Greetings in the love of our Good Heavenly Father. I trust that you are
doing well both spiritually and physically. I was encouraged by the familiar
verse in Mt 6.32 that reminded me how my heavenly Father knows that I have basic needs.
Therefore I dont have to be anxious, neither should I seek to fulfill these needs the way the pagans do it. This is a wonderful assurance for believers everywhere; yet it is a disturbing affirmation for Christians
living in a country like ours that has been undergoing a harsh political and economic reality.
January 1st 2004
will be the bicentennial of Haitis independence. Unfortunately, looking at the
physical aspect of the nation, there is not much to celebrate. Roads are in disrepair and thrash piles are seen in many places. The population has not been able to enjoy security, justice, peace and stability. Observers deplore the corruption, violence and impunity at all levels. Witchcraft is on the rise. Education and health services in
general have been disrupted. Two ladies have been brutally murdered in our neighborhood
the last 2 weeks. This is not the environment one would choose to raise a family. Many of our friends and colleagues have left the country. Yet we believe the Lord has still a work for us to do here.
On January 1st 2003, the population of Haiti woke up a lot poorer. Overnight the price of fuel basically doubled, whether unleaded gas and diesel for transportation, or kerosene
for cooking and lighting. The exchange value of the national currency in the
mean time took a dive. The average consumer therefore had to pay more for the
same goods while their prices were steadily increasing in the stores. For instance,
in July 2002, we needed 27 Haitian Gourdes for US$1. Toward the end of January
2003, we needed 51 Gourdes for US$1.
I know these figures well because during that same time period our seminary appointed me to lead a fundraising effort
to garner US$15000 from the Haitian community in order to win a matching grant of $45000 from an American foundation. We had until May 2003 to raise that sum. It
was the first time that the seminary was approaching its national constituency for that much money. By the grace of God, the goal was reached by the end of January!
The seminary has a new challenge this year to raise $25000. I am again
designated to lead this effort. We are learning how to best maintain and deepen
the relationship with the friends who are expressing their approval of the ministry of STEP.
We continue to be a leading theological institution training Christian leaders for the Haitian churches in urban and
rural areas, as well as among the Haitians living abroad.
On October 6th I traveled with Dr. D. Joseph, the president of STEP, for two weeks of seminars on Bible
doctrines for Haitian lay leaders and pastors in south Florida. STEP seminary launched this program (called
IIFE) some 2 years ago under the leadership of Pastor Jules, an alumnus who is a gifted spiritual teacher and preacher of the gospel. STEP
professors travel for 2 weeks of teaching at two training centers every quarter. The
impact on the participants and the Haitian churches is beyond our expectations.
We will hold a first graduation on December 13th. A practical
unity is being developed among leaders in these areas, and we did not have time to respond to all the invitations to minister
in the churches. One of the keys of this success is the integrity and effectiveness
of our facultys leadership. I bless the Lord for this heritage and the opportunity
to be part of this work.
Another facet of my serving in Haiti is my role with our national fellowship of churches, the UEBH. This is my second term as vice president of the mission. We
have engaged in a process of strategic planning that is proving to be very helpful for the future of the organization that
is now 75 years old. We completed our second summer of the pastoral leaders Bible
institute. I had the opportunity to teach over 50 men who are studying to better
serve the rural and remote churches of the Northwest of Haiti. I also became
better informed of the situation of Christian schools in these remote places. They
are a strategic opportunities to reach children for the Lord. They also retain
the teachers as leaders for the church and Sunday school. Many of the schools
need to upgrade the quality of their teaching and management. But first they
need to just survive. Gifts of $30 a month for each of the 4 or 5 teachers would
keep the hope of Christian education alive in each of these areas. Without outside
help they will fold.
Dominique and I are grateful for the progress our own children are making. Melissa
turned 9 last August and is beginning to sense that she is growing to be a teenager.
She is among the top of her class. Didier will turn 7 in November. Both show talent for music. They love Bible stories and enjoy our times of family
devotion. Dominique looks back with satisfaction at the new group of 15 CEF-trained
Sunday School teachers that she helped teach with 2 other CEF-Haiti workers. It
took them almost 3 months to complete the Child Evangelism Fellowship course, but now the students have completed the practical
assignments and are looking forward to receiving their certificate.
To continue in this ministry we have our needs that we present to the Lord and ask our partners to pray with us.
My confidence is that my heavenly father knows about this need of our family and those of your own, too. May He provide for all your needs according to His riches. Thank
you for partnering with us. Grace and peace to you.
Edner & Dominique
