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Brothers and
sisters:
The passing of this year 2008 should remind us the finitude,
the brevity and the frailty of our life and should bring in us
the greatest desire to seek the everlasting, wonderful,
glorious life that Jesus-Christ offers to all of us. The Holy
Spirit is still here to guide and comfort those who truly
believe in Jesus-Christ through the midst of all the troubles
of the year to come. He will teach us how to handle our life
from this day forward.
The leaders of nations tell us:We are living in a time of
Depression; on the other hand, our good shepherd, Jesus-Christ
tells us:"I am come that my sheep might have life, and that they
might have it more abundantly"John 10:10, "Let not your heart be
troubled, believe in God, believe in me". John 14:1. So, let us
claim our victory in Jesus-Christ, let us praise him at the
church, at home, at school, at work, all over. Let us praise him
for his wonderful works and all his promises.
We went to Haiti in mission this year. We went to the mountain
tops of Haiti including Cayes, Port-Salut, Chantal, Coteaux
where we worked with Wilride Bonnet and Francisque Bonnet, two
former members of our church who live there now. We also went
to Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti. During our missionary
trip, 120 persons were married. These marriage ceremonies were
performed at our own expenses because the couples could not
afford those expenses themselves. We provided wedding dresses,
rings, shoes, reception...even some money to start the new life
in marriage. This is a blessing for many families and a way to
grow churches and promote communities. Also, 4 children were
dedicated to the Lord. 1200 persons who had no way of seeing a
medical doctor because they have no money to do that, were
treated by our medical team; they also received free medications
from our medical team. In fact, there was a bus accident nearby
in a city called Aquin where many persons died. However, many
others were treated by our medical team. Many people there say
that if we were not there at that time they would have to
register many more deaths. Hundreds of kids and young people
have received gifts from us and many of them told us:This is the
very first time that we have received a gift in our whole life.
We also paid rent and tuition for many and assisted many
seniors who have no more resources. The best part of our
mission in Haiti this year is the registration of 250 converts.
We also thank God that we had the opportunity this year to send
our contributions for missionary work in the States, in Haiti
and in many foreign countries. We do not just send money for
missionary work in the world, we also pray and we are very much
concerned. We are on internet to share the gospel with the whole
world.
We have done some heavy work in our center in Haiti. Here at
Clermont Avenue, 17 babies were presented to the Lord to be
blessed, 19 persons were baptized and 23 others joined the
church as new members; 10 persons were united in marriage and 5
others went to be with the Lord. The Youth of clermont and the
Parents Association together have done a wonderful job through
missionary trips, retreats, prayer walk and so on. The
Christian Community Health Team (CCHT) has helped many, every
month, during the healthfair in May and their trip in Haiti.
The groups, the choirs, the deacons, the leaders have put all
they could, together to serve the Lord through the Ministry of
our church. Hundreds have worshipped with us in the temple The
church of Staten Island just bought a building and now they
worship at 315-317 Pelton Avenue in Staten Island.
Group members, association members, Choir members, Church
members! We thank you all in the name of Jesus-Christ, the true
pastor of this church. Your efforts were not in vain. Let us
continue to work with our mind set on that day when Christ will
come with glory and all the holy angels with Him. That day,
when he shall sit on the throne of his glory and all the
nations shall be gathered before Him. That day! We want Him
to tell us:"Well done, good and faithful servants, enter into
the joy of the Lord".
.
This new year is another new opportunity we have to renounce the
past wrongdoing and make the entire surrender to our Lord
Jesus-Christ to receive his forgiveness, the strength of the
presence of the Holy Spirit in the way of life. It is also the
opportunity we have to set our heart and our mind on the Bible
teaching, on the Lord himself for good times. So, it is our
prayer that the Lord will bless all of you abundantly every day
that is a day of the year 2009. Let us rejoice in the Lord and
give Him praise and glory for what He has done, for the new
year.
In Christ,
Jean-Baptiste Thomas
Pastor
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