Flying for Kosovo

My flight from Santo Domingo to Port Au Prince went very well until I approached the capital city of this wonderful nation.  A few miles before landing, while flying at minimal altitude, I thought that I was seeing that this nation’s people had lots of swimming pools alongside their houses.  Shortly after, I realized that  those were not swimming pools at all.

What I was looking at was the devastating news that millions of people were living in tents made with blue plastic covers – tarps that were donated from countries around the world.  Up until this point of the mission, I could not and did not imagine the magnitude of devastation that the Haitian people have had to endure.

While I was flying, I kept taking picture after picture – thousands.  The reality here began to hit me hard and uncontrollable tears started flowing from my eyes.  Flashbacks kept coming, reminding me of the suffering of my own people in the refugee camps of Albania.  That was over ten years ago.  The reason that I started this mission.  And it haunts me here today as I look out over Haiti.

As I land on the ground the humid air is both thick and smothering.  Upon opening the aircraft door and stepping on the soil of this great nation, tears continued to flow.  They came down as I walked to the ramp agents.  They came down as I looked into their eyes and finally saw the reality that the people here have gone through.  The indescribable  power of the deceased souls could be felt through my entire body – chill’s felt everywhere. Everywhere I turned in the airport – you could see and feel the devastation.  Cracks and holes were seen in the walls – but this was nothing compared to the pain that I felt surrounding the individuals working there.

Shortly after clearing customs and parking the airplane, I met with Besnik Demolli (whom you’ll remember I met up with in the Dominican Republic) and many others, like Armendi, whom gave me a home while in Haiti, and Arsim Shala, who showed great respect for our mission.  I tell you, it was such a comfort to find these great friends who are here working for the UN in Haiti and Dominican Republican.  After a satisfying lunch at the UN cafeteria, I took a bus toward town trying to accomplish the duties of our mission, despite the reality of my surroundings.

It’s absolutely impossible to describe to you, in one short paragraph, the suffering and devastation that I’ve seen in Haiti.  My heart feels for and entirely supports these wonderful people.  The depth of strength and resilience that I have seen will no doubt spur recovery in the future.  However, from personal experience, I know that this chapter of their lives will never cease to exist for centuries to come.  The vanished souls of Haiti will never be forgotten and this chapter will always exist.

The unspeakable shock that I have seen in the last few days have left an great scar on my soul.  The fallen city of Port Au Prince, the devastation that I have seen will be with me forever.  But I need to also express my admiration and humbleness to the Haitians – despite all the destruction that they have seen, there is still a sense of hope here.  The feeling is faint, but familiar.

Amos Cincir from ‘Le Nouvellist’, and a great friend, wrote the most amazing article about Kosovo and our mission.  Despite their atmosphere being turned upside down, it is amazing that the media showed our mission interest.  La Matin, and the great people there, were also receptive.  To the Ministry of Foreign Affairs – I am honored for the time that you took, despite everything that your country is going through, to meet with me and show your attention to our cause.

God Bless Haiti.

Le Nouvelliste en Haiti