Word spread quickly on that particular street corner of Port Au Prince: there was some guy giving hand-outs.  A crowd quickly gathered around Mr. Yveto Dorce, and his supply disappeared in minutes.  Two Haitian men began to argue.  One was shouting: “Give it to me.  I need that. It’s the only hope I have!”   As Yveto observed the conflict, he couldn’t believe his eyes.  Never before had he seen people actually fight over a Gospel tract.  He realized, at that moment, that he had to do more.

It was January of 2010. A devastating earthquake had just hit the capital city of Haiti.  Over two hundred thousand people were dead.  Over one million people were homeless. In the midst the despair and desolation, they were looking for answers. For over 200 years Haitians had been turning to Voodoo.  But in the time of their most dire need, something deep within told them that the true answer was Jesus Christ.

Yveto knew that this was a window of opportunity, a time in the history of his native land that may never again be repeated.  Passing out tracts on the streets wasn’t going to be enough.  He needed to organize a crusade.

As Yveto began to share his vision with other Christian leaders, many warned him of the challenges he would face:  The costs of equipment and the rental of a venue would be over $10,000 per day. Pastors in Haiti were reluctant to work together.  The main stadium in Port Au Prince had been converted into a tent city for refugees, and was not available for a crusade. Worst of all, it was the rainy season, and Haitians will not stand outside in the rain, ever.  At a recent crusade, it had started to rain and the crowd started a stampede. Ten people died.

Yveto Dorce

As Yveto and the Firefighters moved forward, things began to fall into place.  Churches in the United States took up offerings.  Fifty-six Haitian pastors came to a dinner, wherein Yveto presented his vision, and all fifty-six churches committed to help.  With the assistance of local government officials, they secured the free use of a beautiful beach-side park. A local businessman offered Yveto a seventy-percent discount on the rental fees for a stage, light and sound.  God was at work.

On the first evening of the eight-night crusade, three thousand people gathered. As Yveto began to speak, the unthinkable occurred: it started to rain.  Fear gripped the crowd; they started to exit the venue in a panic.  As Yveto watched the crowd dissipate, he knew he had to do something. He stepped out from under the covered stage, and shouted, “I will pray, and God will stop the rain!”  He prayed. Then, after a few moments, the rain stopped.  The astonished people slowly made their way back into the venue.  By the end of the first evening , sixty-nine people had accepted Christ.

Over the next few days, word started to get out.  Local radio stations were broadcasting the event. Each night, more and more people showed up: five-thousand, then ten-thousand. As Yveto and others preached, people were getting saved and healed.  Demons were being cast out.  On the last night, an estimated fourteen-thousand people came to hear the Gospel.  When all was said and done, nine-hundred and fifty people had prayed at the altar to give Jesus ownership of their lives. Countless others had heard the radio message in their homes.

Yveto’s dream had become a reality.  He began with no money, no contacts, no staff, no experience. In the chaos of Haiti, no one thought he could do it.  Yveto himself concurs: "I didn't do it. God did it!"

A Glimpse of the Crusade