| Recently, Joel reflected on the past 45 years of ministry with Christian World Outreach (CWO) in Haiti. He was led to think about the Great Commission found in Matthew 28:18-20 and the instructions given by Paul through the rhetorical questions he asks in Romans 10:14. In Mathew 28:18-20, Jesus sent his disciples to all nations to make disciples based on his universal authority. In Romans 10:14, the apostle Paul stresses the necessity of proclaiming the Gospel world-wide so that men and women may hear it, believe it, and be saved. One of the questions Paul asks is, “How can they preach unless they are sent?” Joel noted that his part of the verse refers to you as you faithfully support the ministry of CWO in Haiti through your prayers and finances. The ministry is inextricably linked to a minister or to those who serve. So, we are wanting to share our story with you as a reminder how God has led us to this point in ministry. |
| My name is Joel and I am the youngest of 12 children from a rustic farming and unlearned Christian family. Six of my siblings died at a very early age. I accepted the Lord at the age of 14, but I grew up in a Christian family. My older siblings and I moved from Lajeune to Hinche which are far away from the capital city of Port-au-Prince. Hinche is a four to five hour walk from LaJeune. I went to Hinche at the age of 13 to complete middle school and attend high school. Barefooted and with an empty belly for days, I used to go to school. My usual meal was chewing on a piece of sugar cane which was often available. Things were so hard that my older siblings gave up and did not even complete middle school. Because my parents were unable to buy my schoolbooks, I made myself a multiple subject notebook with any materials I could find to copy my class notes and the lessons I had to study. On weekends, I would walk home to be with my parents and glean what I would need for the next week. While arriving home late in the evening, I would hear my parents, especially my mother, pleading with the Lord saying, “Lord please hold his hand and cause him to pass his exams. Let him become a servant of yours, a pastor.” The Lord answered the first part of that prayer. Unbelievable but true, I completed high school. In 1974 I became a teacher and was nominated to be the Dean of Students at a neighboring high school in Mirebalais. Although I had employment and was able to take care of myself, my mother was disappointed and went back to the Lord in prayer with the second part of the request saying, “Lord this is not what I have been praying for. Let him become a pastor.” In the meantime, I met Marie in November 1975 and felt greatly attracted to her. I declared my love for her by saying, “Marie Andree, I love you with an unconditional love. Go, talk to your parents and let me know what you think about that.” After many weeks, I received the confirmation of her love for me. In February 1976, the Lord opened a door for me go to Theological Seminary in Kingston, Jamaica. I told the Lord if this is what you want me to do, cause Marie to accept the idea of me going to seminary for four years and cause us to remain faithful to each other. She accepted both propositions, and I left for Jamaica in July 1976 for my four years of study there. I graduated in June 1980 and returned to Haiti the next month. Marie and I were married on January 24, 1981. The Lord blessed our marriage with the birth of three daughters Mirjo De Fabbine, Mirhioll Sue and Yielleen Marie Joelle. All three girls accompanied us to ministry camps and evangelistic crusades at a very early age.I started ministry in Haiti with CWO on September 1, 1980. The ministry included preaching, evangelistic crusades, spiritual counseling for young people, radio broadcasts, leadership training, teaching at a seminary and more. The CWO Great Discovery camps were an evangelistic camp where non-Christians are invited to be under the influence of the proclamation of the Gospel for five consecutive days. The result of each Great Discovery was always between 35% to 55% in terms of new converts. |
| The foregoing ministry list were added the Feminine Training Center (FTC) which Marie started with supplies she got from our modest home, mentorship and planting Grace Evangelical Church in Port-au-Prince which meets at the CWO headquarters in Port-au-Prince. The ministry has grown to be what it is today with two Chil-dren’s Feeding Programs in Port-au-Prince, and LaJeune and two more FTCs, in Mirebalais and LaJeune. The FTC has trained and graduated to date over 6,000 ladies. CWO also has provided leadership training to over 100 leaders of eight churches through the annual Leadership Conference. |
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