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Haiti's Complex History

3/26/2024

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We are often asked why Haiti is in such trouble, so desperately poor, and not like the Dominican Republic. Below are some insights into why Haiti has struggled so much.
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From 1791 to 1804, the enslaved people in Haiti fought and gained their freedom. It is the only successful slave revolution in history, but the cost was great.

  • Defeated, the French intentionally destroyed the economy and infrastructure and killed or took captive critical leaders.
  • During Haiti's crucial period of post-war recovery and development, France surrounded the island with gunboats and threatened to return. To keep their independence, the young nation was required to pay France 150 million francs or suffer the consequences.
  • It took Haiti 122 years to pay the debt. The cost in today's US dollars is estimated at $560 million or close to $115 billion when factoring in the investments that could have been made in Haiti.
  • France used their influence and leverage to keep other nations from recognizing Haiti or doing business with them. Even Thomas Jefferson, fearing further slave revolts, pursued international isolation of Haiti.
  • Once the wealthiest colony in the Americas, Haiti is now the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere due to foreign interventions, debt, political instability, and devastating natural disasters.
  • The US occupied Haiti for 19 years in the early 20th century and continued to control Haiti's public finances until 1947. 40% of Haiti's national income was used to repay its debt to the US and France.
  • The earthquake in 2010 was one of the worst natural disasters in history. Approximately 300,000 lost their lives, and all government buildings and most records were destroyed.
  • The nation's military, disbanded under Haitian President Aristide in 1995, left Haiti with an inability to defend itself. The Haitian Police are underarmed and undertrained, requiring Haiti to rely on foreign forces for protection.
  • Most of the "billions" of dollars sent to Haiti have been used to pay for on-the-ground troops from the United Nations, the United States, and high-level NGO leadership. Most funds never reach Haitians.

​None of this has happened to the Dominican Republic or any other nation.
Our brothers and sisters are suffering greatly. Haiti has experienced great harm, and it is only through the healing power of Jesus that this land will be saved. Thank you for your faithful prayers and support.
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​Christoper Columbus called Haiti the "Pearl of the Caribbean"

Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.
Matthew 25:45
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GREAT NEWS!

10/14/2023

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Junior is free! Junior est libre! Junior libere!

Thank you for praying! Our HTC staff member, Junior, has been released.

I cannot help but celebrate God's promises in Psalm 18. Part of this Psalm is paraphrased below:
The Lord is our rock, our fortress, and our deliverer; God is our rock, in whom we take refuge.

We called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and Junior was saved from his enemies. From his temple, God heard our prayers; they came before him, into his ears. The earth trembled and quaked, and the foundations of the mountains shook.

The Lord thundered from heaven, and the voice of the Most High resounded. He reached down from on high and took hold of Junior. He rescued him from powerful enemies, from foes who were too strong for him.
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The Lord was Junior's support. He brought him out into a spacious place; he rescued Junior because he delighted in him.

Thank you, Haiti Teen Challenge family, for praying. Our God is faithful and good.

Vicki Jefferis 
​HTC Board Chair
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AN UPDATE FROM OUR BOARD CHAIR

10/8/2023

 
Dear Friends,

Many of you are reading on social media and in the Miami Herald about an attempted kidnapping of Pastor Julio this morning. 
Pastor Julio is safe.

This past week has been a week of focused prayer for Haiti at Haiti Teen Challenge (HTC) and Rendezvous-Christ Church (RVC). God heard the prayers of His people. Though ruthless people tried to do evil, God protected Julio.

Details are still being confirmed, but a very detailed kidnapping plot unfolded early this morning during the first service at RVC. The HTC/RVC security team’s attention was drawn to several individuals entering the church. One sat behind Pastor Julio. When security realized this individual had a gun, security escorted him towards the exit, where he acknowledged that a plan to attack and capture Pastor Julio was underway. Pastor Julio was immediately taken to a secure location.

​The attackers (gang members), dressed as a Police SWAT team with large guns, entered the church, forced the members to lie down, robbed people in attendance, cut off the livestream of RVC, and stole equipment.

Julio had this to say, “It was a terrible experience, but God is faithful and what Satan meant for evil, God will use for good. Our staff are all safe except for one HTC staff member who was taken hostage. Please pray for his safety and return and for his family."

​Today was a day of worship. The prayer passage focused on Psalm 86:9-10, “All nations you have made will come and worship you, Lord; they will bring glory to your name. For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God." As Psalm 86 continues, it says, “For great is your love towards me; you have delivered me from depths, from the realm of the dead. Arrogant foes are attacking me, O God; ruthless people are trying to kill me – they have no regard for you. But you, Lord are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. Turn to me and have mercy on me; show your strength on behalf of your servant; save me because I serve you. Give a sign of your goodness, that my enemies may see it and be put to shame, for you Lord, have helped me."

God is in control. Thank you for your prayers. We will keep you posted.​

Vicki Jefferis​
HTC Board Chair

In the News...

7/27/2022

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Haitian ministries persist amid rising violence

Julio Volcy grew up in Haiti, the son of an absent father who had 18 other children. He traveled to the United States for his university studies, eventually earning a doctorate. He could have stayed in the U.S., but after losing a friend to gang violence here and seeing similar suffering in Haiti, Volcy felt called to travel back to his home country to work with ministries there.

And the work of HTC is revealing that Haiti is developing the capacity to change itself for the better...
​Dr. Julio Volcy
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Congratulations to our June 2022 Graduates | BON TRAVAY !

6/13/2022

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Picture"QUARA" (Women's Center 6th Cohort)
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"OPTIMIST" (Men's Center 19th Cohort)
WATCH GRADUATION

June 4, 2022

CLICK HERE TO ​LEAVE A NOTE OF ENCOURAGEMENT OR A PRAYER FOR OUR GRADUATES!
Transformation is defined in the dictionary as "an act, process, or instance of transforming or being transformed." One of its synonyms is "metamorphosis" which is defined as "a striking alteration in appearance, character, or circumstances."

Both words describe our most recent 29 graduates. On June 4th, 2022, the world witnessed the expression of true change and metamorphosis. 14 young ladies and 15 young men stood proud as they testified of God’s transformative grace in their lives.

Through this program, God showed them a new way. Instead of a life of gangs, drugs, alcohol, trafficking, and violence, they now have a new identity in Christ, plans for a future they never dreamed possible, and a commitment to serve others.

It is not an easy feat for these young men and women to stand before strangers and estranged family members and share their deepest, darkest experiences. The fear of being judged is real, but the knowledge that they are seen, known and loved—new creations in Christ—brings hope and healing. He who has begun a good work in each of them is still working, and will continue until that work is complete.

Their future is a bright and full of hope. As these graduates go forward, they do so as leaders in their communities, their families, and ultimately, in their nation—one that desperately needs them. 

Annie Herr
Haitian Development Director

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April 07th, 2021

4/7/2021

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Ten Year Anniversary  


The 10th anniversary of Haiti Teen Challenge and Rendezvous’ 5th anniversary weekend is easily described as Holy Spirit led. The collaborative servant spirit of not only the staff and church leadership, but also the gratefulness exuded from HTC grads crowned the event. The Haitians gave God the glory in humbling ways.
 
Over 150 graduates participated in a block party/expo after RVC’s service on Sunday. They showed off their life-skills in furniture making, handmade soap, painting, some very delicious Haitian fried food, jewelry, and coupons for car engine work. I asked Edner about what he saw as outcomes: a) For many of the grads, it is a great introduction back into the community, b) the graduates are adding value as they re-enter their neighborhoods, c) helps boost self-esteem of the graduates and show them their worth, d) the event was a beacon of hope for the community during a time of deep national insecurities, e) and finally, it was great exposure for the restoring methods of HTC. They presented the need: there is a 2 year waiting list for entry into the Teen Challenge program. Their heart is to expand.
 
Pastor Julio is building a leadership team at Rendezvous. Three pastors were ordained on Sunday along with 37 baptisms to help the work. The service was joyful and celebrated God’s faithfulness. During a time when many churches have diminished or even closed their doors, RVC is standing as a hub for a larger network of churches. They are leading the way in Haiti for Christ and it’s evident to the people of Haiti. Julio was interviewed by several major TV and radio stations. 

George Kenworthy, Chief Development Officer 
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August 05th, 2020

8/5/2020

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As we tune into the daily news, there seems to be a growing number of giants appearing. In 1 Samuel 17 the Bible tells us that as the Israelites battled their enemy every day, the giant Goliath would stir up fear. His size, his threats, and the possibility of losing everything they loved terrified them. 

But with one small stone Goliath was brought down. David knew where victory would come from and he proclaimed, “I come against you in the name of the Almighty God!”  

As we pray and fast together with our brothers and sisters in Haiti today, let our prayers be stones against anxiety, fear, sickness, violence and disorder.  Let us pray against darkness and for the power of the gospel to transform the lives of those that are broken and without hope.

Please also join us in praying for:
  • Continued health and safety of our students and staff 
  • Wisdom as we fully reopen Haiti Teen Challenge and meet with young men and women who desire to be in our next class. Pray for God’s discernment and wisdom in choosing.
  • Reopening of Rendezvous Christ Church
  • Vocational training for our students whose schooling has been impacted by the quarantine 
  • Wisdom among the Christian leaders in Haiti as they deal with the recent changes in the Haitian code of laws concerning marriage.


Philippians 4:4-7 says,

“Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again; REJOICE! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The LORD IS NEAR. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace that passes all understanding will keep your hearts and minds in Christ.”

Blessings, Vicki Jefferis
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October 01st, 2020

2/5/2020

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Pastor of growing church in Haiti seeks to change lives | New Pittsburgh Courier

by Ervin Dyer, For New Pittsburgh Courier (This reporting was supported by a grant from the Pulitzer Center.) PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti-It's Monday afternoon and Beddick Vartan sits in a prayer circle in Rendez-Vous Christ Church, in Delmas 75, a community in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. He's with 13 other young men, they are all participants in Haiti Teen ...

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October 01st, 2020

12/1/2019

1 Comment

 

A Native Son's Return Home After the Earthquake to Heal Haiti's Youth

So, in 2016, Julio Volcy, a charismatic young minister with a sonorous voice, created Rendez-Vous. He called it a church by believers for non-believers. "I wanted to take the passion of the young people and use it," Volcy said. "I told them we love God and we love the people.

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Contact

Mailing address:
740 East 24th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55404
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Haiti Teen Challenge is both a Haitian registered Foundation and a US 501(c)3 organization.
For Florida Residents: a copy of the Official Registration and Financial Information may be obtained from the division of Consumer Services by calling toll-free 800.435.7352.
​Registration does not imply endorsement, approval or recommendation by the State.
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Click HERE to access the French website for Haiti Teen Challenge
Cliquez ICI pour accéder au site français Défi Jeunesse d'Haïti
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  • Get Involved
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