Music Camp 2008

MUSIC CAMP 2008 – THE BEST EVER!

True to the mission of the Haiti Hope Fund, North Haiti Music Camp 2008 was life-transforming.  It transformed the lives of passers-by who stood mesmerized as beautiful sounds from the camp choirs, the band, and selected soloists, erupted in the afternoon sky of the town of Limbé.  Campers between the ages of four and eighty-four were challenged to devote themselves to prayer and to become “transformed by the renewing of their minds” through Ephesians 2:1-10.  Haitian staff members became more and more sacrificial in the giving of their time and ideas; and as the camp progressed, they grew steadily more servant-hearted.  Nine volunteers from North America became more like-minded in their mission to impart knowledge with wisdom, love, and humility.

I, being the coordinator, found that serving God in Haiti through this ministry brought me closer to the heart of Christ.  I led a movement class, directed the choir, and taught courses in biblical money management, voice, and diction. I was humbled many times to see how God enabled me to affect change in students’ voices, their perception of money management, and their commitment to serve God whole-heartedly through their God-given talents.  My prayer is that more people will join us as we commit to be the hands and feet of Christ while He transforms the people of Haiti.

Louima Lilite, Camp Director/Coordinator

Final Concert

VOLUNTEERS FROM THE USA

Reflections by Steve Dalrymple

Music Camp was blessed with a talented, united staff this year:

Dr. Louima Lilite received his earliest musical training at UCNH music camp 20+ years ago! He recently earned his doctorate in voice from Eastman Conservatory of Music in Rochester, NY (one of the top schools of music in the US.) Louima and his family are moving to Shawnee, Oklahoma to teach voice at Oklahoma Baptist University. Louima served as camp coordinator (headmaster) and directed the Camp Choir.

Dr. Brad Parker also earned his doctorate from Eastman Conservatory this year in piano performance. Brad is an amazing pianist. He taught 30 piano students each day from morning to dusk. He was our chief accompanist. Brad and his family are moving to South Carolina to take leadership in the piano department of Erskine University.

Louima and Brad gave us a formal voice recital one evening. As I listened, I thought how rare it was for 2 Eastman graduates to perform together. What a privilege it was to hear this impeccable recital. This performance was not in New York or Paris or even Port au Prince or Cap Haitien. It was in a University in a remote area of Haiti!

Danica Hernandez recently earned her Bachelor of Arts in music in Michigan. She heard of Music Camp and recruited herself to come. Her specialty is trumpet and she performed the Hummel trumpet concerto for us. The number of her students grew dramatically as camp progressed. She was invaluable to our band.

Stephen Anderson is a Caucasian jazz pianist who leads worship in 2 African American churches in Charleston, South Carolina. Stephen has been a practicing Christian about 6 years. His faith is infectious. He led a black gospel style choir during camp, spending months arranging the music before he came. The people of Haiti absolutely love jazz. His choir was extremely popular during camp. He had served in another music camp in Haiti 4 years ago. Searching the web, he found our music camp and applied to come. We are so thankful he did!

Azer Lilite, Louima’s brother, worked with the Camp Choir, and taught worship classes. Louima describes his brother as “larger than life.” I agree. Azer has earned his Masters of Church Music from a US seminary and is a current worship leader in a Haitian church in the US. He became a father figure at camp, lecturing the students on recital behavior. Back in the 80’s, Azer was headmaster of music camp for several years.

Sax Players

Magda and Obedda, Louima’s sisters, came to lead our Junior Camp, our children’s ministries. We have been commited to providing separate instruction for children since 2005. Both Magda and Obedda sang solos in camp ensembles and Obedda was a valued member of the Band. The 4 of 5 Lilite siblings that came to camp are all talented and gregarious. There was quite a group of Litlites between Louima’s parents and aunt, his brother and sisters, and his many nieces and nephews. Azer’s wife also helped, but I never learned her name.

Due to illness, Janet Ray was not able to join us until Thursday, for the very end of camp. Janet teaches private piano lessons from her own studio.

Louima recruited a 4 member prayer team for camp this year. Both his parents, his aunt, and another gentleman began to pray in August 2007 for the 2008 camp. They came to camp and prayed all day long. We would often see them walking around the campus, praying for us. I believe that the prayer team made a huge difference. I didn’t hear of any stealing this year. We didn’t seem to have the teenage boy/girl dating problems we have had in the past. Campers showed up for lessons and classes in record numbers, and there was an eager attitude to learn this year.

My assignments this year were Composition Class (“Write a Song”) and directing the camp Band. I also performed part of Mendelssohn’s 17 Variations Serieuses on Tuesday night.

Louima, Brad, Danica, Stephen, and I spent a lot of time together before camp. This team building was so helpful later. Each of these has a humble heart, a servant’s heart. Each of them often asked each other “What can I do to help?” The Holy Spirit melded us together in a unity I have never experienced before. There was so little friction. When one would grow weary, or stressed, or ill, the others would be there to help and uplift and encourage.

Thanks for praying that God would bring a team of people together in unity.

NOTES OF PRAISE

“MISSION TRIP—HOPE FOR HAITI”

I bring you greetings after my return from Haiti! It was an amazing time I spent at music camp. God’s spirit was so evident there. These young people sing, play instruments, pray together, and work so hard to please their heavenly Father. They want to be great musicians to make difference in their culture for the Lord.

This was my 4th trip to camp and this, to me, was the most amazing camp to date. The teachers were all very committed and became close. The students seemed to all be there to really LEARN. Louima, our Camp Director, poured himself into organization and motivating. And it really produced an even more wonderful and productive camp than I had seen before!

If any First Baptist Tallahassee folks are interested in going to Haiti music camp next July, please contact me. We particularly need band and string players/teachers and classroom helpers. And, YES, FBC Tallahassee – the well and pump that you funded is working in providing clean water for North Haiti Christian University. Pictures of it and music camp are on the FBC web site (fbctlh.org). Thanks FBC, for helping to make a difference in one corner of the world!

Sincerely, Janet Ray, Music Camp volunteer