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May - June 2000 The Sabbath Sentinel
Children's Foundation of Haiti
by Brother Joseph Marcel
The Almighty God started to set the itinerary in New
York while I met with Sister Reid and Carolyn on
September 1990. This work comes directly from
God. Without fearing the terrible events which happened
in Haiti, Sisters Reid and Carolyn Hammond have chosen
to go to Haiti. They went under the almighty wings of
the Living God.
Their visit during August 1995 opened a way of blessings
for many. Sister Reid kept her word. I remember when I
first met her, she said: "I have many things at home
that I can give you."
As it happened, I could not go to her home to secure
these things --- so, she promised to ship them to
me. (That happened exactly as she promised.) A few days
before Sisters Reid and Carolyn came to Haiti, I
received the first barrels. They were filled with a
variety of useful items.
Carolyn cried when she saw the children for the first
time. The conditions were very bad: there were neither
beds, food, dining room, school, nor even a
kitchen. Yet, Reid and Carolyn did their best at that
time to give what they could to the children.
In spite of the bad conditions of that place, they were
not ashamed to hold the first Sabbath service. They sat
on my bed, in a room where many people had gathered to
hear the two whom God had sent. ... Later on, Sister
Reid returned to Haiti with my beloved pastor, Reuben
Johnson and Sister Gibson.
The presence of Pastor Johnson was the beginning of the
blessings. From time to time these missionaries tried to
"fix the Foundation" by providing bed mattresses, three
meals a day, refrigerator, vehicle, school, room and
other things. It was slowly, step by step, that I began
to understand what it meant to be Sabbath Keeper-as I
began to understand their message, and see their
example.
I did my best to explain to several pastors the message
that these missionaries brought to Haiti. Some of them
understood me: this is the reason why we have several
communities of The Church of God, 7th Day in
many places in Haiti today. Congregations include
Hinche, Petit-Goave, Thomonde, Miragaone, Pignon,
Marchand, Dessalinnes, Cap-Haitien, Thiotte, Sarthe,
Saint-Marc, and Aux Cayes.
Today the Beulah Church Of God 7th Day is in
the process of obtaining property in Haiti. In spite of
the bad conditions in some of these areas, Sister Reid,
Pastor Johnson and Sister Gibson are not afraid to
visit. And, from time to time, we receive barrels ---
more love offerings.
The Foundation doesn't only feed its own children but
other children as well. Even older children and old
people come to eat. We also accept other children
(outside of the Foundation) at our school. The Church
and The Foundation keep working on.
Mother Reid has asked Dr. Sidney Davis to accompany
her on her next trip to Haiti. She has already sent
THE SABBATH SENTINEL to the brethren there. Thank you
all-for your shared blessings.
TSS
May - June 2000 The Sabbath Sentinel
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