Coastal Haiti Mission
July 2023
-TWO ROADS-
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world…”
Jesus in 1John:2:15a KJV
Love not the world. Now God is not speaking here of the physical compositional makeup of the world, like mountains, oceans, deserts, rivers, valleys, trees, plants, rocks, soil – nor of the beautiful and moving sunset you saw recently while on vacation. He is speaking of the ethos of the worldly culture – “…craving for sensual gratification, greedy longings of the mind, and assurance of one’s own resources or in the stability of earthly things…” (1 John 2:16 TAB). All these things have nothing to do with God.
They do have to do with the fatal decision made by a young man and woman living in a fabulous garden to succumb to the devil’s lies and to disobey the God they knew in order to grasp onto forbidden knowledge and personal gain. As a result, mankind, then and now, came under condemnation. Paradise lost.
Now God, their Creator, Maker and Ruler of heaven and earth, was not shocked or surprised at this turn of events. He well knew the risk He had taken when He gave this couple free will. God didn’t want any puppets. He wanted those whom He created in love to choose to obey and love Him back. And He knew that “sin” had to be dealt with sooner or later. If it hadn’t infected Adam and Eve, it would have eventually found its way through someone else.
And God had a plan formed from before the foundation of the world. Restitution must be made for the atonement of the incalculable offense to our just and Holy God.
The only begotten son of God – Jesus Christ – would pay the debt. The sacrificial lamb without spot or wrinkle – perfect! would enter the world and live among us. He would take the rap and die for a sinful people – you know, like me – and you.
After a three-year ministry teaching and expounding on the Kingdom of God, and healing, He was crucified as angels and devils looked on.
The debt was paid. His Heavenly Father raised Him from the dead and He is alive for evermore! And to all who received Him, then and now, “He gave the authority [power, privilege, right] to become the children of God, that is, to those who believe in – adhere to, trust in and rely on – His name; (John 1:12 TAB)
And, so, here we are. Sinners, albeit, saved by grace. Christ followers living in a world estranged from its God. Two roads before us. Two ways in which to go. We could, if so desired, hide out in the culture we are surrounded with. We could put a lid on our enthusiasm for God, and nobody would know who we are. And maybe our friends wouldn’t go away because they think we are too “religious.” We could try not to rock the boat or make any waves. We certainly don’t want to offend anyone. Surely, love wouldn’t offend anyone. Would it? And we do go to church every week. I do wear a cross sometimes. Are not those things a witness?” Isn’t that enough? I mean we can still go to heaven. We are Christians. Aren’t we? (You know, dear reader, that I am being facetious, I hope!)
OR – We could take the plunge. Jump in with all two feet! We could be who we are in Christ: loving, kind, compassionate, and even vocal about our Lord. We could allow the living waters to flow out from our innermost being bringing comfort and healing to those who don’t even know they need it. We could take our God at His Word, truly trust ourselves to Him, and move forward with purpose and love. We could keep an eye out for those good works “…that which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us, (taking paths which He prepared ahead of time) that we should walk in them – living the good life which he prearranged and made ready for us to live.” (Eph.2:10 TAB) Those works for which we were created. We could live our lives in a way that will bring glory to our Heavenly Father and health to ourselves, our families, friends, and all with whom we have to do.
Let’s do it! But, before we jump in, my brother and sister, you need to be aware of the cost. We must lay our lives on the altar, so-to-speak, and be willing to die to “self” and set our hearts on the well being of others. And the reward? Fullness of joy and fullness of life – REAL life, abundant life.
Radical? You bet. Just like Jesus.
“Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses
his life for My sake will find it.”
– Jesus in Matt. 10:39 ESV
“If your first concern is to look after yourself, you’ll
never find yourself. But if you forget about yourself
and look to me, you’ll find both yourself and me.”
– Jesus in Matt. 10:39 The Message
ONE MORE THING: God isn’t looking for performance. He wants authenticity. I would be wrong in laying out a wonderful way of life before you without explaining how we can attain it because, truth is, neither you nor I can do it on our own.
The Apostle Paul posed a question to some of the disciples in Ephesus: “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” (Acts 19:2 ESV) Their answer? “No (They hadn’t even heard of the Holy Spirit.) Paul laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. (Acts 19:6 ESV)
Jesus told His disciples that they would “receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.”(Acts 1:8 ESV) And only then would they be empowered and equipped to be His witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
We, too, need God’s Holy Spirit burning within us in order to be fashioned and transformed into genuine and authentic, joyful, loving servants of our Lord Jesus Christ! Have you received His Holy Spirit since you believed? Referring to the Holy Spirit, Jesus said: “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” (Jesus in John 7:38 KJV)
Walking this Way with you,
Connie
The School of Cahess
Pastor Coty Writes:
Last year we sent 8 students to take the state test and all 8 of them passed the test. This year we sent 16 students. Today was the last day of their exams. I am praying that all 16 students will pass this year.
As I took them back home after the exams, they were happy and at the same time sad. This was because when they pass the exams, this will be their last day of wearing this school uniform. Some of these students say that they will miss our school a lot.
Let’s pray that they all will pass the test, and continue in their secondary education.
Pastor Coty Joseph
A happy group, because the test is over.
The Food for the Needy Program
Pastor Coty Writes:
Some people in our community are receiving rice from us every once in a while, but there are other people who are completely dependent on us for food and assistance.
The lady pictured below is one of those people.
She has been sick for months now. She has sugar diabetes with the result that she almost lost one of her legs. She is also HIV positive.
For this lady, we not only provide food, but we also send her to the hospital for treatment when needed.
Thank you CHM Family and Friends for providing for this lady.
The Home Lighting Project
Pastor Coty Writes:
Just checking the effectiveness of our lighting efforts.
In some houses, the people may think that they are connected to the grid because their rooms are illuminated so well.
Our power banks are not only used to recharge the lights, but they are also used to charge cellphones as well.
Making life better
Life in the Village
Pastor Coty Writes:
The summer vacation is a moment that everyone enjoys, particularly the students.
Some of the people are relaxing at the beaches because it is extremely hot in Haiti now.
There are some games like Dominos and cards that are widely accepted, and that you see people playing everywhere.
These teenagers are having fun playing Dominos. Among the 4 boys, one of them is standing, and he is carrying on his shoulders, one half of a concrete block suspended by a rope. That block identifies the person who is losing the game. When a person is losing the game, his name is changed to “The Dog”. When you are “The Dog”, you have no right to speak, even when a visitor stops in to say hello.
That cement block must be heavy.
Proverbs 19:17 ESV
Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will repay him for his deed.
A blessing for you from the scripture:
Numbers 6: 24 to 26
‘May the Lord bless you
and protect you.
May the Lord smile on you
and be gracious to you.
May the Lord show you His favor
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 $1100 to carry on the ongoing CHM ministry in Cahess. This is in addition to the cost of the School Lunch Program.
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