When one thinks of Sean Penn there were points throughout the past decades of accolades and of angst, yet no one stood out greater than his feats during Hurricane Katrina. When many of us sat at home in shock and sorrow bookended by anger at the lack of response, Sean was seen floating in a small boat doing all he could to rescue those who needed help. He wasn’t standing in a suit asking people to give money or signing checks from his lavish home. Instead he was jumping into the infested waters pulling people to safety. A truly selfless act that changed the way many people viewed this Academy Award winning actor.

Appearing now to have found his ground, Sean Penn now doesn’t hesitate to run towards disaster. Despite having little knowledge of how to deal with the bureaucracy, he knew he had a gift for picking the right team to get it done. So when the earthquake leveled Haiti two years ago, it didn’t surprise me to hear that Sean Penn arose to the call. For the past 2 years he has been living and breathing Haiti.

It all began when he sat down to rest and turned the television on to witness the Haitian devastation. Over 300,000 people died and as rescuers worked to free survivors, amputations were being made with no anesthesia and only vodka to sterilize their instruments. Within six days after the quake, Sean filled a private jet with pain medication, doctors and antibiotics destined for Haiti. His two week mission turned into a life changing event.

Following the earthquake, Haitians began building make-shift homes on a local golf course. Upon his arrival, Penn convinced the owner and the government to allow him to take over the camp. With 60,000 people trying to rebuild their lives, J/P HRO was formed. Their goal was to save lives and bring sustainable programs to the Haitian people allowing them to become self-sufficient. Not only did hey provide medical care, they set up a 500 student school for grades 1st through 6th grades, a church and even a bank. Covering fifty-six acres, the space was still home to over 20,000 people. Once crowded, there are small pockets of land that now mark progress. Still living in tents and paying for water, we learn there is no official organization providing food. Yet still they work hard to feed their families and climb out of the devastation.

Sean and Oprah introduced us to several families who each struggled and at times didn’t have food to eat. As cameras panned their homes, I realized I travel with more possessions than any of them own. You can’t help but pause and sink into feelings of gratitude. One family in particular stood out to me. Thirty-eight year old Touissant, a father of two girls, lost his wife under the rumble of a wall on the day of the great quake.

Believing that education is important, he proudly pulled out a stack of his girls’ school work and shared it with the cameras. He realized an education was their only chance at a future. I sat in awe as he took us on a tour of his tiny tent pointing out a wooden bed he built for his daughters. It was off the ground and covered by a mosquito net to keep them safe. The interview wasn’t about him or his hardships….it was all about his girls and him trying to be the best father he could under the circumstances. Four days after Oprah left Haiti, Touissant and his girls moved into an apartment. They were finally home.

Following her tour, Oprah sat down for a little one-on-one with Sean Penn. As many people knew, Sean had gone a divorce after 14 years of marriage. But what I didn’t realize is that his son had gone through a horrific skateboarding accident leading to live-saving brain surgery from which he recovered 100%. He had been living with Sean allowing Robin both space and time. However after a scare like that, she took Hopper under her wing for a little mom time freeing up Sean’s calendar. So when he felt the desire to help, he had the ability to jump in with both feet. “My experience in life is, with great exception, is that I find I am extremely touched by humanity. I’m not so fond of humans.” However, watching others who are exceptional and working in Haiti, he found a part of humanity that lifted him.

So how did this Hollywood movie star end up the head of a non-profit organization? Having no experience in creating this organization Oprah had to ask…how did he know what to do? He shared that when making films, he liked more realistic movie sets and to him, “This is just a movie set with higher stakes. We had to get this thing rebuilt to shoot it.” Not only did he see the organization as a purpose, he also saw it as an obligation.

With a reputation as America’s bad boy, Oprah dared to ask him where the angst came from. Coming from a happy home and having a good life, he didn’t seem real certain of the source. He commented that it seemed stupid people just can’t all get along. A mystery even to himself. What was clear was that he was changed by this experience. As Oprah toured the three bedroom house that he rented, we learned that up to 50 staff can live there at one time. Cameras then took us into a tiny cupboard which was smaller than most jail cells only to find a small rug, lamp, fan and a few family pictures on the wall. Nothing like his home in California.

Sean has always marched to his own beat, but lately he has taken on a predictable humanitarian role. “Humility is a constant challenge to too many of us. I have the gift of being challenged to the point of humility…often.” However, by fulfilling the simplest of needs, he seemed to have found something for himself…something I don’t think he expected. In doing so, he reminded us that “It’s good to seek circumstances that humble you.”

As the hour wrapped, I couldn’t wait for Part 2 of Oprah’s trip to Haiti which airs tonight at 10/9C on OWN. If it is anything like her time spent with J/P HRO and Sean Penn, it will be astounding! See you tonight for the live tweet using hashtag #OprahsNextChapter.

In the meantime, to help out Sean Penn’s organization, J/P HRO, bring a stable life back to those who still struggle to survive following the earthquake in Haiti, PLEASE visit their website. You can also donate $10 quick and easy by texting the word “JPHRO” to 41010.