Dear Coworkers in Christ:
Special greetings in Christ Jesus our Savior and Lord, who has called us to fulfill His Great Commission in this generation, The year 2020 is finally coming to an end, leaving behind immeasurable pain and suffering. More than 16,000,000 people are infected with Covid 19 so far, and about 2,000,000 deaths are reported worldwide. This is a pandemic of alarming proportion, of which we have never heard in our lifetime. Covid 19 is taking a heavy toll on everybody and everywhere under the sun. Claudie and I were personally infected in the very first wave of the pandemic and my wife lost a dear sister, last October to this pandemic Covid 19. More than ever before, people are fearful and rightly so. We do not know what tomorrow will be made of, but at least we know who holds tomorrow. In the midst of it all echoed the Sacred Scriptures, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strength thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” Isaiah 41:10 KJV
Faith is not the total absence of fear, but whenever fear increases faith decreases and vice versa. Instead, we need to present our foes and fears to God, “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known unto God. (Philippians 4:6 KJV)
My heart goes out to all out there who are suffering or are mourning the loss of a dear beloved. The peace and love of God, which surpasses all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus, our Savior and Lord.
As we are on the horizon of the year 2021, Claudie and I, in spite of it all, we dare wish you all our dear friends, our faithful colleagues and lifetime partners, “Happy New Year 2021” As far as we are concerned, we have already made up our mind, whatever the year 2021 brings in our way, we have already chosen to be content and Joyous in Him. All is well with our soul indeed.
Thank you for partnering with GCMO even during this worldwide pandemic. We appreciate your prayers and your support. Again, thank you for being at our back and so faithfully supporting GCMO during these long years. Thanks to you several hundreds of children are attending school this school year 2021. They are learning about our Lord and Savior and they are being served a hot meal every day. Most important all, we are reaching out to the multitudes with the message of the cross through a plethora of churches you have helped to plant in diverse communities. We pray for you often. And our God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things may abound to every good work.
Here in the field, our sovereign Lord is on the throne. All is well, though the social political situation of Haiti is best described as chaos and confusion to say the least: Kidnappings, violence, and bloodshed seem to be the everyday experience for us all. Fear seems to permeate every aspect of life in our country.
The government is bringing about a major change in the PNH or Police Forces. The new general director or commander of the police forces is presently tracking the gangs everywhere and he is very successful in freeing some of the so called “red zones” where gangs used to make the law. But overall, we probably need more time to see lasting results. The situation is certainly very difficult indeed, however there is no place for despair. Meanwhile, the opposition parties are making alliances to demand the resignation of the elected president in favor of a transition government, which in turn will have the sole purpose of preparing the upcoming elections. We have seen this scenario before, nothing is new under the sun. This is somewhat more of the same, while the great majority of our country lives in misery and poverty in the margin of all social life.
In this difficult context of violence and chaos, and confusion, our brothers and sisters are putting their life on the line every day in order to know Him and to make Him known. We hear today in this very context an echo of the voice of the apostle, “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” (Acts 20:24 KJV)
Les Cayes, Fonfrede – We continue to move forward preaching and teaching and spreading the Gospel. We are working hard to plant a new congregation in the community of Mayand. Mayand is a small rural community located on the border of the River Lacul. Most people there make their living by farming. They farm small pieces of land which allow them to meet the needs of their families. They grow yams, banana, corn, millet and vegetables. We went there for the first time September of last year, for a small meeting with local leaders. Following the meeting, the vestige of a foundation where a church was erected more than 11 years ago was donated to GCMO. The local leaders worked hard all those years and have not seen anything happen. They got discouraged and threw in the towel. Brother Kelly took over since then, and has been giving it his all to bring to life what was once dead. It is too early to speak of success but we surely see some encouraging vital signs. A small temporary tent was erected in Mayand and more than 50 people including children coming from everywhere in the surrounding community are gathering there every Sunday. We request your fervent prayer for the development of the congregation of Mayand under the leadership of Brother Elisma Jean Saint Phalorme. Furthermore, the message of the cross continues to touch the hearts of many in Christville. And consequently, the congregation continues to grow slowly but surely. Brother Kelly has reported recently that the congregation has between 200 to 220 people in regular attendance on any given Sunday. More than ever, people are hungry and thirsty for the Word of God in Christville. Last Sunday, an average of twenty young and old came forward to transact with God in response to the altar call. There is really a move of God in the midst of the people of Christville. To Him be all glory and honor forever and ever Amen! Moreover, three people were baptized this year and joined the fellowship of the saints. Three others joined the congregation by affiliation. And, two were united in holy matrimony while two others went to be with the Lord.
In the area of education, a whole lot has been accomplished in Christville: Several hundred of children enjoy the bread of education. We offer a Christ centered education. The bible is being taught and tested for as any other subject in Christville. Our school starts every day with the raising of the flag and the reading of devotions. For the past school year of 2020, we sent 16 students to take the ninth grade official state exam, 15 of them were successful and they will leave the school to further their education elsewhere in Les Cayes. On the other hand, we have 50 students from sixth grade who are moving to seventh grade this year. Thank you to you all, our faithful sponsors who regularly support a child to go to school even during this time of hardship. We present our warmest gratitude to our brothers and sisters of Main Street Christian Church of Rush County who support regularly the Canteen Program for the schools. Some students come far away, cross rivers to come to class hungry. We furnish a hot lunch of rice and beans and have seen a lot of improvement seen in their laughter and their academic achievements.
Delmas #75 – The Congregation is thriving for excellence. After 16 years and the humble beginnings, we begin to see some shape of what was shapeless and void: The balcony is almost complete. The windows were installed and the tile work was done to perfection. Moreover a PA system was recently installed. So much has been invested in order to improve the structures of the building; but there is still a whole lot to do.
Several events were launched to reach out to the community of Delmas and beyond: Two spiritual revivals, one around the theme, “Put Oil in Your Lamp” and the other around, “The End of All Things is Near” Furthermore, a Family conference was geared toward the wellbeing of the families. Then, an evangelistic campaign was held in Jeremie to reach out to the community of Jeremie in the Southwest. Because of their efforts, the results were fantastic: 557 people were reached with the gospel message and from that number 71 people have received Jesus personal Savior and 19 more were restored in their Christian faith. Moreover, Brother Vincent reported having baptized three young men and women in water baptism, four new borne were presented to the Lord, three new couples were united in holy matrimony, and two of our older saints went to be with the Lord.
Carrefour – The Church continues to do well in the middle of the storm of chaos, lawlessness and COVID 19. In a dispute with the church, the local mayor destroyed half of the staircase at the main entrance of the church. The church members now need to go through a little side door to get in the church. In spite of all, the church is still working to full capacity. Nothing will deter them from the goal. They have their eyes upon Him who is the author and the finisher of their faith. Brother Valeus reported that the good news of the Cross continues to reach out to the community of Carrefour reaching one at a time. And people continue to be attracted to the Cross. Consequently five people were won for Christ and added to the church this year. Seven others joined the church this year by affiliation and six new couples were united in marriage.
The parents of Carrefour are so grateful and appreciative to the Organization SCHOOL for their lasting impact they are doing in the community of Carrefour. Already 12 children are now sponsored by organization SCHOOL to attend school. We thank all of the members of SCHOOL for partnering with Carrefour in this labor of love.
Delmas 75 is the largest church in GCMO with a seating capacity capable of serving 1,000 worshippers. Despite the ravages of political unrest and lawlessness, the church at Carrefour is growing.
Finally, we are so thankful and appreciative to you all. We are in this thing together. Be assured of our love and prayers to you all as we look forward to hearing from you
Warmly in Christ
Yvon & Claudie
Field Director
Global Christian Mission Outreach
