Miami Haitian church feeds hungry, helps friends

Afraid for his children's safety, evangelist Eddy Francois and his family fled to Miami after learning that factions in Haiti intended to kidnap his children in retaliation for his outspoken political views.

After taking refuge with various friends and relatives in Florida and Georgia for seven months, the family of six struggled to make ends meet in unfamiliar surroundings.

"We were starving," Francois recalled. "I had spent two or three days without any food to give my family. For three or four nights, we had nothing to eat. We didn't know where our next meal was going to come from."

Francois received word that fellow Haitian pastor Jerry Moncoeur had started a church in Miami and could help them.

When Francois contacted Moncoeur, he discovered that the church was located just a few blocks away from where the family had been staying in North Miami. The congregation meets in a small house with no permanent signage.

"We were only a few blocks away from this church that could help us and didn't know it," Francois said. "We are so glad to be here, but it's frustrating to begin a new life without food and without an understanding of the culture."

The family is one step ahead by knowing basic English, but many refugees don't have that advantage, Francois said.

"Many people aren't able to find jobs to pay for places to stay and things to eat," he said. "At least those in Christ have hope and encouragement. This church has been an extension of that."

Moncoeur started Shalom Baptist Church with a core group of Haitian families in December 2001. Since the summer, the 40-member congregation has been helping a dozen Haitian refugees obtain food and shelter through food assistance programs and refugee resettlement funds underwritten by the Maguire State Mission Offering.

"Since finding the church, we haven't lacked for food since," Francois said. "We are eternally grateful for their help and now are here to help others."

The Francois family has become active in the congregation, especially in the music ministry. Francois composes music and sings with his family in an ensemble, as well as preaches when the pastor is out of town.

"He's been a big help to me," said Pastor Moncoeur. "I think he sees it as a way to help us in return for our help to him. We were the first to open the door to him and help him."

Word of mouth has brought the refugees to the church for help. Most of the families have come to Miami to escape economic or political turmoil that has intensified in Haiti in the past few years, said Moncoeur's wife, Ghinelle.

Ghinelle often makes several trips in her vehicle each Sunday morning to bring families who don't have transportation to church. Some of the family members live in separate locations, wherever relatives and friends can provide accommodations for them.

Some people in the community who have come to the church for food assistance are returning for church services, said Pastor Moncoeur. If they don't understand French Creole, interpretation in English is provided for them.

The congregation hopes to be able to relocate to larger worship facilities by the end of the year. The small house they rent is almost full to capacity on Sunday mornings with an attendance of about 50 people. On Sunday nights, attendance is usually doubled when those who work during the day on Sundays are able to participate.

A person who observed the church's willingness to help the refugees asked the pastor why a small, new church would want to welcome people with problems, Moncoeur recalled.

"We are a church, a little one, but that doesn't mean we can't help people," Moncoeur said. "Our church may be little but God is here to help us help people when they come."

Tev Toussaint, who accepted Christ this past spring and has since become a deacon, encourages Sunday worshippers to call the church if they need help.

"We are waiting for you," Toussaint said. "Here, you will not only receive food. We will encourage you that you are not alone."