December

Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.
Isaiah 40:31

Dear Friends in Christ,

It’s hard to believe we are once again at the end of a blessed and awesome year! We know things are more difficult and even discouraging in many ways in the U.S., and around the world, but we are alive and well, and God has blessed us, as a family and OSM ministering in Haiti and Mexico. We praise God for His love and protection this year!

The OSM school and staff in Haiti are doing well. Though we are not sure of what lies ahead for us, we are blessed that, so far, the school children are hearing the gospel and receiving a meal each day, along with their classes and activities. This is a true miracle that we have been able to move forward with no more problems than we have met so far. As we have shared in the past, many ministries in Haiti have had to close or have dealt with great difficulties and challenges over the past few years.

Next month we hope they will have received their Christmas gift bags, which we delivered this month. Hopefully, in January, we will have pictures to share of the children receiving their gifts. This month we will show you some of what goes into getting the gift bags ready for the school children.

The doctors believe they will do their last surgery for Woodsaiedmie soon. We are looking forward to seeing her walk!

Our school in Haiti now has water! We praise the Lord for this! In the past couple of days, we learned that the well driller has reached the water for the school. This will help with hygiene and with testing, possibly meals at the school. What a wonderful way to end the year!

The National Bible Bee was at a beautiful location in North Carolina this year. We were at a very nice event center, in the mountains outside of Ashville, at Ridgecrest Conference Center. About 360 contestants with their families, making about 1,500 people all together, came from across the US to compete for the championship of each age category. Primaries are 7-10-year-olds and they memorized 578 verses this year, Juniors are 11-14 year olds, they memorized 744 verses and Seniors are 15-18 year olds and they memorized 933 verses. This year over 12,000 children participated in memorizing God’s Word through the NBB, praise the Lord!!

The National Bible Bee will always have a deep meaning and tie to our family because it began in memory of our daughter, Shelby, who dearly loved God’s Word in her 23-year lifetime on this earth. We are humbled, as she would be, to witness the fruit of this awesome and encouraging event each year! Many of you knew Shelby and many more of you prayed for her as she went through cancer the last 7 months of her life. At her young age, she strongly desired to leave a legacy as a follower of Jesus Christ, often sharing that what she did in her life for Jesus is all that mattered. And she was right, her life has helped lead and encourage not just some of her siblings, but many others in their walk and relationship with Him. We praise God for using her life in this amazing way!

With a New Year here, we pray for the Lord’s fullest measure of blessings for each of you and your families. May He give you His peace and protection. Thank you for your love, prayers and support, which are a great encouragement to us.

Serving our Savior with you,
Ken & Debbi