The first week of 2017 I had the wonderful opportunity of going on an immersion trip to the Dominican Republic and Haiti with a program through my school’s campus ministry. This trip was truly life changing. I had no idea how much of an impact it would have on my mind and my heart. It opened up so many new doors for me and it was honestly such a great way to begin the new year.
On the trip, our group worked mostly with an organization known as Solidaridad Fronteriza which focuses on the border relations between the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Throughout the week, we visited different sites and organizations that Solidaridad helps and funds. We were able to hear the stories of the people affected by this organization and learn from them on what can further be done.
I was without my phone or frankly any technology for the entire week which disconnected me from the world and put me further immersed into the trip and myself. I quickly learned that a large point of the trip was not to do service or do work, but rather to learn and educate myself on the issues of Haiti and the Dominican, specifically with their border relations. This trip taught me that sometimes its more important to be, not do. Coming from a first world country, the mindset is usually that everyone else needs help and needs saving. But as a priest named Father Mario who works with Solidaridad Fronteriza said, “we must savor the world, not save it”.
Additionally on the trip, being without technology, time, or any clue of what the schedule was made me be present each and every moment and ride the ride, something I don’t usually do as a very organized, planned person. It helped me to savor the time I spent there, rather than count the hours as they went by.
If I’m going to be completely honest, I almost didn’t go on the trip as my anxiety got the best of me about a week before leaving for the trip and I felt very lost, unprepared, and desperately wanted to stay in the comfort of my home in KC. I don’t regret these feelings as at the time that’s what I felt and those feelings are valid. But now, after going on the trip, I can’t even imagine having not gone on the trip.
There’s so much I want to do now after going on the trip, learning about the countries, seeing the people, and being a part of this program at my school. I am so excited for what lies ahead.
The following are the initial words I wrote to myself on the plane ride back from the Dominican to LA that I thought I’d share. Some thoughts may be repeated from what’s above but the words are still worth the read. Enjoy!
Dear whomever,
It’s hard to put into words entirely what I experienced on the DR/Haiti trip. The biggest thing I can begin with is my feelings prior to the trip. Once I got home for winter break I enjoyed that feeling oh so much that I wanted it to last for as long as possible and disliked that I had to leave so soon and say my goodbyes when I was saying my hellos. Anxiety got the best of me. And even after I texted Samii (one of the leaders of the trip) asking her about the trip a bit more I still had some doubts and frustrations. And I had so so so many people telling me to go. That it would all work out and be ok. And I knew that. And now I have the people that can tell me I told you so but I wish they wouldn’t. Because my feelings at the time were valid. I don’t regret them. Even when we got delayed for so long at the airport in LA and my dad texted me knocking some sense into me and I was frustrated, those feelings were my feelings. I have no shame. So looking back now on the experience throughout the rest of the week I can say I only went up. And I’m glad I started out with low feelings because that allowed growth for me for the whole trip. Though some of the stops we made throughout the week in the DR I still don’t quite understand the content that was discussed and addressed there but I understand the people. I understand what it means to be with them and I understand a bit more who they are. The kids that I did get to more fully interact with I am so filled by. They brought me such joy and love. They were the ones whom communication occurred not even through translation of words but through action and interaction. Through dance, soccer, smiles, laughs, and eyes. I saw something so heartbreaking the first time we entered Haiti. One of the other guys on the trip made the comment “I didn’t know how to be with those people” and that has really stuck with me. In the DR, we weren’t doing work, but we were being with those people and it wasn’t hard to do so. But when we first entered Haiti, that all got flipped over as I no longer felt I could be with the people of Haiti. But the second full day in Haiti was full of much more joy and comfort. Though the ride in the back of the pickup truck was not as comfortable on the body physically, it was so awesome and comforting on the heart and soul. I have never laughed so hard then with the people I rode around with in the back of the pickup and I love that I was able to gain a stronger connection and friendships out of that. Everyone on this trip taught me something about themselves and about myself and I will forever and always be so grateful for that. I have received the most wonderful advice as everyone else on this trip was my elder and I’m so pleased to have gained that knowledge. I’m also glad I was able to hold my own with them. To have the tough skin and maturity to interact with them. As a communication studies major I’ve learned so much from this trip and had moments of such excitement and interest for me which makes me feel yet again that I chose the right major. This trip all in all was a whole lot of love and I will never ever forget that. I want to do an IC trip every single year of college and eventually maybe as a senior would love to lead one. Who knows what the future holds but as much as possible I want to make this program a part of my experience. Thank you God for this incredible journey and opportunity. Forever and always……….Love, Emily❤
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