“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” — Matthew 25:40

There are certain moments in life that quietly, yet permanently, reshape your heart. For me, December 2014 was one of those moments. It was my first—and, so far, only—mission trip to Cabaret Haiti Mission. My husband and I boarded that plane with open hands, ready to serve, unaware of just how deeply we would be changed. Like many who go on a mission trip, we thought we were bringing something with us. What we didn’t anticipate was how much we would receive in return.

Even now, more than a decade later, the memories remain vivid—the faces, the laughter, the resilience, and the unmistakable presence of God in a place that, by worldly standards, has so little, yet in Kingdom terms, holds so much.

Last June, I shared reflections from that trip, focusing on the lessons the children of Haiti taught us—their joy, their faith, and their ability to see abundance where others might see lack. But as I reflect today, I’m drawn not only to what I learned then, but to what Cabaret Haiti Mission continues to mean to me now.

Matthew 25:40 has long been a guiding verse for missions and outreach, yet it carries layers of meaning worth considering. Some scholars interpret “these brothers and sisters of mine” as referring specifically to fellow believers—those suffering for their faith. Others understand it as a broader call to care for anyone who is marginalized or in need.

Rather than choosing between these perspectives, I’ve come to see how both are beautifully present in Haiti.

Through Cabaret Haiti Mission, we are serving our brothers and sisters in Christ—those walking faithfully with Him, often under incredibly difficult circumstances. At the same time, we are living out the call to love and care for all people, recognizing the dignity and worth God has placed in every life.

It is not either/or.
It is both/and.And in that space, something sacred happens.

The words of Jesus in the Beatitudes come to life—blessed are the meek, the merciful, the peacemakers. In Haiti, I witnessed these qualities daily. I saw faith without pretense, joy not dependent on comfort, and hope that endures beyond circumstance.

Cabaret Haiti Mission becomes part of that story—offering not only support, but dignity; not only provision, but relationship; not only relief, but lasting hope.In Cabaret, hope isn’t an idea—it’s something you can see, hear, and experience.

• It looks like children receiving an education and discovering their God-given potential.
• It sounds like laughter echoing through courtyards.
• It feels like a community strengthened by consistency, care, and Christ-centered love.
  
  

For my husband and me, that 2014 trip was meant to be the first of many. Our desire to return has never changed. However, ongoing challenges within the country—including periods of political instability and increased gang activity—have made travel unsafe and limited opportunities for in-person visits. While we long to go back, we remain prayerful and committed to supporting the mission in every way we can from where we are.

And in many ways, we never really left.

Serving now as Board Chair has deepened my connection to Cabaret Haiti Mission in ways I could not have anticipated back in 2014. What began as a single, life-changing trip has grown into an ongoing calling—a responsibility and a privilege to help sustain and support the work being done.

It has given me a front-row seat to the faithfulness of this mission—the lives being impacted, the consistency of care, and the quiet, steady work of bringing light into challenging circumstances.

What Cabaret Haiti Mission means to me is this:

• It is a reminder that God’s work is not confined by geography.
• It is an invitation to live out the Gospel in tangible ways.
• It is a bridge between what we have and what others need.
• It is a testimony to what happens when people say “yes” to being the hands and feet of Jesus.

And perhaps most importantly, it is a call.

A call to see.
A call to respond.
A call to love—not in words alone, but in action.

Whether we understand Matthew 25:40 through a narrower or broader lens, the message remains the same: what we do matters. How we serve matters. Who we choose to see—and not overlook—matters. In Haiti, I learned that the “least of these” are not defined by their lack, but by their God-given worth. And through Cabaret Haiti Mission, I continue to see what it looks like when that truth is lived out—day after day, life after life.

Will you join us?

You can be part of this work in meaningful ways:

• Commit to praying for our students, staff, and the surrounding community
• Consider sponsoring one or more of our children each month
• Explore opportunities to serve like joining the CHM board

Together, we can continue to be the hands and feet of Jesus—bringing hope, faith, and love where it is needed most.

And for that, I am forever grateful.