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!”
LSM serves numerous Haitian communities through our Industrial Site, Business Office, 21 Homes of Hope, and LSM Tech. Most of these fall within a 15-mile area, but travel can be difficult, often involving passage across shallow rivers and over rugged terrain. Dio, Charlot and Sonson, our three highly skilled and dedicated auto mechanics, manage the difficult task of keeping LSM’s fleet of more than 60 vehicles on the road. Itโs critically important that our staff be able to travel quickly and safely in order to carry out their work โ meaning a fleet of reliable vehicles is essentially the “motor oil” that keeps our engines of outreach running smoothly!
When bringing you stories from Haiti, we often talk about our Home of Hope parents, our administrators, our business leadership, and our skilled technicians. But did you know that in addition to more visible team members, LSM has an incredible support staff? Below is a picture of Dayana, one of our lunch ladies at LSM Tech. In addition to the 37 Home of Hope students already enrolled at LSM Tech, Dayana’s mission field now also includes 10 students from the community who are taking classes on campus. Scripture constantly reminds us of God’s heart for the servant. In Mark 9:35, Jesus tells his disciples that those who would be first in his Kingdom must make themselves last and servants to all. Matthew 6:4 tells us to give in secret, in order that our heavenly Father, “who sees what is done in secret, may reward you.” What quiet act of service God has been laying on your heart?
Meet LSM’s Staff Accountant, Angie Hunter! Angie assists our Director of Finance, Mark Ahrens, with bookkeeping, domestic and international business transactions, data entry, optimization, and month end closes. Angie comes to us with more than a decade of experience working in ministry finance. โItโs such a privilege to join a ministry that serves children, both locally and worldwide, in the name of Jesus,” Angie says. “Although I don’t work on the front lines with these children, Iโm thankful to be able to use my skills to make a difference behind the scenes.โ Angie’s favorite scripture is Philippians 4:6-7: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in each situation, with prayer and with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Thanks, Angie, for all that you do!
Them Clersaint, the primary team member driving our precast concrete business in Haiti, comes from a very special family. His father, Max, built many of our homes and buildings: . And his sister, Terry, works in our Industrial Park: . One thing that stands out about Them is that even though he is in leadership, he can often be seen found on the front lines doing the dirtier parts of precast manufacturing alongside his own employees. “I always pray for God to make me a humble servant, more like Jesus,” Them says. His favorite Scripture is Col. 3:23: “Whatever you do, work at it with your whole heart, as for the Lord and not for men.” We’re thankful Them’s example of godly leadership!
Michael Brown is the Director of LSM’s Nouvelle Aube family of businesses in Haiti. “Nouvelle Aube” is a phrase that means “new dawn,” because we want our businesses to set a new standard for products and service in Haiti. “I help the managers of our Concrete Products, Construction and Automotive businesses. Many Haitians live in despair, but these businesses are bringing hope, changing mindsets, and lifting entire communities. I want our American friends to know that we are working hard every day to earn your support, and I believe that because of you, Haiti will be a totally different country ten years from now!” Michael’s favorite scripture, 1 Cor. 10:31, reminds us to “do everything for the glory of God!”
Jenย Schwartz was the third employee to join LSM, following Ed and Doug. She has assisted more than 9,000 families with their adoption journeys. She also saw the launch of our first Home of Hope, and the 21 that followed. As LSM’s Family Sponsorship and Child Development Coordinator, Jen has seen firsthand the tragic situations of abuse and poverty that our Home of Hope children are taken from, and she works diligently to help them grow into godly leaders. In 2020, Jen picked up some new responsibilities, including our emails, newsletters, and print materials. As a part of the marketing team, Jen helps effectively tell our story to the LSM community. And who better to bear witness to the great magnitude of all that God has accomplished?
About twelve years ago, while assisting with the first job interviews at LSM Tech, our Construction Manager, Troy Leyse, first met Rony, serving as a translator at the time. After that, Rony helped translate for numerous important meetings and team projects. More than a translator, he was known for stepping in at times, mediating, and gently diffusing difficult situations. Rony recently completed a degree in theology at a Christian university in the U.S., and he now feels called to help Haiti realize its God-given potential through multiplication and discipleship. Today, he serves as our Director of Discipleship at LSM Tech, where he mentors future mentors. This week, let’s all pray for Rony and his students โ as well as teachers and students everywhere!
If you have given to LSM in the past, then you have likely had some contact with Kathy Meyer, who serves as our Donor Processor. This means that Kathy is responsible for mailing receipts and thank-you notes, as well as general information about our ongoing work. Kathy also processes payments received by LSM’s BrickHouse store. “I’ve loved working for LSM over the past 17 years,” Kathy says. “It is such a meaningful blessing to be involved in Kingdom work that is bettering the lives of so many of Godโs children!” Kathy and Denny, her husband of 35 years, have three daughters and three sons-in-law: Alyssa and Tyler Knochel, Paige and Jackson Troxel, and Jenna and Gavin Fritz. We appreciate you, Kathy!
“I am giving my everything to these amazing children,” says Dagim, one of LSM’s Family Preservation social workers in Ethiopia. “It’s what I am called to do!” The child of a single mom, himself, Dagim is passionate about our Family Preservation program’s mission of helping vulnerable children, as well as their single mothers, reach their full potential through mentoring, education resources, trauma recovery, and more. Dagim’s responsibilites include teaching the children, making home visits, and documenting families’ progress, but his favorite job is telling the children about Jesus. “My dream,” Dagim says, “is to make the world a better place for everyone, beginning with those who are most in need of hope!”
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!”
Jean Wesly,ย Micheline Taverne, andย Claudin Idoxis serve as LSM’s core Child Development team in Haiti. Jean Wesly, left, currently heads up LSM Tech. Claudin, right, manages our Child Development and Education Programs. Micheline, center, plays an integral role in implementing both our Trauma Healing and Child Development efforts, and she also heads up our student lending library. Claudin says, “For us, every day is a busy day, and these children’s road to success is met with constant challenges. But we are all well equipped with resources from LSM and grace from God. We love these children and are grateful for the opportunity that we have to speak encouragement and guidance into their lives!”
Steve Gerber, the founder of Outdoor Conceptsย here in Indiana, serves on LSM’s Board of Directors. Steve provides our leadership team with the prayerful stewardship and servant leadership that have guided him over his years as an entrepreneur and a father of four. Steve and his wife, Gayla, have three sons and a daughter, all married, plus a growing bevy of grandchildren. Steve sees a great need for programs helping vulnerable youth in this community, and he believes our merge with BrickHouse provides a great opportunity. He takes inspiration from Matthew 25:40, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
Ridersonย Brown, LSM’s Haiti Administrator, andย Michael Brown, President of LSM’s Produits Beton, brothers in ministry – as well as biological brothers – are on a mission to transform Haiti. “Haitians have been desperate and poor for generations,” says Riderson. “Many people think and act in ways that actually keep them in poverty. A big part of what motivates us is to see this country change the way it thinks and operates, starting at a young age with the kids in our Home of Hope families.” Michael agrees: “That’s what made the difference for us. We had excellent parents who raised us to love God, work hard, and serve others. At a young age, I learned my favorite Bible verse, 1 Cor. 10:31: ‘Do all for the glory of God.’ Ultimately, God is the one who is blessing, healing, and helping Haiti.”
Rebecca Webb, LSM’s Administrative Assistant, wears many hats. As she puts it, a big part of her job is “creating and maintaining a good first impression of LSM.” Anyone who’s ever visited or called our U.S. office has almost certainly interacted with Rebecca, who besides serving as a public face, manages our gift shop, supports our effort to record gifts and stay in touch with donors, assists with event planning, manages our supply inventory, schedules the staff calendar, and plans our recurring “Lunch and Learns,” which have become a highly anticipated tradition for the team each month. She says: “My heart’s been touched to learn about dire situations in Haiti and Ethiopia, as well as the promise of a brighter future.”
This reminder comes from Lencia Saintuma, who serves LSM Tech as our Administrative Assistant and Cafeteria Manager. She is also wife of LSM Tech Director Jean Wesly. Our students love Lencia and the light of Christ that she shines wherever she goes. “God is so clearly present in this place!” Lencia says. “Since going to work for the kids, I’ve noticed Him refining my heart, making me more faithful to Him and more patient to those I serve.”
Emily Selking Ringger joined our Board of Directors in 2018. She brings valuable expertise to the role thanks to her background as a controller for Selking International, a truck dealership company with ten locations across Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio. Emily and her husband Dustin have two young daughters, Maddie and Claire. Emily has a reputation on our board for her insightful questions and detail oriented approach. Fiscal responsibility is paramount here at LSM, so we’re grateful to Emily for helping us constantly refine and innovate. “I’m truly astonished by the generational impact LSM is making, often despite limited resources,” she says. “I’m honored to help LSM reach even more kids in the future!”
