“But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13,14
If you want to help Derold's family or make a gift to HAFF in memory of Derold go to HTTPS://haff.org/give
(under Programs and Operations, go to Memorial Fund and type in Derold Mompremier)
Our dearly loved colleague and brother in Christ, Derold Mompremier, age 48, went to be with the Lord June 7, 2024. He had suffered a stroke on April 9, 2024, but had been responding well to physical therapy in another community for the past two months. After being home for a week however, he was struck by another stroke and died at home.
Derold was born on April 28, 1976, in Bohoc, Haiti where he went to school including a few years at HAFF’s secondary school, Institut Pratique de Bohoc (IPB). At that time IPB did not yet offer all the high school classes, so Derold continued school in Cap Haitian, Haiti’s second largest town on the northern coast. While there he also completed a post high school course to become an electrician and used that training in the past few years in Bohoc as enough people finally had access to electricity (his skill was helpful at HAFF much sooner however).
Ketline, Derold’s wife, was also a student for her first few years at IPB, and also went to Cap Haitian to complete high school and trained to be a preschool and kindergarten teacher. She taught at and is currently a secretary for an elementary school in Cayiman (close to Bohoc) associated with the ministry of UCI (United Christians International).
Derold and Ketline married in 2009 and rented a house in Bohoc for many years, but it was their great joy to build a large home in Cayiman where they could practice their calling of hospitality. Over the years they have provided a home for several young relatives and college students. Their children include Sam 8; Kericha 12 and Izaraka 12 (Derold’s niece who has lived with them for many years); as well as two foster daughters in their late teens, Dahline and Miscarline, who are students at IPB. Also living with them are a niece and nephew in their 20’s. Being a father was a very special calling to Derold, especially after Sam was miraculously saved at birth. He also put a great deal of energy into being an uncle, advising other family members, and taking care of both his and Ketline’s aging parents, all of whom are now deceased.
Young Family in 2017: Sam, Kericha, Izaraka. Derold and Ketline are in back.
Derold always had a special passion for working with youth. In 2004 Derold worked with missionary Barb Van Schoyck to establish HAFF’s Young Leaders for God, an 8-month program teaching servant leadership to youth. He was director of that program for 13 years and continued to participate in its various modules and activities. For several years he served on the committee that oversaw the youth group at his church, and for the last two years was the president of its youth committee. He also served his church as the main keyboardist for many years and used his talents on guitar both there and at HAFF.
Young Leaders for God Activities
Derold had been a member of the volunteer Executive Committee of HAFF since 2011 and also started working in the HAFF administration in 2013 as an Executive Assistant. For the last 11 years he had also been the coordinator for visiting American short-term teams and for the pastor conferences hosted by HAFF. He served as an electrician for HAFF and helped on various construction projects.
Early Executive Committee: Colin Wilson, Estéphène Orelus, Edouine Victor, Carla Wilson, Derold
Later Executive Committee with Jon and Kathy DeRuischer Family and Verona Orelus (far rt.)
Derold was a humorous and fun-loving committee member, with great wisdom for serious business also
Derold had a strong command of English and served as a translator for American teams and visiting American pastors at various seminars both at UCI and HAFF. Over the years he touched the lives of many Americans who visited these two organizations in Haiti and was much loved for his contagious joy and laughter, his compassionate listening and warm hospitality, and his deep love of Christ and the practice of prayer.
Derold became the Haitian smiling face of HAFF for so many Americans
He enriched visitors lives with jokes and songs and wonderful prayer
Derold was also the face of HAFF for many local pastors, for whom he coordinated valuable seminars
(This was his last seminar, in March 2024)
While Derold’s death leaves a large hole in the fabric of the Bohoc and Cayiman Christian community, and in several hearts in America, no one doubts that he has joyfully stepped into eternity and is now with his loving Friend and Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
We believe that Derold, his parents and brother Isaac who have gone on ahead,
are hoping that those who read this post will all be smiling up in heaven with them one day.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30
If you want to help Derold's family or make a gift to HAFF in memory of Derold go to HTTPS://haff.org/give
(under Programs and Operations, go to Memorial Fund and type in Derold Mompremier)
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