I heard a pastor from Southern California say recently that the church’s mission statement should look a lot more like Home Depot’s. Know what it is?
“You can do it. We can help.”
This pastor went on to say that “the church is the hope of the world. The church is a part of the picture. People inspired by the ways of Jesus – empowered to resource people.”
“The meaning of life is to give life a meaning.” – Unknown
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Help children lost in the foster care system and orphaned around the world become a part of your family through adoption. Find beginner resources here.
Use your business expertise by partnering with us in development in Haiti.
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I just read an article about a High School Physics teacher who was sharing with his class about the tragic and widespread effects of three deadly hurricanes that had recently swept through Haiti. Floodwaters that reached 9’ deep forced school children to escape to the roof of the school where they were stranded for three days. Several kids from that school were HIV+ orphans who lived in the village. After three days of being stranded, they thought, “I’m hungry, I’m thirsty, nobody cares about us,” and so several of them simply slipped into the water. They gave up hope, dropped off the edge, and were swept away.
The teacher used this gripping story to teach about the importance of reclaiming topsoil and taking care of vegetation (one of the key reasons why the floodwaters were so devastating – there was nothing left to hold back the water.) A student raised her hand: “… We do all these science labs in this class, could we learn the same stuff and come up with a way of helping a village or a school purify their water?”
This young girl’s simple question led to a school wide, ongoing project of creating/ advocating/ traveling to Haiti and now other countries to install water purifiers in impoverished areas where clean drinking water is the difference between life and death for many.
Does this strike anyone else as incredibly profound?
On her own, a sophomore girl in High school couldn’t do anything. On his own, the Physics teacher was probably limited. But instead, an entire school and community wrapped their minds around authentic learning that led to practical relief efforts literally saved lives.
I wish I could share the whole article here and pull out the gems from these stories. I ache for the HIV+ orphans who simply had nothing to live for anymore. But I am so encouraged as I see simple questions and ordinary people standing up and making a huge impact in the lives of people they’ve never met. If there was ever a resounding argument that we all have a voice and CAN do something, I think this confirms it.
We can make a difference right where we are.
This blog references an article called “Dots in Blue Water” by Jon Gorman in Ball State Alumnus, Jan 2012 Vol 69
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Start asking questions, and see where you can get involved. Check out our website to get started.
To say that we’ve had a lot going on at our Ranch project in Haiti would seem like a major understatement.
Over the last few weeks, several groups from the states have trekked down to Southern Haiti and spent time working with our Haitian staff, training them to build a structurally sound Pole Barn. Others have used their expertise in helping set up a Tilapia Project as we test income generating projects, all at the Ranch.
Still others have helped with some crop production while others have visited our Home of Hope families in the surrounding area and taught basic dental hygiene to the kids.
As we continue to work with the Haitian church and reach out to the surrounding communities, we’re so thankful for the opportunities to build deeper relationships and long-term generational impact with the families we serve in Haiti.
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Learn more about the Ranch project in Haiti.
LSM’s staff both here and in Haiti have been busy working on the creation of the Ranch project over the last couple of years. We’re excited to bring you a report of what has happened so far!
We’ve had overwhelming progress with the help of our 17 Haitian Ranch staff. Shane Shaw (our missionary working at the ranch) found local workers, discover their talents, and has built meaningful relationships with each of them. All of their work has been done without overwhelming amount of supplies being shipped in from the US. Because of this, the Haitian staff can be excited about what they’ve been able to accomplish as a small community.
So what exactly have they been accomplishing? In the past year, they’ve put fencing around the entire perimeter, dug irrigation for crop production, bought the beginning livestock, and are now engineering the first major building on the land for maintenance and utilities with storage lofts. Starting in November, they’ll also be testing two new business concepts (Tilapia and chicken/egg production). We hope this will lead to more self sufficiency and training opportunities. These men have been busy!
Most importantly though, the Haitian staff has been able to lay a strong foundation in dignity and ownership to the Ranch. We believe that this is just the start to empowering the community and former Haitian orphans to be able to lift themselves out of poverty free of US charity.
We want to thank everyone who’s supported this work, and ultimately the glory of God being spread throughout the country. Please continue to pray for the US and local staff as we work together for the fatherless in Haiti.
If you’d like to get involved in the Ranch project and learn more about our Business development opportunities, contact Troy Leyse at tleyse@loving-shepherd.org
I recently read an article by Steve Saint, a name that might ring a bell to some of you. He was born and raised in Ecuador where his parents were missionaries. His father, Nate Saint, was the “Jungle pilot” who was one of five young men killed in 1956 by the Waodani Indians who they were trying to reach with the gospel. Because of this background, Steve writes with passion about these people he serves.
Steve wisely suggested that sometimes in our Western mindsets, we have a MUCH different definition of what poverty is than the countries and villages we fit into these categories. Quickly in our desire to help, we create handouts instead of promoting real change in individual lives that will be sustainable long-term.
Clearly we have a responsibility to care for the poor. But just as clearly, we are called to work as a global body of Christ to help our brothers and sisters, to care for the poor, and to reach out to the fatherless.
From these insights, Steve has realized that “as followers of Christ we must fight poverty through discipleship rather than covering it with spiritual frosting. Either we do God’s will, God’s way or we aren’t doing His will at all. Discipleship means teaching others what we have learned so they can teach others to care for their community’s physical, economic, emotional and spiritual needs on a sustainable basis.”
Because of these same beliefs, LSM is working with local believers in Haiti and Ethiopia to care for orphans and help women transition from prostitution to a different lifestyle. We are not in these countries to build beautiful orphanages or create unneeded dependency. Instead, we seek to empower the indigenous churches to reach their own people. By doing this, we believe we are following God’s commands and being kingdom builders with the resources God’s given us.
(Steve Saint’s article clips come from the publication “Mission Frontiers”)
Last fall, a few of LSM’s staff sat down with this precious momma on a dusty morning in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to hear her story. She spoke with passion, tears, and then graceful hope as she looked forward to a new life. Her story is profound.
Years ago, her husband left her and her two children alone, and she was forced to do what she could to provide for her two small children, but work was scarce, and her skills limited. She turned to prostitution as the last resort – the means of survival so she could put food on the table for her son and daughter.
She was constantly scared about the possibilities of HIV, being physically abused or being mugged. But more than that, she knew that it was difficult for her children. Every night she would leave at dark, and they were left alone through the night. This continued for years and she had two more children working the trade. Each night she ached with the burden of guilt, and the dying hope of life ever changing.
She wanted out so badly, but continued on in desperate hope. But she was dying inside. When she learned of LSM, she saw HOPE for the first time in years. One year ago, she joined the program. She brought her children to the center and while she had counseling, her children were able to learn and become a part of the LSM family too. She found healing and repentance through the staff at LSM, and went on to a vocational program with a partnering organization where she learned marketable skills.
This week, she graduated from the vocational training program. Her children are proud of her, and her family is secure and hopeful of a much better future. And we rejoice for the work that God has done in her little family’s life in the last year! Join us in praying for her future as she now can work and provide in a dignified way.
Written by Dereje, Staff @ Counseling & Resource Center, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia:
What we have seen today in our office is something spectacular that lit hope in the life of the women LSM is supporting. It is about a bag that changes their attitudes towards what they are feeling about their skill training program. Here is what happened today.
Paulos and I (Dereje) were in the office, working on our laptops as usual. Suddenly, we heard Hilina coming to our office shouting with excitement. She was simply repeating her delight by saying, “this is unbelievable!” We looked at each other and then to our office door waiting to hear the surprising news Hilina was about to tell us.
Hilina entered the office holding a colorful lady’s bag. I thought it was just one of those expensive lady’s bag made of leather appearing to be fashionable in the city. But Hilina kept on admiring it insisting us give comments. She told us after a while, even before we say anything, that the bag is the product of our women in the skill training program.
I just couldn’t believe my eyes! I took the bag from Hilina, looked at it closely and carefully. It is so nicely made that no body would believe it is made of rubbish plastic bags. As I run to the front door, I met Tizita coming to us. I told her my honest appreciation of the work congratulating her for the achievement. She explained to us the production process – how she gathered the scraps and made the bag at her shop.
We praised God for the achievement and took the bag to show the women who had been toiling for it for months. They were so excited to see the work of their hands because it was beyond their expectation. A week before today, some of them were even complaining about laboring in vain, saying what good could come out of ironing a plastic bag.
As I took sometime and reflect on the whole process, two things stood out as a perfect and constant reminder of God’s hand on the work.
First, it is about the day. The environment day is marked all over the world this week. People, especially those who are saying they are concerned about the environment, celebrates the day with talks, panel discussions, presentations of research findings, press releases and so forth. But here, at LSM, the women – former prostitutes, who do not have a clue about what is said to be in the media about the environment, are making something. They may not be qualified enough to give analysis about the positive impact of their product on the environment. But here they are, praising God for helping them to see their first product – a spectacular lady’s bag from waste plastic bags. This is what they offer to the entire world on this global environment day.
Secondly, I was impressed as I observe some sort of relation about the new life of the women with that of the beautiful bag. Figuratively speaking, the bag is a metaphor which represents their former life as prostitutes and the new life they have started to enjoy. I could imagine the worst experience each woman has passed through as a distasteful member of the community. I believe that God himself intervened and delivered these women from their former life with stretched hands. God uses LSM to accomplish his purpose. The women’s life, which was like that of garbage plastic bags at a time, has been molded, recreated and transformed into a remarkable new living being.
It was only yesterday, the women were gathered together for thanks giving and celebration of their first anniversary as new people. After lots of hard works, such as counseling, bible studies, discussions and life sharing, their life has become taking a proper shape. Today these women are different with the restoration of their inner beauty.
That is why I said the bag is the metaphor. The cutting, ironing, sewing and designing process allegorically represents the transformation process. What we have seen today, I believe, raises hope in each woman’s heart so as to work hard and toil for a better life.
“I don’t trust you. You will have to earn my trust.”
There was a wary look in her eyes, and her mouth formed a hard line as she said those raw words. It seemed by all logical appearances as if she should jump at the hope Annie offered her. But she didn’t. Not right away.
This young woman with hardened eyes had no one in her life that she could trust, and so when Annie Hilton came and offered her a chance at a steady, honest job, she responded with all the walls in her heart from years of pain and exploitation. This young girl articulated the fear and pain of millions of girls around the world who are trafficked and coerced into the sex industry every year.
I met Annie Hilton last week in a conference room in Wisconsin, and saw the love in her eyes as she told us of her and her husband’s daunting work in Sonagacchi, the largest, most infamous sex district of Kolkata, India. The Hiltons worked tirelessly to start up a business to provide alternate income for these women. Annie went on to describe the relationships and consistent lifestyle and display of love they showed to these girls, and finally earned their trust, one by one. Today, they have a thriving business called FREESET, where women are offered full time employment and dignity in their work. (To read about their story, go to: www.freesetglobal.com).
Annie’s story wasn’t the only one I heard last week. In fact, at the ICAP Conference (International Christian Alliance on Prostitution), I was humbled over and over again as I met people like the Hiltons from 40 different countries around the world. As I saw these people starting businesses and working to counsel and guide these broken women to free lifestyles, I became confident that the work that LSM is pursuing in Ethiopia is a deeply worthy cause. Praise God for the fellowship of others in this work who guide and encourage with such wisdom and strength. Through many believers, in many areas, trust is being built and hope is brought to some of the darkest places on earth.
March 22 is World Water Day, a day dedicated to draw international attention to the startling fact that nearly one billion people throughout the world don’t have access to clean, safe water. Hopefully something that big grasps our attention.
In Haiti alone, the majority of all fresh water sources have been polluted because of poor sanitation systems. More than half the deaths in Haiti are due to various water-borne diseases – diseases that could be easily prevented by simply drinking clean water.
One step at a time, LSM is committed to reaching out to orphaned and at-risk children through the areas God opens up. Part of the providing for our Home of Hope families in Haiti has been making sure they have access to clean water, whether through wells or natural springs nearby. It has opened up many jobs for Haitian workers and opportunities to share with them the love of Jesus.
Beyond that, our Vocational Ranch now has a 180 ft deep well that will provide clean water for students and workers. We are continually reminded of the essential parts that we all play in making these things possible, from the funding all the way to the installation of a water well.
Family by family, child by child, we’re bringing water in the name of Jesus to his children. Thanks for joining with us today as we remember those who are still without clean (and more importantly true LIVING) water.
“…I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink…” Matthew 25:35
