For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; live as children of light. For the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth.

Ephesians 5:8-9 (NIV)

It is the time of year when most of you await news from North Haiti Music Camp held annually on the UCNH campus in Limbé, Haiti. God allowed me, once again, to go to Haiti this past July to experience His transforming power through the ministry of North Haiti Music Camp (NHMC). Seeking to transform Haiti, NHMC aims to identify individuals who can use Christ-centered fine arts to reach out to people with God’s love, and to equip and empower young leaders to bring about positive change in their communities, their churches, and their own lives. Last year, I closed my Camp 2008 update with the following words, “[Camp 2009] is sure to be an exciting ride with God.” My hopeful statement was not a mistake.

God answered our prayers and those of many people by providing the team with an experience that was fulfilling, life-altering, and growth-producing.

As a prelude to the regular camp, we hosted a leadership conference which granted us the opportunity to sharpen the skills of the leaders who came to the camp and provided ample time for our volunteer teaching staff to bond as a team. The 40 leaders in attendance and the volunteer team studied Joshua 1:6-9 for the four days we were together and learned a great deal of biblical truth from Pastor Simon, our keynote speaker. 

Our main camp ran from July 19-28 in Limbé, Haiti on the campus of UCNH. We had six volunteer teachers, a total of 250 students, a prayer team of four members, and about twelve volunteer supporting staff members in Haiti.

This year’s theme, Live as Children of Light, is extracted from Ephesians 5:8-9 which reads, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; live as children of light. For the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth.” (NIV) The theme offered abundant opportunities to discuss the struggle between light and darkness. We memorized scripture, held a 24-hour Bible reading marathon, hosted a night of prayer stations, shared our testimonies with the student body, lifted up prayerful/worshipful songs that dealt with the topic, taught workshops, visited local villagers, and had numerous one-on-one conversations that caused us to be light in the darkness.

The camp was exceptional. The leadership, prayer, and teaching team members were especially selected by God and the unity we shared was treasured by all. Most of the students were hungry for learning and conveyed an attitude that urged us to teach them all we possibly could. The lush, colorful vegetation of the UCNH campus made it the ideal place for fostering hope in the hearts of these Haitian students. The food was delicious with all kinds of fresh fruit and exotic spices. The workshops including movement, music theory, recorder class, drumming, band instruments, hand bells, classical choir, gospel choir, keyboard skills, songwriting, keyboard class, voice class, money management, leadership issues, bible, drawing, dance, and pedagogy were well-attended and relevant. The times of sharing during morning devotions and evening sessions dared us, volunteers and students alike, to shine brightly for God. The small group sessions offered us possibilities for confession and encouragement to one another. The recitals, performances, and concerts were much improved from previous years. The opening and closing ceremonies brought the whole camp together as we sang, prayed, ate, and laughed together. Christ was right there with us and so were you through your prayers, financial support, and concern.

Yes, we have returned home but far be it from us to forget the hearts that have been stirred and transformed, especially ours. I, for one, have learned that my God is so big and I am so small that I have no choice but to surrender all of my life to Him. I am a child of light! Students and teachers alike have shared with me about the impact NHMC 2009 has had on them and how motivated they are to shine brightly for God no matter where they are. Clearly, Camp 2009 was an exciting ride. My prayer is that you will be encouraged to live as children of light practicing goodness, righteousness, and truth in all your undertakings.

I would like to offer a special invitation to you for Camp 2010. Please prayerfully consider joining our team in July 2010 if that is God’s plan for you. Our prayer team and I are already praying for the volunteers who will become our 2010 staff and we will pray that God will make it clear to you in terms of your involvement with NHMC. Please partner with us through prayerful and financial support, and also through exciting service opportunities.

Louima Lilite, Camp Director/Coordinator

Each year Guillaume is able to attend music camp, he feels greatly blessed. “There’s a great impact of this music camp in my life. Every year that I have the opportunity to attend this camp, I praise the Lord because I find joy in the music camp. When I hear a classical or beautiful song or when I hear singing, I feel better. It is for this reason that I save throughout the year so that I can go to this music camp when the time comes – this is an occasion that I don’t want to miss. Every camp, I thank the Lord that I am here to possibly find joy with other people, to share the love of God.”

When asked if he learned anything at music camp, Guillaume replied “Oh yes! I learned much about the Bible and music theory. I enjoyed learning how to manage money because that is not something that is taught very much in Haiti. I had many opportunities to learn new things that I had never seen or known about. “

Guillaume faced great challenges to be present at this year’s camp. It took much sacrifice. He had just recently lost his job, but was determined to make it to camp. He was an inspiration to all.

I know there are many people in Haiti who wanted to be here but couldn’t because of money. I’m going to pray that God will provide for us and if I can help one or two people to be here next year, I will do it with pleasure because this is a good thing, a good moment. I appreciate the teachers and I appreciate their willingness to come to Haiti. I thank you for taking the time to do this for us. I hope to see you next year. I pray to God that He will give you strength and health to be with us next year. God bless you.

Daniel Cépoudy:

Gaslyne Bien-Aimé: I always love going to the Music Camp in Limbé because I always learn new things that challenge me to be a stronger individual in character and action.Unfortunately, I could only come to the leadership portion and left early to take my college entrance exams. Yet, those four days spent with the teachers made me remember why I want to continue with music. It is hard to choose to pursue music as a career in Haiti since everyone feels that the poverty is too great for the superfluous nature of the arts. However, those volunteer teachers who came made me realize that there is nothing superfluous about music. It has purpose and the power to change lives for Christ because it has changed mine. I pray that the ministry of the camp will prosper.

Jude Balthazar: I still miss the camp and wish it could be a year-round opportunity. There is so much that I loved about Camp 2009: spiritual connections, voice lessons, choir, small groups, recitals, games, tasty food, amazing friends, small group discussions, mangoes at all hours of the day and night, and the teaching staff. Every day, I take some time to practice the vocal concepts that I learned at camp and sometimes I even teach others from my church. I really like singing and I want to be better each day. It is my dream to return year after year to the camp because it is the only place where I feel that I can currently receive this type of education or training in my country. I hope that I can study music at the University and help train others in my community to make a difference in Haiti.

Joseph Roméus: I am so grateful to God for the wonderful opportunity He gave me to be a part of Camp 2009 on the campus of UCNH. The whole experience is unforgettable.  It was my very first trip to NHMC and I want it to become a yearly occurrence. I loved everything about it.  I particularly enjoyed Viv nan limyè a (Live in the light) composed by Steve Dalrymple, the songs we sang in communal worship during the evening sessions, and the small group discussions during the noon hour.  I am committed to praying for the leadership of the camp so that the leaders can continue to invest in this wonderful ministry for the sake of Haiti.