In the name of "Mission Work"

by Doeurldy Cadet

In 2019, reports of how an Anabaptist missionary sexually abused dozens of underage boys in Haiti shocked many communities. As the scandal was unfolding, many people were left with more questions than answers due to the way the mission agency was handling the case.

As a survivor of this series of crimes, I'm sharing my experience about both the crime and the cover-up; to help raise awareness about this multi-faceted issue and promote change so no more children have to go through such horrific experiences.

Genres: Christianity

233 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 9, 2022

Reviews

[Marlee Friesen · Rating 5 out of 5]

As one of the Haitian victims of Jeriah Mast, Dylo shares not only his story of sexual abuse at the hands of this trusted missionary, but also his childhood story of spiritual and emotional abuse as a pastor's son in his evangelical church. He speaks to all of these forms of abuse with refreshing frankness and humility, and calls his readers, and church leaders, and mission organizations to something higher. This book is a wakeup call to shepherd and love as Jesus did, and to "walk the talk" rather than saving face.

[Anna Zehr · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this transparent, grace-filled, careful telling of his experiences, author Doeurldy Cadet has offered our Conservative Anabaptist communities and missions an important resource for reflecting on our cultural blindspots, on the ways our view of people and methods have been at times not just unhelpful to the people we aspire to serve, but also illogical, unbiblical, and harmful. 5 stars for the perspectives and content of this book. Should be required reading for every leader and cross-cultural worker in our communities.

[Abigail Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have a mixture of feelings about this book. The scandal covered up is awful in and of itself. That it was covered up by conservative Christians who claim to walk the line of righteousness is devastating and heartbreaking. My heart is broken for each one of those beautiful souls. They not only experienced the abuse, but also the cover up and the denial of how serious this is. However, this book honestly gives one side of one story. It does not tell the story of all the other victims from their perspective. And so this book is all the author’s biased perspective which happens to be pretty strong. The book felt a little ‘rushed’ and written out of strong emotion and less perspective or even healing. I’m not negating the abuse; I just feel there are other good factors that play into this sorry that are not written here.

[John Kuhns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written by one of Jeriah Mast's early victims in Haiti, this book shines a kind but unflinching light on the systemic attitudes that gave Mast the opportunity to be the predator he was. I consider it a must read for anyone who cares about foreign missions.

[Melody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cadet tells his story with grace and insightfulness without softening the hard truth that need to be communicated. If you’re an Anabaptist, you should read this book. And it should be required reading for all Anabaptists working in cross cultural contexts.

Five stars for the power and incredible value of the story.

[Abram Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for anyone interested in or working any type of mission work or church leadership . He not only details the problems that led up to the CAM abuse scandal, but how the organization let its ego blind them to racism and systematic mistreatment of the people they were being "missionaries " too.

[Lori Eby · Rating 4 out of 5]

A necessary read for conservative Anabaptists especially, this is a direct (but not revengeful) look at injustice, sexual abuse, and mission practice. The concepts are relevant and potentially start conversations we need to have about changes we need to make.

[Louisa Friesen Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perspective of someone else and the other side of the story - Cadet's story is gracious, but poignant and so relevant. This is a story everyone should hear if they have followed the CAM Haiti sexual abuse scandal at all. Not only does he address the abuse, but the structures and culture that may have allowed the abuse and other sins to flourish. His story is a call for all Christians to proceed with wisdom and humility as we reach other people with the Gospel.

[Carita Keim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must-read for all conservative Anabaptists. Doeurldy Cadet lived and worked among Anabaptists for much of his life. His perspective as a victim of sexual abuse by a missionary exposes many of the besetting sins of that group.

Cadet is passionate in his love for truth and Jesus. He often quotes Scripture, especially when exposing the twisted logic of conservative Anabaptists' largest mission: Christian Aid Ministries. He encourages a way forward, one that involves justice as well as the oft called-for mercy.

This book focuses on systems, not individuals. In fact, the abuser's last name is never mentioned--and only two CAM workers are named, and not in a negative manner.

I have many favorite lines, but perhaps these are my favorite: "Furthermore, many missionaries in key administrative roles had no training or experience in that field. At first, I thought of these people as geniuses. It looked like they found a way to cheat the system and be successful at everything by figuring it out on their own. . . . . However, I would almost always later witness them handling situations and making decisions in a way that exposed their inadequacy and lack of training."

The previous quotation is taken from pages 162-163 from a chapter aptly entitled "Committed to Mediocrity."

[Kristen Yoder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone should read this book. It's completely heart breaking to see what can happen in the name of mission work.

[Asher Witmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a difficult read as it tells of the tragic abuse Haitian boys faced at the hands of Christian Aid Ministries and Jeriah Mast. But it’s such a necessary ready for the church… particularly those involved with missions. Dylo doesn’t just tell his story, he offers a robust critique of the way missions have been done and some of the un-Christlike attitudes of many American missionaries. Should be mandatory reading for any Mission’s training class.

[Alicia Kurtz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall this was a good read. It was good to hear the perspective from the viewpoint of a victim and also as an employee of CAM. That being said I do think it is a slightly biased opinion. And I have no right to judge his motives but I feel like it has a lot more negative emotions due to the fact that it was written so soon after things all went down.

But what he’s saying is so true. And he’s a good reminder for all those involved in missions when it comes to relationships with the locals of the country you are serving. What will they say about in 10-15 years? And what is the solution to all these problems?

“Fight the issue, not the people. Look for the cause, not for the symptoms.”

[Justin Musselman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cadet offers a vulnerably honest look into his childhood and youth as he tells of his cult-like church and sexual abuse. He brings to light issues that had previously been brushed under the rug. Cadet willingly stands up against prominent leaders and popular beliefs in hopes that truth prevails. He is not afraid to name people and organizations to make others aware of what went on in his life. This book is a call to those in leadership and also to victims so each can know how to handle and respond to similar situations. 5 stars for his boldness and willingness to write a book of this nature.

[Daniel Friesen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author has every right to be harsh and unforgiving in his criticism of CAM and their response. But by the end of the book I get the impression that he is at peace, giving constructive criticism and honest reflection. As a native Haitian his unique perspective of the Anabaptist missionaries was incredibly interesting and thought-provoking. Great read!

[Z · Rating 4 out of 5]

Doeurldy tells the story of his past with its incredible spiritual and physical abuse, both from Haitian and from Western leaders. He exposes the rot in both environments with conviction and heart. Anyone in doing cross-cultural ministry or humanitarian aid, especially in the Anabaptist world, should read Cadet’s book.
“But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light, and whatsoever makes manifest is light.”

[Janae Byler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreaking and well written, this book is a must read

[Sheri Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fellow conservative Anabaptists, maybe give this book a read. What changes need to be made to prevent anything like this from happening again? Hopefully we learned some valuable lessons from the Jeriah Mast case

[Joy Musselman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart rending. That such evils exist in the name of Christ. Sobering. That such evils exist in the most conservative of Christians.

I appreciated the perspective of a man who still remains committed to Christ even after witnessing the worst kind of depravity under the name of Christ. I am heartbroken that Christians who are so learned in the principles of Christian living don't live by them...

As I read this book I just thought over and over of the verse: "and what doth the Lord require of thee? But to do justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with Thy God." May God help us!! It definitely is a fine line to find. And takes humble walking with God.

Maybe this book is written out of pain... It has a right to be! To me he does sound like he is simply and humbly laying out the facts seeking a balance of justice and mercy...

May we Anabaptist Christians hear the plea to be
"...a [people] of God whose Gospel is simple. In [whose] world, good is good, evil is evil, and both should be treated accordingly regardless of skin color or the size of the wallet [or denomination]. ... He cares for his community, loving and respecting them and treating everyone with dignity."

[Janell Hege · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well-written, difficult read. I would like to get this into the hands of church leaders, missionaries, and potential missionaries, as well as people helping other people in the context of their own culture. An insider's perspective on the Haiti Anabaptist mission movement, and some darker aspects of racial prejudice and simple results of pride and lack of accountability. Candid.

[Abby Helmuth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story of horrific abuse, told with clarity, grace, and unflinching honesty. The only drawback for me was that the book needed a better editor, and I wish I could have read the story without getting distracted by those minor errors.

[ANTHONY M HIGH · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read for every missionary

This is a very troubling book to read. I know some of the people who could bring transparency and justice to the situation but do nothing. This is an encouragement to figure out what influence I have and use it to bring change. Thank you to those who risked their reputation and lots of criticism to bring this book public. There are many things to learn from this story.

[Rachel Zehr · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much complicity.

[Kendrick Byler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely a must read. Very thought provoking and heartbreaking. I couldn't put the book down.

[Elizabeth Eash · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must read, and not because of the abuse story but because of his preaching against allowing religious groups to just brush things under the carpet.

[Rosemary Schwartz · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's sad how Religion hides so many predators. Is it any wonder it's so out of control? Where abuse is hidden with no accountability, it runs rampant.

[Mike Burkholder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone involved in missions or leadership must read this book! I still believe CAM helps a lot of people but there are lessons we can all learn.

[Rachel Shetterly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard to put down

For the last 45 years or so if my life, I have desires to visit Haiti- meet the people, experience the culture. I’m one generation removed from the Amish community. Though none of my children have been sexually abused, we have 3 former friends, who were influential in our lives, on the registered sex offender list. This story of blatant disregard for children, both American and Haitian, by a “Christian” group is appalling and disgusting. I appreciate the admonition by the author on how to address sexual abuse and the plea for CAM to hold itself responsible and to practice what they teach. Truly repentant sex offenders avoid children for the sake of avoiding their own temptations.

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read!

This book is heartbreaking to read, but oh so important!
I spent some years working overseas in mission work & have experienced firsthand some of these faults of organizations such as mentioned in this book. It's so important for everyone in mission work to be humble & treat everyone with equality! After all, these are Biblical commandments!

Thank you Doeurldy for writing this book. Thank you for challenging to look at the accepted way of missions.
I'm so sorry you, & all the other victims, have to go through what you did!! Praying God brings healing to each of your lives.

[Anita · Rating 1 out of 5]

Personally knowing the author of this book I would not recommend this book. Somehow he either paints himself as the hero or the victim in every scenario, but covers up his own abusive tendencies. CAM made many huge mistakes and hurt many people. But I caution anyone who is reading this book. The author writes from a very biased viewpoint and unless you personally know him and the other characters in the book you don't always know exactly who he is writing about. Anabaptist missions have made many mistakes in the past and have so much to learn. But the Anabaptist people have shown there ignorance as well in recommending this book when they don't even know the other side of the story.

[Alea Weaver · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was pretty good. The author was harsh on CAM, which I can understand since he was abused by one of their volunteers. But also, we are only getting his side of the story. It would be interesting to hear the missions side. I didn't quite agree with all of his points, but it still was a good book, with topics that were good for me to read about.