Born on December 15, 1939, in Haiti, Port-au-Prince, late Immacula Desloges, her maiden name as Voltaire and nickname as “Ti-mama”. A young woman with three brothers and one sister, coming from a well-educated family background on her paternal genealogy. After several attempts to flourish educationally, she was often denied due to the color of her skin therefore she was told to stay home and help out with chores. Nonetheless, she gracefully had 16 offspring however sadly enduring the pain of seven miscarriages of mostly twins sets. She later took attentive care and pleasure in raising her eight children; four boys named Edward, Rosemond, Aluniord, and Gary, and four girls named Emireine, Gloria ,Roselene, and Wilda. Well off into the arising of her life, before the tormenting tension of political controversy with President Francois Duvalier also known as “Papa Doc”, she immigrated to the United State in 1971.
Despite her rocky beginnings, she was a powerful woman in the history of her life pilgrimage. She was clothed in strength and dignity as proverbs 31; 25 very well describes her virtuous nature. Her compassion for her family lighted up her surrounding but she would never go anywhere without her shield of faith. Her core values were dedicated on her knees seeking the face of God. A God whom she never met but she surely acknowledged, because she encountered his glory and his unconditional love towards her since, the age of eight years old. This woman was eager and ready for whatever life brought her way. She would wake up at the crack of dawn to seek His face and honor her God. Fruitfully into her character, she was the pillar of a home which she took precious care of, making sure that none was in need. She believed in the strength that she received each morning, she sought her maker. Despite her limited reading and writing skills, she was very intelligent, knowledgeable, and resourceful with the grace that God had given her. During her lifelong crusades, she never doubted his provisions as she would praise Him day and night and often said in creole “aleluya nenpot Jen” ( translated as “Hallelujah anyhow”) manifesting her faith towards God with her words and actions. She refused to enable fear or distress to drive her away from God, instead, she walked by faith and not by sight.
A remarkable incident can give you an insight into her faith. In 1970, when she was still living in Haiti, she was struck blindsided by a truck while crossing the street while rapidly wanting to head to work. However, this accident brought her with no prediction of survival according to the paramedics and medical staff. Her family and friends were hysterical at the news as she was only 31 years old married with seven children, at the time to raise. The doctors on shift, were hopeless as they gazed at her laying in a coma for the past 12 days. Nonetheless, the power of her faith brought her back to life as she pleaded to God upon her encounter in heaven and said “NO I refuse to Die”, as she reminisced of her children and her life purpose was not yet come to term. The Great I Am, the creator of all things sent her soul back to that hospital bed. This miracle took the medical team, family, and community by surprise as it was a living phenomenon. She continued her life by inhabiting in the presence of God through prayer and worship, being faithful to Him. As years passed several occasions occurred which amplified her faith. One time when she had no provisions to feed her family she believed in the promises of God, one specifically resounding in her spirit, that he will supply all her needs Matt 6:31-33. Therefore, she started boiling a pot with water looking at her empty fridge saying out loud God will provide “Jehovah Jireh my provider”. Shortly after, the door rang and a man brought her bags of groceries saying that God had sent him there. What a representation of her endless faith, she expressed in everything she did by seeking God first and proclaiming his name ” Jesus” in the hearts of her community.
She was well known in her neighborhood as a worshipper, a leader, a prayer worrier, women of faith, bold, fearless, worry-free, living a godly life. She was known to be a visionary, an innovator very clever in all things despite not possessing an educational degree. Thus, she embraced her heavenly gifts operating in the spirit of God such as the gift of healing, the gift of procephy, and many more that 1 Corinthians 12; 8-10 describes. She was honored by the Haitian congregations to whom she ministered too. She lived wanting to serve God therefore she helped jump-start many churches in the United States. One, in particular, was located in Brooklyn, New York named the Evangelical Crusade of Fishers of Men with Bishop Phillus Nicolas. Furthermore, she dived into the community to serve, to help other churches grow, and lead the people of God, and the elders with her Godly given wisdom. Her presence was felt, where ever she went and she would bring her children along with her as they played an important role in music ministry for several churches. Her sons played in the band and her daughters conducted with the anointing of God. Her family was her pride and joy, especially when sharing her culture with her numerous grandchildren. She would make sure they all knew how to speak creole and encouraged them to stay on their educational journey and built their spiritual journey with God, Immacula often traveled back and forth to Haiti on missionary endeavors. As well, to stabilize her businesses to build a big enough home to accommodate her generation. Unfortunately, she was not able to complete this project as she began to be restricted in her voyages after the massive earthquake which hit Haiti in 2010. A year after, this devastating event on February 11th, 2011 she passed away at the age of 72.
This woman was a powerful minister of God, with a bishop minded persona. She was known to be a Godfearing daughter, sister, mother, grandma, and great grandmother to many young generations. Her family devotions were tinted with lots of family gatherings crystalized with her delicious meals, storytelling, worshipping God, and praying. As she traveled in years of experience, she passed on her values to her offsprings, grandchildren, and her great-grandchildren; to never give up and build a relationship with God and to keep the faith no matter the circumstances. In tribute to her beliefs and culture, she transmitted her spirit of faith with a “Hallelujah Anyhow”.
In retrospect, to my grandmother’s life adventure, she paved the craving of faith for her generations to come. Her story must be told and recounted as a living example of the faithfulness of God and his promises. God is still the same God of yesterday, today, and tomorrow. I experienced, to never discredit the power of prayer and seeing Immacula praying fervently and worshiping her God, while she entered her closet. She pursued her God, earnestly praying for her nation as He declared to her that they will be a powerful nation to the communities, expressing a living testimony of God’s calling. The symbolism of the family is like each member of the body which has a unique function and requires the energy, stability, and endurance of one another to survive. The same goes for your own family and the Church of the living God, therefore never give up on your family which is your first ministry, and your church family.
During these difficult and unpredictable times, it is vital to stay focus and set your hearts in heavenly things because the coming of the Lord is nearer than we think. Keep the Faith, Keep the love for one another and Keep seeking after the kingdom of God and His righteousness. Matt 6:33. May Immacula’s living testimony be a torched of hope in your life.
Be encouraged that the Lord can bless you and keep you and make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you and give you peace from generation to generation. Numbers: 6 24-26.
I want to give tribute to my grandmother “Immacula ” who I admire extensively for her devotion to God, her family, and community. She gathered people together and there was never a dull moment with her, as she would make you laugh, cry with endless stories. She often told me that she wanted all her grandchildren to travel to Haiti and visit the home she dreamed to built for her family. I pray to encourage you today as you read this and build a powerful understanding that prayer works my fellow readers, so don’t give up have Faith, and may her testimony uplift you and lead you towards God’s perfect will.
Prayer
Dear, Lord thank you for allowing me to know and understand my lineage of faith. I pray to live for your glory and understand what you birthed in me and to exploit your Godly given gifts and exemplify who I am in you.
Inspired Bible Scriptures; Ephesians 6:10 -20 , Matt 6:19-21, 1 Thessalonians 5:17, Numbers 6: 24-26, Hebrews 11:1, Philippians 4:6-9, Romans 12:1, James 1:2-4, Romans 10:17,Hebrews 11:6, 1corinthians 12:8-10 and Romans 8:28.
Until next week stay safe and God bless you.
And,
P.s Jesus Loves you.
Faith Builds You 