Over 500 gathered to celebrate the 22nd annual “Journee de L’eternel (Day of the Lord)” at the First Haitian Church of God in Miami, Florida. The most memorable moment of the day, a very colorful and colossal float departing the 71 Street church ground. The 50-foot-long, and 17-foot-high float, carried more than 25 musicians and led hundreds chanting through the streets of Little Haiti Thursday, November 22. The march included a female and young boys brigade squad, cheerleaders, steppers, and members from different congregation in Miami. Church goers took the streets with leaves, flags, bibles, while others used the bare minimum given by God, their voices, waving arms and dancing feet. The elderly, the sick, pregnant women, and babies enjoyed the event via pick-up trucks.
The march started at 71 Street and North Miami Avenue with 150 people. Pastor Germain ministered at major street intersections, while brothers Calvaire, Fritznel, and Sister Mireille led the crowd with popular Christian hymns. As the float and marchers chanted through neighborhoods many residents observed and joined the crowd. Numbers multiplied as the melodic, monstrous, picturesque vehicle reached 62 street and Northeast 2nd Avenue. No one was rejected from the march, drunkards dropped their beer bottles, while smokers turned off their cigarettes to join the parade and dance for Christ.
Emmanuel Cine, the coordinator of the event said the “march is not just for Christians to come and enjoy but anyone who is living.” Emmanuel’s vision was to reach out to as many from the community as possible. He commented, “the march is not a question of Church of God people, but to get everyone involved to give thanks to the Lord. The day was not about receiving and asking - but giving thanks.”
This year’s theme was “Gadé-m la toujou (look I’m still here),” and many shared their sentiments about what they’re thankful for this year. Sr Annette Nakundi, suffered a stroke several months ago which almost left her paralyzed. 4-years-old Christian Cine walked out from a terrible car accident in perfect condition after being thrown from the back seat to the windshield window after a 15 passenger bus ran a stop sign and rammed his mom’s Honda Accord.
The parade is organized and sponsored mostly by the First Haitian Church of God members. A special committee works with the coordinator to make this event successful. Perhaps the most difficult about organizing the event is the legality aspect – million dollar insurance policy, getting permits, deciding and planning for an unknown amount people. The last time the church took the streets was in 1998. The event is free.
The Day of the Lord ended with free food distribution and entertainment by local dance groups and such bands as: Revelation, Apocalypse, and Les Amis de Jesus to name a few.
The committee would like to extend a special thanks to all members of the First Haitian Church of God, all Musicians, Sr Mireille along with the House of the Living God and the hospitality crew, and Brother Roland.
If you missed it this year, don’t miss out next year!!!
By Josie Ciné
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