Coastal Haiti Mission

July 2025

– CHAMPIONS –

The “kill buyer” had no idea what he had that day in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania when he loaded a dozen or so horses onto the back of a beat-up horse transport during the winter of 1956. The horse auction held there that day was over and these were the “leftovers,” the losers. Some were lame, some had showed signs of bad behavior, some were unfriendly, and some were simply weary from years of backbreaking and punishing farm work. Whatever the cause, they just didn’t make the grade and would now be taken to the slaughter house to be turned into pet food and glue among other things.

Now Harry de Leyer of Hollandia Farms located on the north shore of Long Island wanted a horse. He knew he couldn’t afford one of those dazzling racers, jumpers, or show horses. I mean just six years ago, Harry and his wife, Johanna, came to the United States from war-torn Europe with very little but the clothes on their back and not much money. Harry was the equine man at an all-girls school on Long Island. He cared for several riding horses and taught the girls to ride them. He wanted another horse, this one for his own. And Harry de Leyer knew horses.

Anxious to move on, the truck driver was somewhat rattled when Harry drove in to the loading area. Harry didn’t mean to be late for the auction that day, it just worked out that way. The driver told Harry the only ones left were the “kills.” Undeterred, Harry got out of his car and stepped up to the truck to see just what was there. The horses were frightened and jittery, almost like they knew where they were going. Harry disagreed with the way unwanted equines were disposed of in his new country. Back home in Holland where he had come from, horses beyond their usefulness were put out to pasture, deserving, as his father told him, to live out their lives in peace.

Through the wooden slats in the truck Harry laid eyes on a whiteish/gray horse crammed into the side of the truck. The animal seemed unaffected by the chaos around him. The noise itself was unnerving, iron shoes kicking the side of the horse trailer and slamming on the floor.

I guess the bond between Harry and the big white began when their eyes met through the slats in the old truck. Harry talked the driver into backing the animal out of the truck so he could get a better look at him. The horse was a male, a gelding, and probably seven- or eight- years old. Open sores, overgrown and cracked hooves, a grungy, mud-crusted coat, and a stained and matted mane, conspired to made him look – well let’s say less than attractive – I mean very less than…. Well, you get the picture! But Harry saw hope in the big boy’s beautiful brown eyes that stared back at him through the slats. (In fact, the animal kept his eyes on Harry throughout the entire time of the negotiations between Harry and the driver!) Hmmm…

Harry paid the driver $80.00 and the horse was his.

When Harry arrived back home on Hollandia Farms his wife and their three children were waiting for him, anxious to meet the newest member of the family. The horse would arrive after the other horses were dropped off at the slaughter house.

It was snowing when the big gelding arrived at his new home. He cautiously edged down the trailer ramp and nothing he saw, or heard, or smelled was familiar. Except, of course for Harry. The snow had laid a dusting of itself on the horse’s head and back. One of the children said the animal looked like a snowman. The other youngsters agreed. Hence, his new name: Snowman.

Finally it was time to introduce Snowman (or Snowy as he was sometimes called) to his new home. The stall was packed with clean hay and Snowman would be well cared for here. After a thorough cleaning and training he would become part of Harry’s team at the prestigious girls’ school. As he left the stable and headed for his house and family for the night, Harry was satisfied with his choice of Snowman. Like I said, Harry de Leyer knew horses.

Well… there was one thing Harry didn’t know about his new horse that night:

the “Snowman” was a Champion!

A world-class Jumper. He and his trainer/rider, Harry de Leyer would compete with some of the best thoroughbred horses in the country. I won’t say more about Snowman and his career right now, but think National Horse Show 1958 – Madison Square Garden – Diamond Jubilee – Triple Crown – Professional Horseman’s Association Champion –Horse Of the Year – and someday, Snowman’s modest-but-comfortable stall at the modest Hollandia Farms on the north shore of Long Island will be decorated in blue ribbons, lots of blue ribbons!

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And so, dear reader, how does all this relate to you? Because if you are a follower of Jesus Christ, then you too are gifted. I’m not saying this to make you feel better about yourself (whether we feel good about ourselves or not does not change the fact that we are gifted by God.)

Maybe you know what gifts you have, and maybe you don’t. Sometimes it takes someone else to recognize ways in which we are gifted (our talents, and qualities). That is one of the responsibilities we have toward one another (including the children under our roof.) We need to bring out the best in each other. We have the power to encourage, and our love and words can bring to life a spark that lies dormant in a brother or sister. The gifts the Lord gives us are not given for our personal pleasure only, but are powerful tools with which to build the Body of Christ.

Discover and acknowledge your gifts and step out and use them. Our time on Planet Earth is short. Maybe your gift is “giving”. Then ”give” it all you’ve got! Be creative! Who knows, maybe you are a champion.

-Buy an extra Big Mac and offer it to the homeless man

sitting on the city bench outside the store.

-How about a cup of coffee or a cold drink to go with it.

-Visit your neighbor just admitted to the hospital.

-Pick up a few baby clothes for the infant next door.

-Forgive those who have trespassed against you.

“As each of you has received a gift (a particular spiritual talent,

a gracious divine endowment), employ it for one another as

[benefits] good trustees of God’s many-sided grace – faithful

stewards of the extremely diverse [powers and gifts granted to

Chistians by] unmerited favor. (1 Pet. 4:10 TAB)

Walking this Way with you,

Connie

Note: You can read the story of Harry and Snowman in the book titled

THE EIGHTY-DOLLAR CHAMPION Snowman, The Horse That

Inspired a Nation by Elizabeth Letts, Published by Ballantine Books,

Festivities in Haiti

Pastor Coty Writes:

In Haiti, every town has a specific date on which it celebrates its festival—and often, these celebrations resemble Vodou practices more than anything else. While the Catholic Church always holds a mass to mark the occasion, most of the events that follow are deeply tied to Vodou traditions.

This blend happens because each town is dedicated to a patron saint, celebrated on its designated feast day. What complicates matters is that, within Catholicism, these figures are called saints, yet in Haitian Vodou, each one is associated with a spiritual entity known as a loa. So, whenever a saint is honored, the corresponding Vodou spirit is honored too, creating a fusion of belief systems.

For example:

June 24 is the feast day for Trou-du-Nord
July 7 is for Caracol These are just two among many.
Our Village Cahess, is located between these 2 towns

Weeks before the festival in Trou-du-Nord, people begin arriving from everywhere. Some come to claim a spot to sell goods, since the town becomes extremely crowded. Others, including members of the diaspora, return home just for the festivities.

Popular items sold during these festivals:

Soft drinks
Alcohol
Candles (used in Vodou ceremonies)
Fried food (fritay)
Charcoal
Rice and cooking oil
Gasoline
Water and especially…items linked to Vodou rituals, though not all names are known.

During this time, money circulates more freely—especially in transportation. Motorcycle taxis, which are incredibly popular across Haiti, see a surge in demand as people travel back and forth.

These festivals are a clear example of religious syncretism—the mixing of Catholic and Vodou elements. While the Catholic priest and congregation hold mass inside the church, Vodou priests (houngan) and their followers are outside, lighting candles and performing rituals directly in front of the church. As the priest speaks of Saint John inside, outside the Vodou practitioner is invoking Ogou Feray.

Sadly, many people walk straight from church into Vodou ceremonies. This is why these celebrations, while significant culturally, are not Christian in nature. We consistently discourage Christian participation in any part of these rituals.

It’s one more reason to keep Haiti in your prayers. Many still walk in spiritual darkness.

Haiti: Insecurity and Hardship

Pastor Coty Writes:

Speaking about insecurity in Haiti is something that scares many people, but we’re not bringing it up to frighten anyone—it’s because it’s a harsh reality.

All these problems started in the capital, Port-au-Prince, where many neighborhoods are still controlled by gangs. Gradually, this gang situation has begun spreading to other nearby cities like Gonaïves and more. Those of us in the northern part of the country pray constantly that this gang crisis does not reach our area. But sadly, what we feared seems to be happening.

Several months ago, gangs took over a town in the Central Department of the country and disrupted transportation in that zone, which had connected Cap-Haïtien to Port-au-Prince. People fled from that area, and many came to Cap-Haïtien—but now they’ve spread across the entire Northern Department.

The biggest problem in all this is that when people arrive like this, we can’t tell who is good or who might be dangerous. Everyone claims to be fleeing gangs, but some of these people could actually be gang members themselves.

Our area, called Cahess, is facing two groups of unfamiliar people:

Those who say they’re fleeing gangs from other departments
Those deported from the Dominican Republic and sent back to Haiti

These people are searching for everything. Some have nowhere to stay; others found temporary shelter but no work—which means they can’t eat. Every Sunday, I meet many of these people after church service. They are among those seeking help.

This situation is deeply serious.

Pastor Coty Joseph

The Saturday Sunday School

Pastor Coty Writes:

Ever since vacation started, we’ve noticed that more children are coming to class every Saturday. That usually only happens in December, when the holiday season approaches and activities for children pick up. But to our great surprise, class attendance has increased significantly. My wife, who teaches the children, mentioned to me that she sees many new faces showing up Saturday after Saturday. She even wondered if there had been some announcement she wasn’t aware of.

Last Saturday, while waiting for my wife after class to go to the Sunday school teachers’ meeting—we hold this meeting every Saturday after the children’s class—I took a moment to speak with a few kids who don’t usually attend. I asked them what made them interested in coming lately. One older child told me it’s because the lessons are interesting. Another said it’s the way Miss Nana teaches. Another explained that she hadn’t had sandals before, but now she does, so she can come.

While I was talking to them, one of the older kids who always comes to class was listening. When the others left, he approached me and said, “Pastor, they didn’t tell you the real reason they’re coming.” I asked him, “So what’s the real reason?” He replied, “It’s the cookies—they’re excited about the snacks.” I asked him how he knew, and he said it’s not just them, several other children have said so too. I said, “But we’ve always had snacks, so why didn’t they come before?” He answered, “Because they used to get food at school every day. Now that school’s out, they don’t get daily meals anymore, so the cookies have become much more important.” Another child added, “Especially now that mango season is over, Pastor—hunger is no joke.” They laughed and walked away.

Children think about everything. Even if they don’t always perform well in school, they reflect on life just like adults do. Teaching children is the most beautiful way to guide them. They already know all the Bible stories by heart.

Thanks to my wife for the incredible work she’s doing with the children, and a thousand thanks to all of you who help keep this class going strong. God sees and remembers your beautiful actions.

Pastor Coty Joseph

Food for the Needy

Pastor Coty Writes:

Hello, today I want to talk to you about Noulka Jean-Baptiste. Noulka told me she’s 20 years old, but to be honest, I don’t believe it—even though she’s a student. She looks more like she’s 14 or 15. She’s in 7th grade, but she repeated the year, and it seems she might have to repeat again. She doesn’t seem to understand much in class, even though she still shows up. Noulka gives the impression of being lost; she doesn’t speak loudly, and it takes several tries to hear what she’s saying when you talk to her. I always wonder what might be going on with her.

The food was almost distributed when I arrived and saw that Noulka had come to collect it for her home. I asked where her mother was, and she told me, “She’s not there.” I assumed she’d just stepped out to handle something, the way any parent would. But when I pressed her and asked if it was her mother who told her to come get the food, she said no—her mother hadn’t been there for days. That’s when I insisted on knowing more, and Noulka told me her mom had gone to the Dominican Republic to join her husband, who’s also Noulka’s stepfather.

She really seems like a lost soul—shy to the point of silence—a young girl who should be under a parent’s supervision, yet she’s the one responsible for the household. It’s a home with five younger siblings and their grandmother, who is blind. So, as the eldest, Noulka has to take on all the responsibilities. Her mother has abandoned her parental duties—she made her way through the bushes to reach her husband in the Dominican Republic, hoping that if she avoids getting caught by Dominican border patrol and deported back, she can earn some money before school reopens and return to take care of the children’s education.

Noulka’s family needs more than just food. We help with the food, but since her mother already knew that Noulka would get this assistance, even if she wasn’t around, she left, abandoning her family.

But in a moment where safety is scarce, it’s not a good decision to leave such a young girl in charge of a household—she should be under parental care. We thank God there have been no cases of sexual assault in Cahess; otherwise, Noulka would have been a prime target for troublemakers. Still, we keep her in our prayers.

So, I’ve come to understand why she struggles so much in school—she’s carrying a heavy burden at home. With all the responsibilities thrust upon her, she doesn’t truly have time to study.

Pastor Coty Joseph

A message from Ken Johansson, CHM Administrator

Dear Family and Friends of Coastal Haiti Mission (CHM), I am reflecting on the incredible ministry that we together, create every single month of the year. As conditions decline in Haiti, our responsibility and our opportunity increases.

I list below, an abbreviated summary of what we do together:

School Payroll

In order to keep the school, directed by Pastor Coty, to continue to operate, CHM has accepted the responsibility of providing the payroll for the schoolteachers.

Food for the Needy Program

As conditions have continued to decline, causing food prices to escalate, while at the same time, the number of families and elderly people without support has increased, and continues to increase, CHM has increased its support to the Food for the Needy Program.

The School Lunch Program

When school is in session, the School Lunch Program provides lunch each school day, for over 300+ students, plus the schoolteachers. For the past academic year of 38 weeks, from October to June, you have provided approximately fifty-nine thousand, eight hundred and fifty meals.

The Saturday Sunday School

Each Saturday, snacks of various kinds are provided to the Saturday Sunday School. These simple food items provide a significant incentive for the children to attend this spiritual and character building, meeting.

The Drought Resistant Garden

Finally, we are training individuals and families on how to grow various kinds of food in a very difficult gardening environment using the Drought Resistant Garden Program.

Conclusion:

When school is in session, you provide through CHM, more than $4000 each month.

My intention is to impress on you with the above summary, the major impact that we together have made, and continue to make, in the lives of the people of Cahess Haiti.

On behalf of the Board of Coastal Haiti Mission, I wish to thank you for your financial investment, which makes the above listed programs successful.

On behalf of the people in the Village of Cahess, I humbly ask for your continued participation in this ministry.

Because the needs are always increasing, we welcome new donors to join with the Family and Friends of CHM, who carry the financial ministry of this mission. If you desire to help, please send your check to the address at the end of this newsletter, or for “on line giving” please use our PayPal service, also at the end of this newsletter

Ken Johansson, CHM Administrator

Note: The Officers and Board Members of CHM are all volunteers and are not paid.

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