Coastal Haiti Mission Newsletter
January 2022
– THE TURNABOUT –
The kid was a train wreck. The party was over, the mother of all flings. There had been plenty of everything — bright lights to hide the gloom, good food to please the palate, plenty of “John Barleycorn” to chase away the blues, fancy clothes to boost the ego, lots of friends to impress; “Have another drink, boys, it’s on me!” There was loud music to stun the senses, and loose women…well, we won’t go there, but you get the picture. “Let the good times roll” was the theme for the day. It was great fun while it lasted.
But, it didn’t last. When his money ran out, so did everyone else. And now there was no one to turn to. You see, months earlier he had asked his father for, and had received, a premature inheritance. He’d packed his bags and left his father’s house, and now he was alone in a far country. His inheritance? Gone. His “friends?” Gone. The good times?
Gone. And he was hungry. Oh, he was hungry!
Well, as the story goes, he bagged a job feeding hogs. Even the corncobs he was feeding the hogs were beginning to look good. And then, something happened; He “came to himself.” He turned his thoughts to his father’s house. Maybe he remembered the love and warmth he’d been given there. Or maybe he thought of being in his father’s fields under the warm summer sky, the smell of freshly-cut hay, the soft lowing of the cattle, or the loud braying of the donkeys on a star-filled night.
And, did I say he was hungry? There was the best of food in his father’s house! “All those farmhands working for my father sit down to three meals a day,” he thought to himself, “and here I am starving to death.” (Luke 15:17 The Message)
He made up his mind. He would do it! He would return to his father’s house. It was a long shot, but maybe he could be hired as a farmhand. And, right then, he headed for home.
The long road home allowed him plenty of time to think and sort things out. Surely, he had “sinned against heaven and in the sight of his father.” (Luke 15:21a TAB)
Anxiety filled his heart and the fear of rejection seemed to rise up in his throat as he anticipated his arrival home. And then he saw it. Way off in the distance, someone was running toward him. As the figure drew nearer, his apprehension intensified.
Surely it couldn’t be – it wouldn’t be, but it was!
Soon his father’s arms were embracing him, and the man was kissing him fervently! (Luke 15:20b TAB) The boy was startled! “I am no longer worthy to be called your son,” he cried out.
“Bring quickly,” his father ordered his bond servants, “the best robe – the festive honor robe – and put it on him, and give him a ring for his hand and sandals for his feet…” (Luke 15:22 TAB)
And the young man knew he was still, without a doubt, his father’s son.
The father’s house was full of love and joy. As for the food? “Bring hither the fatted calf,” the father ordered, “…Let us eat and be merry! For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.” (Luke15:23-24 KJV)
Within every story Jesus told, like the one above about the prodigal son, is a hidden gem. A wonderful truth. Look closely, and you will find it – if you want to.
How about you? Are you in a “far country?” Want to know the way to the Father’s House? There’s only one way.
“I AM THE WAY, the truth, and the life: No man cometh unto the Father but by me.” (John 14:6 KJV)
– Jesus Christ
Walking this Way with you,
Connie
The Children’s Christmas Party
Pastor Coty Writes:
Not only did the children of the Village of Cahess celebrate the Christmas party, but everyone in Cahess also came to celebrate the Christmas party with the children. We had a very good time together with the children and their parents.
More than 200 children came to this celebration. The number of participants in the Saturday Sunday School is typically about 100, but as the time for the party got closer, the number of children in this ministry grew week after week.
Many children come from other villages on this special day, to celebrate with our children. By the grace of God, and the generosity of you, the supporters of CHM, we had enough gifts and food for all of them. We are very blessed.
Gifts to be given to the children.
This is how it went. They call your name and then you come and pick the gift of your choice.
We did not know we would have that many people show up for the party, but we did the best we could to feed everyone.
People everywhere. Nobody wanted to miss this day in Cahess.
On behalf of everyone in Cahess, especially the kids and their parents, and also, Nana and I, we want to thank everyone who contributed, to make this big event a reality in the life of our village.
God bless you all.
Pastor Coty
School Room Building Project
Pastor Coty Writes:
Step by step, our school life is changing.
We started 2 new classrooms this year, and now they are almost completed.
This will allow us not only to have all our kids meet in one school location, but we will now have 3 classrooms in good condition, in the school. These rooms are not totally complete now, but they are in good condition.
You saw our initiative in beginning construction from our own resources, and then you decided to complete these rooms for us.
Thank you very much for your kind and generous support.
We are indeed very grateful to you.
Pastor Coty Joseph
Step by step our school is improved
School Lunch Program
Pastor Coty Writes:
From the kitchen to the classroom and from the teacher to the kids, this is the trajectory of the food that reaches the kids, every school day in Cahess.
But, as for me, I know the trajectory is way more than that. From the request of CHM, that touches the heart of God’s people, to the donations of these people that purchases food for every single school day, and then to our kitchen, so that the teachers can serve the school kids each day.
Without you, who support this food program, the remaining part of this trajectory would not exist.
Thank you, Lord. We praise you, and we thank you for your generous people.
Pastor Coty Joseph
You bless our children. We are very grateful.
Food for the Needy Program
Pastor Coty Writes:
The Food for the Needy Program is an absolute necessity for some of the residents in the Village of Cahess. This is just the reality of life in Haiti.
I want to tell you about a lady whose name is Evelene François.
She is the lady that CHM helped to put a roof on her house. At that time, she was selected to be in the Food for the Needy Program.
Evelene has 5 children in our school, and all of these 5 children, are also in our Saturday Sunday School.
Evelene and her family is an example of the great need for the work of missions in Haiti. There are many other people like Sister Evelene.
I always ask myself, “what would these people do, if our mission did not exist in Cahess?”
Thank God for his blessing to these needy people in our village.
Thank you CHM supporters.
Coty.
Thank you for providing food for them!!
Lighting Haitian Homes
Pastor Coty sent an email to Ken Johansson,
Hello brother Ken,
I was visiting a family that has received one of the lighting systems made up of a Cyclops light and a Solar Power Bank charger.
What I can say is that this family is very appreciative of their light. They voluntarily told me how the light makes life better for them before I could ask them about it.
You should see where this man keeps the light during the day to keep it safe.
I am glad to see that these people know the importance of the lights and are using them correctly.
Thanks for making life better for them and for us.
Coty
The Cyclops Light making a great difference in their home at night.
A metal mounting plate for the magnet in the Cyclops Light.
The sun charging the Power Bank for lighting this house at night.
The lighting equipment that was shown in the November/December 2021 CHM Newsletter is now on its way to Cahess Haiti.
We will update you on this project when it arrives in Cahess.
We are on a roll. We together, are making a major difference at night for the families in the Village of Cahess Haiti. There is still more to do!!!!
Ken Johansson, Project leader
Micah 6: 8
He has chosen you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and love mercy
and to walk humbly with thy God.
A promise to you from the scripture
Numbers 6: 24 to 26
The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make his face to shine upon you;
the Lord lift up his countenance upon you
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 $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