By Maggie Beamguard
Insider Editor
Local nonprofit Haiti Help and Hope hosted its sixth fundraiser at Rubicon Farm on Aug. 24 to support the ministry of Pastor Dortul Sidor in the troubled nation located over 1,200 miles to the southeast of West End.
Seven Lakes resident Sylvia Pusser first met Sidor in 2011 just as his ministry in Haiti was beginning. Moved by his compassion and humility, Pusser returned to Moore County and shared the plight of the people Sidor served with the Women’s Bible Study she hosted at her home.
The women seized the opportunity to give back, establishing Haiti Help and Hope as a partner with Sidor. The non-profit is supported by numerous churches from different denominations and donors like Elizabeth Sugg, who has donated the use of Rubicon Farm for six years.
Board members John and Vickie Blue; Nancy and Tim Howell; Art and Jan Williams; and Nelson and Sylvia Pusser oversee the fundraiser. This year, it featured gospel and Bluegrass music by the Four Tenors, Hammer N Song and South Ridge, artisan crafts, Highlander Farms, Sam’s ice cream, Kalawi Farms and Ben’s ice cream, Boston butt sandwiches, a 50/50 raffle and kids activities. All food, entertainment and time were donated.
All funds raised are used to support Sidor’s ministry, which includes four churches, a school and needs in his surrounding village of Montrouis, Haiti.
Last year’s event was canceled during a particularly threatening season for Sidor and his wife Lilian, who returned to the U.S. where they have dual citizenship, because of the gangs and unrest in Haiti.
“For a brief period, it was uncertain as to whether they could safely return to Haiti,” said Pusser. “But God provided the opportunity and Pastor Sidor immediately returned within three weeks to help feed, educate and share the Good News of Jesus to the members of his four church families, our K-8 school, and his surrounding village.”
Sidor does not cave easily to despair.
“In spite of all the turmoil, insecurity and deep poverty, the Lahai-Roi ministry is in good status,” he said.
Lahai-Roi is Hebrew for “the God who sees,” and it is the name Sidor gave to his ministry to communicate hope to a people who often feel invisible. In the Bible, Lahai-Roi is the name Hagar gives to a well that appears to her in the wilderness during a desperate time.
Sidor, who spent much of his life in the United States, felt called to return to his native Haiti in 2011 following the death of his brother to continue his brother’s ministry in rural mountain villages.
The current turmoil has forced Sidor to make adjustments.
“The gangs forced us to close our school in Piatre last September, and the same month of September 2023 we opened another great school in the mountainous village of Duclos away from gang activity. Also, our four churches are in very good standing.”
The ministry relies on donations to continue making a difference. “In recent years, the ministry has changed drastically,” said Sidor. “Right now, financially, we are surviving. We cannot operate like years before.
“Since many of our partners and donors cannot come to Haiti to see the ministry, they stopped supporting us. Thank God for Haiti Help and Hope (HHH), Crosspointe Church in Georgia and a few other individuals who help keep us going.”
His all-encompassing ministry serves the people through evangelism, education, food bags, housing projects, construction jobs and employment for teachers and others.
Sidor wants people in the U.S. to know that Haitians are hardworking people and that Haitian Christians love God. But the situation is dire for many.
“Today, the country is in very bad condition. People are starving,” he said. “Ministries like ours, Lahai-Roi, are a blessing to the people.”
His work comes at great personal risk. Because he and his spouse lived in the U.S. for many years, people believe they have lots of money to hand out or otherwise face cruel consequences. “Our love for the Haitian people is what sustains us in the face of the current dangers and political upheaval,”” he said.
Doing ministry against a background of civil unrest, gang violence, kidnappings for ransom and government corruption would overwhelm the sensibilities of most. But Sidor stands firm in his convictions.
“We have decided to remain in Haiti for many good reasons. It is a call from God for Lilian and I to be in Haiti. People are very grateful for what God has done in their life through this ministry. We have accomplished too much and to leave everything behind, it will be a waste of time, energy and money.”
Haiti Help and Hope is Sidor’s main mission partner. He is grateful for the ways they support him financially and through prayer.
It is the close relationship with Sidor that enables Haiti Help and Hope to be effective with its fundraising.
In advance of the fundraiser, Pusser expressed her hopes that many would come out and support this event or provide prayer or financial support. She was “hoping those blessed here will come with open hearts for the lost, poor and forgotten people of Haiti so we can send monies to feed, educate and share the Gospel.”
If you missed out on this year’s fundraiser but would like to make a contribution, checks can be made out to Haiti Help and Hope and sent to Nancy Howell 151 Howell Rd. West End , NC 27376. All donations are tax deductible.
For more information about Pastor Sidor and the ministry in Haiti, visit: w
Contact Maggie Beamguard at maggie@thepilot.com.
