Coastal Haiti Mission
September 2025
-Fog-
It was late afternoon during the summer of 1981. My late husband Clint Goddard and I were onboard the “Norma May” returning from Tuckernuck Island and heading to Nantucket Island. We had spent the day on Tuckernuck gathering material for a magazine article we were working on.
Once joined to Nantucket, eventually the 1,000-acre island (Tuckernuck) was cut off from the main island due to years of erosion and displacement of sand. First inhabited by Indians, the first white settlement was probably established there near the end of the 17th century. It is a place of sun, sand, surf, and –FOG! The air is saturated with the songs of sea gulls and other sea fowl. When we were there, there were fewer than 30 houses scattered across the acreage from sea to shining sea.
And now, shrouded in fog, we were topping the waves trying to get back to the main island (Nantucket). At one point the captain, a most-capable seaman, seemed somewhat confused about which way to go. It seemed there was an instrument problem. and visibility was extended to only a few feet from the boat. My husband and I were concerned. We knew that the water between these two islands could at times be less than friendly and even perilous.
Suddenly a speed boat whizzed past us and a voice hollered out above the sound of the two engines “Follow me!” We did, and soon broke out of the fog and arrived safely in Nantucket.
First the natural, then the spiritual.
My brother and sister in Christ – Have you ever been in a deep, nonpenetrating fog? How about a spiritual nonpenetrating fog? You know, the kind when nothing seems to go right? Your prayers appear to bounce off the wall and then hit the ceiling? The Bible seems to dare you to open it, but you don’t know where to look? I mean, when you first came to know the Lord there were dozens of cool surprises that bordered on serendipity. But now you seem to have lost the sense of the presence of the Lord. (If you are there in the “fog” you know what I mean.)
RELAX – We’ve all been there (some of us more often than others!) Chances are¸ you are being tested. The Lord could be testing your faith to see if you are ready for an assignment He has with you in mind. Are you ready for it? He may want to know if the level of your faith in His leadership is adequate for the job. Or, will you collapse under pressure that you are not prepared for. Do you trust Him in the “desert” (dry place) as well as on the mountain top?
OR – It may be that you are responsible for stumbling into the desert. Maybe it’s time for self examination. The prodigal son was also in a dry place. The party was over. His money was spent, his so-called friends were gone, and he was hungry.
Finally, he “came to himself” (Luke 5:17a) He saw clearly where he was. The fog was gone and he knew what to do. He got up and headed for his father’s house.
And then there was Zarubbabel and Joshua the High Priest. They were also in a desert funk. Funds were growing low. They had no prospects. And then the prophet came (Haggai) with a word from the Lord: “Consider your ways [your previous and present conduct] and see how you have fared.” (Haggai 1:7 TAB)
They were redirected. The fog was gone and they knew what to do.
If you are in a fog, I recommend that you set a time and place to examine your own situation. Find a special place, even in your own home. Make a special time for contemplation, a time for yourself (Bring the dog if you want). But, one thing: be OPEN! Be SERIOUS. Be REAL with God. Because if you are not, you may be wasting your time. But if you are candid and genuine before the Lord, then like the boat that came alongside my husband and I off the coast of Nantucket and someone shouted “Follow me! I believe the Spirit of our Lord will come alongside you and say “Follow Me.” He will lead you out of the fog that has been hemming you in!
Walking this Way with you,
Connie
The Saturday Sunday School
Pastor Coty Writes:
This is how it goes every Saturday: The children gather under the mango tree in the yard to enjoy the cool shade. With a tray full of popcorn, you’d think they’re about to watch a movie. But no, they’re there to learn a beautiful Bible lesson. And when it’s time to head home, each child receives a small bag of popcorn to accompany them on their way.
The Drought Resistant Garden Project
Pastor Coty Writes:
Here are the two men currently leading the garden program in Cahess.
One is Luckner Azemar and the other is Darly Étienne.
Luckner has only one arm, but he works harder than many people with two. He is an agricultural technician with solid experience in cooperative farming. He is not an agronomist, but he is always open to receiving new ideas and advice.
Darly is a young man who works very hard. He has no prior experience with vegetable farming, but he is a strong worker. He is very respectful, reliable, and communicates well. We can count on him to clearly deliver the instructions he receives from Sister Kathy, our project director.
Current progress:
They have thoroughly cleaned the area that used to serve as the model garden. In one section, they have already planted spinach, which is growing beautifully. The idea is that this will provide food for the schoolchildren.
Many members of the team—called the Solidarity Gardeners—have already benefited from beautiful fruit trees planted at their homes. They’re excited not only to receive more plants and resources, but also to gain advice that will help them improve their own gardens.
We regularly speak with Sister Kathy, who is ready to share her gardening expertise to help us move forward. In a WhatsApp group, the new garden leaders have already received beautiful photos of Sister Kathy’s garden at her home, which they plan to show to other members during their next gathering.
Darly Etienne on left and Luckner Azemar on right.
Food for the Needy Program
Pastor Coty Writes:
We would like to share with you the story of Elizabeth Cherenfant, one of the beneficiaries who continuously receives assistance through our program.
Elizabeth is a courageous mother of three children.
Her oldest son left home and since then, the family has not received any news from him.
Her second child, a daughter, still lives with her. Instead of being a support to her mother, she herself carries the burden of raising a child without a father.
The youngest child struggles with serious health issues and spends more time in the hospital than at home.
Elizabeth has no husband. When you ask her how she is doing, her answer is always:
“We are here by the will of God.”
Despite all these challenges, she continues to keep her faith, knowing that her help comes through this program. She constantly testifies to how the support she receives brings real change to her and her children’s lives.
On behalf of all the beneficiaries, I will never stop saying thank you for your generosity and love.
Pastor Coty Joseph
Back to School and Grade 10 Added
Pastor Coty Writes:
It is good news, but it makes many hearts beat very fast. For some children, it’s the first time they will have such an experience, so they don’t want to wait any longer for this day to come.
Some of them are happy to reunite with their friends that they have been separated from since the last day of school.
The teachers are happy too, even though they are already thinking about how much they will have to talk. But above all, they are most excited to be reunited with their students, because the school always feels like a family.
Our students also have another meeting that makes them even happier: sharing a plate of rice every morning at 10 o’clock. This is very satisfying to both the students and teachers, and they really appreciate this special time.
This year, we expect more students than ever before. Last term our enrollment was 258, and this term it will reach 300.
I say this for several reasons.
Many families have moved into the area, and as they settled, they chose our school for their children.
Also, our 9th grade students from last term, decided not to leave the school.
Their parents came to me and insisted that they remain at our school. They said that due to the lack of security and because of the high cost of living, they cannot send their students to school in Trou-du-Nord, as has been done in the past. Trou-du-Nord is the nearest town with a public high school.
So, we are honoring their request to open another class, labelled NS1, which is the first level of high school. Twenty students have already registered and are waiting for this class.
Last year our teaching staff included 9 full-time and 9 part-time teachers, for a total of 18. This year, we are also considering hiring a secretary. We also have 2 cooks and a housekeeper, plus 2 workers responsible for gathering firewood for meals.
With the new class, 5 more part-time teachers will be added to the list.
This is the team already prepared to begin on Monday, October 1, which is the first day of school.
Pastor Coty Joseph
School photos from previous terms.
School Classroom Construction
The construction of the 4 classrooms that was the subject of the recent appeal for donations has begun.
Whoever is generous to the poor, lends to the Lord
and he will repay him for his deed.
Proverbs 19:17
A prayer for you from the scripture:
Numbers 6: 24 to 26 NLT
24. ‘May the Lord bless you
and keep you
25. May the Lord smile on you
And be gracious unto you
26. May the Lord show you his favor
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 $2000 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