It is with deep sadness, yet with the Hope of the Lord, that I write you today. It has been a very difficult summer of investigation into sexual misconduct allegations against the leadership of Institution Univers, and resulting actions that had to be taken following the confirming outcome of the investigation. The Univers (local Haitian) Board has not taken the Biblical action that is required, the two accused senior administrators remain at the Institution. There has needed to be swift and unequivocal action by the Univers Board, to date this has not occurred. Because of this, I have no choice but to operate only in Truth and Righteousness and resign from God's mission work with Institution Univers in Ouanaminthe, Haiti. I remain an officer on the COCINA Board of Directors which has taken unequivocal action. Their statement is below. To clarify, COCINA has been the U.S. fundraising "arm" for Institution Univers for almost 30 years. I have been involved in both entities.
Before all of this transpired, I had prayed and sought Godly counsel about Bud's and my future marriage, and had determined when that occurs I would take a "hiatus" from being "on the ground" in Haiti for the first year of marriage, unless Bud and I traveled there together, i.e. the 25th Anniversary that was originally planned in March 2019. My plan was to still work for the students and school, but from the states. This past month, Bud has asked for my hand in marriage!
I share this with you so you are aware of everything currently going on in my life, and can pray accordingly. I need your prayers; I feel your prayers! Your prayers have sustained me in these past six years, to encourage me in the work that God has set before me. So, thank you from the bottom of my heart! I know for a fact, God will bring beauty from the ashes. He promises this in His Word. Please pray for the precious children, families, and community. Please pray for repentance of the senior administrators, so that restoration can begin in their lives.
I have yet to see where God will use me in ministry going forward. I await His Call - locally, or globally. He has opened a door through CharityPal, (www.charitypal.net) to allow me to assist with fundraising for charities. It is a new endeavor, not yet profitable to be able to sustain me financially. I am also a server for a local caterer, selling on ebay, and serving the few insurance clients I retained from my insurance career. I have already been working in these areas so as to offset the needed funding to serve in Haiti. Just this week I have begun mentoring two young women in the Cuyahoga Falls area. Is that what God wants me to do for now? My Dad once said, 'not every opportunity is a call'. With his wise counsel, I will 'Listen to the Lord' to see what God has in store for me. "Listen to the Lord" was said to me the very first time I went to Haiti. Now, again, I Listen. I do know one thing, when He calls there is no doubt. So, again, I ask for your prayers, and if you are so moved, ask you to continue to support the work I will do locally, as opportunities present themselves.
Thank you so much for your dedication and generosity to me. I look forward to your continued support as we venture together to see what God has in store for Marylee!
Standing with you in His Kingdom. May God bless you with His transforming Power and Grace.
Love,
Marylee
Marylee Lewis
www.calledbacktohaiti.blogspot.org
So my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable.
Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that
nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. I CORINTHIANS 15:58 NLT
RE: IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT FROM COCINA - PLEASE READ
To Our Loving Supporters,
It is with heavy hearts that we make this announcement today, Monday, August 13, 2018.
Recent allegations and subsequent investigations around sexual misconduct by two of the founding
members of Institution Univers - Mr. Hugues Bastien and Mr. Joseph (Joe) Dumay - have led the
COCINA Board of Directors to unanimously vote to suspend all funding and support of Institution
Univers and Univers Medical Clinic until the two founders voluntarily resign, are forced to resign by the
Univers Board of Directors, or are legally removed following further investigation. We are also exploring
our mandates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and what formal actions we need to take regarding
these allegations.
As a ministry, our foundational belief stems from Micah 6:8, He has told you, O man, what is good; and
what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your
God?
This standard has set for us, both COCINA and Univers, and particularly those in leadership positions,
a filter from which to base our decisions related to the ministry. With that in mind, it is imperative that
Mr. Bastien and Mr. Dumay uphold this standard and present themselves as examples of Micah 6:8 in
action. Therefore, based on the allegations, the investigation, and outside testimony of those close to
the situation, we have informed the Univers Board and the accused founders of our decision to
suspend funding and support until the resignations of both men have been submitted and accepted,
and that they have no further involvement with the ministry whatsoever. As of today, Monday, August
13, 2018, this has not happened, so we have moved forward with our promised actions.
We take very seriously the responsibility you have entrusted in us to be good stewards of your financial
support. And we hope you will continue to trust us as we move through this time of transition by
continuing to give generously. We are confident that both men will resign or be removed and that we
will resume funding and support to both the school and the clinic in the near future.
For nearly 25 years, COCINA has faithfully served God by loving and supporting the ministry of
Univers, the children of Haiti, and the community of Ouanaminthe, and we are looking forward to
another 25 years and beyond. As we navigate through the coming weeks and months, we ask that you
prayerfully stand with us.
Our mission and vision at COCINA remains the same: “Built on the foundation of Jesus Christ, this
generation of Haitian young men and women will glorify God in their country by cultivating a New Day
of Spiritual, Intellectual, Economic, and Social Change.”
We are committed to continuing with this vision and trusting God to fulfill His plan in Haiti.
Sincerely,
COCINA Board of Directors