We want to give a BIG shout out to you, dads. Those who are raising your kids to love Jesus, who are faithfully serving Him, and who are selflessly caring for others. We know you have a tough job. And we are so thankful for all the ways you rise up to the task.
Here’s a beautiful message for you from a couple of adopted kiddos:
This past weekend, over 200 youth gathered in Bluffton, IN to make new friends, inspire one another, and help several organizations with service projects. It was exciting to see so many passionate young people learning to make a difference, and then putting what they learned into action in tangible ways. We were thrilled to have some of them come to learn more about Haiti, including how they can make a difference right from the heart of Indiana!
After learning about Homes of Hope and seeing some of the real difference LSM is making in these children’s lives, the young men and women had a chance to write out personalized prayers for each of our Haitian children!
Consider adding in one of these activities for your whole family this summer. It will truly help transform the lives of vulnerable children, and it will be a reminder to you—and a valuable lesson to your own children—that if feels good to do good.
Sherri* is a talented artisan whose intricate weaving skills have been passed down for centuries. Her hands deftly thread the elaborate loom as her feet pump the threads back and forth. There’s a rhythm to her work: pump, swish, clank. A smile graces her face as she watches her son play at the side of the room, surrounded by a community of women and children who love them. They are at peace.
But life wasn’t always so safe and serene for Sherri and her children.
She was just a young girl coming to the city for the first time. The excitement and opportunities captivated her.
If you’re looking for daily encouragement on your walk of faith … look no further!
Ed Schwartz, founder and president of LSM, just released his new devotional book, Glimpses of God: 365 Daily Devotions.
Sometimes there are stories that hit you square between the eyes. Polly’s* is one of them.
Only a few years ago, Polly stood here with her uncle who was caring for her in front of his hut. Falling apart, dirty, barely providing relief from the elements, the hut was no place to be raising an orphaned little girl. He knew it. And he wanted more for her. But on his own, there was no way he could do anything.
Imagine a sprawling, broken and dirty city road dotted with storefronts full of trinkets being sold by men shooting leering looks in your direction. You tug the scarf a little tighter around your chin and grab your tiny child’s hand, walking quickly towards the little vendor down the block, dodging motorcycles and mangy dogs scrounging through garbage in the street. The men’s stares follow you the whole way.
Your child’s eyes look up to meet yours, “Mama, can we buy some eggs today?”
The innocent face nearly breaks your heart because you know the cost of a dozen eggs is more than you make in an entire day. You clutch in your hand your meager bit of money as you try to forget about the bleak meal you’ll be feeding your child once again. You wonder, “What has life come to? How will I ever provide for my child without stooping to desperate measures?”
In 2015, U.S. families adopted 5,648 children internationally—the lowest number since 1981—representing a 75% decline since international adoptions peaked at 22,991 in 2004.
As we were so happy to report in our Spring newsletter, Randy and LaNae Meyer are heading to Haiti soon where they will serve a two-year term with LSM. Randy will be in charge of a Haitian construction crew at LSM Technical Institute. LaNae will work in hospitality and keep LSM’s U.S. staff connected with stories and pictures. (You can sign up for our e-newsletters at the bottom of this screen.)
As you might expect, moving abroad is no easy task. It takes many hands. Maybe even more than you think.
“I know that my redeemer lives and that in the end He will stand on the earth.” Job 19:25
The Easter message is a powerful story that many of us have grown up with and has woven into the fabric of our lives. But for millions around the world, their introduction to this message comes in drastically different ways.