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.

 

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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

Celebrating 15 Years – With Families. For Christ.

February 23, 2017
, , , Adoption, Caring for Orphans, Combating Exploitation, LSM

15 Year Logo
“Fifteen years ago, we had a vision of how LSM might contribute to God’s Kingdom work around the world. Never did we imagine the big picture God had in mind. I can’t say it any better than what the Bible says in Ephesians 3:20—God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.” – Ed Schwartz, Founder & President, LSM

 

 

It started in the United States with a desire to help connect adoptive parents with vulnerable children to create permanent families. Quickly, it began to grow. First to Haiti, where we began to provide permanent families for exploited and orphaned children. Then into Ethiopia, where we began our work to keep single mothers and their children together and thriving.

 

15 years of LSM

Get a glimpse of the incredible journey over the last 15 years.

Our lifelong commitment to vulnerable children who were once without hope has nurtured today’s hope-filled adults who are deeply impacting other at-risk children and even entire communities.

 

 

Transforming Generations Graphic - 2

And the most powerful thing is that the work being done today will have a tangible impact on generations to come – all in the name of Jesus Christ!

 

This work is built on the strength and experience of 15 years of ministry and on-the-ground, in-home and one-on-one support of the families we serve. As the Spirit leads, the lives of once impoverished, desperate children are being redeemed to live a radically different story.

 

We celebrate 15 years of ministry this year. We invite you to rejoice with us in the powerful work that we as the Body of Christ are doing together, one child at a time.

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

 

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

 

*names changed for privacy

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.

Four Ways to Give Back this Holiday Season

November 23, 2016
, , , , , , , Caring for Orphans, LSM, Uncategorized

We gather around tables filled with food, laugh with family and friends and attend beautiful church services by candlelight. We’ve been given much. What better time to respond with gratitude than now?

 

Here are four doable today ways you can share the joy of the Christmas season with vulnerable children who long for that same loving stability that you enjoy. With LSM, each donation (large or small) helps to truly make a tangible difference in the lives of children around the world.

Check out these simple ways to give back with your Christmas Shopping:

Read More

God’s Hand in Sadie’s Life

November 16, 2016
, , , , , , , Caring for Orphans, Haiti, LSM
Do you remember a time when life felt completely overwhelming, like you could do absolutely nothing to change the whirlwind around you? Imagine that knot in your stomach, the feeling of panic inside as you tried desperately to reach for some sense of normal …

 

That’s exactly how Sadie* felt every day as a child. She was overwhelmed with grief when she lost her mom at a very young age. Her father, who had long ago abandoned their family, never returned. After her mother’s death, Sadie’s grandmother cared for her and her siblings. But it wasn’t long before she realized she didn’t have the resources to take care of that many children. Being the oldest and most likely to survive on her own, Sadie would have to go.
Read More

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

A Generation That is Learning to Serve

June 10, 2016
, , , , , , Caring for Orphans, LSM, Uncategorized

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!

 

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