LSM Tech enrolls 40+ students who grew up in Homes of Hope and who earned the great privilege of higher education through their academic performance, as well as 20+ young people from the broader community. While our Home of Hope program creates new, healthy families to rescue children from unsalvageable situations of poverty and abuse, Kinship Care seeks salvageable situations: promising families that have simply fallen on hard times and need a helping hand to get back on their feet. Interactions between these two programs have proven fun and exciting! For example, students at LSM Tech recently ran a VBS program for children enrolled in our Kinship Care program. We love to see those that have been blessed by one of our older programs stepping up to become a blessing to the young participants in one of our newer programs! Let’s all remember to pray for these future leaders as they’re equipped to make a Kingdom impact!
Here at LSM, we’re committed to helping children and families in Haiti, Ethiopia and the United States reach their God-given potential. Because we know God often uses strong families and marriages to make this happen, weโre always eager to invest in this important institution. One of the ways that we do this is through the lineup of powerful speakers we host at our Events Center in Bluffton, Indiana. Follow our Happenings page and to stay in the loop!
At the heart of the LSM Gospel Project is the idea that when God blesses us, He wants us to bless others in return. U.S. donors and volunteers who make our Gospel Project possible take this idea to heart. We also see it demonstrated by the Haitian children in our Homes of Hope, who distribute LSM Gospel Kits to those in their communities. Imagine being a young child who starts out as the poorest of the poor in Haiti โ possibly even as a trafficked slave. Then suddenly, you transition into an LSM Home of Hope where you receive education and care that probably leaves you better off than many kids in Haiti. How does the human heart respond to such a sudden change? We don’t ever want our children to feel entitled or in any way distant from the needs of their community โ which is why we provide them with ways to engage and serve through participation in school, church, and service opportunities like the Gospel Project. Some day, many of our children will earn degrees and launch careers as doctors and engineers. As God’s blessing on their lives increases, so too, their capacity to bless others will expand. We think it’s important to plant the seed of the Gospel Project in young hearts, preparing our children for a life of service to God and to those in need!
Charity Navigator, the most respected charity watchdog group in the U.S., has again awarded LSM with Four Star status, its highest rank for organizational accountability, transparency, and integrity. Only one in four ministries earn the distinction. Charity Navigator’s president, Michael Thatcher, says: “LSM exceeds industry standards, executes its mission in a financially efficient way, and outperforms most charities in its area of work.” Thank you for your ongoing support!
As we prepare for Giving Tuesday on November 28, we’re counting our blessings from 2023 by taking a moment to look back on some of the stories that inspire us!
Back in 2012, our donors made it possible for Caliste to join an LSM Home of Hope when she was 10 years old. A member of LSM’s Haitian staff recorded that Caliste’s family was very poor, that she suffered stomach pain due to hunger, and that she exhibited signs of depression and anxiety. In closing, the interviewer wrote “Caliste has very sad eyes.” Today, Caliste’s eyes tell a different story. She’s discovered a passion for music and says her dream is to tour the world. She also excels at school and has discovered a love for business. But she says the greatest change has been her acceptance of Jesus. She loves Psalm 100: “Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before him with joyful songs!”
We often feature vulnerable children and orphans who come from backgrounds of starvation, poverty, and slavery โ whose lives have been changed through LSM’s Homes of Hope, through our Trauma Recovery program, and through our unique Continuum of Care. But what about about children and orphans who remain in harm’s way? Oscar, below, represents a child whose parents were killed or absent. Perhaps he’s out on the streets living on his own or worse, living as a child slave in the home of an abusive family who beats, starves and exploits him. There are countless children in Haiti with stories similar to Oscar’s. And that’s why LSM’s Gospel Project and Kinship Care program expand the scope of our work beyond Homes of Hope, providing more broadly in the communities we serve. When you give to LSM, it extends our reach so we can provide children like Oscar with living essentials, education resources, and the truth of the Gospel as soon as possible. Learn about Family Sponsorship and direct giving today!
Ephesians 1:5 says God “adopted us into His family through Jesus Christ.” Few can appreciate this better than Joรซlle, whose lack of a family once made it difficult to find her way in the world. Joรซlle became orphaned as an infant and went to live with her aunt, who lacked the means to care for her and was often abusive. Joรซlle grew up not even knowing whether she had biological siblings. Today, through the generosity of her sponsors, Joรซlle enjoys the love of her Home of Hope parents and eleven sisters. She says she’s grateful for the change her LSM family and the family of God have brought about in her life. Now she’s sharing the blessing of family with others who are in need!
In Haiti, where many people โ especially young children โ suffer from malnutrition and starvation, we believe it’s crucial for us to educate our LSM Tech students about how to grow crops and raise livestock. Agricultural knowledge is highly valuable in Haiti, even for those who don’t plan to become farmers, because raising a few goats, chickens, and cows can provide vital income and nutrition for one’s family, and also for one’s community. In fact, one LSM Tech student is so serious about agriculture that they’ve already bought a goat as a personal investment. We love to see our children taking the lessons we’re teaching them about stewardship and applying them to their lives!
In his first letter to Thessalonica, Paul reminds the church to “encourage each other and build each other up.” The person on LSM’s team who knows the most about physical building is Troy Leyse, our Construction Manager. Troy is the primary staff person responsible for managing construction of our new Homes of Hope and businesses in Haiti, as well as installation of other key features such as wells, security walls, bridges, and solar panel arrays. But as Troy would be the first to tell you, his biggest responsibility is overseeing the building up of people, not structures. In everything LSM does, our goal is to equip local workers and to empower local leaders who God is raising up to help usher in a new dawn for Haiti!
๐ช๐ฒ๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ป๐ฒ๐น: ๐ข๐ป ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ฟ๐ผ๐ป๐ ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐ง๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐บ๐ฎ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฆ๐ผ๐๐น ๐ฆ๐๐ฟ๐ด๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ Meet two of our recent hires in Haiti: Wesly, a psychologist, and Enel, a social worker. Both help implement our Trauma Recovery program for the kids LSM serves, as well as support overall mental health and well-being for our staff and families. In his letter to the Romans, Paul describes one key aspect of faith-based trauma recovery and healing: “Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future…nor anything else in all creation, can separate us from the love of God.” We want those in our care to know that God loves them and that He’s given them incredible potential โ even if they’ve seen tragedy or abuse. Did you know that Jesus Christ is also the victor in your own life?
Five years ago, Rachel Gerber began managing our IN auctions. Since then, we’ve scaled up our auctions in Indiana and Illinois and launched a new one in Ohio. We also strive to communicate well with our faithful donors, both locally and across the country, with a particular emphasis on hosting small group events in key locations. Two years ago, we brought Rachel on to help support these important initiatives. “I love working with LSM because of the example it sets for my kids,” Rachel says. “They’re learning that the world is full of needs and that they can make an impact!”
If you enjoy the stories from Haiti that we share, meet the person behind the camera: Abdias Victor is the son of a minister. He has a big heart for justice and protecting the vulnerable, which is why he had planned to go into law enforcement. But that changed when our Director of Business, Michael Brown, introduced him to photography and helped him discover his love for helping children. “Working with kids is part of me. I love going to the office each day because I see first-hand the difference that we are making. These vulnerable children are like brothers and sisters to me. So making them laugh and seeing joy on their faces after what they’ve been through is a great miracle, and I’m just honored to play my part!”
Ernso Voltaire first started working for LSM more than ten years ago as a security guard at LSM Tech. Even when he started out, Ernso stood out for his sharp mind, attention to detail, and ability to fix things โ as well as his great communication and leadership skills. There’s nothing that we love more than promoting potential wherever we find it. Ernso now manages LSM’s block plant โ our largest and most successful business in Haiti โ the profits of which are being used to help Haiti’s vulnerable children. Ernso’s favorite scripture is found in Psalm 23: “You anoint my head with oil. My cup overflows.” When God hands us an overflowing cup, it means we have an opportunity to bless others. Thanks Ernso!
Drew, LSM’s Mobilization Coordinator, manages our social media and website, including the stories you read here on Facebook. In his five years on our staff, we’ve seen a massive growth in our online audience โ thanks to the faithful engagement of our readers and supporters. Collaborating with our marketing team members in Haiti, Ethiopia, and the U.S., LSM’s digital marketing uses photography, video, text, and design to shine a light on those in need, as well as LSM’s Kingdom-minded efforts to bring restoration into those situations. Thanks to you, our advocates, not only for sharing these stories concerning desperate needs at home and abroad โ but for playing an active part in the resolution!
Several years ago, Kethia, our Administrative Assistant in Haiti, needed a job. God answered her prayers in a big way by creating an opening for her at LSM. “This is so much more than a job,” she says. “LSM has helped connect me with my friends, church, and community. My responsibilities are often small, but because we know God works through LSM, even small tasks feel rewarding.” Kethia says her favorite Scripture is Psalm 4, which reads in part: “The Lord sets apart the godly for himself. He answers when we call to him. Offer sacrifices in the right spirit, and trust the Lord. He’s given us greater joy than those with abundant harvests.”
Mark Ahrens, LSM’s Director of Finance, joined our team several years ago with more than three decades of corporate accounting and finance experience under his belt. And thankfully, he came in ready to hit the ground running! Our various ministry and business finances are managed by team members spanning three different countries and currencies. Keeping everyone on track is a massive feat, even for someone with Mark’s expertise. “Our responsibility to be excellent stewards, to build something good that lasts and makes an eternal impact comes directly from God, I believe,” Mark says. “Working with our Haitian and Ethiopian staff every day has opened my heart far more globally, and I’ll always be grateful for the sense of international family and belonging that I feel here!”
Those who know Riderson will tell you that one of his best qualities is his willingness to serve. It’s a great mark of leadership, especially in a culture where leaders can often be domineering. “I’m always happy to do any kind of work for LSM,” Riderson says, “whether it’s making coffee or mopping the floor.” Riderson has such a heart to serve others that one of his biggest adjustments to leadership was learning to delegate office tasks in order to better serve our staff as a manager. In the last several years, Riderson and his wife Prestina have embarked on a new journey of servanthood as parents. “Through discipleship, LSM is creating a better future for kids in Haiti,” Riderson says. “Now that I have my own children, I’m more invested in that future than ever before!”
“Individualism” is a defining quality of U.S. culture, especially compared to other countries. This is a challenge to LSM because Haiti and Ethiopia, the two primary foreign countries we serve, both have cultures that emphasize “collectivism.” In other words, Americans place a higher value on self-reliance while our friends in Haiti and Ethiopia often focus more on the common good. From a Christian worldview, both perspectives may provide lessons that we can take to heart. For instance, LSM’s international staff might more easily understand that we are not our own (1 Cor. 6:19), that none of us should think of ourselves more highly than we ought (Romans 12:3), and that we should all serve cooperatively within God’s Kingdom rather than just pursue our own interests. At the same time, our American staff might more easily understand that salvation comes from a personal relationship with Jesus (1 Cor. 8:3) and that free, individual choice is one of the most important gifts He’s given us to live a full, abundant life (2 Cor. 3:17). The difficult aspect of working across cultures is that LSM staff must practice teachable humility and stay alert for miscommunications. And the blessing is that every day, we have an opportunity to step out of our cultural lens in order to see God and those around us in a fresh light. Could you and your family benefit from a multicultural perspective? Maybe consider sponsoring a Home of Hope and starting a relationship with a family in Haiti. It could provide just the change in perspective that your family has been looking for!
If we take away the sign out front, is it still worship? Perhaps you come from a church where it may feel less like worship if there isn’t a band and lights, if you don’t raise both hands, or if you don’t post a tweet from the service? Maybe you come from a more traditional church where it might feel less like worship without hymnals and stained glass. What if there isn’t a smile and nod from your friends nearby? What if we remove the Sunday crowd completely? What if there’s no message? Or no music? Is it still worship if it’s just us and God spending a moment together? If He’s asking us for a big leap of faith, do we call that worship? What if He’s asking us to do something small instead, something no one else would ever notice? Do small things matter enough to be worship? Is it worship if the thing God is asking us to do is uncomfortable or unpopular? Is it worship if it hurts our pride or if it stains our khaki pants? Open our eyes, God. To think outside of the box and to remember that our worship is for an Audience of One. To be reminded that Jesus just wants us to sit at His feet like Mary, learn from Him, and then to go out like the Apostles. Seeking Rahab, the thief on the cross, the Samaritan, the tax collector. The destitute, the poor in spirit, the penitent, the vulnerable, the least of these. Open our eyes to worship in all its forms. Show us what it looks like to walk with You today. Give us the grace to escape society and self. Teach us to worship!
The U.S. Department of State estimates that 4 out of every 5 Haitians practices a form of voodoo combined with Christianity. Voodoo in Haiti has a dark history of employing fear to abuse and manipulate people. The mixing of Christianity with something untrue, known as “syncretism,” is something we must monitor in our Homes of Hope, where children might come to us with ideas about Jesus that are polluted with untruth. Syncretism also poses a challenge as we seek to share Jesus more broadly through efforts like the Gospel Project. It’s a subject the Bible speaks about extensively. In the Old Testament, God was constantly reminding his people to avoid polluting their beliefs with the destructive ideologies of their neighbors. You may remember Joshua’s command to “choose this day who you will serve” (Josh. 24:15) or Elijah’s question: “how long will you waver between two opinions?” (1 Kings 18:21). In the New Testament, Paul and the early church fathers spent a significant amount of time battling a second iteration of the same fight, reminding believers “you cannot drink from the cup of the Lord and the cup of devils” (1 Cor. 10:21). We do not serve a God of confusion (1 Cor. 14:33). This week, let’s pray for God to make himself clearly known to those in Haiti and around the world who sincerely and diligently seek Him (Jer. 29:13).
Of all the important resources that developing countries lack, perhaps the most critical is hope. When despair creeps in, collective participation falters and suffering increases. How can a student focus on studying if they don’t feel safe from local gang activity? Why would a tradesman start a business if they fear their government’s corruption will undermine what they’re trying to build? At LSM, we focus on making families feel safe in spaces that we can control, such as the classroom and the home. By pointing vulnerable kids to our greatest hope, found in Jesus, we’re endeavoring to keep the vital flame of participation alive in a new generation. Will you, too, participate with us by lifting up these efforts in prayer?
If we could read the story of your life, what kind of book would it be? Are there paragraphs where you lost your way, chapters that you wish you could go back and tear out? Romans 3:23 tells us all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Sadly, not one of us can change our identities or expunge our pasts. But we can be thankful to serve a God who can. Through Him alone, our stories can be rewritten, the mistakes and pains of our past blotted out by grace. In John 15:15, Jesus tells us He no longer considers us servants โ but friends โ and children of our Father in Heaven. This week, let’s remember to walk in that grace and to live each day in close communion with the One who made our redemption story possible.
We serve in Haiti, Ethiopia, and the United States, all three of which have dealt with challenges this year: political turmoil in the U.S., an earthquake in Haiti, a regional civil war in Ethiopia, and a global pandemic affecting all three. We’ve grieved losses from these tragedies in turn. But 1 Cor. 4:13 reminds us we’re not to grieve like those who are without hope. No matter what bad news besets us, LSM remains steadfast, resting in the greatest good news of all, the Gospel. Because of Jesus, we know how the story ends. This knowledge emboldens us to stay open to joy in hard times, to rebuild when things fall apart, to help others, and to expand His kingdom!
Want to be happier? Healthier? More resilient? More joyful? More forgiving? More loving? More generous? More relational? More optimistic? Research has shown that practicing gratitude can improve your life in all of these areas! And it’s not difficult to do. Gratitude is like a muscle that can be strengthened through daily use. Today, why not sit down and write out a list of all the blessings in your life? Have you taken time recently to express gratitude to the people who mean the most to you? This week, let’s remember to keep thankful hearts and freely express appreciation to those we love!
LSM serves the worldโs most vulnerable children through our unique Continuum of Care, which equips each child to reach their God-given potential. We’re empowering young people to change their communities for Christ and pass their leadership skills along to the next generation, permanently breaking cycles of poverty and despair. From Trauma Recovery to Educational Enrichment, from Kinship Care to Family Preservation, from Discipleship to Lifeskills and Vocational Training, we’re helping young dreams take flight. Dreams that can transform communities โ even the entire world!
When LSM was founded, ministries helping vulnerable kids were less common. How do we stand out today? One good answer is our unparalleled commitment to “what’s next?” We started in Adoption Resources, but what was next? We established Homes of Hope to provide in-country care for kids who weren’t adopted. We helped them heal from abuse and trauma, but what was next? Discipleship, internships, and vocational training to help those children become adult leaders. Donors provided generous support, but what was next in terms of our stewardship? We established businesses to supplement giving and help even more kids. Today, LSM is still set apart by relentless innovation, plus the long view we take on our kids and the Kingdom. You make it possible!
This is what it looks like when God takes a piece from each of twelve broken family situations and glues them together to make a new family, a Home of Hope. How does it work? First, local churches in Haiti help LSM locate an upstanding Christian couple that feels a strong call from God to care for vulnerable kids. Next, our staff works with churches to locate twelve boys or girls who are orphaned, child slaves, or at high risk of becoming slaves. We search for kids who have the greatest needs and highest potential, then match them with our carefully chosen couple to create a permanent family, a Home of Hope. Through your support, we offer trauma recovery, mentorship, and other tools to help equip our kids to achieve their full potential and reach their culture for Christ!
LSM employs more than 150 Haitians across our businesses, our child development staff, and our construction crews. But did you know that not one of our permanent, on-site Haitian employees is an American? Our Haitian operations employ Haitians. Likewise, our Ethiopian ministries employ Ethiopians. We rarely send short-term teams, and those we do are mainly focused on teaching, not doing. This avoids cultural erosion and unintentionally taking employment from the local workforce. The work we’re doing to build productivity and resilience in our individual children is crucial. But someday, our kids will move out into society, where they will have their best shot at success in a community and local economy which LSM is helping to ensure is also productive and healthy.
We’re often asked how LSM identifies vulnerable Haitian kids who are most in need. The answer is that we work with local leaders, especially churches, which are often deeply aware of concerns in their communities. Churches also help us identify candidates to be Home of Hope parents. Typically, LSM looks for couples who don’t yet have children of their own, but who show leadership in their church and neighborhood. Once we identify twelve boys or girls and a couple to serve as parents, we build them a home โ at which point the Haitian church provides our newly formed family with emotional and spiritual support, including tools for trauma recovery, discipleship, and leadership that complement LSM’s own programs. In Haitian culture, anyone – regardless of age – who has a gift for singing or preaching in church is treated as a community leader. From helping us identify vulnerable children to empowering them with leadership opportunities, Haitian churches offer a crucial source of stability and spiritual growth for our kids!
Henri knows a guitar like the back of his hand. He can even play behind his back! Despite Henri’s youth, he often plays at his local church, in the community, and at LSM events. He says, “I lost my mother when I was young. I needed a doctor, but I had no money. My situation was desperate. Today, thanks to LSM sponsors, I have a loving family. I’m studying to become an engineer so I can help other children pay to attend school. Music makes me feel close to God, and I use it to share what he’s done in my life!” Many of our other children also sing and play music thanks to LSM’s Child Development Program. With the Psalmist, they’re worshiping God through life’s peaks and valleys, reaching hearts with music where words often fall short.
We first met Esther at age 4. Her parents lived in poverty, and she was malnourished, at risk of starving or becoming a child slave. Thankfully, you made it possible for Esther to join a Home of Hope! At first, Esther showed signs of trauma: she was emotionally distant and slow to trust people. Today, she is one of the healthiest, most wholehearted young ladies living in her Home. Esther has a sharp mind and scores extremely high on tests for creativity and problem solving. She tells us, โMy prayer is to serve God as a nurse and care for orphaned kids!โ You can send her an encouraging note and help us begin new stories of redemption in Haiti by becoming an LSM Family Sponsor!
Elisa’s father died before she was born, and she became an orphan at 5 when her mother died in Haiti’s earthquake of 2010. Elisa was in danger of starving or becoming a slave when LSM discovered her and found an opening for her in one of our Homes of Hope. She attended school and church for the first time and quickly showed excitement about learning. She’s interested in masonry and block production, which is great because we are always looking for engineering, block production, and construction interns. Her favorite passage of Scripture is in Psalm 46: โGod is our refuge and strength. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way.” Elisa wants to build schools to help improve the lives of vulnerable children in Haiti!
Growing up in Haiti, Philippe lost both of his parents at a young age. Thankfully our supporters made it possible for us to welcome Philippe into a Home of Hope along with eleven other boys and two loving, Christian parents. Today, Philippe is an excellent student and young leader who excels at his household responsibilities. He also plays the piano and drums. Philippe loves science and says he wants to become a doctor someday so he can help vulnerable kids. His favorite Bible verse is Psalm 3, which reads in part: “From the Lord comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people!” God delivered Philippe using your support, and now this young man is studying hard in the hope of multiplying that blessing to others!
Growing up in southern Haiti, Alida lost her mother at a young age. Her father, a farmer, tried to care for Alida and her seven siblings, but the family often went hungry. When supporters made it possible for Alida to join a Home of Hope where she would receive care and an education, her father became emotional and said he was glad to see his daughter receive a chance at a better life. Today, Alida is an excellent student and role model who enjoys singing and studying French. She wants to be a doctor and an evangelist so she can care for the needs around her, inside and out. Thanks for putting a tear in a weary father’s eye and a big dream in a young girl’s heart!
Meet Lucie, one of the kids living in an LSM Home of Hope with a traumatic history behind her and the hope of a bright future before her. When we introduce you to a child like Lucie, perhaps you say a silent prayer: “Lord, I feel you touching my heart with this child’s story. Are you calling me to take some responsibility in her journey of healing?” It’s a tricky question because ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐ฝ๐ผ๐ป๐๐ถ๐ฏ๐ถ๐น๐ถ๐๐ is a word often associated with weight or obligation. It’s also a fairly large word, so what if we break it down into “๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐ฝ๐ผ๐ป๐๐ฒ” and “๐ฎ๐ฏ๐ถ๐น๐ถ๐๐?” What is our ability to help? What is our response to that ability? Kind of simplifies the question, doesn’t it? Let’s all help where we can!
“The Bible says that our response to trials in life can result in praise, glory, and honor to Jesus Christ (1 Pet 1:6-9). Haiti is currently in the midst of such trials and yet the faith of our Haitian staff is strong and inspiring. We share the below update to encourage you to pray and to remain steadfast in your faith in spite of whatever trials you may be facing.โย ย
โ Doug Isch, President of LSM
SPECIAL UPDATE FROM HAITI
Recent months have been uniquely challenging in Haiti. In 2021, Haitians saw the assassination of their President and experienced a devastating 7.2 magnitude earthquake near Les Cayes. This year, Haitians are feeling the effects of rampant inflation that has increased to over 30%. The pain of this inflation is only exacerbated by increased criminal gang violence, protests, and severe gasoline and food shortages. Many in Haiti are barely surviving the higher cost of basic needs.
Despite inflation, earthquakes, civil unrest, and other challenges, our Haitian staff and families continue to trust God and share their faith. Their hope is rooted in the Gospel and their faith is strong despite the constant struggles. Our mission has always been to provide a deep biblical foundation to equip our children for difficult times. By God’s grace, our staff and families in Haiti remain steadfast, fully believing that the current news does not change the greatest news of all, the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord. – Psalm 112:7
Our Haitian staff and families remind us that even in difficult times, we should put our faith in God and continue to spread the Good News of God’s love.ย Will you join us in praying for our Haitian staff and children during these uniquely difficult days?
PRAY WITH US
Please join us in praying against the turmoil, gang violence and fuel and food shortages in Haiti. Pray that Haitians would know that true peace only comes from our Heavenly Father during these difficult times.
Whether you live here in the U.S. or on the other side of the world, God’s grace is sufficient for you and those in your care this week, no matter what. Psalm 119 promises, “Your word, Lord, is eternal. It stands firm in the heavens, and your faithfulness endures through all generations.” Also, Hebrews 10:23 reminds us to “hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering. For He who promised is faithful.” We serve a compassionate God who has proven faithful to millions throughout history and around the world. This week, let’s bear one another’s burdens in prayer. And let’s use the challenges we face as an opportunity to walk a little closer to Jesus!
We often present you with opportunities to pray for and to help those served by LSM. But did you know that our staff and families in Haiti and Ethiopia frequently pray for you all as well? After all, the reality is that we need their prayers just as much as they need ours. Living in the U.S., we are often bombarded with noise, distractions, and spiritual challenges not present in developing countries, so it can be helpful to be reminded of those who have little more than God to cling to. Let’s pray for the kids whose lives you’ve touched, whose stories touch our hearts in return.
Success isn’t a zero-sum game. If our neighbor achieves success, it doesn’t mean they’ve taken something from us. We know that’s true here in the U.S., where the standards of living have risen for nearly everyone in the last two centuries. Even more importantly, it’s true in the economy of the Kingdom of God. Developing nations like Haiti and Ethiopia haven’t enjoyed a history of seeing everyone improve their circumstances at once, and as a result, jealousy often runs rampant in those cultures. This week, pray for God to reveal that we, who seek Him, don’t need to think of blessings as table scraps to be fought over, but as infinite and overflowing. Pray for Him to bless the hearts in our care with the radical, countercultural ability to wish others well, even when it’s hard.
As a ministry for orphans and vulnerable children, LSM knows the value of a faithful father figure better than most. Godly parents model the love of our heavenly Father for impressionable young hearts. It’s the kind of investment that God can multiply, blessing communities for generations to come! 1 Thess. 2:11-12 reminds us that “a father deals with his children by encouraging, comforting, and urging (them) to live lives worthy of God, who calls (them) into his kingdom and glory.” This week, let’s reach out to a father figure, biological or otherwise, and thank him for his vital service to his family, to the community, and to God!
Difficulties in our lives will knock us down. But God can use these experiences to soften our hearts and fill us with a courage and a tenacity that is found in Him alone. This confidence can increase our capacity to be of service to God and to our fellow man. LSM believes the best place to recover and grow personal confidence, especially for a child who has endured trauma, is within the safety and healthy influence of a loving Christian home. Today we’re changing individual lives; tomorrow they’ll shape the world!
Then the disciples came to Jesus and asked, โWho is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?โ Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. He said, โI tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. So anyone who becomes as humble as this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. And anyone who welcomes a child in my name welcomes me.โ Matthew 18:1-4
“We received Godโs Spirit when he adopted us as his own children. And now we call him, ‘Abba, Father.’ For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are Godโs children!” Romans 8:14-16
In the world’s most hopeless places, LSM brings shelter to the homeless and food to the hungry. Beyond aid, we empower the vulnerable to take care of themselves in the future โ and even to become leaders and teach others. But our ultimate aim isn’t just making sure people have food today or even next week. Above all, John 6:27 reminds us to desire the “food that endures to eternal life.” By raising up young leaders who love Jesus, we’re affecting a scope of change that is not merely generational โ but eternal!
Colossians 3:13 says, “As the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” For those who have been abused, forgiveness is unimaginably difficult, possible only by the grace of God. Part of what makes trauma and abuse such terrible burdens is that they cause bitterness. Not only does this create obstacles to success and joy in life, but it can also create barriers to God. Regardless of how deep our pain goes, we know He can meet us there if we let Him. Do you know someone who needs a breakthrough today?
Passing the torch: This emotional moment was captured on move-in day at LSM Tech, as one of our Home of Hope mothers, Mereville (left), entrusted five sons she’d raised as her own into the care of Jean Wesly, Director of our LSM Tech residential campus. May this tender moment remind all of us to be vigilant in seeking opportunities to be gracious and generous with those around us as we reflect God’s love to the world, especially those who may be hurting or in need. Here’s a series of quick, Bible-based reminders about what love ought to look like within the Body of Christ: Love is how Jesus says the world will identify us (John 13:35). Love is patient and kind. It isn’t proud or easily angered. It doesn’t envy, boast, dishonor others, seek its own or keep a record of wrongs (1 Cor. 13:4-5). Love is more important than knowledge (1 Cor. 13:2). Love displays humility, gentleness and patience in pursuit of unity and peace (Eph. 4:2-3). And if you ever need a reminder of what our greatest example of love looks like in practice, just think of the cross (John 15:13). We’re ALL called to live out that kind of sacrificial love. Let’s be attentive to the needs around us so we can be sure to let our light shine when and where it’s needed!
Valentin entered our care at age 10. He grew up in a family of five children with two hard-working parents. His father was a brick mason, and his mother sold goods in the market. Unfortunately, a financial crisis in Haiti left Valetin’s parents unable to find work. As his family’s plight grew dire, the mental health of Valentin’s mother declined, and she started severely beating her children. Fearing his kids might end up on the streets โ or worse โ Valentin’s father took him to an LSM interview. In tears, he told us he loved his son but could no longer care for him. Our interviewers quickly noticed that Valentin scored well on problem solving tests. Today, Valentin ranks among our top students and plans to become an engineer!
Lucia’s father died when she was young, leaving her mother to care for eight children all by herself. In those dark days, Lucia’s sisters abused and beat her. She was likely to become a slave or die from starvation and abuse. Thankfully, through your support, God made it possible for Lucia to join an LSM Home of Hope. Today, with the help of her new, loving HOH sisters, Lucia is excelling in her studies and working hard to fulfill her God-given potential. Lucia’s favorite Bible verse is Psalm 37, which reads in part: “Soon the wicked will be no more. But the meek will enjoy peace and prosperity.” With your help, Lucia wants to become a doctor so she can help vulnerable and abused kids!
Andrรฉ grew up in southern Haiti with his mother and six siblings. Even though the family worked hard on their small farm, a terrible economy drove them into poverty, and the children slowly began to starve. Andrรฉ had often retrieved drinking water for his family, but as his energy slowly depleted, these journeys became difficult. Andrรฉ was in danger of starving or becoming a slave to survive when LSM family sponsors made it possible for him to join a Home of Hope. Andrรฉ’s mom told us he has a bright mind and said she was glad that he’ll receive an education. Today, Andrรฉ has a loving family and is studying hard to help his country. The boy who was once too weak to retrieve water now tells us his favorite Scripture is Psalm 23, and he says, with the Psalmist, “my cup overflows!
Meet Zoรฉ, a radiant young lady who lives in one of LSM’s Homes of Hope in Haiti. Unlike her sisters, Zoรฉ is a biological daughter of the home parents. But as adoptive and foster parents know well, she is cherished and cared for the same as her sisters. We thank God that Zoรฉ was spared the poverty and abuse that harmed many of our other children in their early years. Much like us here in the United States, God has called Zoรฉ to help bear the burdens of those who have been hurt. For Zoรฉ, that starts with the sisters in her own Home. Let’s thank God that Zoรฉ’s path has been a little less rocky than many of our other HOH children and that she has this chance to be a joy and a source of healing within her family!
