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"Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the Lord."
~ Haggai 1:8 KJV
Church prior to the earthquake
Inside of the church prior to the earthquake
Youth choir singing inside the church during service
Structural framing for the planned church. Presently used for worship.
Kalfou-Fèy or Carrefour-Feuilles : How do you say it?
Trick Question! The answer, actually, does not matter. Kalfou-Fèy, or ‘intersection of leaves,’ for most of us, evokes memories that cradled our childhood, shaped our adolescence, prepared our adulthood. For many of us who attended the Wesleyan church, or should we say L’Eglise Wesleyenne d’Haiti - Carrefour-Feuilles, the term brings to mind a community that worshipped together, modeled the love of God, and formed a family that extended beyond familial bonds.
The services of the Church were a contact sport-- quite different from the 1-hour American model! We had Sunday school classes, followed by morning and evening services. Sunday afternoon was dedicated to youth groups and choir rehearsals. Tuesday night was Bible studies. Thursdays brought the dreaded fasts, from which children were spared when school was in session. Wednesdays, Fridays, and even Saturdays were dedicated to various rehearsals, prayers and meetings in preparation for Sunday. Of course, we cannot forget the Christmas eve plays, the December 31 midnight services, the occasional “ fêtes de moisson.” And did we mention the yearly youth conferences, those life-transforming trips to Haiti’s countryside?
Then came that horrific day--January 12, 2010. At 4:53 pm, an earthquake of a 7.0 magnitude, followed by two powerful aftershocks, rocked Port-au-Prince. And Carrefour-Feuilles took a direct hit. School children and adults died. Families disappeared. Businesses were crushed. The walls of the Wesleyan Church cracked.
Ten years later, the rubble have been removed and the reconstruction is underway, but there is much to be done.
At the Wesleyan Church, the church founded by Pastors Gramond Paul and Duchaine Valmyr, life has remained. Pastor Doucet Desronvil and Pastor Erold now lead a congregation of more than 1000 in worship, in a wall-less sanctuary bracketed by a metal frame. They carry on the flame of faith. Every Sunday, they raise their hands in thanksgiving in spite of the surrounding conditions that leave them exposed to the elements.
The time to grieve has passed. We are beyond reminiscing and wishful thinking. It is time to rebuild God’s house. That once beautiful edifice must be restored.
That is why we, who have been materially blessed, have started this Gofundme project: won’t you please help? This initiative will last throughout 2020!
As you know, a church goes beyond its members. It touches the neighborhood, the ‘commune,’ the whole country! Carrefour-Feuilles needs this church. Haiti needs this church. We will make it happen -- with your help.
The need to complete the renovation is estimated at USD 300,000, so trust your heart and give generously.
God bless you and God bless Haiti!
~ Haggai 1:8 KJV
Church prior to the earthquakeInside of the church prior to the earthquakeYouth choir singing inside the church during serviceStructural framing for the planned church. Presently used for worship.Kalfou-Fèy or Carrefour-Feuilles : How do you say it?
Trick Question! The answer, actually, does not matter. Kalfou-Fèy, or ‘intersection of leaves,’ for most of us, evokes memories that cradled our childhood, shaped our adolescence, prepared our adulthood. For many of us who attended the Wesleyan church, or should we say L’Eglise Wesleyenne d’Haiti - Carrefour-Feuilles, the term brings to mind a community that worshipped together, modeled the love of God, and formed a family that extended beyond familial bonds.
The services of the Church were a contact sport-- quite different from the 1-hour American model! We had Sunday school classes, followed by morning and evening services. Sunday afternoon was dedicated to youth groups and choir rehearsals. Tuesday night was Bible studies. Thursdays brought the dreaded fasts, from which children were spared when school was in session. Wednesdays, Fridays, and even Saturdays were dedicated to various rehearsals, prayers and meetings in preparation for Sunday. Of course, we cannot forget the Christmas eve plays, the December 31 midnight services, the occasional “ fêtes de moisson.” And did we mention the yearly youth conferences, those life-transforming trips to Haiti’s countryside?
Then came that horrific day--January 12, 2010. At 4:53 pm, an earthquake of a 7.0 magnitude, followed by two powerful aftershocks, rocked Port-au-Prince. And Carrefour-Feuilles took a direct hit. School children and adults died. Families disappeared. Businesses were crushed. The walls of the Wesleyan Church cracked.
Ten years later, the rubble have been removed and the reconstruction is underway, but there is much to be done.
At the Wesleyan Church, the church founded by Pastors Gramond Paul and Duchaine Valmyr, life has remained. Pastor Doucet Desronvil and Pastor Erold now lead a congregation of more than 1000 in worship, in a wall-less sanctuary bracketed by a metal frame. They carry on the flame of faith. Every Sunday, they raise their hands in thanksgiving in spite of the surrounding conditions that leave them exposed to the elements.
The time to grieve has passed. We are beyond reminiscing and wishful thinking. It is time to rebuild God’s house. That once beautiful edifice must be restored.
That is why we, who have been materially blessed, have started this Gofundme project: won’t you please help? This initiative will last throughout 2020!
As you know, a church goes beyond its members. It touches the neighborhood, the ‘commune,’ the whole country! Carrefour-Feuilles needs this church. Haiti needs this church. We will make it happen -- with your help.
The need to complete the renovation is estimated at USD 300,000, so trust your heart and give generously.
God bless you and God bless Haiti!
