I grew up in a small town in a poor area of Haiti. My Father farmed a small piece of ground, but it wasn’t enough for our family to live on. It’s not easy to think or to understand life when you grow up in poverty. It’s hard to feel hope or have vision for the future.

My first hope in life was trusting in God. After I put my trust in God I felt like I had to start somewhere. When I looked around me the only thing I could see was to focus on my education even though my parents would not be able to afford it. God in His goodness sent me a sponsor and I was able to go all the way through High School.

While I was in school I was learning and studying. I kept watching people and asking questions. I saw different styles of life. I saw people who finished school sitting and waiting for a job. I saw other people without much education go out on the street and get involved in small businesses like selling water or phone cards. In a short time as their business grows they can provide for themselves while the educated person is still waiting for a job. I realized that I wanted to do both. After I finished High School I started doing business. I was able to provide for myself and to afford a visa to come to the states.

My mother was a Christian and I grew up going to church, but in Haiti it’s hard to find people that truly understand what it means to be a born again Christian and I lacked a lot of understanding. After my mother died and I lived with one of my sisters I decided to quit going to church but God kept calling me. For several years I often dreamed Jesus was coming back and I wasn’t ready. I began seeking God and reading my Bible. One day I stood in church and asked them to pray for me to become a Christian. My life began to change and I was baptized. I became youth President at my church and began to work with young people.