Coastal Haiti Mission Newsletter
April 2024
ELEPHANTUS
Years ago I saw a documentary about rogue “teen-age” elephants who were
tormenting and killing White Rhinoceros, an animal listed as an endangered
species. The young elephants would fill their trunks with water and spray the
unsuspecting rhinos, causing more than a little annoyance and aggravation.
As I recall, the juvenile elephantus had been taken from their herd and were
transported to another part of their country in an effort to reproduce in that
area. For awhile, all efforts to change the behavior of the young bullies had
failed until one idea was productive. Mature male elephants were brought
into the area who then taught the undisciplined troublemakers how to live and let
live. Killing of the rhinos soon ended!
You might say the youngsters were “mentored” by the adult elephants, which
brings me to my point. I believe we need more mentors in the Body of Christ.
Especially – but not exclusively – for new Christians of all ages. Too often, it
seems to me, new Christians are left alone to traverse this new way of life
without adequate guidance and care. (One or two hours on Sunday morning, and
maybe one hour midweek is not enough.) They need loving, caring, and available
adults, mature in the faith, to take them by the hand and work to strengthen them
as they begin their walk with Jesus. And, yes, I think they need a decent serving
of theology, church history, and perhaps some knowledge of apologetics. Both
the Nicene and Apostles creeds are adequate sources of basic Christianity.
They need to know about the Trinity, the necessity of baptism, and the sacredness
of communion. To know that when they partake of the bread and cup, they are
identifying with believers throughout the world of every race, color, and tribe.
How many new Christians have been discouraged because they were not prepared
to give a concise and intelligent answer concerning their conversion experience
to unbelieving spouses, family, and friends? They need to know how to identify
and link their experience with Jesus Christ to that of millions who, for over the last
2,000 years have chosen to follow the Good Shepherd. They need to understand
the bond and affiliation they have with the early church fathers, missionaries and
pioneers from whom all Christian denominations have eventually come into being.
Unbelieving family members need to know their loved one has not joined a cult.
I have personally known of two instances where Christians were called cult
members following their conversions to Christ. They both attended a Baptist
Church (certainly not a cult)!
Also, I don’t think that new believers should be called upon to teach a Sunday
School class. They need to be seated in the congregation on Sunday mornings.
They need time for growth. As Paul said to the church in Corinthians (all new
Christians): “What we’re hoping for is that as your lives GROW IN FAITH,
you’ll play a part within our expanding work.” (Embedded in II Cor. 10:15 The Message)
My late husband, Clint Goddard, and I came to the Lord during the Charismatic
Renewal which spread throughout the world in the 1960s. We were led to the
Lord – one week apart – by a man and his wife living in our neighborhood. We
were soundly converted! We were mentored and nurtured by this couple for
many months. Also, through them, we were introduced to a fellowship called
Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship, Inc., giving us access to hours of
lectures and teaching from among some of the most beloved and best Bible
teachers of the day: Derek Prince, Bob Mumford, David Duplisses from
South Africa, Jack Hayford, and others. Good, solid, Bible teaching. Building
on the Rock!
And so, I know the importance of early instruction and care for the new convert.
I am also aware that many churches do have a class for new believers. I applaud
that effort. I hope it goes far enough. Remember the juvenile elephants? We
need mentors – one on one. The pastor can’t do it all!
Walking this Way with you,
Connie
The School Lunch Program
Pastor Coty Writes:
When we talk about the school lunch program, many people think about the
children as the beneficiaries. Yes, they are the first ones to benefit from the
food, but they are not the only ones. A day without food would be a disaster
and a very strange day for both the students and the teachers. This is because
the food solves one of their common problems.
According to our timetable, we serve the food every day at 10 AM. Then,
after lunch, the kids get another 15 minute break so they can relax before
going back to class.
Finishing the New School Building
Pastor Coty Writes:
We always want to thank everyone who contributes to the work for the benefit
of our community.
This time we want to thank brother Carl Lamour, who has supported a small
but costly project. It was stuccoing the interior of the 4 classrooms that we had
already built.
We are almost finished with the inside. We hope that someday we can
complete the inside and possibly do the outside work as well.
This was a very good start to finishing this school building.
Finishing the interior of these classrooms
Food for the Needy Program
Pastor Coty Writes:
The lady in the photos below is known in the village as a crazy lady, but she
knows to come to the school to get something to eat, every school day. She
comes when she knows that the lunch is ready.
However, we cannot give her enough food to take home, because this food is
for the school children and the teachers. However, as crazy is she, people in
her house are always expecting that she will bring some food to them.
Today she was acting very good. She knew what day it was, and she told me
how she would cook the food, as well as many other good things. Then I took
her to the depot where the food is stored, and I gave her enough food for two
days. I also gave her some money to buy other items to mix with the rice.
I can imagine the joy of the people who live with her, when they saw her
coming with these provisions. As crazy as she is, people who live together with
her, are counting on her to eat some days.
Eating is still an occasional thing for many people. Helping them to get
something to eat is always a good ministry.
It takes peoples’ effort, and money to help in this way, but the results are
significant, and the eternal rewards will be even greater.
Food to take home.
Saturday Sunday School
Pastor Coty Writes:
When teaching, you always need to keep the attention of the students so that
they get what you teach. The hardest thing most of the time is to have them
want to come to the class. For us, we say Praise the Lord, because we find a
way of having the kids want to come to class. In the village the kids don’t have
any other religion. They all confess Jesus as their personal Savior, and they
know bible quotations much better than the adults. Some come to church on
Sunday, while others don’t come, but all know Jesus, and this is our joy. They
don’t want to miss the Saturday Class any reason.
When they come to the class on Saturday, there are two things that they may
not know: first is the subject they will study for that day, and second is what
they will get to eat for that day. But for sure, they will study a lesson and for
sure, they will get something to eat. It is the second reason why none of them
would want to miss a class.
It is the treats that encourages them to come.
The Drought Resistant Garden Project
Pastor Coty Writes:
Today is a very special day for the students. They have been invited to
participate in a training session, taught by Agronomists Yamoutch Bazile and
Jean Ely Toussaint (Jeff). I could feel the joy of the students as they
participated in this extra class. Nobody complained of being required to
attend this class.
A most important lesson
Life in the Village
Pastor Coty Writes:
Sometimes people may ask, “how do the village people cook when they are
away from home?” These images will show one way. It is a very old way of
creating a fire for cooking.
First a hole is dug next to some rocks. The rocks will support the pan. The
hole is shaped such that the firewood will be placed under the pan. This is a
fast way of making a cooking fire.
Lunch in the great outdoors
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:
2 Thessalonians 3: 16
Now may the Lord of peace himself
give you his peace at all times and in
every situation. The Lord be with you all.
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