Pou kisa (why)?

The most frequent question that is asked of me or my wife is why?   Why would you bring your family to, what is now considered, a fifth world country?  Well the easy answer would be, God wanted me to, but my honest answer goes much deeper.

I first was introduced to this country last year on a Fusion Church mission trip. On that trip, God really spoke to me in so many different ways.  How the Lord got me to go on that trip is a whole other story, but let’s just say, He can work wonders through my wife. Anyway, I began to question my faith. I couldn’t understand how I lived so differently, how I had so much, but yet these Christians in Haiti, believe in the same Jesus I believe in. It really bothered me to see these people struggle just to get water, food and clothing. So I started to read and re-read the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John’s accounts of Jesus here on earth) along with Acts of the apostles ( the beginning of the early church). What I discovered, is that, my version of Christianity didn’t line up with what Jesus was saying. It bothered me that I grew up knowing God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit and using them to help me when I needed something, but shutting them off when they asked me to do something. I continued questioning my faith. I struggled with the idea of giving up everything I had if Jesus asked me to. I was at church, in Haiti, and I watched poor people giving an offering for poorer people. The Holy Spirit kept convicting me.  “Cory if you really believe in me, then do what I ask you to do”, is what kept coming into my head. I answered, “Well what are you asking me to do?”  All I could think about is my family.

In Hebrews 11:24-27 it says: By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible.

To be perfectly honest with you, I was afraid of bringing my family to Haiti. Furthermore, could I give up all the comforts of the United States and come to a country that is so deeply rooted in voodoo? When I read that passage in Hebrews, I think about my situation in the States versus their situation in Haiti. These Christians down here are part of the same kingdom that I am apart of. Do I consider the reproach of God greater wealth than my comfortable life in New Jersey? If I truly believe in Jesus Christ am I willing to do what He asks me to do?

The above picture is of my two daughters visiting an orphanage here in the village. That little girl couldn’t even fathom the things my daughters have. I wanted my kids to understand that God really does care about us. He doesn’t care if we have all these video games, tvs, Iphones, or expensive clothes. He is concerned if you have food, water and clothes. But what He is most concerned with is His relationship with you. Many times before I came to Haiti, when the Lord asked me to do something for His Kingdom, I was too selfish to give up my comforts, and it probably hurt someone like that little girl.

I don’t fully know why the Lord asked me to bring my kids down here. I know I can’t change Haiti or bring water, food and clothes to everyone here, but God can. If God asks me, just to do my part and I do it, without fear, looking to my reward, then that’s what I’m going to do. My hope is that my kids get a better understanding of what I now know, much earlier in life. My prayer is that we all can get a change of perspective, the change that only Jesus can give you.