2012 Haiti Team Interview Nine: Corey

Corey's strength on this trip was his example of humility. He was one of two team members vulnerable enough to let us see his internal struggles. These struggles, however, could more accurately be called Corey's shame, and it was this reality that allowed us to see just how difficult it was for him to display what was in his heart. Still, he saw the value of such honesty, because it was through that honesty that he was able to come to terms with his own anger in a way that encouraged peace, both in himself and eventually with others.

Some of us, in fact, made false assumptions about Corey from the beginning, this youngest male on the team. He explained this by saying that he believes others see him as naive or overly optimistic. In fact, in his words, he "can see the darkness," but he chooses to focus instead on the light. Indeed, events on this trip and any serious conversation with him allow you to see that there is a hidden depth to Corey. So it goes, too, with Corey's friendliness. What could be mistaken for naivety is in fact a friendliness with others that comes from a desire to build trust. Although this trust was tested on our nine-day journey, it was not destroyed.

Beyond his character, Corey is in that confusing phase of life when one must decide the direction he takes for the future. He knows, for instance, that he has a heart for Haiti, and he has a desire to come back every year. At the same time, he also has plans to start his life at home. He wants to find a job so he can save money to buy a car. Once he has a car, he wants to use it to drive himself to school. Once in school, he wants to train to become an emergency medical technician; and once he has this job, he wants to marry Katherine, his girlfriend. In fact, Corey knows God has a future for him, though he does not know exactly what that future holds, despite his specific plans. He can say only that it will be fulfilling and that it will involve Katherine.

Taken together, Corey's honesty, friendliness, and idealism say much about his outlook on life. They show the extent to which he believes in the good and right of this world. Far from expressing naivety, this belief for him is a choice, one which he knows he must apply to himself as much as to those around him. Given Corey's natural ability to draw out the best in others, however, there are few people I know who are better suited for the job; and while we may have mistaken Corey's friendliness for immaturity, there is no mistaking his motives. He has a visible desire to follow after his Savior, a Savior which he knows now can resolve his past, walk with him through his present, and provide for him in his future.