It was a celebration that captured the hearts of many as Wareham's Church in the Pines hosted a weekend-long event to commemorate their official relationship with their sister church, Church of the Orange Grove, in Jacmel, Haiti.
The Church in the Pines (CIP) took a strong interest in Haiti after the Bergeron family, members of the congregation, adopted three children from the country in 2007. The church's interest grew after hearing about the Partners with Haiti organization, a religious organization that provides humanitarian and spiritual aid to the country. The organization's treasurer, Bob St. Julien, grew up in Haiti and visited CIP to educate its members on the dire situation of his beloved home. St. Julien's son Henry, and Henry's wife Wendy, both CIP members, created a Haiti Team responsible for collecting and distributing supplies to the country.
The team visited Jacmel in 2008, and officially formed a partnership with the church in April 2009.
"It warmed my heart and the heart of my community," said Pastor Belizaire of Church of the Orange Grove. "It helped open our eyes to understand how God touched these people's hearts thousands of miles away to help us."
The team's third trip to the country was scheduled for February. But the January earthquake that devastated the country changed plans.
"When we heard about the earthquake, we were very concerned," said CIP Pastor Joel Knudsen. "We knew that they were in God's hands, but we were still very passionate to find out whatever we could do to help."
With collaboration from their Haiti team and the Partners with Haiti Organization, CIP was able to send seven planes loaded with clothing and supplies to Haiti.
The Church of the Orange Grove was damaged but not destroyed in the earthquake. Although only two members of the congregation died in the natural disaster, the survivors faced hardship. Yet they kept their faith.
"It was amazing," said Henry St. Julien. "They were in the midst of disaster, and as we were praying of them, we find out later that at the same time, they were praying for us."
Pastor Belizaire lost his home and is currently living in a school near the church. His wife, Suzette, and children have moved to New York to stay with relatives. The family reunited to visit Wareham this past weekend to not only share their story but to join in the celebration of the partnership of the two churches.
On Saturday night, the church hosted a barbeque dinner and a question-and-answer segment where the Belizaires met the congregation and learned about their new sister church. The evening concluded with CIP's Youth Pastor Scott Egan leading the youth group band in a special performance.
The next morning at CIP's contemporary service, Pastor Belizaire delivered the message in French as CIP member, Marie Hartley translated. After the second service, the church hosted a pot-luck dinner and another question-and-answer session. This time, the congregation asked Pastor Belizaire and his wife about Church of the Orange Grove and the earthquake. Suzette Belizaire said that she was in the upstairs bedroom when the earthquake struck. The room was the only second-story room that did not collapse.
"In the future, I hope to build a big relationship with the Church of the Pines," said Pastor Belizaire. "They have a fire among them-a fire for God-a love for God-a love for people. It is not only a pleasure to God but to everyone."