It’s odd when COVID hits so close to
home, even as the loss is another world away.
Thursday, August 5, 2021 our beloved
friend and ministry partner, Pastor Giordani Docteur passed away quite
suddenly from COVID-19.
There are as
many layers to this loss as there are complications in all things Haiti these
difficult, chaotic days.
A big part of the pain is being so far
away, and knowing our dear friends are suffering under great duress already due
to the pandemic, political upheaval, the recent earthquake, with chronic
poverty being the prevailing baseline.
About Pastor Giordani
Giordani has served for
over thirty years as the leader of the Association des Eglises Missionaries
(Assosication of Missionary Churches) AEM.
As well, he was Lead Pastor in Hinche with a congregation of between 500
and 800 people. Giordani also directed a theological program for students that
had graduated high school. Many of the younger AEM pastors had taken
their 4 years of training through that program, and Giordani regularly mentored
several young pastors every year. Giordani
also was the AEM representative with the government.
He leaves behind his wife
Jacqueline, and adult children Carl and Daniel,
Kathleen and Kensley.
Highview feels this loss deeply.
Many of us have had the privilege of knowing Pastor
Giordani, and being the recipient of his generous hospitality, keen mind and
deep faith. The pictures included here
represent just a small glimpse of our relationship as we have sought a true
reciprocity in our partnership with the ministry there.
A further glimpse is in the words from some of those who have travelled
there, and known him personally.
From Meg
Pastor Giordani was a kind, hospitable,
hard working man. He opened up his home to us the year I went to Haiti, and I
will forever be grateful for that. He helped shape my first mission trip into
something special.
From Linda
Pastor Giordani was a servant leader who modelled faithful obedience. His love for God, his family and church community rippled out to impact our Highview community too, Heaven's hospitality is now all open for him. We will miss him here.
From Brian
In 2008 I was part of a team that
headed off to Haiti from Highview Community Church in Kitchener.
Had absolutely no idea what to expect
when we arrived. But the first person we were to meet was Pr. Giordani and his
family. We had the privilege of staying with them in their home in the town of
Hinche. This was the start of a very special relationship.
Since 2008 I and a team from Highview
have travelled to Haiti on a regular basis and on every visit we would make
sure to stop in Hinche to worship at Pr. Giordani’s church and visit our
friends in Sapate (the site of our first building project.)
On one occasion Pr. Giordani took me
for a walk on a tour of the church in Hinche, to give me an update on its
ongoing construction. As we took a break to sit down in his office he talked to
me about trust. He mentioned that now that I had been to Haiti on three
occasions (ultimately it would be nine!!) that he and his church could trust
me. They could trust that when I and our team said we cared, we meant it. They
could trust that when we said that we would be back, they believed us. I’ve
never forgotten how meaningful, and challenging, that conversation was in
reminding me that our words and actions, wherever we are, matter so much in
building relationships.
Pr. Giordani was a special friend to me
and Highview. I can’t imagine how much he will be missed by his family and his
church in Haiti but I know my heart is hurting because an important piece is
gone. For now!!!
We grieve, but not as
those without hope.
As we make our honest
way through the difficult, ponderous realities of life, we do not in any way
want to default too soon to “the right answers”. These losses hit so close to home because we
have opened our hearts to love and be loved, know and be known even in Regions
Beyond, even when we can’t get there safely or quickly, even when people we
love die.
Bottom line remains,
however. This life begs an epic sequel,
and God continues to write the story all the way to His ultimate win. This is a very true thing, and to this we
cling.