So it’s been about three months now that I’ve come to a place in my life where I’m finally committed to becoming Bilangual. I grew up in Ottawa and went to French immersion school as a kid, and on a recent trip back to Ottawa I had an “Aha!” moment. I was hearing French basically just as much as English and it was like finding an oasis for me. I loved it, and I missed it. So, it’s been back to school for me and I was happy to find a good place to study in Niagara…

I was watching some videos on YouTube the other day and this Google ad below played on one of them. It’s called “Parisian Love” and it really connected with me. It’s not only a clever ad using google search to tell a story, but also speaks to my efforts to learn French. I know i’ll be using Google quite a bit through this learning process and already have. So I guess I should say “Merci Google!”

Snapshots from Kate's Adventure

My friend Kate Westrate was recently in Haiti to help out with disaster relief. Kate was there to offer her nursing care expertise, as well as her caring heart. It’s so neat to actually know someone who was able to go and help!

Kate’s been kind enough to answer a few questions for me below and share a few of her photos.

WHEN AND FOR HOW LONG DID YOU GO TO HAITI?

I was in Haiti from March 19-31. This was about 2 months after the earthquake. We flew into Port-au-Prince and then flew over to Jeremie, Haiti.

WHO DID YOU GO WITH, AND WHY DID YOU GO?

I went with an organization called Haiti Needs You (www.haitineedsyou.com)

I have always wanted to go and do some sort of disaster relief, and when the earthquake happened, I knew this was it. I checked in with a number of different agencies and the type of work they would be doing, and Haiti Needs You was a perfect fit for me. They had been established in Haiti (because in a disaster in-country contacts are so important) and would be focusing more on the people that were migrating out of Port-au-Prince to other parts of the country. The outlying cities are over run with displaced citizens and their access to health care has always been minimal. I’m not a surgical nurse, so felt much more qualified to be able to tackle post-trauma/primary care issues. God really just opened all the right doors and led me to this group.

HOW IS THE SITUATION IN HAITI NOW?

I wish I could have seen Haiti before the earthquake, but from what I hear it was struggling then. No amount of words or pictures will ever clearly describe the devastation seen in Port-au-Prince on this trip. A couple of the people I traveled with had been to Haiti immediately after the earthquake and they said that not a whole lot had been done since then. Two months after the earthquake the city is still completely filled with rubble. People are getting medical care, but their living conditions are unreal. They are trying to go about their lives but their city lies in ruins and they don’t have the means to rebuild it or even start cleaning it up.

Almost everyone I met in Port-au-Prince is living in tents. Even if their houses have been deemed structurally sound, they will not sleep inside, as they are too scared of being crushed as many of their family and friends were.

WHAT SURPRISED YOU THE MOST DURING YOUR TRIP?

The people– always the people!! They’re amazing and beautiful! Everywhere we went we were greeted with smiles and loving hearts. They understand they need help and are so grateful for any help that is offered.

The Haitians are very proud people. I don’t mean this in a negative way at all. Everywhere I went, I saw people making the best of situations they were in and they were always well-dressed and clean. Most were living in make-shift shelters or tents, but they would come to our clinic or work (as we used local interpreters) in nice clothes–cleaned and pressed. They have so little but they use what are given in the best way possible.

One other thing that amazed me is, in Jeremie where were working, over 200,000 had migrated to this small city. The mission we stayed at had expected to have to open up the school to be used for lodging. However, the local families opened up their small homes/huts and every last person was taken in! There were sometimes 20+ people living in some homes, and some were complete strangers! Their hospitality and eagerness to help astounded me!

WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM YOUR TRIP?

I was so humbled and would often feel so guilty for my discontent in life after meeting the Haitian people. Here in North America we live in a materialistic society and take SO much for granted. Just something simple as complaining that I am “SO HUNGRY” if we get to dinner a little late, puts me to shame. Most of the people I encountered would often only be able to provide 1 meal/day for their families. I felt a little sick to my stomach on my first trip to the grocery store when I got back to the States. How is it that we SO much?

I think the biggest thing I will walk away from this trip learning is to pray to be more content in any situation that I am, but also that I don’t NEED some of the things I think I need in life.

WHAT’S SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE REALLY NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HAITI?

The media coverage has died down tremendously, but Haiti is still in desperate need for help. They don’t need us to come down there and fix it all for them, what they need is for experienced builders, engineers, economists, etc to go down there and either hire or teach the Haitians how to rebuild their own city. There are so many looking and eager to work, they just don’t have the means/skill sets to do so.

I also met many very educated Haitians, many who were educated in the States, but cannot find jobs. They often work on a volunteer basis in the hospitals and clinics, but have no way of supporting their families that way. One Haitian doctor described it to me as, “We have very over-educated people for the type of economy we have.” They have the people– they just don’t have the jobs, and so they wallow in poverty.

WILL YOU GO AGAIN?

ABSOLUTELY! I left a little bit of my heart in Haiti, I think. There’s talk of another trip later this fall, but for me it will depend on my work schedule. It’s hard to find that balance of being involved and carrying on your life here at home.

ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO TELL PEOPLE?

Please consider helping down in Haiti in some way or another. If you can’t personally make a trip, consider helping fund an reputable organization that is working in Haiti. The government in Haiti is so corrupt and lost, but the people are wonderful to the core! They are asking for help and I hope the world continues to answer their cries.

Kate and I met during University when we were both volunteering as youth leaders for an organization called Young Life. She lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan, but loves making a trip up north every once in awhile to visit friends in Canada when she can.

A photo video made by Kate:

Feel free to leave a comment here >>

Eva with her laptop at the hospital

I’m sad to report that Eva Markvoort, subject and STAR of the documentary 65_RedRoses, passed away on March 27th. On her blog it said: “Our beautiful girl died this morning at 9:30. She is at peace. Will write more later.”

It hurt to read it.

Eva had battled with the genetic disease Cystic Fibrosis her whole life and recently went through a double lung transplant hoping to be cured (the story of the documentary).

With what seemed to be a successful transplant, Eva’s life was hers again and it was so incredible to see and experience indirectly, but unfortunately her body rejected the lungs and she has since passed only months later. The documentary made note of the serious possibility of rejection, but  she seemed clear of that issue. So it was very surprising to hear that her body had rejected the lungs.

I remember seeing the amazingly cool photo of Eva Markvoort on the front of NOW Magazine in Toronto, and also on the cover of the Hot Docs film festival. See pic here >> – (More pics from her visit to Toronto are on her blog as well).

I was fortunate enough to meet Eva in person after a viewing of the documentary 65_RedRoses at the Bloor Cinema during the 2009 Hot Docs festival. I didn’t think she was going to make it as I heard she was heading back to Vancouver that day. But she was in attendance, and I was so happy to spot her just a few rows back from me. I peeked over a few times to see her expression and I could see her looking around at the audience a bit trying to evaluate their experience. She had such an innocent, humble yet movie star-like quality to her. (She was an actor as well).

After the film I got to say hello and shake her hand which was special. I was so impressed with the amount of love and courage she had.  The film highlighted her love, her q&a talk after the film highlighted it, her blog highlighted it. Love ran through her like fire and she wasn’t afraid to show and admit it.  Her passion and openness about love was inspiring and contageous.

Since last fall I’ve checked out her blog every once in awhile, and I was shocked when I discovered that her body was rejecting her lungs, and that she was going to die. It was so sad, and I literally cried, which I don’t do often.

But she fought so hard throughout her whole life and she’s left a legacy of love that will long outlive her. I hope you can take a few minutes to learn more about her.

Make sure you check out her popular blog: 65redroses.livejournal.com. Also, below is a video of MP Joyce Murray’s Statement on the Life of Eva Markvoort and you’ll also the find the official preview of the documentary 65_RedRoses, which was named after her blog.

Me at Camp Circa 1990

When I was growing up I went to camp called ‘Circle Square Ranch’ near Kingston, Ontario. I have fond memories of that camp – having the comfort and support of my sister working as a camp counselor; horseback riding; archery; swimming; camp songs; dinner table chants; and a girl named Sierra.

Watching the movie ‘Little Manhattan’ the other night reminded me of my old childhood crushes and a girl I met many years ago at camp. I don’t remember much about her, but I’ll never forget her majestic name – Sierra.

One year (probably my last as I think I was just entering Grade 6) there was a night where we were somehow allowed to bring a “date” to a special dinner. I remember Sierra said she wanted to go with me. I remember her having blond hair and being very beautiful, and I remember being so excited that she chose me and I couldn’t wait until that night! Only problem was that when I went over to get her she had gotten seriously sick and couldn’t go. I remember being so disappointed.

When I came back to school that year I remember telling my buddies a whole story about how we kissed. Unfortunately it was a lie, but it was what I really wanted and was almost true.

Yesterday I decided to do an online search for Sierra on facebook. I’m currently single so what’s it hurt to search for a long lost camp girl, right? But having no last name makes it even more challenging. I found three Sierras in particular who fit the profile (age, hair colour etc.) and messaged them saying this:

hi Sierra,

you probably don’t know me, but i’m looking for a beautiful girl named sierra who went to circle square ranch near kingston, ontario in about 1993 and not only do you have the right name, you kind of look like her… just a shot in the dark. sorry to bother you if it’s not you

Happy new year,

Paxton

I figured I had nothing to loose and at the very least I could pay a compliment to the girl I messaged, and give her hope (if she needed it) that there are Princes still searching for their Princesses.

Two of the Sierras emailed back saying they weren’t who I was looking for, but had kind things to say. One of the Sierras I really thought could have been her, but no luck. While it would have been a miracle if one of them was the right one, I was encouraged by how quickly they responded. We’ll see if the last one who hasn’t replied yet turns out to be her; or if I find other leads. Anyone out there know a Sierra who’s about 27 and went to Circle Square Ranch?

How cool and fun would it be to actually contact the right Sierra! The chances are very slim, but at least I’ll be able to sleep at night knowing I tried. Do you have someone who comes to mind that you might want to contact/find again? I’d say go for it – especially if you’re single.

Want a refresher on being a kid and first loves? Consider watching the movie ‘Little Manhattan!’ Watch the clip here.

Do you have any similar camp love stories? I’d love to hear about them. Please post a comment/story here.