Coastal Haiti Mission Newsletter
March 2022
THE WIND
A clipper ship and a buggy (carriage). Two modes of transportation years ago. What could they have in common (besides transportation)? Well, for each one, its source of power was on the OUTSIDE. The wind for the sails of the ship, and a horse to move the buggy.
Imagine a ship at its destination port somewhere in the southeast sea. It has been unloaded and reloaded with spices of pepper, ginger, cloves, cinnamon, saffron, and, sometimes, even exotic animals such as peacocks.
Its sailors are restless, ready to weigh anchor and set sail for home. But there is no wind. The air has been still for days. No power.
What joy when the weather changes and the sound of the wind is heard as it whips through the trees once again! The ships source of power has returned.
As for the buggy? No horse, no movement.
Well, that was then – this is now. The modern ship has its source of power within itself, now driven by massive internal combustion engines. The buggy has evolved into an automobile with its source of power also now on the inside. The power was once WITH them, but now is IN them.
Sounds familiar. Jesus once told his disciples that the Spirit of Truth (the Holy Spirit) was WITH them and shall be IN them (John 14:17).
In the Old Testament times the Holy Spirit would come upon a man or a woman who would be raised up to prophesy – God’s way of bringing comfort, guidance, correction and warning to his people. The Spirit was WITH them.
On the Day of Pentecost, as recorded in the New Testament, Jesus followers were “filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:4). The power that was WITH them was now IN them, ”empowering them to bring the message of salvation to the whole world.
Without the Holy Spirit of God empowering us, we followers of Christ, the Church, would be a sorry lot to carry the banner of our Lord and Savior through the malevolent and vitriolic forces of hated arraigned against our God and against us, his followers and the truth we hold. Jesus commanded his disciples not to leave Jerusalem until they received power from on high. He said that “… you shall receive power – ability, efficiency and might” and that “you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends – the very bounds of the earth” (Acts 1:4&8).
Riding my bicycle one day and approaching a long hill, I thought about how easy it would be if my bike was motorized. It would be as easy going “up” a hill as going “down” a hill. Doing God’s work in the power of His Spirit is like a motorized bike – propelled and moving forward in the energy of the Holy Spirit within us.
I think you will agree the ole’ time religion needs a “shot in the arm.” After being filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter, who had, out of fear of the Roman soldiers, had denied the Lord three times during his arrest, stood up in broad daylight and preached about Jesus, and three-thousand souls were won to Christ that day!
Let’s pray that God will raise up leaders in our churches, both men and women who will lead us into a nation- and world-wide revival. We need the wind-of-the-Holy Spirit to blow across our souls and let loose the rivers of living water!
“Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his
heart will flow rivers of living water.’”
Jesus in John 7:38 ESV
Walking this way with you,
Connie
2nd Village Food Distribution
Pastor Coty Writes:
The pictures below, show the manifestation of love from the hearts of some people in the USA (supporters ) reflected in the faces of the people from the Village of Cahess ( beneficiaries).
This is the second distribution of rice to the victims of the flood that devastated all the gardens in the village last January.
When they receive the bag of rice, they don’t forget their loss, but they are consoled. The loss is in the past, but the food is in the present.
The people shown in the pictures number less than 20 percent of the total number of beneficiaries, because they do not come at the same time. The total number of beneficiaries is more than 5 times the people shown in the photos.
Now I can say that, yes, the people of the Village of Cahess are recovering from the loss of their goods, because they have food to eat, during the time it takes to reestablish their gardens.
On behalf of all the people in the village, I say thank you to our supporters who always think in a positive way for us.
Pastor Coty Joseph
Dear Family and Friends of Coastal Haiti Mission,
On behalf of the people in the Village of Cahess, and the Board of Coastal Haiti Mission, I want to thank you for your very generous financial demonstration of love.
Even as I write this note, funds that you provided, are in transit to Haiti for a 3rd food distribution, which will take place at the beginning of May.
Ken Johansson, CHM Administrator
20 % of the total number of people are shown in these photos.
The Annual Harvest Festival
Pastor Coty Writes:
The harvest festival is a tradition deeply rooted in the Haitian protestant church. It is mostly celebrated in the countryside, and more specifically, where the people are farmers. Some of these people earn their living from what they grow, while others raise small livestock. This festival was given its name because many Christians would bring some or even much of what they have grown on their farms, as a gift. There are others who donated small livestock such as a goat. Occasionally, even big livestock, such as a cow has been presented, depending on what that person had raised.
This year was no different, but it was surprisingly interesting. Even though the crops were inundated by the recent flood, that did not stop the festivities.
Worshipers from our church, which is named Baptist Church of New Life of Cahesse, showed their gratitude towards our Lord and Savior, who has always provided and protected all of us from starvation.
In remembrance, they brought a portion of their crops as a gift or love offering to the church. Those whose had already given their gift to God, as well as those who not did not have a gift, were all present on March 27 in our church in Cahesse.
It was a joyful and moving experience, to see happy worshipers entering the service with their donated gifts to the church.
I as the pastor, could not hold back my emotions, to see the level of understanding this community has for the harvest festival.
I did not expect them to bring the abundance of gifts that they brought. To name few products plantains, papaya, beans, sugar cane, coconut, squash, corn etc.
Many people told that most of their crops were destroyed in the flood, but they still managed to bring part of what they salvaged, and present it to the Lord.
Of the gifts that were received, some were distributed to the poor, and the rest were sold, with the proceeds going to pay for the ministry of the church (Work of the Kingdom).
Visitors from other churches were in awe to see how dedicated the people of Cahesse are in the work for God.
Pastor Coty
The Harvest Festival- bringing offerings to God
School Lunch Program
Pastor Coty Writes:
This is the reality of the school children’s life in the Village of Cahess. This description of the children’s lives would be dramatically different, if it were not for the ministry of Coastal Haiti Mission (CHM).
The children leave home without eating anything, because there is a 100 % chance that they will get a meal at school, each day.
For us, the school lunch program is the answer to the prayer that Jesus teaches us, Give us today, the daily bread. This prayer is answered every school day for the children in our school.
A piece of chalk, a pen or a book is important in the hands of the teacher, however a spoon is more exciting, because the spoon announces good news.
Some students may fail in Math, some may fail in grammar or social science, but no one will fail the school lunch program.
We serve the food at 10:00 A.M. every school day. The sound of the bell each school day, is a sound of victory.
Victory over starving, victory over malnutrition and other kind of sicknesses, due to a lack of food.
At the school, we pray 3 times. We pray when we begin the day, at 12:00 noon, and as we leave to go home.
We never forget to pray for blessing and protection over the people who send us the provision of food to eat, each and every school day.
CHM Family and Friends, these prayers are for you. Your help is so very important because the price of food in Haiti is at an all time high.
Pastor Coty Joseph
Lunch—Greatly anticipated each day.
Home Lighting Project
Pastor Coty Writes:
In the Village of Cahess, the CHM ministry is helping the residents by providing a bright light that can be easily moved from one room to another. This is accomplished by installing metal plates on the walls and ceilings. The base of the light contains a strong magnet, which when placed on a metal plate will attach itself to the plate securely. To move the light to another plate, a strong force is applied to the light to break the magnetic coupling. This method insures that the light is safely mounted and will not fall.
On the road through Cahess, there is an electric cable (grid) passing by the homes, but the residents cannot connect to it, because it’s much too expensive for them.
The CHM light system is all the people need because they don’t have TV or other equipment that needs grid electrical power.
More than 53 homes can now have a light, because of the support of the good people of God.
Thanks and God bless you all.
Pastor Coty Joseph
Home Lighting Project Update
The shipment of lights and lighting systems that that we sent 3 months ago, has finally arrived in the Village of Cahess. These lighting systems are in the process of being installed.
Ken Johansson, Project Leader
Cyclops light mounted on a metal plate.
Charging a Cyclops light
The solar charger being charged in the sun.
The Cyclops light illuminating a room.
Hebrews 13: 16
“And do not forget to do good and share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”
A promise to you from the scripture
Isaiah 41: 10
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand .
Thank you Family and Friends of Coastal Haiti Mission, for all that you do to help the people in Cahess, Haiti. You are making a huge difference for these people.
Please remember, that CHM must continue to send our monthly commitment of $800 to carry on the ongoing CHM ministry in Cahess.
If you desire to help, please send your tax deductible check to our address and tell us how you want us to use your donation:
Coastal Haiti Mission
C/O Constance Goddard
3048 Spring Fancy Lane
Indian Trail, NC 28079
Or For tax deductible “online donations”, please use our PayPal service. Also please designate how you want us to use your donation.
May the Lord our God, who knows your heart and sees your actions, grant you great joy as you serve Him. Connie, Esther, Pastor Coty, Carl, Dan, and Ken are very grateful for your sacrifice. Ken Johansson CHM Newsletter Editor