2022: Our Worthy King
Year In Review for Loving Shepherd Ministries
Each Christmas we eagerly celebrate the birth of Jesus, our worthy King and God’s greatest gift to the world. This year is even more special to us at LSM as we give Him praise for our 20th year of ministry! By God’s grace and thanks to your support, we have witnessed God transforming countless lives in Haiti, Ethiopia and the U.S.
The first priority of LSM will always be to share the name of Jesus Christ, the loving Shepherd (Isa. 40) and worthy King (Luke 1), to the most vulnerable. Your support in 2022 allowed us to make an incredible impact around the world in His name. Our Christ-centered programs are empowering the lives of vulnerable children, allowing them to reach their full, God-given potential and change their country for Christ. We are so thankful that the generosity of our faithful supporters and the Lord’s blessing has allowed us to expand His Kingdom in 2022 (see below).
As you read the story of Jesula (see below), the power of God’s love is so evident! Just imagine – a little girl who was abandoned by her mother being forced to grieve the tragic death of her father alone. Although she was given a new family in one of our Homes of Hope, it took a special divine appointment to challenge her that God had a plan for her life if she would only surrender to Him. And she did! Praise God that this once brokenhearted little girl is now a passionate advocate for Christ! We thank God that He has a good plan for every child we serve, and it is our distinct privilege to play a part. We also thank God for you – for your prayers and generous support. Without your love and investment, so many defenseless children would not be empowered to thrive. Without you, there is simply no way that we could reflect God’s love to children and families in such difficult places. And, ultimately without you, God would not get the glory He deserves.
Your support at year-end means so much and allows us to continue growing and deepening our work with the world’s most vulnerable children. And this year we’re pleased to announce that a generous donor will match all year-end donations until December 31 up to a total of $200,000. This means that the value of your donation is doubled!
JESUS MY SAVIOR
Twenty-three years ago, a precious little girl named Jesula* was born in a poor, remote village in Haiti. Her life became unimaginably difficult when her father was tragically killed in a car accident. Her mother’s despair left 8-year-old Jesula abandoned to grieve the loss of her father alone. She was malnourished and scared, with no one to love her. But God heard her cries for help.
By God’s grace, Jesula was brought to a Home of Hope family, where she began to attend school and church and to experience love from her new parents. But it wasn’t easy. From her years of neglect, Jesula was scared to depend on Jesus and felt unworthy. She began rebelling and eventually wanted to leave her new home. But God scheduled a divine appointment for Jesula when Ed Schwartz, LSM Founder, and Wilfrid Remonvil, Home of Hope Director, paid her a special visit to challenge her that God had a plan for her life if she would only surrender to Him. In that moment, Jesula realized she had a crucial choice to make. That day she chose to follow Jesus and her life began to change! She suddenly had hope for the future and the confidence to pursue God’s mission for her life!
Jesula was one of LSM’s first high school graduates and began attending LSM Tech two years ago, where she recently graduated as the top student! At LSM Tech, she assisted the Director and helped form a youth group for campus students, where they focus on spreading the Gospel and being a voice for change in Haiti. Jesula is truly the embodiment of LSM’s mission – reaching her full potential and transforming her culture for Christ!
We believe Haiti will succeed when young people like Jesula rise from within the country to fulfill their God-given calling. We rejoice and give God the glory that your loving support is raising up faithful leaders like Jesula to form the next generation for Christ!
CHANGING LIVES IN 2022
HAITI
- We began construction of 2 NEW HOMES OF HOPE, which will allow us to help more boys who are at-risk of exploitation, abuse, and child slavery.
- Over 30 students achieved a major accomplishment by being the FIRST GRADUATES OF LSM TECH.
- WE LAUNCHED A NEW HAITI FAMILY PRESERVATION PROGRAM with 15 initial families that will give us the ability to keep at-risk families together.
ETHIOPIA
- WE SHARED THE LIFE-CHANGING GOSPEL WITH 200 CHILDREN, many from Muslim backgrounds.
- We hosted a 7-week SUMMER CAMP FOR 74 CHILDREN at our inner-city Family Preservation location, which was our most extensive camp ever.
- OUR BUSINESS TRAINING PROGRAM empowered 100 single mothers to start their own businesses, with plans to expand the program in 2023.
USA
- We provided over 700 HOURS OF FREE COUNSELING to 36 foster and adoptive children and families.
- We launched BRICKHOUSE PUPS, a new for-profit business to provide sustainability for our BrickHouse program.
- WE HELPED 100 COUPLES navigate the adoption process free of charge.
YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
WILL YOU PRAYERFULLY CONSIDER MAKING A GENEROUS GIFT THIS CHRISTMAS SEASON TO EMPOWER VULNERABLE CHILDREN TO TRANSFORM THEIR CULTURE FOR CHRIST?
This Christmas, your gifts have maximum impact with our matching grant! Join us as we step into 2023 with faith that He will provide!