Paradigm Shift

My first experience out of the U.S. was a 6 month stint in Honduras. It opened my eyes in ways I could have never imagined. Here is a little bit from my journal upon my return:

I ran off the plane, down the runway, reaching my neck over people to see my mom at the window. I was full of fear, gratitude, love, excitement and...fear. We just stayed there for a while and hugged until my mom said, "You look healthy. Really healthy. Did you put on some weight? Where are your bags?"

I could hardly talk. I knew my jeans would hardly zip up and my ragged sweater hardly fit but did I put on some weight? I hadn't looked in a full mirror for months.

We walked through the pristine airport that smelled like America and outside to complete order. Things had their place. People were put together. I literally dropped to my knees thankful to be on that ground. Thankful for America. Thankful for peace. Thankful for safety. Thankful for order. Thankful for English. I could not stop the out pour of tears streaming down my face. My mom had to think I was headed for a mental institution.

Its the things we don't notice. Like how clean our cars are or how clean the roads are and the lines are straight and the signs actually tell you where you need to go. Or that you can call the police and they are there to actaully help you. At night you can go outside without feeling scared. Its the houses. With yards that have green grass all the same length, weed eaters, lawnmowers, insurance, cell phones, computers, tile floors, computers, hair dryers, clean & reliable hospitals, healthy pets and things that didn't need to be fixed.

I didn't have to pause every time I went to drink a glass of water because ALL of our water is clean. The food at the grocery store is always good because we have rules and regulations against anything less than the best. We can speak our minds and hearts without fear of blood running in the streets. These are the differences between us and the rest of the world.

This experience has changed the course of my life. I will again never take for granted the freedom we have as Americans and I will never turn my back on children in need.

To read more about how to help the children of HALO, visit www.haloworldwide.org