Testimonies of Transformation: Visitors & Haitian Hosts Talk About Their Experience

What Some Visitors Have Told Us:

“I continue to be washed by waves of gratitude, amazement, challenge, and even some sadness when I think of all that I experienced [in Haiti]…I feel that I was touched on so many levels—spiritual, cultural, emotional, and intellectual… For me, the experience far exceeded any dreams I might have had for what would occur… Being in Haiti was an incredibly spiritual experience for me. I felt God’s presence so strongly in Haiti—most strongly in the people I met. And I felt the Spirit more strongly in myself too.”
--Cara from Arizona

"My trip to Haiti gave me courage to live my life fully. To not waste my time and energy doing something that is not in line with my deepest convictions. As a result of my experience, I came home and began taking steps to make necessary changes in my life. I’m thriving now. My life is full. I’m doing that which gives me great meaning. It was my trip to Haiti, one and a half years ago, that instigated this wonderful new direction." --Jean from Portland, Oregon

"The trip in January was an incredible experience. The privilege of staying in the village with a Haitian family offered a dimension of life experience that we did not experience while in Port-au-Prince. Our host families became family to us and their graciousness and hospitality deeply touched our hearts. Jon, Colleen and Miriam were incredible translators and leader/guides for us. It was fun to almost instantly bond with them and experience them as companions with us. The village stay was so well planned... Everything went like clock-work and we wanted for nothing. My heart has never felt as full as it felt during those days in the village. The final evening in our host family home, I had a delightful time with Eval, the father/husband. We found common language by reading from the Bible together - he read from his Creole translation, and I read from my English translation. Earlier in the evening the extended family gathered in the yard to make a "kalbas" for each of us - a large bowl made from a melon like thing that grew on a tree. It had to be chopped open with a machete and the innards were fed to the cows. It was a delightful time watching their skill in creating this, ordinary for them but unique for us, item and experiencing their joy as they gave them to us. I am thoroughly impressed with the Transformational Travel." --Ginger Anderson from Larson, Iowa

“’Transformational Travel’ is well named. All of us who came to Haiti will never be the same…”

“The experience left an impression that I don’t think time or culture or geography can erase…”

“The family visits and the women’s meeting, the warmth and friendliness of the people we met all moved me deeply.”

“Thank you for a life changing experience, opening our eyes and hearts to the people of Haiti…”

What Some Haitian Hosts Have Said:

“We couldn’t believe that the visitors would actually come stay with us. But, when they arrived, it was like they were at home…”

“This visit has brought a lot of encouragement to the members of our women’s group; it has motivated us to work even harder. Thank you so much…”

“I would like to tell [the visitors] to always continue doing the work they’re doing, and even when they’ve arrived home to think about how we can continue in solidarity.”