PORTSMOUTH, VA (Catholic Online) - Dear Dr Denton: How is it possible that the diet in Haiti could be healthier than the one here in the US?

It's not - but, in another sense, it is!

The diet for most Haitians is just above the starvation level. The country has had generations of political turmoil and now natural disasters that have left a nation in need. The resources that are available are limited and are largely fresh or spoiled because of the lack of refrigeration.

Recently, my wife Michelle and I returned from a trip to Haiti. My memory of the arrival and the time that we spent in this country of both loss and love are still burning within me. They are changing me and challenging me. Let me share them with you:

We flew into Port Au Prince and were immediately moved by the sheer magnitude of loss - and of Hope. The city is, in many ways, devoid of infrastructure but still filled with life. There is still Beauty there, but that beauty is found in the faces of the people we met. There is a sense of danger as you leave the safety of the frenzied airport and cross into the city.

I soon saw my friends and co laborers Conwell and Ken in the distance and looked forward to receiving their guidance. As I passed the gauntlet of bodies closing in on us from every side I worried. I remembered the words attributed to Saint Apollinaris of Ravenna.

"Come to the edge. No we will fall!"
"Come to the edge. No we will fall!"
They came to the edge.
HE pushed them, and they flew!

A massive man looked at me and asked, "Are you Dr Weiss?!" I mustered the strength to respond, "Yes", all the while thinking in my mind, "Lord save me". I was also reminded of the story of Peter which is recorded in the Gospel of St. Matthew 14: 30-31

"But when he (Peter) saw how strong the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, "Oh you of little faith, why did you doubt?" (Matthew 14: 30-31)

The man only pointed with his hand like a guardian angel. He pointed to the end of the passageway, to the open city, to Port Au Prince. The orphanage - which our small foundation, Bella Vitae Foundation, helps to support - as well as the small school we also fund, were only miles from there.

When we arrived at the orphanage, the heat and humidity were everywhere. The sun was high and looking to burn my fragile skin. However, the little girls were running around filled with joy. I noticed they were at least 5 to 10 lbs heavier now that the agricultural program that was started a year ago is allowing them to have meat and fresh fruits and vegetables daily.

They work the garden, care for their chickens, goats, and rabbits. Their lives have been transformed by simple nutrition and clean water. Gifts our Lord Jesus has provided for us - and for them.

The girls live in converted cargo containers that help protect them from the harshness of Haiti's extreme weather, and insects.

When our foundation first started coming to Haiti, Conwell Larson and Leo Blum were the first to go. Leo is from Virginia Beach and has dedicated his life to Haiti. Conwell is my childhood friend and a Brother in Christ.

Conwell had never been out of the fields of Iowa before he caught a flight with Ken DeYoung (Ken is a founder of Global Compassion ) to Haiti and started changing the lives of these little girls. Leave it to a farmer from Iowa, formed by both the Faith and the fortitude of the land he is from, to make a difference in Haiti.

When he saw the girls for the first time he called me and said "We've got to get these little girls some food and clean water." It wasn't long before the well was dropped and the chickens were laying eggs!

So how does this story of our latest trip to Haiti deal with the nutrition of the average American?

Simple really.

By letting these little girls in Haiti show us the way to a better life.

1. They spend time everyday in prayer giving thanks to God! The average American spends more time watching TV than in prayer.

2. They work in the gardens and walk everywhere. The average American doesn't exercise daily and walks less than a 3 blocks per day.

3. They eat small but extremely fresh meals throughout the day. Fresh eggs, fresh fruit and vegetables. The rice they eat is not polished and therefore is full of B Vitamins! The eggs are a tremendous source of protein and fats our brains need to function and grow. The meats are all lean, providing the protein building blocks without the cardiac clogging fats. I don't think I even have to mention the average American diet. Just look at ...