Coastal Haiti Mission Newsletter

 

September/October 2022

 

 

 

POWER

 

The force of the thrust of the aircraft was exhilarating as it thundered down the runway for take-off.  Soon we would be in Miami – or not.  Suddenly the velocity of movement changed and the acceleration slowed.  One of the aircraft’s engines had blown and power was reduced to one half.  Fortunately, we had not yet passed the point of the runway where the flight could no longer be aborted. Had we passed that point the plane would either be forced to attempt an unsafe and dangerous lift off, or crash beyond the end of the runway.

We were in the Turks and Caicos islands after crossing over from Haiti.  Most of our mission team was still in Haiti.  Another member and myself had to return home early because of job commitments.  And, now we would wait for twelve hours for a new plane to arrive to pick us up.  I’ve got to say that we, and the rest of the  full load of passengers (mostly Haitians), were excited when we learned that the distant headlights spotted in the sky somewhere after midnight indeed heralded the arrival of  our “rescue” plane from Miami.

Power – that resource that makes the world work.  Our homes, businesses, hospitals, schools, aircraft, steamships, trains, automobiles, communications, lighting, and even our lowly hair dryers!  We are annoyed when our homes lose power during a heavy storm. 

Before His ascension to heaven, Jesus told His followers they would receive power – ability, efficiency and might – when the Holy Spirit comes upon them.

They would be His “witnesses”  (Acts 1:8 TAB).  Not only in Jerusalem and Samaria, but to the “very bounds of the earth.”

A witness is one who tells what he or she has seen, heard, or both.  In the context of a court trial, knowledge of the issue at hand has power to sway a jury.  Let’s say the defendant’s lawyer calls Witness #1 to the stand and he or she gives a glowing report concerning the defendant’s character.  The jury is impressed. Then the state prosecutor calls his witness – Witness #2 – to the stand and he testifies with evidence that Witness #1 is, in actuality, a thief, a liar, and a scoundrel

The jury is convinced, and Witness #1’s testimony goes up in smoke.  Totally nullified and brought to naught – destroyed! 

As witnesses of Jesus Christ we have a testimony.  We love to tell others about all Jesus has done in our hearts and lives.  Saved and washed in the Blood of the Lamb.  Forgiven for our sins of the past and now we walk in newness of life.  We want all of our loved ones to also surrender their lives to Christ if they haven’t done that already.   

We must guard our precious testimony!  We must match our “walk” with our  “talk!”  As sons and daughters of our Most High God may we live with

integrity, loving God and loving others.  “Harmless as doves” and “wise as serpents.”

May we never give cause for a Witness #2 to sabotage our witness for Christ.

              “Go out in the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society.

               Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God.

               Carry the light giving light into the night so I’ll have good cause to be

               proud of you on the day that Christ returns.”      

                                               -The Apostle Paul  (Phil. 2:15 & 16  The Message)

 

Walking this Way with you,

Connie

 

Conditions, as of October 1, 2022 in and around Cahess Haiti

Pastor Coty wrote:

Good morning my brothers and sisters, especially those of you who have supported Cahess with your prayers and also, with your finances.

Recently, Haiti has been through so many unprecedented crises. The Village of Cahess is not exempt, and it has been particularly affected by the recent economic crisis. The industrial park in Caracol that employed many workers– about 4,000 of these workers have been let go, and the majority of these workers are from our village.

The price of fuel at the pump has increased tremendously. Protestors are everywhere, streets are blocked off, and no vehicles are allowed to go through. The country is locked down.

In Trou-du-Nord, which is a town near Cahess, a gallon of gasoline is $20 U.S, and it is even more expensive in Port-Au-Prince.

The country’s current situation brought tears to my eyes. There are barricades erected everywhere, which makes it nearly impossible, to navigate the streets, even on foot.

Many street vendors are unable to go about their business, because they are forced to be confined to their homes, and therefore, are unable to work to earn money to feed their families. 

I stayed 4 days in Cahess, and I had countless requests for help each day.

Saturday, September 17, I had a chance to go get some money at the bank and I was able to purchase some rice and cooking oil.

I distributed the food to many people using smaller portions, in order to give food to as many families as possible. Although, it was not the ideal situation, it was a short-term solution. 

Ever since the inception of the lighting program in Cahess, the kerosene supply issue has been resolved for many. Nowadays, the demand for more Cyclops lights has increased, and everyone would like to have one.

Since, all the streets and highways are barricaded, it is nearly impossible to get gasoline from the Port-Au-Prince area, to be distributed throughout the other areas of the country.

The industrial park has suffered directly from the gasoline supply issue as well. Since there is no gasoline, it has had to shut down many production facilities.

The power company NRECA, has had to stop its operations as well, because of the gasoline situation. There are power outages everywhere. It is only people with the Cyclops lights, that have light in their houses.

There is no way to communicate electronically, because there is no power to charge cell phones.

(exception:  Which is shown in the photos located below.)

It is a total panic in Trou-du-Nord, Cahess and the surrounding areas. Since the price of gasoline is so high, and the roads are barricaded, I cannot go back and forth between Cap-Haitian and Cahess daily.

The situation is dire. It is either that I am stuck in Cahess, or I am stuck in Cap-Haitian. At the moment, I am stuck at home, and I have been since Sunday.

Written by Pastor Coty Joseph; Translated by Carl Lamour, Edited by Ken Johansson

Pastor Coty borrowed a generator for a Sunday Service (because of the power outage to the church) on one Sunday. After the church service, he invited the people to bring their phones, their Cyclop lights and Power Banks to be connected to the generator. He was able to allow the people to charge their devices for 2 hours.

A Recent Email from Pastor Coty Dated October 24, 2022 

For 2 months now we are living in a really bad situation in Haiti.  Nothing is functioning in the country now. No gasoline is available at the gas stations. No school, the roads are blocked, no communication, the telephone companies are almost closed because of fuel.

My kids from the school, have only one prayer now, and that is to see the school open again. They (the Children), know exactly at what time the food used to be ready to serve in the school. They cannot stop saying: at this time, we used to be eating at the school.

Please, pray for Haiti, and also, those who can act, please act, so something can be done.
At least so school can reopen, for the kids to eat something.

Pastor Coty Joseph

 

 A Message to the Family and Friends of Coastal Haiti Mission

When I read the last statement in Pastor Coty’s email, where he said “those who can act, please act” I am propelled to answer his cry for help. Please notice that he is not appealing for himself, but for, as he puts it, “MY KIDS”.   

So, I have asked Pastor Coty to, if it is safe for himself, to purchase the food and open the school kitchen to provide the school students with the meals that they are accustomed to, on the days that they normally have classes. I have also asked Pastor Coty to limit the lunch program to the students that are part of the school. The reason for this is that the lunch program could easily get out of control if we tried to feed others than those in the actual school body.

As the conditions in the Country of Haiti spiral downward, the cost to provide assistance, spirals upward.

So, I am inviting you, The Family and Friends of CHM, to help us, to help the children in the school of Cahess, to survive in this country wide crisis.

Ken Johansson, CHM Administrator

 

Pastor Coty’s Response

The bell is ringing and all the students come. I did not need time to gather the students at the school yard today.

I went to Cap-Haitian the day before, and I came to the village with a load of rice, oil, sardines etc… people saw me on the road.

At the Church Service in the evening, I asked for the kids to come by to see me at the school yard the next day. I don’t think that I missed even one of them.

Even parents brought their little ones. They played together and ate the meal.

I am afraid that the people won’t say that I open my school in the village, because the students are so motivated to learn, however I know how hungry these children are. 

With joy I see the kids getting food, but some people are crying, when they see the reality of misery, and the hunger in Haiti.

The food is the reason why many kids come to school.  

I can imagine how blessed the parents felt today, knowing that their kids are finally getting fed for a day without they, themselves struggling to try to find some food for them.  

Thank you very, very much, for getting food to my people’s stomachs, which is synonymous to making many hearts joyful.

Pastor Coty

Hungry children getting fed—Thank you, thank you!!

 

Another Message From Pastor Coty

Special school days in the village of Cahess.

No books, no notebooks, no chalk, no pens or pencils, but we gather for a better reason:
A special lunch for the students.

We started this because it was so very necessary.

 

Helping the People to Help Themselves

We are researching one new initiative for the people to help themselves. We will report on our findings in the next CHM Newsletter.

 

Food for the Needy Program

Due to the extreme need for food by some of the families in the Village of Cahess, Pastor Coty has had to increase the number of recipients that are provided food from this program. CHM has regularly been sending $500 each month for this purpose. He has requested an additional $300 each month during this crisis.
Due to the benevolent giving of the Family and Friends of Coastal Haiti Mission, we will be able to honor Pastor Coty’s request.

We the Board of CHM say thank you, thank you, thank you !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

 

The Home Lighting Program

We will report on this program in the next CHM Newsletter

 

Proverbs 19: 17
Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.    

 

 A promise to you from the scripture

Numbers 6: 24-26
The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make his face to shine on you
and be gracious to you;
The Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace

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

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