier life due to economic hardship.
3. President Packer taught us during the Katrina disaster in New Orleans that the Lord put the elements in motion when the earth was created. This included the natural consequences of hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunami's etc... I'm still angry when I hear people like Pat Robertson say that it is an act of punishment from God. Even if it were true, which it is not, what good does it do to criticize other people during thier times of crisis? Find a way to lift them up.
4. The schools teach Creole, French, English and Spanish to all their students. I found the Haitian people to be hard working, resourceful and willing to learn. The returned missionaries were especially brilliant. They were studying to be architecs, accountants, and engineers. They understand that education is the key to thier future which I thing is very bright. I could see that most of the poverty problem is the economics from being an isolated island along with a difficult government structure. The people have an ethic like this: Work, get paid, then eat, in that order. We would do well to adopt some of thier ways.
Overall, it was an extreme emotional roller coaster ride for me, but I'm very grateful for the opportunity to help in a small way. I think they helped me more than I did them.
Note to Self: write a song called "Road to Jacmel" about this experience.
Haiti is close to Heaven."
It is so nice to finally have our dad, husband, grandpa, and father-in-law back with us. We are so grateful to Heavenly Father for keeping him safe. Haiti really is close to Heaven but so is West Valley. :)
Ah... young love. :) I think Suzy was the most excited out of everyone for Neal to be home but who can blame her?
