One of the most beautiful children I met in Haiti was Josseline.  I had planned to write about Josseline's story but my friend Tracy just published a beautiful post about this precious little girl here.  In short, Josseline is a restavek or, as defined by Americans, a slave.  A beautiful, innocent, angel-faced slave, with a heart of gold.
   

I have had every intention of writing much more about my experiences in Neply but I just can't seem to find words eloquent enough to describe it.  I plan to write a day-to-day overview of the trip but there are so many other things that I want to share first. 

Of all of the memories that I brought home with me from Haiti, the most precious ones are of the time I spent with the sweet children of the village.  Not only are Haitian children absolutely beautiful, they have such a curious demeanor.  Everywhere we went, we would usually end up with a group of kiddos tagging along.  Sometimes they were clothed and sometimes they weren't.  Sometimes they were hungry. And dirty. 

I immediately found myself burdened by the circumstances that these children face. 

Then I had a realization.  Who was I really feeling sorry for? 

I began to think about the needs and wants of American children compared to the needs and wants of Haitian children.  Do Haitian children want iPads, iPhones, or expensive gaming systems for Christmas?  Of course they don't.  They want clothes to wear, shoes for their feet, and a hot meal in their tummies.  Their basic needs aren't always met, yet their blessings are many. 

I soon realized that it is my child that I should feel burdened for.  My child, who will grow up in a nation where excess equals happiness and material posessions define one's character.  After all, it's my child who will be forced to experience the phenomenon of the "haves" and "have nots" and who will have to suffer a lifetime of disappointment at the hands of a generation plagued by entitlement.