Coastal Haiti Mission Newsletter
November/December 2021
MARY
Mary was deeply troubled. The “celestial being” standing next to her was, clearly, not of this world. Where he’d come from was unknown, and the things he told her had collided with everything she knew. Just yesterday she was going about her business and looking forward to the day she would marry her sweetheart, Joseph, a just and upright man. But even Joseph would not understand when the time came for her to tell him she was with child. (She was a virgin for goodness sake!) Her child, she was told by her Holy visitor, would be a boy, and he would be called “Son Of the Most High” and “Son Of God.” He would “save His people from their sins [that is, prevent their failing and missing the true end and scope of life, which is God.”] (Matt. 1:21 TAB ) She was to name him “JESUS.” “How can this be,” she asked the angel ?” She’d had no intimacy with a man – ever. “The Holy Spirit will come upon you,” he answered, “and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. (Luke 1:35 TAB)
And Mary wondered
and believed.
Soon after her experience with the angel, Mary visited her Aunt Elizabeth who was with child in her old age. Upon greeting her visitor, Elizabeth said the child within her “leaped” in her womb, and then, right then and there, she prophesied concerning Mary’s yet-to-be-born child.
“Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb… (Luke 1:42 KJV)
And Mary wondered
and believed.
Well, the time came, and Joseph had his own angelic visitation. Satisfied that Mary had not been unfaithful, he took her to his side as his wife, but union with her would wait until after the birth of her son. Mary gave birth in a less-than-immaculate stable in Bethlehem, assisted by her husband. No physician, no nurse, no midwife, no fanfare. (My Lord, He was a King!) They named him JESUS. Mary must have pondered as she held him to her breast: “My sweet little boy – Who are you?”
And Mary wondered
and believed.
When the shepherds appeared on the scene and told of an “army of the troops of heaven – a heavenly knighthood” (Luke 2:15 TAB) had filled the air with praise to God and wonderful tidings concerning the infant child lying in her arms, she must have wondered: “My lovely son – who are you”
And Mary wondered
and believed.
When the time came for the baby to be dedicated according to the Law Of Moses, the family of three went up to Jerusalem for the occasion. While there in the Temple enclosure they were met by Simeon, an old man,“righteous and devout” who had been “cautiously and carefully observing the divine law and looking for the Consolation of Israel.” He had been told by the Holy Spirit that he would not die until he saw the Lord’s Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed One.” (Luke 2:25- 26 TAB) Simeon “knew” he was to go to the Temple that day. Something “in the air,” A holiness permeating the atmosphere, perhaps. He’d had the feeling before. He took the baby in his arms, praised and thanked his God, and then prophesied regarding the child. And he knew he would soon depart this world.
And Mary wondered
and believed
Not much is known about Jesus when he was a lad, a time for growing and learning. But there is one occasion recorded in the Bible that took place when he was 12 years of age. Joseph and Mary were frantic. Their son was missing! They had come to Jerusalem for the Feast of Passover, commemorating the deliverance of God’s people from the death angel that passed over Egypt. When it was time to return home, Joseph and Mary joined the others in the caravan traveling back to Nazareth. They assumed their son had also joined the caravan and was mixing it up with kinsfolk and other acquaintances on the journey. But after searching for a day without success, they left the caravan and hurried back to Jerusalem. They finally found their son in the Temple Court, sitting with the teachers who were absolutely astonished at the young boy’s intelligence and understanding. His parents were amazed, but Mary couldn’t help but scold. “Child,” she said, “Why have you treated us like this? Here your father and I have been anxiously looking for you –distressed and tormented! (Luke 2:48 TAB) The boy looked at his mother. “Why were you looking for me?” he asked… And then: “Wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?”
And Mary wondered
and believed.
Jesus left home at about age 30. He preached about the Kingdom of God, healed the sick, and cast out demons, setting the captives free. Approximately three years passed, and it was time for Him to leave this planet. His captors knew no mercy. He hung in anguish on a wooden cross set up for criminals. He was cursed, mocked, and tormented. Darkness spread over the earth. Legions of angels were silent. It had to “be.” “Father,” he said, “Into Thy hands I commend my spirit,”And then He was gone. The earth quaked. The curtain in the Temple was rent. The crowd left. His mother wept, “My Son, my Son, who are you?”
And Mary remembered
And believed.
Walking this Way with you, Connie
The Christmas Party
We are very grateful that the Christmas Party, which will take place on January 1, 2022, has been paid for due to the generosity of the Family and Friends of CHM.
The children will, for at least one day, be able to eat all they are able to eat, and forget the poverty that they live with, other days of the year.
We will report on the Christmas Party in the January 2022 CHM Newsletter.
We say Thank You, Thank You, and Thank You again.
Food for the Needy Program
Pastor Coty Writes: This is the end of the year again, and we were glad to share food to every mother in the church.
In Haitian tradition, we celebrate Christmas in the new year, (January 1st and 2nd).
People who live in the country in Villages such as Cahess, always wait to January second, to make a good meal with Rice and Beans, and meat, mostly chicken, to start off the new year.
On January the 1st, we just eat a soup called joumo, and then wait for the next day to have the celebration meal. It is a time where people send food, to show their love to their neighbor.
With the support of many of you through CHM, we were able to share food to every mother in the Church. With this blessing, we know that they will have a good end of the year, and start the new year with Joy.
Thank you to You, the Family and Friends of CHM, and we wish you a happy New Year, under God’s grace. Pastor Coty Joseph
Sharing Food With The Mothers in The Church
School Lunch Program
Pastor Coty Writes: The people in the Village of Cahess are very grateful for our school, but even more so, for the School Lunch Program.
In our country where people are starving, we cannot count the number of children who die every year, because of malnutrition as a result of not having enough food to eat. Cahess could be one of those places in Haiti, but by the grace of God, CHM is present to make the difference.
The number of children in our school is growing every year. Even during the middle of the year, we are receiving new children into the school. Some children do not meet the academic requirements, but I admit them, because I know why they come.
We specify for the preschool class, that the children be at least 4 years old. However, people are sending their kids, when they are only 3 years old.
Education is good for everyone, but in a country like mine, a good education program is not enough. A food program is essential, because students have difficulty learning when they are hungry.
Because of you, the Family and Friends of Coastal Haiti Mission, we have this most essential part of our school program in our Village of Cahess.
We praise the Lord because he uses you, his servants, to think of us and bless us so very much. Thank you and may God bless each of you. I wish you a blessed and happy New Year. Pastor Lyvinx (Coty) Joseph.
Food is needed to make them grow.
Home Lighting Project
We wrote about the lighting emergency in the October CHM Newsletter, where most of the homes are using the kerosene lamps for light, because they cannot afford other sources of light.
However, there is a shortage of fuel for these lamps, so most homes are living in the dark at night.
So, we have modified our lighting program to provide Cyclops lights to as many homes as possible, sacrificing some of the household independence that we had hope to achieve for each home.
This means that most homes will NOT get a Solar Power Bank to recharge their lights. Instead, the Cyclops light will need to be brought to a Central Charging Station.
Therefore, we are providing an Electric Grid Powered Charger, with the capacity to charge, 60 Cyclops lights, simultaneously. We are also providing the electric cords to connect the charger to the lights.
Brother Monel, under Pastor Coty’s direction, will create and organize the charging station, and find a person to operate the charging station.
We are raising funds to continue this lighting program. When the equipment pictured below, is installed, we will have completed lighting for about 25 per cent of the homes in Cahess.
The estimate that $80 will cover the cost of providing one Cyclops light and Solar Power Bank, delivered to the Village of Cahess is holding true. $30 is the approximate delivered cost to supply one Cyclops light.
If you desire to help provide lighting to the homes in Cahess, please send your donation in any amount 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. Ken Johansson CHM Administrator and Lighting Project Leader
60 Light Charging Unit showing 2 lights being charged
53 Cyclops Lights
20 Solar Power Bank Chargers
60 Charging Extension Cables
The Schoolroom Building Project
Pastor Coty Writes:
As I have mentioned previously, the building that our school meets in, leaves much to be desired, for school classrooms. However, we are using what is available to us, and we are making improvements as we are able.
Because we have been adding additional grades, we have needed additional classrooms. Now, we are building 2 more classrooms. We built one last year for grade 7. When we are finished, we will have new classrooms for grades 7,8, and 9.
The 6th grade still meets in another house near where my parents live.
During construction, the 9th grade is meeting in a small, hot and dark room. Many times, I take them outside under the mango trees.
As I was gathering some concrete blocks to start the new classrooms, I invited the kids to come and help me. I was very encouraged to see how they wanted to participate in building the new classroom. Their passion to participate was very encouraging to me.
Excited to help
Two classrooms under construction
Editor’s note:
The people of Cahess, under the leadership of Pastor Coty, began construction of these two classrooms on their own. They did not come to CHM to request funds to build these classrooms.
After construction of the building was well under way, CHM provided $1000 to continue building these rooms.
Just as this newsletter was about to be released, CHM received a donation that will pay for completing these two classrooms.
We are indeed very grateful for the investments that you, the Family and Friends of Coastal Haiti Mission, are making into the lives of the people in the Village of Cahess, Haiti.
Proverbs 19:17 Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.
A promise to you from the scripture
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41: 10
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, and Ken are very grateful for your sacrifice. Ken Johansson CHM Newsletter Editor