You May Never Know the Impact You’ve Had

May 26, 2017
, , , , , , , , , , , Combating Exploitation, Ethiopia, Family, LSM, Uncategorized

Your life in the U.S. can have a powerful impact on another person’s life halfway around the world. Sound impossible? Here’s just one of the countless examples how this can happen every day.

 

Ammet is a single mother in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. She grew up in hopeless poverty with no food to eat, no school to attend and no peace in her life. Her father was an abusive alcoholic. She was just 12 years old when she ran away and stayed with her uncle, hoping to finally be able to go to school and have a chance at a better life.

 

Quickly, though, Ammet found herself the forced personal servant to her aunt, who severely abused her. Finally, she escaped, and married a young man, grasping once again at hope for a better life. But things rapidly spiraled further downhill. Ammet suffered more abuse, this time even inflicted upon her child, Aben. To save herself and her son, Ammet fled to the city, forced to forge a way for both of them. Which often meant simply surviving from one day to the next.

 

 

It wasn’t until LSM found Ammet and started working with LSM that a flame of hope was struck in an otherwise dark life of desperate survival.

 

Ammet received small business training so that she could provide for Aben. But the support from LSM was more than the chance at earning a dignified, living wage. More even than having people surrounding her who proved to her that she was worth it. Is this:

 

“Because of LSM, I am now receiving Jesus Christ as my personal Savior. It’s the biggest blessing in my life. One I can pass down to my son.”

 

 

We are here today, helping her child, Aben, now 10 years old, from continuing that cycle of poverty and abuse into the next generation. We are helping to provide stability for their family by connecting them to an active church community, ongoing support and education for Aben. We, arm-in-arm with our donors, are the hands and feet of Jesus in their lives.

 

Here are three things you can do right now to help Ammet and Aben succeed as an independent family filled with dignity and hope:

 

  1. Pray.

Pray for success in Ammet’s small business and confidence in her heart as she leads her family with dignity and hope. Pray for Aben and the life-changing opportunity he has to attend school. Most importantly, pray for his salvation and that his mother would continue to grow in her faith.

 

 

 

 

2. Join us at Seeds of Hope.

Join us on July 8 to hear more about Ammet and other vulnerable families at our SEEDS OF HOPE event. Learn more here.

 

 

 

 

 

3. Become an Ethiopia Family Sponsor.

Become an ongoing Ethiopian Sponsor and change the futures of many families like Ammet and Aben with us! You’ll receive powerful updates like this on a regular basis and see the transformation coming to a new generation in Ethiopia.

 

 

*names changed for privacy

Fresh Start

April 13, 2017
Caring for Orphans, Family, Uncategorized

It’s refreshing—and so fitting—that Easter helps usher in the newness and beauty of spring.

 

Sometimes we need that fresh start so desperately. As a foster parent who’s struggling with a child who’s never had a consistent home. As an aid worker who has seen one too many children die of preventable diseases. As a mother who’s spent too many months indoors and feels purposeless as she changes yet another diaper. As a church ministry leader who feels like people just don’t care enough to invest.

 

We give from the depths of our hearts because it’s close to the heart of Jesus.

 

We need to be reminded sometimes that we are not caring for the vulnerable because it’s easy. Just as we were adopted into God’s family, we are called to give that same love and acceptance to others.

 

It costs us—just as it cost our Savior as he laid down his life for us.

 

May this Easter be a time of reflection and refreshment for your soul, dear worker in the Kingdom. We know it’s hard. And we know that sometimes we need to remind each other of why we are in the trenches for God’s most vulnerable children.

 

Incredible events for your fresh start or encouragement on your journey:

 

CAFO Summit

May 5-6, NASHVILLE, TN

CAFO brings together over 100 ministries working in orphan care around the world. We are especially excited about this year’s theme: “JUSTICE AND THE INNER LIFE.” Come and be encouraged in your personal ministry. Find partners who can give you resources. And get more involved.

Email amber@loving-shepherd.org for a FREE $20 DISCOUNT. We’d love to share the weekend with you!

SEEDS OF HOPE, A LADIES’ BRUNCH FOR ETHIOPIA

July 8, BLUFFTON, IN

Seeds of Hope is a chance to join with the important women in your life and be inspired by stories of single mothers and their children who are finding hope. You’ll even have a chance to go deeper and do some fair trade shopping, as well as invest as an ongoing sponsor for vulnerable families in Ethiopia.

 

For more info, to sponsor a table, or to purchase your tickets, click here: https://loving-shepherd.org/seeds2017/.

The World of Adoption in 2017

March 31, 2017
Adoption, Caring for Orphans, Family, LSM, Uncategorized

Over the last 15 years, LSM has helped over 7,000 families on their journey through the adoption process.

 

What an incredible ride it’s been.

 

When we began assisting families in 2002, international adoptions were on the rise in the U.S. In fact, over 21,500 international adoptions happened in that year alone. By 2004, the number had grown to 23,000 (an all-time high.) Our services helped families research and choose the agency that best fit their individual needs, walked them through the decisions they needed to pinpoint where to adopt from, and navigated them through the piles of paperwork needed to bring their child home. 

 

The landscape has dramatically shifted since then, but our passion is as strong as ever.

 

adoption

Because of a radical shift in government regulations around the world, and Hague requirements that severely restrict the children who can be adopted outside of their own country, the number of international adoptions in the U.S. slid to just under 5,700 in 2015—a 75% decrease from 2004. With that shift, many adoptive parents turned to different avenues of adoption. Today, approximately 17,000 babies were adopted domestically and roughly 53,500 were adopted from foster care. With all of the twists and turns along the journey, you need to know where you’re going.

 

You need the best personalized adoption information possible—all FREE of charge.

 

If you feel like God is calling you to bring a child into your family, we are here to help. Our adoption resources program will give you the best personalized information throughout your adoption journey. Together, our adoption staff has over 20 years of experience in adoption and are here to answer any questions you have along the way, at no cost to you.

Adoption Infographic-simple

To learn more and begin your adoption assessment, start here.

  

Sources:

U.S. State Department

Adoptive Families Research

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services / AFCARS Report

Christian Alliance for Orphans

International Women’s Day

March 8, 2017
, , , , , Caring for Orphans, Combating Exploitation, Ethiopia, Family, LSM, Uncategorized

Bellame* is a single mom, who struggled for far too long to provide for her children and give them a better life than she’s ever known. Her self-sacrifice is evident.

 

Belaynesh-25

 

She was there when her best friend died in childbirth. In that moment, she didn’t think twice about taking the baby as her own, knowing that if she didn’t the baby would not survive. Her selfless decision is even more incredible considering she was still grieving the loss of her husband, who had just died. Cradling the child in her arms, she had no idea how she would feed this new baby and her other children.

 

Her decision to give when she had nothing in herself took great courage.

 

Through the coming years, as her three children grew, the struggle to put food in their hungry bellies became harder and harder. But Bellame did not give up. She worked in horrifying conditions, started small businesses trying to make ends meet and made the best of the dung-wall loft with a tarp-roof they called home. Coloring book pictures lined the brown walls and a single tapestry covered the single mattress they all shared.

 

But Bellame’s story doesn’t end there. Far from it.

 

Help came in the form of some incredible Ethiopian staff at LSM.

 

Belaynesh-29

 

Today, Bellame is starting a new chapter in life. She lives in a furnished apartment with her children who go to school each morning thanks to the support she receives through LSM. Bellame knows that she can withstand great trials and thrive. She knows she can teach that courage to her own children—and that they can break a cycle of desperation that has crushed her country for far too long.

 

TODAY, ON INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY, WE CELEBRATE ALL WOMEN!

 

Belaynesh-6Children around the world are being raised by courageous women just like Bellame, who are building up their families and giving everything they’ve got to make a better world for the next generation. Others are finding friends, mentors and business leaders in women who have overcome great odds with grace, dignity and hope. These women inspire us to live well and help them succeed.


Learn more about how you can support families like Bellame’s here.

 

 

*name changed for privacy

Abner’s Dream

February 3, 2017
, , , Combating Exploitation, Ethiopia, Family, LSM

At only 10 years old, Abner* has already experienced a lifetime of hunger, faced rejection from his father and seen his single mother struggle to provide for her children. Mekdes, one of our Ethiopian staff, asked him what he feels like his biggest life lesson is from all of this. Solemnly, he raised his head and said quietly,

 

“Poverty … especially not being able to provide for your kids is bad. But I will change this when I grow up.” 

 

Abner

 

Abner can say this with confidence now because there’s a new reality in his future. He’s an intelligent student, and his dream of becoming a scientist when he grows up  is being encouraged by the hope springing up in his family.

 

He sees his mother, Alem, starting her own business with the support of LSM’s staff. Through this training, financial start-up and ongoing support, Alem will be empowered to grow her business with dignity and support her children.

 

Abner sees the local church providing support, encouragement and mentoring for his mother, sister and himself, and realizes that there are people who care about his family and want to help them succeed. And more than that, they’ve introduced them to Jesus, who is changing everything!

 

Abner and Mother

 

He knows there are people in the United States that are sponsoring his family and making it possible for them to rise out of abject poverty, together.

 

Because of all of this, Abner believes he can succeed, even when every generation before him faced the same seemingly endless cycle of poverty and desperation.

 

He knows life can be different now. And that’s because of the impact of people like you.

 

working

 

__________________________________

Shop Moriya Ethiopian Accessories and help provide sustainable jobs for mothers like Alem to provide for their children with dignity.

 

*names changed for privacy

A Day We’ll Never Forget

January 12, 2017
, , , Family, Haiti

 

January 12, 2010 is a day we’ll never forget. News reached the United States of a catastrophic 7.0 magnitude earthquake hitting Port-au-Prince and the surrounding areas of Haiti. Over the coming days, the world watched in horror as more and more people were dug out of crumbled buildings and the death toll continued to rise.

 

Every Haitian knew someone who was lost in the earthquake. Although LSM’s Home of Hope families were hours away in Les Cayes, many neighbors, friends and relatives had moved to Port-au-Prince, where they would never see be seen again.
earthquake 2

 

Joslyn* was in the epicenter—only four years old and living with her mother when the earthquake hit. The earth shook, buildings collapsed around her … and somewhere in the mayhem, she lost track of her. She screamed until she had no voice left. And finally, when her mother did not come, she sat, covered in concrete dust, watching in horror as the world around her seemingly fell apart.

 

Joslyn faced many challenges in the coming years because of the trauma she experienced that day.  

 

earthquake in Haiti

 

After the earthquake, a pastor’s wife found her and tracked down her father, who was still alive in Southwest Haiti. But her father wanted nothing to do with her. She ended up staying with an aunt who struggled to provide enough to feed her even a meager meal. By God’s grace, LSM staff found her and brought her into a Home of Hope family.

 

Seven years after the earthquake, Joselyn still remembers with startling clarity the night she lost everything she’d ever known. But it’s not the end of her story.

 

earthquake 1

 

We believe God can redeem not only her personal tragedy, but also millions of other Haitians who are still physically and emotionally recovering from the life-changing earthquake and the natural disasters since then. Through an outpouring of Christian love and support, we can help them pick up from the destruction and live with purpose.

 

It starts on your knees. Please remember to pray for the country of Haiti today as they, on the anniversary of that tragic day, remember all that was lost and, look towards the heavens to all that can be regained.

 

Please join us in leaving a prayer in the comments or sharing some of your experiences helping with the disaster relief in the months following the earthquake. We’d love to hear from you!

The Best & Blessed of 2016

December 30, 2016
, , , , , , , , , , , Business, Caring for Orphans, Combating Exploitation, Ethiopia, Family, Haiti, LSM, Uncategorized

2016 has been a formative year for LSM both inside and out. Through the incredible programs launched, schools built and disasters navigated, we have emerged stronger than ever, with you at our side and a humble thankfulness for all God has done.

 

In 2016, we were so blessed through your partnership to:

 

Child Development - Welsh School1. Open a brand new school in Welsh, Haiti where over 200 children from two of our Home of Hope families, as well as boys and girls throughout the local community, are now attending! The school was dedicated in June and, ever since, it has been a powerful source of outreach in a desperately poor area where many children have never before had access to an education.

 

 

 

 

laptops2. Launch exciting new resources in our Child Development program in Haiti! Through the generosity of our donors, we were able to meet and exceed the $40,000 matching challenge for our Summer Newsletter with all the funds going to Child Development.

Among other things, this allowed us to provide laptops for all the kids to help with schooling! Dominique, our Chantal 1 Dad is now the tech/computer advisor for each Home of Hope to ensure they know how to use their new tools effectively for school and research!

 

 

 

 

Ethiopia 3(1)3. Launch new programs in Ethiopia to expand our reach to more vulnerable single mothers and their children. These programs are PREVENTING some of the atrocities that we have worked tirelessly to bring healing to in the past. Through these prevention programs, at-risk families are empowered to succeed with the financial, educational and emotional support they need, all with the support of the local Ethiopian evangelical church.

 

 

 

 

hurricane4. Rally around our staff, families and local communities in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew in the Les Cayes, Haiti area. Not only were we able to repair several damaged LSM buildings and property, but through your giving, we were able to reach out into some poor, totally devastated areas and provide food programs, sheet metal for roofs and much more.

 

 

 

 

 

That’s certainly not all. Read here for more of the incredible ventures God led us through in 2016.

 

All of this is done with a powerful, clear end-goal in mind – something we strive to keep front and center in everything we do. We believe that as these vulnerable children are empowered to grow into self-sufficient adults, they will go out and transform their communities and culture for Christ.

 

What a powerful thing to work towards together: the expansion of Christ’s Kingdom through the “least of these.” Every child we serve is a part of this vision. And we pray that it’s part of yours as well.

 

We are so excited for the ways God will use LSM—and especially all of you—to make this a reachable goal in 2017.

 Port Salut Beach, Haiti

Here are two ways you can get involved right now

 

BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER AND BE A PART OF THE INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT WORK OF INTERCESSION IN 2017.

 

MAKE A TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATION HERE TO HELP US REACH MORE VULNERABLE CHILDREN, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES IN THE COMING YEAR. 

All gifts will still be tax deductible for 2016 until midnight on Dec 31! You still have time.

motionmailapp.com

 

Sharing the Christmas Message

December 16, 2016
, , , , Adoption, Caring for Orphans, Family, LSM

Born amidst filth and squalor, the baby drew a deep breath and cried out in the night. Animals shuffled, uneasy at their disturbed space. A ragged young mother gazed upon him with love and fear, wondering if she was at all equipped for the difficult journey ahead.

 

We know this familiar story from 2,000 years ago. Jesus was born and, with that miraculous birth, everything changed.

 

alone sad child on a street

 

Since then Jesus has continued to transform everything we know – making a dark world shine with hope of something better.

 

And yet darkness still pervades so much of what we see around us. Children are left fatherless, vulnerable to abuse, slavery, coercion and fear. Without the knowledge of a loving, saving relationship with Jesus Christ, these children grow up to continue a desperate cycle of poverty, anger and pain. But it doesn’t have to continue.

 

This Christmas, consider how you can bring that message of hope and redemption in Jesus’ name to a child in need. Here are a few ways your family can personally get involved:

Family Sponsorship

 

  1. Consider giving them the gift of a loving Christian home where they can thrive—sponsor a Home of Hope family in Haiti in 2017. Sign up here.

 

multicultural adoption family

 

  1. Thinking about adoption? See what your options are for making an orphaned child a part of your permanent family. We can help answer your questions!

 

Your Powerful Prayers are Empowering Children

 

  1. Sign up to join us in regular prayer for the fatherless. Become a prayer partner here.

 

Sponsoring Haiti as a church family

 

  1. Consider starting an orphan care ministry in your church. Check out our helpful resources here.

 

However the Spirit moves in your family, we hope this Christmas is filled with the love and tenderness that Jesus brings to all who follow Him! May your season be richly blessed.

November: National Adoption Month

November 9, 2016
, , , , , , , , Adoption, Caring for Orphans, Family, LSM, Uncategorized

By Jen Schwartz, Adoption Resources Coordinator

 

This is National Adoption Month, a chance for us to celebrate everyone touched by adoption! God can orchestrate a beautiful story for so many children with past hardships and little hope through the love of a permanent family.

Read More

For Our Dads

June 15, 2016
, , , , , , , , Caring for Orphans, Family, Haiti, Uncategorized

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:

Read More
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