Coastal Haiti Mission
October 2023
WHY?
One of my main goals when writing my message each month is to bring to the reader some measure of hope and encouragement. But real encouragement can only come in light of recognition of truth and reality.
And the truth and reality right now is that we are living during a critical time and in a dangerous world. The recent display of the unprovoked and merciless slaughter of innocent men, women, and children in Israel by the terrorist group known as Hamas has exposed the unparalleled barbarity and degradation of the human nature without God.
Devastated men, women, and children riddled with bullets upon waking up in the morning of October 7th died soaking in their own blood. Others were made to watch as their loved ones, including young children and the elderly were murdered, burned alive, and snatched away as hostages. Woman and girls were brutally raped (one rape victim was found with a broken pelvis), babies were decapitated, and household pets were shot and killed. A pregnant woman was reported lying on the ground with the fetus of her developing yet unborn child lying on the ground beside her, still attached to the umbilical cord. Young concert-goers were shot indiscriminately as they ran for their lives. One Israeli media reporter, herself riddled with panic attacks as she witnessed the unprecedented carnage being executed upon her people, told of a small child clutching a teddy bear while being burned to death. In all, 1,400 Israelis were reported killed during that attack on October 7th, and 4,500 were injured. (Thirty-two Americans and citizens of other countries reportedly died also in Israel that day.)
And then, bringing more shock and awe upon the discriminating world, thousands around the globe, including young people at some of our most prestigious universities here in this country, demonstrated (and are still demonstrating) on the side of the terrorists! The attack on the Jewish State of Israel by Hamas was PURE EVIL!
And, we don’t understand. How could this happen?
Now, for the “elephant in the room.” Obviously, our God, being God, could have stopped every war this world has ever seen – every evil ever committed. His power is eternal (Rom. 1:20)
“Who dares contemplate or who can understand the thunders
of His full magnificent power?” (Job 26:14b)
In fact, if He withdrew His breath (Spirit) from this world, every last one of us would return to dust! (Job 34:14 & 15)
So, why would our all-powerful God allow such atrocities to happen on our earth?
And He does know what is happening on our earth. Psalm 66 tells us that “His eyes observe and keep watch over the nations…” (Ps. 66:7a TAB) And, so, our hearts cry out; “Why, Lord, why? Why do such awful things happen?”
My brother, my sister, this is where the rubber hits the road. TRUST. Our Lord knows there are some things we simply cannot comprehend, cannot “figure out.”
His ways are higher than our ways, His thoughts higher than our thoughts (Isa.55:9b).
“Lean on, trust and be confident in the Lord with all your heart
and mind, and do not rely on your own insight or understanding”
(Prov. 3:5 TAB).
If we lean on our own understanding we will only be found wanting. He asks that we put our faith to work and TRUST Him with all of our heart. And all of our heart means no room for doubt, no room for apprehension, no room for uncertainty. He knows what He is doing, even if we don’t! We must stand in the knowledge that our God is good! We’ve sung it for years – now we must live it.
Things are changing – fast! Dare I suggest we may be at the beginning of birth pangs spoken of by Jesus in Matthew, chapter 24, verse 8. Maybe – maybe not.
But in any case, those who have done business with the Father’s Son, Jesus Christ, are OK, safe in the ark so-to-speak. Your future is secured in the world to come.
Meanwhile, you are here for a reason. You are a light in the darkness, and the darker it gets, the more you shine!
“Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert
servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don’t quit in hard
times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive
in hospitality” (Rom. 12:11-13 The Message).
And, for you who have no relationship with Jesus of Nazareth, the blood is still on the cross. There is still time for you to call upon the Name of the Lord – your only shot for a new beginning here on this earth, and eternal life in Heaven to follow. Hey, it’s your choice!
Walking this Way with you,
Connie
CHM Accepts Additional Financial Responsibility
In recent years, Pastor Coty has received help from a church in the United States, to pay the lion’s share of the teachers’ salaries. CHM has also been paying $225 each month for the teachers’ salaries.
Last March, this church sent a message along with their payment, that they would not be able to send any more money to pay the teachers.
Because CHM had been blessed with some additional money, I along with Connie, decided that CHM would cover the additional cost of the teachers’ salaries for the school months of April, May, and June 2023. We also asked Pastor Coty to try to find another source of money to pay the teachers’ salaries for the next school year.
Recently Pastor Coty sent me a message that he had managed to pay the difference in the school teachers’ salaries for the month of September, but that he will not be able to pay it for October. So, as he put it in the text to me, he wrote “so I am crying out for help in this matter”. He is requesting that CHM underwrite the teachers’ salaries of $828 per month. Because we are already paying $225 per month, the additional increment of cost at this time, will be $603.
On October 19, 2023, the CHM Board voted to cover the teachers’ salaries of $828 per school month. This amounts to $8,280 for a 10 month school year.
CHM has been blessed with sacrificial giving from the CHM Family and Friends, which in the short term, allows us to accept this financial responsibility. For this we are exceedingly grateful. However, for the long term, CHM will need additional donations to continue to underwrite the teachers’ salaries.
If you see the value of educating about 300 children, please consider joining our family of contributors.
In the September issue of the CHM Newsletter, we highlighted the performance of the school. All 16 of the students in the ninth grade class passed the National test required for a student to enter high school. This is a very significant achievement.
If you desire to help underwrite the teachers’ salaries, please send your donation to CHM at the address at the end of this newsletter, or, use our PayPal service for online donations.
Please mark your donation, Teachers.
Ken Johansson, CHM Administrator
The Drought Resistant Garden Project
In the September 2023 CHM Newsletter, we introduced the concept of Drought Resistant Gardening. We also introduced Daisee Kangas who is the leader of this program, and two university trained agronomists, Jeff and Yamouch, who will work with Daisee.
Jeff and Yamouch will grow a community demonstration garden as part of their assignment. They will also teach and demonstrate these gardening methods to the families who have indicated that they want to grow a garden of their own.
Enthusiasm for this project is being demonstrated by all the people involved.
In addition, a submersible well pump has been donated for the well that is located at the site of the community demonstration garden.
A report of the progress to date, by project leader Daisee Kangas is next.
Ken Johansson, CHM Newsletter editor
Solidarity Garden
A Report by Project Leader Daisee Kangas
Our newly established family of gardeners has decided to call themselves, Solidarity Garden.
“Solidarity is an agreement of feeling or action, especially among individuals with a common interest; mutual support within a group.” Source-Oxford Languages and Google
What a perfect name.
We have thirty-eight families who want to learn how to garden under difficult circumstances such as drought conditions, and two agronomists that will be working with each family to support their success. Each family will be growing a garden.
We have decided to begin with four crops: eggplant, tomatoes, spinach, and beans. Our second group meeting will be held October 24th. At this meeting each family will receive their seeds and will start sowing a select amount.
The group will meet again November 1st. They will meet three times per month until the seeds are started and ready to transplant.
Jeff and Yamouch are very enthusiastic and have already started turning the soil of the community garden.
Please pray for our families and their success at gardening. Pray for Jeff and Yamouch as they try to learn new techniques in gardening, in a language they don’t speak.
The Solidarity Gardeners
Garden Project Financial Information
This is a new project that CHM is beginning. There will be some cost involved because the 2 agronomists who will be working with the gardeners, will each receive a small salary each month. There will also be the cost of seeds and other related items.
If you would like to help with the cost of this training, please send your donation to the address at the end of this newsletter, or for “online” donations, please use our PayPal service also at the end of this newsletter. Please mark your donation “gardens”.
Ken Johansson, CHM Administrator
The School Lunch Program
Pastor Coty Writes:
This is our school routine to feed the kids.
Our open kitchen receives a big salute from every kid each school day. It is located in a place where everyone can see it.
Even though the students know they will get fed each school day, because by God’s grace we never have a school day without food, they still take a look at the kitchen, just to make sure that food is being cooked.
Sometimes in past newsletters, I used to write about children coming to school without eating anything at home. Now I would say all of them do not eat anything before coming to school.
The other day as I was teaching, a student said: “Pastor, please leave the rest of the class time for after food, because I cannot even see the board now”. The student who said that is about 17. It makes me think of the hunger the younger children are experiencing.
It is our routine to feed the students at 10:00 every school day.
During the last gathering I had with the students who passed the state exams, I asked them what specific thing that they will miss, because they will be attending another school now.
They all replied saying, “we will miss 10 o’clock”. 10 o’clock in our school means, it is lunchtime and food is ready to be served.
We are exceedingly grateful to all of you Family and Friends, who support the School Lunch Program.
Pastor Coty Joseph
The Outdoor Kitchen
Filling the empty spot in their stomachs.
Food for the Needy Program
Pastor Coty Writes:
Mrs Immacula Midi is from Port-au-Prince. She is the mother of one daughter. She has no relatives in Cahess, except her daughter, who is herself, the mother of 2 kids. The children’s father abandoned his family when he left to go to the Dominican Republic two years ago.
Mrs Midi relies on this program to survive. Today, we have even provided her with charcoal for the fire that she cooks with. Usually, she uses sticks to cook her food, but they are all wet now because of the recent rain.
She moved to Cahess from Port-au-Prince 4 years ago. She is totally dependent on the Food for the Needy Program. She is a good example of the people who benefit from this very needed program in Cahess.
Mrs. Immacula Midi
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 $1700 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