Why Haiti?

Back in April, during The Masters golf tournament, a new commercial debuted on network TV. It was for TOMS shoes. You've probably seen it. A hip looking young guy talks about how his business couldn't exist without services from AT&T and then he describes his business as we see pictures of shoeless kids running around getting new shoes. This young guy is Blake Mycoskie, "Chief Shoe Giver" at TOMS Shoes, a company he founded with a simple premise: "With every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. One for One. Using the purchasing power of individuals to benefit the greater good is what we're all about."

When I saw it...I cried. Really. Shocking, right?

I had actually known about TOMS for quite a while. I'd read about them in Relevant Magazine a long time ago. I thought it was a cool idea, but seeing it in action (on TV) really moved me. I watched the commercial online a few more times and then I went to their website and clicked on "opportunities." I wanted to be involved somehow. There had to be a way.

I didn't find a way to get involved with TOMS (besides buying a pair), but it got me thinking. I've never done foreign missions work. I'm 32 and I'm a pastor, but I've never been overseas to serve. I was feeling drawn toward it. Then another thought popped into my mind.

Haiti.

My friend Mandy started a sponsorship organization in partnership with an orphanage in Jacmel, Haiti a few years ago and our church, The Journey, has been heavily involved with it. Groups from our church have gone there over the past couple of years to help. I had never seriously thought about going. But now, it just made sense. Not only could I be involved in foreign missions, but I could help kids that I'm already directly involved with!

The opportunity had been there all along, but it took TOMS shoes to get me to really see it.