Coastal Haiti Mission
December 2025
-WAITING-
There’s a song being sung by Cece Winans, among others, that has a couple of lines in it that really touch my heart:
“Come Jesus, come
We’ve been waiting so long…”
And we are not the only ones who have been waiting for Someone from on High to come to aid and rescue earth’s fallen race. Balaam prophesied about Jesus thousands of years ago, although he knew not of Whom he was speaking.
“I see Him but NOT NOW:
I shall behold Him , but NOT NIGH:
There shall come a STAR out of Jacob,
and a Scepter out of Israel…”
(Num. 24:17a TAB)
It was indicated that that prophesy would be fulfilled in the “latter days.” And it has been the “latter days” since the Day of Pentecost. Recorded in the Book of Acts in the New Testament, God declares that in the last days He would “pour out His Spirit on all mankind…” (Acts 2:17 TAB) And so He did on the Day of Pentecost. And that was over 2,000 years ago. The Apostle Paul, in a letter to the church in Corinth, referred to himself and the congregants as being in the last days:
“…We in whose days the ages have
reached their climax – their consummation
and concluding period.” (1 Cor.10:11 TAB)
Again, that was written over 2,000 years ago.’
And then one night over Bethlehem the STAR came “out of Jacob” and the SCEPTER “out of Israel.” A night like any other? Not so! The Christ was born! He was here. He lived among us doing good and proclaiming that “…the one who believes in Me, even though he or she dies, will live.” (John 11:25 TAB) ALLELUIA!
At age 33 He actually died for our salvation. Hung on a wooden cross like a criminal. And all He asks of us is, well…US. He wants those who call upon His Name to live with Him and our Heavenly Father forever. Meanwhile, as we wait, He wants our loyalty, our trust, and our faithfulness – as a woman engaged to her future husband. And how do we know He’s coming? Upon what basis do we rely? Prophesy? Teaching? Indoctrination? Well – in part. But how do we KNOW He’s coming? BECAUSE HE SAID SO!
“…Yes it is true. [Surely] I am coming quickly
– swiftly. Speedily. Amen – so let it be.”
— Jesus
(Rev. 22:20b TAB)
Now, as far as the words “quickly,” “Swiftly,” and “speedily” go, the Apostle Peter
has the word on that:
“Never the less do not let this one fact escape you, beloved, that with
the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as
one day. The Lord does not delay and be tardy or slow about what
He promises, according to some people’s conception of slowness, but
He is long-suffering (extra ordinarily) patient toward you, not desiring
that any should perish, but that all should turn to repentance.”
(2 Pet.3;8 &9 TAB)
And so we wait. But not in vain. He will come. Meanwhile, spiritual forces are tearing at the very fabric of our democracy trying to destroy that which made us one of the most blessed nations on earth. One person said it seems that the U.S. has left its mooring.
In addition to an unprecedented rise in crime and disrespect for authority, divorce is rampant here in our country, separating parents, destroying homes in general, and disrupting the lives of thousands of innocent children, many who suffer in silence over the loss of their beloved family the way it once was.
And, surely, our society has changed. Years ago houses were constructed with a large front porch allowing neighbors to “visit” one another on their evening walks.
Today, almost all verandas and patios are built onto the back of the home. I see it as one of the signs of the times. Many folks are lonely and feel isolated.
I once knew a precious elderly woman. She lived alone and invited me to visit her in her home. Even gave me directions. I agreed, but never followed through. Well, eventually, this dear Christian woman passed away, and I regret to this day that I, in my selfishness, spurned an opportunity to do one of those good works predestined by God for us to do along the path of life (Eph. 2:10).
Oh well, there’s always tomorrow – isn’t there? I think? Maybe.
“May God himself, the God who make everything
holy and whole, make you Holy and whole, put
you together — spirit, soul, and body – and keep
you fit for the coming of our Master Jesus Christ.
The One who called you is completely dependable.
IF HE SAID IT, HE’LL DO IT!
(1 Thess. 5:23)
Walking this Way with you,
Connie
Construction of 4 New Classrooms
Pastor Coty Writes:
We had faith that God would do something, despite the difficult situation of the students in the shed we had been using for many years. Not only did it collapse every time school was in session, but even while classes were ongoing, it was a total disorder because the noise alone prevented other classes from functioning properly. In addition, because of the way it was covered, it caused excessive heat. During hot periods, every midday we had to send the students out to cool themselves off.
Today, when we look at the scale of the work being accomplished for the students, we give glory to God and we have no words to properly thank the contributors. Today, it is no longer just hope—we now have clear evidence that the problem of these four classrooms will soon be resolved. From the moment I received the email informing me that the funds were on the way, I immediately put my hand to the work that had already begun, just so we could be ready in advance. Today we have come very far, with the hope that we will finish, because the same God who allowed us to begin, and who allowed us to reach where we are now, will help us reach our destination.
We are not only building the four classrooms, but we also added a small office next to them. The classrooms each measure 5 meters (16 ½ ft} by 5 meters (16 ½ ft), and the small office measures 5 meters (16 ½ ft by 2 meters (6 ½ ft). We used concrete as the roofing, with the hope that one day we will add more classrooms on the second floor. We are looking forward to completely moving the classrooms out of the church building.
Every time I look at this project, I am filled with joy and I say, “This is what God can do.” To everyone who contributed, I want you to know that there is a 100% guarantee that the money you gave is being used exactly for its intended purpose.
We followed all the advice given. Even if some things may not look perfect in the photos, the construction is solid. We used a lot of steel reinforcement throughout all the walls with several steel bars rising from the foundation.
Thank you very, very much for your investment in our children and in us, the people in the Village of Cahess, Haiti
Pastor Coty Joseph
The Construction Fund for the Four New Classrooms is complete.
We have met and exceeded our goal.
Thank you to our very generous donors!!!!!
The Project Goal is $20,000
To date the construction fund raised through CHM is: $19,387
The initial gift is: $ 5,000
The total giving to date, for the classroom construction is: $24,387
We have met and exceeded our goal.
Thank you to our very generous donors!!!!!
As stated in our appeal for this project, funds exceeding our project goal, will be used to benefit the school.
The Solidarity Garden Program
A Message From Project Leader, Kathy Kangas
An update of the Solidarity Gardeners is long overdue. My apologies for the delay. I was so hopeful that I could give a positive report and detail new progress. However, there have been significant struggles with communication. Our new leadership has been just as lax as the previous and no amount of instruction from Pastor Coty or myself has been able to change this.
It is never easy work in another country with cultural norms that are different, a language that is not your own and technology that is not always dependable. For this reason we, Pastor Coty, Ken and I, have tried to be very patient in working with the new leaders. Sadly, it has become apparent that we will need to once again find others to do this work. The decision has been made to look for two women to fill this role.
On a positive note, I want to share with you the eagerness of the gardeners for this group. I had the opportunity to teach at a couple of the Solidarity Gardener’s meetings. I prepare and send the lesson in Creole. The group leaders just need to read the lesson. I was able to get feedback and address some of their questions in the following meeting. They had many questions and responded that the information I gave them was helpful.
The potential good from this program is unlimited. Communication is the absolute key. It is the maker and breaker of this program. Please pray that we will find leaders that will be willing to be in daily contact with me. Leaders that will see this work as ministry and value all that it has to offer. When we find our new leadership, I am ready to hit the ground running.
The effort we are putting forth towards the Solidarity Gardeners is not in vain. This program has the potential to change everything, not just for these gardeners, but for the village of Cahess, as well.
Thank you for your prayers. Don’t be discouraged by our slow beginning. Father is building something unique and special.
Kathy Kangas, Project Leader
An Explanation by Ken Johansson, CHM Administrator
The following report details that some important instruction did occur in the previous several months. However, these classes were organized by Pastor Coty, due to the default of the 2 gardeners, who were supposed to do this.
Pastor Coty, who is the official overseer of all CHM programs in the Village of Cahess, stepped in get this project moving. It is our desire that our Heavenly Father will guide us to the right people, who will mesh with Kathy, to make this effort flourish.
Ken Johansson
Pastor Coty Writes:
During our last meeting, the members of the Solidarity Garden began to better understand the goals of this class. The key is, teaching and learning to make a permanent change in the ability to be self-sufficient.
We received lessons from Mrs. Kathy so that we could share them with the gardening groups. The other day, the gardeners learned what compost is and how a person can prepare it at home.
We should point out that many of the gardeners received several fruit-producing trees such as lemons, sweet oranges, and many others. Thus, during a previous meeting, some of them talked about lemon trees that were planted at the same time, but appear very different in height and color. This allowed Mrs. Kathy to send a lesson explaining the reasons that can cause these differences, and she also taught us some things that can be added at the base of the lemon trees to keep them healthy.
In our area, we have reached exactly the planting season for black beans. Therefore, many members of the Solidarity Garden asked whether they could obtain some cans of beans from us to plant in their gardens. We should clarify that the bean gardens people in this area make, are mainly to support their families, so they plant as much as they are able. The harvest will be ready in about three months.
CHM and Mrs. Kathy are making all these efforts to enable people in the area to be able to rely on themselves, rather than waiting for outside help from other people, or organizations. If they know how to productively garden, then their gardens will help them to fight poverty.
In these photos, we show not only some of the gardeners, but also what we call a can of beans. We also show how people prepare their land when they are planting beans. Some people plant a lot of beans to help themselves and their families. The quantity requested was estimated at 35 such cans, but some people plant more; it depends on the amount of land they have and how many beans they can buy.
Pastor Coty Joseph
The School Lunch Program
Pastor Coty Writes:
The school used to run from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., but now on some days it goes from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. because the government added four new subjects. I always arrive at school before everyone else, not only to open the doors but also because I enjoy greeting the students as they come in, along with the parents who bring them. Since most classes start at 8 a.m., it’s right around that time that you see how the students arrive at school. It’s as if they were all tied up in one place and then released at once. Some come from so far away that parents have to put several of them on one motorcycle; others arrive on bicycles, pulling each other along. It’s a beautiful exercise, but also the way they manage to get to school on time.
I enjoy going by the kitchen while the food is being prepared and after it’s finished. Even though the meals are usually served in a few buckets and carried to the classrooms, you’ll always find some students coming to the kitchen asking for scraps. Each student must bring their own container because the school doesn’t have a stock of dishes. That’s why, for many students, even if they forget a book or a notebook, they will never forget the container for their meal.
I also enjoy watching the students play during recess, whether before or after they eat. They invent all kinds of games, without worrying if their uniforms get dirty—that’s their parents’ problem. On their faces you can see life, and that they want to live. By God’s grace, they are living, and thanks to the CHM ministry, their lives are improved.
As I often say, I cannot imagine a school day without food. We are thankful and will always remain grateful to those who support the Coastal Haiti Mission in Haiti, especially those who keep the school lunches coming each school day.
Pastor Coty Joseph
Food for the Needy Program
Pastor Coty Writes.
Christmas has the same meaning and the same value for all Christians, and likewise, for all children it is a time to receive gifts. Even though, personally I (Pastor Coty), did not grow up this way—I never received gifts when I was a child because I grew up in the countryside in a poor family, and I was never given presents. However, for children growing up in the next generation, even in rural areas, they receive gifts, because people have become more aware and there is more assistance reaching the area where they live.
For adults, December 24th, the day before Christmas, is a day to prepare a lot of food so that everyone in the household can eat well. I cannot say where this tradition comes from, but it is how we grew up, especially in rural areas like the village, where we were raised. Some people even kill a chicken on that day. For this reason, whenever December 24th arrives and someone realizes they cannot put a cooking pot on the fire, there is much complaining.
This month, after the assistance we distributed to all the people we usually help, we decided to bring joy to the hearts of some very desperate families, to allow them to celebrate Christmas the way they have always wanted to, and the way that they see others celebrating. A small bag of rice, a gallon of oil, and spaghetti is what we gave to at least 40 of the most desperate families. There were no words to describe the joy on their faces.
We should point out that this is not the only thing we did this month. We continued to help the many families that we usually help, but this time we made an extra gesture toward many people who did not expect help. It was significant to help them not only to celebrate Christmas, but also to sustain them with food in their homes for several days.
Pastor Coty Joseph
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