I often find myself answering the question:

"Out of all the countries you have been to,

which is your favorite?"

I could honestly answer that question in a number of ways depending on how I look at it, but for some odd reason I'm shocked when the "overall" answer rolls off my tongue.

I can give you my favorites from these views: culture & history, people, ministry type, personal spiritual growth, adventure, beauty, and ministry contacts. 

(Take note that as time goes on and I process more, my answers tend to change.)

According to the topics given above, these are my favorites:

Culture & History: China & Cuba

People: Malawi & The Philippines

Ministry Type: Dominican Republic (preaching, home visits, and kids ministry)

Personal Spiritual Growth: Mozambique & South Africa

Adventure: Romania & Thailand

Beauty: Ireland, Thailand, Spain

Ministry Contacts: Dominican Republic, Malaysia, Nicaragua

There is one country I frequent that is not on that list.

I can't tell you why it is not on my list of favorites but still seems to be my unexplainable overall favorite. It makes no sense to me, but sometimes we just need to be okay with things that make no sense.

This nation wreaks of confusion and peril, one found in complete brokenness,

a country in a state of desperation that silently screams from deep within, "JESUS, I NEED YOU!"

It is a country satisfyingly shackled for hundreds of years in slavery and voodoo, yet they scream.

The few that realize He is their only hope are just that, hope to the nation – the answer to their cries.

Tomorrow, I return for the first time in a year to a nation that I desperately love, a nation in complete dezesperasyon crying out for a lasting Savior, a country that is unquestionably my favorite: Haiti.

For updates while I'm in Haiti, look here, on my Facebook, Instagram, and Triumph Fitness Page.

Be praying and encouraged – we need you.