Coastal Haiti Mission
October 2024
– EVEN MORE –
“GOD IS A SPIRIT (A SPIRITUAL BEING) AND THOSE
WHO WORSHIP HIM MUST WORSHIP HIM IN SPIRIT
AND TRUTH (REALITY). (John 4:24 TAB)
In SPIRIT and in TRUTH. What does it all mean? From my point of view, formed by years of observation and experience, including my own past experience, there are myriads of Christians who are worshiping our Heavenly Father in TRUTH. The truth of Who He is – the Uncaused First Cause – the Maker and Ruler of heaven and earth. We believe He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to earth to be the perfect sacrifice for our sins. In TRUTH we believe He was born of a virgin. We believe He is the Savior of all who call upon His Name.
That’s all good, but it’s only half the equation. How about the “in SPIRIT” part?
What does it mean?
Shortly after His burial and resurrection the disciples of Jesus were meeting behind closed doors for fear of the Jews (I mean, they crucified Jesus. Maybe they wanted to get them out of the way, too!) Suddenly Jesus appeared in the room. “Peace to you,” he said as He showed them the wounds in His hands and side. He then breathed on them saying “Receive (admit) the Holy Spirit!” (John 20:22 TAB)
Now we may assume that at that time they did indeed receive the Holy Spirit. Forty days later while eating a meal with His disciples, He spoke to them about the things of the Kingdom of God, and told them, in effect, to “lighten up”. There were certain things they didn’t need to know, like about coming events and when they will happen.
However, there was one thing He did want them to know. He did not want His disciples running all over the place telling people about Him! Not yet. Told them in so many words they didn’t have what it takes. “But,” He went on, “You shall receive power – ability. efficiency and might when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and THEN you shall be My witnesses…to the very bounds of the earth!” (Acts 1:8 TAB)
But hold on! I thought they’d already received the Holy Spirit. And that was before the Day of Pentecost. Remember the night He appeared to them behind closed doors and he breathed on them and told them to receive (admit) the Holy Spirit?
Is He saying that one can receive the Holy Spirit and yet still need the empowering of the Spirit? Let’s move to the Day of Pentecost. His disciples were gathered together in one place. And then – a sound from heaven. The sound of a violent tempest blast.
“And they were all filled – diffused throughout their souls –
with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other (different, foreign)
languages, as the Spirit kept giving them clear and loud expression
(in each tongue in appropriate words).” (Acts 2:4 TAB )
And all the foreigners from other towns were standing around listening to the disciples speaking of the mighty works of God in their (the foreigners) own language.
Could it be that one receives the Holy Spirit when becoming a Christian, but still needs to be infused and emersed, and actually baptized in the Holy Spirit? And if receiving the Holy Spirit was automatic when one believed, then why would the Apostle Paul ask disciples in Ephesus if they received the Holy Spirit when they believed (Acts 19:1&2)? And if automatic, why would Peter and John be sent to believers in Samaria to pray that they might receive the Holy Spirit? (Acts 14&15)
Are we missing something here? Just wondering.
Brothers and sisters, many living the Christian life are now—and have been – struggling to be “good Christians.” We are trying to do what we think we are supposed to do and trying to be who we are supposed to be. Sort of like an actor on stage trying to fit into the character he is trying to portray. But, alas, we cannot turn ourselves into the vibrant, impassioned, loving, and authentic servants of Jesus that we want to be. Have we set aside the Holy Spirit within us as we try to negotiate the Christian life according to the flesh (human nature without God)?
Paul told the young pastor Timothy to “stir up” the gift (Holy Spirit) within him. His counsel to the Galatian church was to live freely, animated and motivated by God’s Spirit.” (Gal. 5:16 TAB)
Today, many Christians are discouraged and more attracted to the things of this world than to the things of the Kingdom of God.
Something is missing. Something vital.
I believe it is the infusion of the Holy Spirit into one’s very being. I think that without the empowering of the Spirit our only resource is the flesh. And Jesus had things to say about the “flesh”: “…The flesh conveys no benefit whatever –there is no profit in in it.” (John 6:63 TAB)
The culture of this world does not propagate the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He and we know there are legions of unholy Spirits in this world vying for our attention –vicious, hateful, jealous, and deceptive spirits. But fear not, the disciple John tells us that “He that is in you is greater than he that is in the world!” (1 John 4:4)
The presence of the Spirit of Jesus (the Holy Spirit) in our lives is indispensable. (He’s the One who changes us!) Paul said if one does not have the Holy Spirit he does not belong to the Lord. (Rom.8:9 ESV)
If you have not sensed the Holy Spirit working in your soul and spirit, then do business with the Lord and ask Him to “fill you with His Spirit!” Trust me! He
won’t give you a stone or a serpent! (Mat. 7:9&10 TAB) And if you have tasted of the Holy Spirit, but since have neglected His presence, than as Paul said to Timothy; Stir up the gift (Holy Spirit) within you and keep the fire burning!
Hopefully, we can all please our God by worshiping Him in SPIRIT and TRUTH,
“…Be baptized every one of you in the Name of
Jesus Christ for the forgiveness and release
from your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the
Holy Spirit. For the promise (of the Holy Spirit)
is to and for you and your children, and to and for
all that are far away [even] to as many as the Lord
our God invites and bids come to Himself.“
(Acts 2:38b & TAB)
Walking this Way with you,
Connie
Life in the Village
Pastor Coty Writes:
It was the first time in the Village of Cahess, that so many people gathered in one place, to cry out to our Lord.
Our church organized a crusade this year, in an outside location, in Cahess. For 8 nights people came every night to worship and celebrate the Lord of Lords, our savior, Jesus Christ.
As a result, 16 people gave their lives to Christ and many others have been restored.
This crusade was expensive and it cost us a lot, but the results are more important than the cost.
Please, keep the Church of Cahess in prayer as we are celebrating our 15th anniversary this year. On November the 24, we will have the worship service to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Church where I (Pastor Coty) serve as Pastor.
God Bless.
Pastor Coty Joseph
The School Lunch Program
Pastor Coty Writes:
Years, months, weeks, and days go by, but the mission of Coastal Haiti Mission does not change. Their mission is to support the poor in Haiti,
especially the people in the Village of Cahess. This year again, we start one of their important works, which is to feed the school children through the program named, The School Lunch Program.
Traditionally the Haitian school children wear uniforms to attend school, which is good, because they don’t have enough clothes, to keep changing into, during the week. But getting that uniform, most of the time, is a financial challenge.
In our school, we receive the students as they are, because we consider it wrong for us to keep them out of school, when their parents don’t have enough money to provide them a uniform. We know this reality so very well, that we welcome them in our school.
We also know that for some of these students, the main reason that they come to school, is to have something to eat. And it is by God’s grace, working through you, the Family and Friends of Coastal Haiti Mission, that when they come, they are able to eat.
Thank you to our supporters, who provide the food .
Pastor Coty Joseph
The Saturday Sunday School
Pastor Coty Writes:
With joy the kids come every Saturday to this special class. My wife Nana is always happy to do this ministry. Of this group, some come to church and some do not, but they learn the same lessons. These kids know almost all the
bible stories now much better than their parents, even the parents who come to church.
These kids sing every second Sunday at the Church. So when they come to class on Saturdays, Nana teaches them the songs they will sing.
We praise God that they are not tired of coming. In fact, more are coming every week. Part of the reason that these children want to come is because they know they will receive something to eat. Thank you to all who contribute to this ministry. You are making a big difference in the lives of these children.
Pastor Coty Joseph
The Home Lighting Project
Pastor Coty Writes:
These lights are very helpful, not only to the people in their homes, but in the church. Tonight, as in many times in the past, we use one lamp in the Church while we have our bible study. We cannot count on the state for electricity, but we do count on our lamps.
Many times when we realize that we don’t have electricity, we ask someone that lives close to the Church to let us use their lamp, which allows us to meet in the church building.
Recently we have noticed that some of the lights from the first group that we received, no longer illuminate and will need to be repaired or replaced.- People are very concerned by this because we know the importance of these lights
Pastor Coty Joseph
Proverbs 14: 31
Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.
A prayer for you from the scripture:
Psalms 67: 1
May God be gracious to you and bless you
and make His face to shine upon you
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