Tribute to Papa Charles - 03-25-37 to 05-2019

Known to CFM as Papa Charles, (Erius Antou) Charles was born in 1937 in Haiti’s rural mountain farm
village known as Au Cadet. He was raised by his parents in a family of 10 children, with 6 brothers and
3 sisters. His family farmed to make their living. Papa did not have the opportunity to attend school, but
he did learn to read. He moved to Port au Prince in 1946 in search of a better life and opportunities. He
married a girl from the Dominican Republic named Ermancia Arristil Pierre (a.k.a…Mama Charles) and
they had 8 children. Papa was a caretaker for the property we purchased to operate as our Mission House.
CFM continued his employment as caretaker of the property his whole life. Papa was a devout believer
and as far as we know he started preaching the Gospel for CFM in our PAP church on Delmas around
1974. Papa was trained in masonry and was very good doing concrete work. I remember when I first met
him, he was not a young man, but he would mix concrete for plaster or to pour floors in our buildings all
by hand on the ground. He would run that shovel all day and out work many of the younger guys. He was
an endearing quiet man. He loved to engage me in English vs Creole word sessions. I enjoyed our early
morning and end of days chats on the Mission House porch. He loved when I would bring him coffee…
“much sugar and crème please… merci”. He was so grateful for the gifts of food, shaving razors, clothes,
shoes and ball caps. He was an honest man that could be trusted. Papa and Mama were married for 45
years prior to her passing. They taught their children to serve the Lord. His daughters all participate in
the work of the church and a couple of them help CFM with Mission teams when we go to Haiti. He was
also a good mentor to his sons Occius (pastor) and Claude (building engineer/contractor) who also offer
their gifts and talents to work with CFM. His grandsons stayed with him to assist in his later years when
his health began to fail. Papa Charles passed from this life in May of 2019 and went to live with his Savior
to whom he was faithful for so many years. We will miss his physical presence, his contagious smile and
laughter, popcorn or coffee on the porch, and visiting about life in Haiti. Thank you Papa Charles for your
lifetime of faithful service to the Lord thru CFM.