My Return to Haiti, by Michael Freije

My name is Michael Freije, I am a junior, I go to South Mecklenburg High School. I met Jesus when I was in the first grade back in the old “Black Box Theater” in Kidstown at Forest Hill South Park. Ever since then I have been living my life for Christ. Of course there have been many bumps and obstacles on my journey but my faith remains strong in Christ. I went to Haiti last year on the summer trip and it was a true life changing experience. There is nothing like going to serve those less fortunate than yourself, especially when they turn out to have stronger faiths than you. It amazed me how they were so happy to know Jesus even though they deal with struggles every day that are far greater than ours. The relationships I made there are everlasting and I am so excited to further my relationships with my friends there. Also I am excited to make more memories and relationships with a new team of students and leaders. One of my favorite passages in the Bible is Ephesians 2:1-10, this is the same verse that I shared on the summer trip, but I want to share it again because it means so much to me.

           

“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins ²  in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— ³ among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body^[a] and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.^{[b] 4} But^[c] God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, ⁵ even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved— ⁶ and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, ⁷ so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. ⁸ For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not a result of works, so that no one may boast. ¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

- Ephesians 2:1-10

To me this verse is the Gospel in a nutshell. The most important thing we can take with us to Haiti is the Gospel, because it is the ultimate life changer and our goal is to change the lives of those in Haiti through Jesus Christ. As I have learned, it is not good for the people of Haiti for us to just go in and do everything for them, because they need to know how to stimulate their own economy. However, what we can do is bring the most important thing of all and that is Jesus. I am sooooooo excited to go back to Haiti again. I wish the best for everyone while in preparation for the trip and I pray for our safety in travel and while we are there.