A GENERATIONAL APPROACH
by Doug Isch, LSM President
As we celebrate 20 years of carrying out God’s commission to care for vulnerable children (James 1:27), we are humbled by His goodness. Looking back at everything God has accomplished through LSM, we are deeply encouraged to see that once vulnerable children are becoming Christ-followers who will leave a legacy of faith for the next generation. The Bible clearly speaks about the significance of this generational “transfer of faith.” Psalm 78:4 shares, “We will tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and His might, and the wonders that He has done.”
Our passion in Haiti, Ethiopia and here in the U.S. is to plant seeds of faith in order to empower each child to reach their full potential and advance the Kingdom of God. Our vision is for them to know the Lord through the Word, encounter the Holy Spirit through His presence, and spread the love of Jesus to those they meet – both now and in future generations.
Jesus demonstrated this generational approach when he invested deeply in 12 men, teaching them, loving them, and equipping them for future ministry. In the same way, it is a tremendous privilege to love, serve, and protect vulnerable children and share God’s love with them to help them carry out God’s will in future generations.
We are thankful for each of you who have come alongside us for the past 20 years. Together, we are helping vulnerable kids find faith, cultivating disciples, and producing a harvest for God’s glory.
“Our passion is to plant seeds of faith in order to empower each child to advance the kingdom of God.”
GOD’S COMPASSION IN ETHIOPIA
Our Family Preservation program in Ethiopia serves more than 175 children and their mothers. Each family has their own story of desperation and heartache. But it is often during these difficult times that God shows Himself strong on their behalf. This is Amara’s story of amazing grace, when God met her family during their darkest time and drew them to Himself, allowing them to become a testimony for Jesus.
“I am a 27-year old mother born in a small rural village in Ethiopia. I lived a life in deep poverty and married at a young age for a more stable life. After having two children, my husband became an alcoholic and was unreliable as the sole provider for our family. As a relatively new mother, this was devastating. I wondered how we would provide food for our children or if we would eventually become homeless.
Life continued to get worse and I clearly remember the day that our lives changed forever. It was a cloudy morning when my son became sick. I left our 9-year old daughter home with my husband while I took my son to the hospital. After returning home, I realized my drunk husband had assaulted and abused our young daughter. Instantly, my spirit was broken with deep pain for my daughter. Ultimately, my husband was sent to prison and I was left alone to comfort my daughter, care for my son, and not be weighed down with my own hopelessness. I had no family to help me, no job to provide for my children, and no church to teach me about God’s healing love. But at our lowest point, God led LSM’s Family Preservation staff to us. They welcomed us with open arms and began ministering to us with God’s healing love and compassion. The staff provided counseling and educational support for my children while I received training to start my own business and they clearly shared the Gospel with me.
As my family learned about Jesus’ love and compassion, we began to recognize the Lord as our ultimate Healer and Comforter. We can see what the enemy meant for evil can bring glory and praise to God. Today, I am most thankful for knowing the Lord as my personal Savior!”
When Amara was at her lowest point, she experienced the compassion of Jesus and His loving embrace for her family. God wrote a new story for Amara and her children as they found healing in Christ! Now Amara and her children are sharing their testimony of God’s amazing grace with their community! We are thankful for Amara and her children as they carry on His mission by living out their faith for His glory in Ethiopia!
**name changed for privacy**
LSM TECH GRADUATION
Recently, over 30 students celebrated a major accomplishment in being the first graduates of LSM Tech. The graduates included Home of Hope students, as well as local students from the community who received scholarships. This celebration marked the completion of their studies on campus where they learned computer, electrical, culinary training or window installation, while completing an intensive spiritual development program.
One of our top graduates at LSM Tech was Ricot. Ricot’s difficult past led him to a Home of Hope at a young age. He excelled in school and graduated from high school at just 17 years old – an incredibly rare accomplishment in Haiti! Not only did he graduate, he was the top student in school, achieving the highest score on his final high school exam. Once again he is at the top of his LSM Tech class, with plans to begin studying civil engineering. He will continue to be a role model at LSM Tech as a small group leader to new students and lead a Disciple Youth Group each Sunday.
Our LSM Tech Director, Jean Wesly Alcin, shared, “All the graduates exceeded our expectations, and the graduation ceremony rewarded them for their hard work and accomplishments. In a country that often deals with jealousy, the students lifted each other up, while also motivating current students to work hard toward their future goals!” The graduation ceremony guests included families, local pastors, community members, the President of our church partner (MEBSH), a local Haitian Senator, and even the son of the former President of Haiti. We congratulate each graduate and celebrate with them as they continue to develop into Christian leaders!
PRAY FOR LSM
Pray for our recent LSM Tech graduates, as they continue their growth toward becoming Christ-centered leaders in Haiti.
Pray for our FAMILY PRESERVATION PROGRAM IN ETHIOPIA as single mothers and their children are being empowered to share their faith and testimony.
Pray for our BRICKHOUSE PROGRAM in the U.S. to impact at-risk foster youth with God’s healing love.
GIVE FINANCIALLY
YOUR PARTNERSHIP gives vulnerable children a chance to have hope in Jesus. We can’t do this without you. Will you join us?
TO GIVE: Donate online at: loving-shepherd.org/give (Please select Fall Newsletter 2022 in the “What Prompted My Donation” dropdown.)
LOOKING BACK, MOVING FORWARD
Twenty years ago, we couldn’t have anticipated how God would expand our work to a global scale. By the grace of God, LSM has helped bring transformation to the lives of thousands of vulnerable children and families over the past 20 years. We are humbled that He has called us to walk alongside children and families in the U.S., Haiti and Ethiopia. The Spirit of God is moving, as He transforms lives, empowers people, and raises up a new generation of passionate Christ-followers through LSM! Thank you for leaving a legacy in the lives of the vulnerable as we fulfill God’s calling for our ministry together.