How it all Started

Last February my roommate Julia and I were bemoaning the way we had spent our reading week. That, coupled with the fact that we hadn't been able to get settled into any volunteer jobs made us feel a little restless to go and do something. We were chatting about the way it feels after a long day of hard work, like real physical labour, not just mental exhaustion. And then the idea began to form, we're young, we're fit, we're broke, and we're aching to serve. Our minds began to turn towards the idea of venturing to Haiti when Julia's aunt informed her of an opportunity. Things really began falling into place, and we could feel God directing us as we planned.

At the end of summer 2011, Julia and I had really been praying about what the trip was meant to look like in terms of other people. God had put some names on our hearts, and through a few conversations we realized some of those people felt God tugging their hearts in that direction as well. Soooooo when it all came together we had a team of 11 people who, for different reasons all signed on for a Reading Week trip to Haiti. Thanks to generous donations and church, family, and friends, it also didn't break the bank, and many of us were able to travel for free, or practically free.

February 17th 2012 at 11:30 am we met at the Vineland carpool lot, hopped on a limo bus and headed for the Toronto airport.



We flew from Toronto to New York that Saturday, and thanks to prior flight complications, we had to wait until the following morning to fly to Port au Prince. So we hit up a cheap Comfort Inn, ordered in some food, took what we thought we be our last shower for a long time, and got some solid zzzzzzs.