May

If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.

Romans 10:9

We praise God for His amazing protection and care for the school children, our teachers and staff in Haiti this month. Thank you for your prayers on their behalf, we believe our merciful Father is answering your prayers.

On this page we have pictures of people leaving Mirebalais, the closest town near our school. They have been fleeing the gangs and going into the mountains and to other towns for safety. The towns they have gone to are packed with homeless people. Many are trying to help these dear people who basically have nowhere to go. The top picture of the canoe was the header for the May 2020 newsletter. It was a much more peaceful and safe time for travel out to the school area.

We look back and remember those trips with great happiness. Though life in Haiti has always been difficult, the thought of safe travel once again would be a welcome and awesome thing.

Last month we shared that the children were starting to return to the school. At first, only Nady was able to be at the school to teach, then another couple teachers were able to join him. Now, all the children and teachers have returned and school is operating just fine, praise the Lord.

Nady paid for some motorcycle taptaps (similar to a taxi) to take our food and supplies to the school. In the past, he paid a truck to do this, but no vehicles are on the roads in that area now. However, motorcycles can find ways to get around the gangs. We were very excited when we found out that we would once again be able to get supplies to the school. All this means that the children are again receiving a nutritious meal each day.

So far, the teachers have been able to get around the gangs and get to the school. As you may remember, most of our teachers live in Mirebalais and they get to the school on motorcycles. The children all live near the school and they can easily walk. There are gangs located very close to the school, and by God’s amazing protection and provision, they have left our teachers and children alone. This is a huge blessing and we are very grateful!

At this point, we still do not have a doctor or hospital to perform the needed surgeries for Woodson. He is fine, staying home, and not attending school. Please continue to pray that we can find a surgeon and safely get him to have this mass removed from his stomach area.

One of our teachers, Amadeau and Nady were able to take some student pictures this month. They are not quite finished taking all the pictures. The children are always excited to have their pictures taken, and we plan to have them put into a folder and try to get them to Nady through MFI so the students can have a copy. For us, this is no big deal, to them, this is a big thing. They have no way of getting hard copies of their pictures. They and their parents are very happy to receive this gift. Please pray with us that this can happen. We plan to share some of their beautiful pictures with you in next month’s newsletter.

The children were happy to have little flags to celebrate flag day in Haiti. You can also see that the soccer team is still happening. We believe that as much recreation and normal events as possible are helpful for the children. To be able to play and have a good time with their friends is a very positive thing. With so many problems and dangerous situations around them, this is a wonderful opportunity to bring some fun, peace, and stability into their day. This is a rare thing in Haiti.

In Mexico, Lety is staying busy and active with precious girls in her colonia in Nava. Many of you remember that she has been working in The Dorcas House ministry for many years. She used to assist our daughter Sara with the sewing projects she did there, then when Sara married, Lety took over the ministry full time. These adorable little girls spend time each week in the Dorcas House, which OSM built for this ministry. They learn to sew and do crafts and projects, but the best thing they do is spend time in God’s Word. Lety helps give these little girls spiritual encouragement. We are grateful that this sweet ministry continues touching lives with Jesus.

This May 31st will make 20 years since our precious daughter Shelby, left us to join her Savior. The hole she left in our hearts is major. While on this earth, we will never be the same, yet God continues to use her life to impact ours.

Shelby’s heart was full of love for her family, friends and more importantly for her Savior, Jesus Christ. She was an inspiration to everyone who knew her to share the good news of eternal life. Her love for His Word, and spending time with Jesus every day was a huge part of her life. He was truly her Best Friend. Because of her faith in Jesus, we know without question that we will see our sweet Shelby again in Heaven. Knowing this brings peace and strength to move forward with our lives, even inspiring us to share His love more faithfully.

One of my favorite hymns sums up my feelings about being separated from Shelby for 20 years now: It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus. Life’s trials will seem so small, when we see Christ. One glimpse of His dear face, all sorrow will erase, so, bravely run the race, till we see Christ.

For Ken and me, it was a blessing and privilege to serve Christ beside our children in ministry. To watch Shelby in action, whether in Haiti or Mexico, was a gift that we will forever treasure and hold dear in our hearts. No matter what the circumstances she was working in, she always had a smile, and a contagious, positive attitude. She encouraged us and others who worked with her to see the best in life and to thank the Lord Jesus for the opportunity to serve Him in many different ways.

Thank you all for your encouragement through your kind notes, prayers and support for OSM, a small ministry that impacts people in very different parts of the world. We know that the life these people live is unimaginable to many of us. Yet many walk each day in faith and trusting Jesus Christ for their protection and care, just as we are all called to do. May their lives be a challenge and reminder that each day is a wonderful gift from God and may we be mindful that He is totally in control. We are blessed to honor Jesus as best we can while He gives us life. We look forward to our final destination in Heaven, when He calls us Home to be together with Him. When we all get to Heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be!

We pray His blessings and encouragement over your lives, spiritually, physically, emotionally and financially. May He draw our hearts close to His as we lift Him up before others. We give all glory, honor, praise, and majesty to Him.

Serving our Savior with you,
Ken and Debbi