I work as a volunteer for an organization that helps the poor in Haiti．Recently I took my son Barrett there for a week, hoping to 1 him．
Before setting out, I told Barrett this trip would be tiring and 2 ．For the first two days, he said almost nothing．I worried the trip was too 3 for a 17-year-old．Then, on day three, as we were 4 over high rocky mountains, he turned to me and grinned(咧嘴笑), “Pretty hard．”
After that there was no turning back．A five-year-old girl, wearing a dress several sizes 5 large and broken shoes, followed Barrett around, mesmerized(着迷)．He couldn't stop 6 ．Later he said 7 , “I wish I could speak French．” I was 8 － this from a boy who hated and 9 French classes throughout school．
Usually silent, he 10 Gaby, our host, and kept asking questions about the country and its people．He blossomed(活泼起来)．
11 , the moment that really took 12 breath away occurred in a village deep in the mountains．I was 13 a woman villager for an article．135 centimeters tall, she was small in figure but strong in 14 ．Through determination, she had learned to read and write, and 15 to become part of the leadership of the 16 ．
Learning her story, Barrett was as 17 as I by this tiny woman's achievements．His eyes were wet and there was a 18 of love and respect on his face．He had finally understood the importance of my work．
When leaving for home, Barrett even offered to stay 19 as a volunteer．My insides suddenly felt struck．This 20 achieved all I'd expected．Soon he will celebrate his 18 th birthday．He'll be a man．
