Coastal Haiti Mission
November 2024
– THE HOUSE –
Once upon a time a house was built on top of an insignificant hill close to the sea.
The family living in the house consisted of Mom and Dad, three children, two cats and a dog. It was a fairly large house with five bedrooms. Actually, the family only needed four bedrooms, but you never know who might come by needing a place to sleep for the night. And, besides, there was just something about that house.
The family had placed two freezers in the cellar holding ample provisions for unexpected guests who dropped in without notice and stayed for supper. The many guests liked visiting the house on the hill because they were always greeted by the family inside with warmth and friendliness. Even the animals were friendly! And, besides, there was just something about that house.
One day the townspeople were informed by the TV weather station located on the edge of town that all indications were that a major storm was indeed heading their way. It had formed right off shore, and would soon enter their area. The family decided to ride it out in their own home. After all, hadn’t Dad overseen its building? Made sure all materials used were of superior quality? Hadn’t he taken into consideration the safety of his family? And, besides, there was just something about that house.
As the sky darkened, and the windswept waves began to swell, the family grew increasingly concerned for the neighbors living next door. Dad knew their house was not as sturdy as his own. When Mom saw her husband putting on his rain gear, she knew where he was going. He would bring the family next door home with him where he knew they would be safe, too. That’s the kind of folks the family were. And, besides, there was just something about that house.
When Dad returned with the neighbors (a middle-aged woman, an elderly man, the woman’s nine-year-old son) and one dog, they were greeted with steaming cups of hot chocolate and a variety of mixes for sandwiches and chips. Mom insisted everyone have a snack now. I mean, who knew what the storm would do later!
Shortly, the volume of the wind began to increase. The children were frightened by the noise outside and stayed close to their folks. The dogs cowered in the corner and the two cats hid under the bed. The house shimmered and shook. The lights went out and the oil lamps were lit. The wind blew, the shingles flew, The trees swayed, and the families prayed.
And then it was over. Disaster outside! The alarming sound of the sirens heard in the distance told the story of first responders rushing to folks in peril and without protection. Many lost their homes, including the folks that lived next door. Dad stepped outside to assess any damage to the family’s house. He found shutters from the upstairs windows lying on the grass in the back yard and the garage roof resting on Dad’s almost-new pick-up. The rest of the house? It stood tall and intact. Not one serious nail or screw was compromised inside or out because, well, did I tell you There was just something about that house? I’m sure you know by now how special it was – it was BUILT UPON A ROCK!
Are we building our “house” (our lives) upon a rock? On THE Rock Jesus the Christ? Have we embraced the authority of His Word? Do we believe Him when He tells us that HE is the WAY? The Light on the path of sorrow, perplexity, fear, doubt, disappointment, and bewilderment? When we are at an impasse and don’t know which way to turn, do we turn to the One who knows all things? And when the lies tossed about in the world tend to cause us discouragement and confusion do we turn to His Word for TRUTH – and then stand on it? In our relationships with our family members, fellow Christians, and friends do we strive to direct our dealings in ways that bring out the best in them (and in us!)? Or do we push buttons that lead to arguments and strife between us? Are we teaching our children about Jesus by the way we, ourselves live our lives? Are we preparing them to live in a world whose culture is counter-to, and often contemptuous of, all they have been taught and believed? Do we understand the value of providing safe and reasonable guidelines to our kids? And, do we love them into security? And when our hearts overflow with love, hope, and joy do we understand that He is the LIFE within us in doing the work– in taking the time—we will have done our best, I think, and will have surely provided a safe place for our children and ourselves when the storms of life come upon us – and they will come. But, fear not – Jesus has overcome the world! (John 16:33b)
“So everyone who hears these words of mine and acts
upon them – obeying them – will be like a sensible,
(prudent, practical, wise) man who built his house
upon a rock; and the rain fell and the floods came,
and the wind blew and beat against that house, but
it did not fall, because it had been founded on the
rock.”
Mat:7:24 & 25 TAB
“…but be of good cheer – take courage, be confident
certain, undaunted, — for I have overcome the world.
— I have deprived it of power to harm, have conquered
it [for you].” (John 16:33b TAB)
Walking this Way with you,
Connie
The School Lunch Program
Pastor Coty Writes:
Every school day is like a celebration for many of the children in the school. It is during the break time that we serve lunch. At this time, the kids always find a special place in the yard to eat. They eat together just like they play together.
After the break time, the children go back to their classes energized as new persons.
The time after lunch becomes the most difficult time during the day for the teachers to manage the children. They talk more, and they are always asking permission to leave class.
Also, it is always very hot inside the classrooms, because the roof is very low.
But we praise the Lord that we have these opportunities to influence these students in the school.
Pastor Coty Joseph
Life in the Village
Pastor Coty Writes:
The Creole name of this bowl is Kwi. Most likely there is no English word for this bowl, because it’s a very old form of bowl that people in remote places use.
In the villages, you likely need no money to get a Kwi, because you can make it yourself. It is made from the fruit of a certain tree named KALBAS, which is a very well known tree in the voodoo belief system.
The people just get a KALBAS fruit and cut it in half. Next, they take out the inside of each half, making 2 Kwi, which are then used as traditional bowls.
It’s very easy to find a Kwi in almost every home in the village. Making Kwi is a way of earning a living for some people in the village. They make them and sell them in the nearest town.
Some families have a Kwi for each person in the house, instead of having the expensive bowls, purchased in the market place.
The other day, I noticed that some children bring a Kwi to school to eat their lunch from.
The Saturday Sunday School
Pastor Coty Writes
We always have at least 80 kids come to this class every Saturday. Sometimes there are 100 or more. However, at the children’s Christmas party, we will have around 400 children.
The parents in and around Cahess, know to bring or send their kids to this party. By God’s grace we always have enough food to feed them.
The class members receive their gift first, and then we give gifts to the remaining children. I imagine that many of these children are thinking about the children’s party, even now.
Pastor Coty
2024 Update on the Solidarity Gardeners
A report by project leader Daisee Kangas
Many of you have shown great interest in the Solidarity Gardeners and especially the tree plantings we have and will be doing. I thought I would take a moment to highlight what we have accomplished this year. The Gardeners each have their own gardens and there is also a community garden at the school. Plantings begin in this community garden and are then distributed. Right out of the gate, the gardeners started with their first planting of eggplant, tomatoes, spinach and beans. Coastal Haiti Mission provided watering cans, as well as, the seeds for this first crop. 38 Haitian families being part of this initial planting.
Our second purchase of seeds was for carrots, Cubanella peppers and cabbage and with their own resources the gardeners also grew leeks.
The gardeners then requested Orange trees, Lime trees and passion fruit. We (CHM) then assisted them in purchasing 10 Orange, 10 Lime, passion fruit along with fertilizer. It was at this time a supporter of CHM brought my attention to a tree planting organization that fueled the idea of planting trees more aggressively. They are life long providers of food that do not require yearly replanting. It just made sense. The gardeners began collecting cashews and planted 25 cashew trees from seed and we purchased 13 Bread fruit, 12 star fruit, 10 Avocado, 10 Sour Sop, and 1 cinnamon tree(s).
We are now providing for the gardeners to purchase more trees including Limons, seeds for Papaya and Pomegranates, as well as pineapple plants. In the community garden they are planting Leeks, tomatoes, eggplant and beans.
All of this has not been without adversity. Pigs have gotten into the garden and ravished plants, goats came and feasted on our Cashew trees, and rains have flooded the gardens but the gardeners are doing well and keep moving forward. Thank you for your interest and support of the gardeners. They are truly blessed to have your support and encouragement.
The 2025 Christmas Party
The children and their parents of the Village of Cahess are looking forward to the 2025 Christmas party with great anticipation. This celebration is held on January 1 of each year.
During this day, the difficult times of the past year can be temporarily forgotten as the children and their parents get to enjoy an abundance of food. Also, the children receive gifts of toys and other items to brighten their lives.
Pastor Coty sent the following message along with photos of the Christmas party last year, which shows how important this celebration is.
Because of the time delay in sending money between countries, CHM has sent $1000 in advance to fund the 2025 Christmas celebration.
If you desire to help pay for this celebration, please send your donation to the address at the end of this newsletter, or use our PayPal service also at the end of this newsletter. Please mark your donation “Christmas”
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