Graduation in May 2006

VOL XIII – ISSUE 2 // SUMMER/FALL 2006

GRADUATION IN MAY 2006

Debbie Heneise

This year 86 students graduated from UCNH, topping last year’s record of 69 graduates! I was impressed with the magnitude of the ceremony, the huge number of beautifully dressed people who attended, and the many dignitaries and guests who came from far and wide to be present. I see in the graduates of UCNH the manifestation of God’s restorative and regenerative power in a country that so desperately needs His Grace. We are privileged to be witnesses to God’s amazing power.

I know personally several graduates this year. Ben, who graduated from the College of Business, is the son of Miller, a man who was a trusted driver for us when we worked in Agricultural development for the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society at Quartier Morin in Haiti. Ben will not only have a better life because of the education he has received from UCNH, but he joins a growing cadre of Christians in the business community of Haiti. Ben will bring to his community a commitment to honor God in all areas of his life. This is an example of the “salt” that Jesus speaks of when describing the impact that Christians should have in the world where they live.

Josue, a trusted manager for us at the Agriculture Center in Haiti, also has a son who graduated this year. I felt so proud to see these young men graduating with their peers. There was also a couple graduating. The wife earned a degree in business and wants to start a construction supply store; her husband gained a degree in theology. All these students had scholarship funding thanks to many of you who contributed financially through Haiti Hope Fund.

Let us not grow weary in providing aid for these young students. They need our help more than ever. There seems to be a growing momentum as more students are determined to graduate from UCNH each year, no matter what the difficulties. This is very encouraging, so let’s keep the forward movement!

I plan to attend graduation services every May. I would be delighted to have you visit Haiti with me and see what all the excitement is about. I spent 16 years as a missionary in Haiti, so you would be in good hands. Please pray if the Lord would like you to this mission field.

A NOTE FROM DEBBIE HENEISE

My father died this July and I was devastated. As my family and I planned the funeral service and contemplated what life would be like without his earthly presence, I thought about what I would like to do to honor him and continue his legacy. My dad was a medical doctor and a psychoanalyst and he placed a high value on education. He was always attending continuing medical education classes and often combined family visits with CME classes. I thought it would be appropriate for my family to contribute to the Ivah and Harold Heneise scholarship endowment fund as a way to allow others to attend UCNH and become educated, productive members of society. I urge you to consider contributing to this fund to honor a loved one who has gone to be with the Lord. Perhaps you would consider honoring your loved one by establishing an endowment bequest where the gift you give is permanent and only the interested generated by the gift bequest is used. This way your gift can continue indefinitely. Perhaps you might consider gifting to UCNH in your will or making a gift to celebrate someone’s birthday, wedding, or another special event in a loved one’s life. If you have questions about giving in this way ask your financial counselor for advice. Haiti Hope Fund has a financial counselor who can help with your questions as well.

Please call Debbie Heneise at (904) 284-5320 and she will get you in touch with Steve DuVal of DuVal Fields Financial Services.

MUSIC CAMP 2006

This year’s music camp was a great success! About one hundred people attended the camp. The program is in two sections. The first five days is Leadership Camp, designed for church music leaders. The second part is regular music camp for kids of all ages, lasting two weeks. This year there were two guest teachers from the United States: Louima Lilite and Jim Jensen. Louima had come to music camp as a young boy and is an example of what an impact music camp can have. He developed a love for music that brought him to the United States to continue his study of music. He is currently at the Eastman School of Music in New York completing his Ph.D in vocal pedagogy. Louima completed his undergraduate degree in piano performance from Biola University in California.

Jim Jensen was the other guest teacher this year. Jim’s background includes over 30 years of ministry as a Worship Pastor in Oregon. He has degrees in Violin performance and choral conducting. Laurie Heneise Casseus, daughter of Ivah and Harold Heneise and wife of UCNH president Jules Casseus and originator of music camp, taught piano hymnology and was camp coordinator.

This year there were 18 leaders in the Leadership session. Classes included music theory, conducting, leadership discussions, private and group lessons, aerobics, and evening chapels. The theme of the camp this year was “Let Everything that Has Breath Praise the Lord”. Louima said, “My first American thought was to simply teach them a chorus under the same title that we sing often in North Baptist Church in Rochester. However, the teacher in me prevailed and we decided to ask them to write their own songs in their own language. So Friday evening we learned the first Haitian rendition of that text and I was simply blown away by the level of talent. The writer is a former piano student of Dephanie (my wife) in previous summer camps. His name is Esaie (Isaiah). We congratulated and thanked him profusely.”

This next two weeks of music camp opened July 19 with 80 students. Some campers came with instruments. But many former students did not come this year due to financial difficulties. Louima Lilite said, “Several students wrote to say how heartbroken they were for not being able to afford the camp. The fee seems exorbitant to them but is only $80 US for 12 days of instruction, food, lodging, and materials. Without the scholarship funds we were able to raise, 30 fewer students would have come. It’s just that the poverty in Haiti has risen to such a level that it is hard to describe. In the midst of such misery, we get to bring beauty to the community through our music. I played three classical piano pieces by Debussy and Chopin. Everybody just loved it, and afterward some of the young boys who weren’t students at the camp came to me and said that perhaps they could play the piano like me someday. I told them it was possible.”

Jim wrote, “During the final student-leader concert we enjoyed a beautiful song on soprano recorder (like a flute) and a jazz arrangement on alto saxophone. Many students had prepared pieces on keyboard, and all of them played with joy. Wester, the tall bassist, was quite amazing. He can make a bass guitar sound like a melodic instrument with various accompaniments and special sound effects. Three anthems were performed by the mass choir and were directed by UCNH music majors. Each student directed a different stirring African anthem and rhythm accompaniment and improvised dance. Maestro Lou and I directed the choir also. Hand-chime choir, solo clarinet and several pianists also performed.”

Music camp is offered every summer. Please keep it in your prayers. Eighty dollars is a small sum to pay for the priceless opportunity to offer those whom God gifted with music. Would you designate part of your offering towards the camp? Perhaps you could be one of the volunteers for this camp. The director, Laurie Casseus, is always looking for volunteers who can teach. Don’t miss this experience! Louima writes: “I am humbled to think of how God has used me in Haiti but I rejoice when I see the work He has done in me by going on that trip. I challenge you to dare to do things that go outside of your comfort zone, because you will be amazed to see how much God can do in you and through you.”

A NOTE FROM LAURIE CASSEUS

The University has recently lost a significant Scholarship Fund provided by a longtime supporter whose Fund closed. Theses monies were used to aid our most needy students who have little or no resources. We have more than 80 students in this situation. The cost for one semester is approximately $550. Usually one-quarter to one-half of this amount is awarded as aid. With the loss of this fund we are pleading for help. Would you please consider sending a gift to help these UCNH students to receive the training needed to make positive changes in Haiti? Perhaps you could add to this support by telling others: family, friends, or organizations that you attend. UCNH continues to surpass its own record for graduates, which is happening against seemingly insurmountable odds. We have such opportunity for growth; help us help Haiti.

PRAYER CONCERNS AND PRAISE

• Pray for those who work at UCNH and for all who commit themselves to contribute to the work in which Haiti Hope Fund is involved. Pray for God’s protection, for courage, and physical strength.

• Praise God for a new volunteer couple, Dr. Steve and Nancy James who will help at the Ebeneazer medical clinic that is affiliated with the UCNH campus. They were in Haiti last year and have returned for another year. Steve and Nancy bring valuable medical skills and encouragement to the clinic.

• Pray that Haiti Hope Fund will continue to grow and impact more Haitians.

• Praise God for a wonderful music camp this year and for the talented volunteers who came to share their gifts and encouragement.

• Pray for the students who urgently need financial aid to attend the Univesity.