“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!
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!
