October

From the rising of the sun to its setting The name of the Lord is to be praised. The Lord is high above all the nations; his glory is above the heavens.
Psalm 113:3-4

Dear Friends in Christ,

This has been a challenging month for OSM in Haiti. We have many items arriving for the school and yet have not been able to get them out to the children. Once again, on a personal level, the Lord has blessed our family abundantly. Often, when things are discouraging, we can also see the many awesome blessings that God has poured out over us. We hope to share these with you in this letter.

In Haiti, over the past months and years, sadly we have seen mankind at his worst and best. It is heartbreaking to know that in this very poor country, the men, women, and most difficult to see, the children, are suffering at the hands of their own people. Villages are cut off from needed food, water, and supplies; people are sick and cannot get needed medical help. Everyone reading this newsletter has been watching our world filled with evil and hateful events. And yet, every one of us can quickly think of amazing things happening in our lives, for which we are grateful and need to praise our loving Savior!

Our team in Port-au-Prince has been collecting items that we have sent in for the school and church near Mirebalais. Backpacks, guitars, and even a great sewing machine for the tailor have arrived this month through MFI. The tailor has finished the school uniforms. The team is ready to purchase food and yet it has not been safe for these items to be delivered to the school. This is frustrating, to say the least, and yet it is not in our or their control, so they wait for an opportunity to go. Please pray with us to the One who can make their path clear, the Way Maker, that this happens soon.

With things being bad politically around the world and in our own country, very understandably, we are experiencing more difficulty financially. The cost of each item sent, food, fuel, school supplies, uniforms, teachers’ and team’s salaries have gone up this year. Please pray with us that our Heavenly Father will continue to provide and make it possible for OSM to cover these financial needs.

These are a few of the “extra expenses” which OSM tries to help our teachers and team and their families with, as needs arise: Stephania, who helps us with bookwork in Haiti, has had some medical needs this month. She just had a baby and OSM helped with the cost. Now she has had another surgery and we hope to help with that as well. The cost for Stephania’s medical needs combined is $1,000. One of our students who finished at our school in Mirebalais is continuing on with the next grades of school. We are helping him, Esaie, so he can finish his education. The cost is $200. One of our teachers, Sandolia, is expecting a baby girl in November, the hospital and doctor costs will be $300. If you would like to help with any of these needs, it would be greatly appreciated.
Pastor Santos and Sister Fini continue to share the love of Jesus Christ in their church and in their area. OSM (you) sent Bibles and a few toys to him this month, and he is busy giving them away.

Praise the Lord for the safe arrival of our precious Granddaughter this month. Micah and Valerie and their 3 children, Landon, Morgan, and Sadie were very happy to welcome Taylor Grace Kennedy on Oct. 15.
Micah and Valerie arrived at the birth center 1 hour before Taylor was born and they were back home with her a few hours later. We are grateful to the Lord that Valerie and Taylor are both doing very well and we pray His wonderful blessings over their precious family!

On November 13-16, we will be near Ashville N.C. at the Ridgecrest Conference Center for the National Bible Bee finals. If you want to watch the semi-finals on the 15th or finals on the 16th, go to the National Bible Bee or Shelby Kennedy Foundation website for instructions and times it will be live-streamed. This is one of the most encouraging and inspiring events you could watch with your family!

We are blessed deeply by the love and mercy of Jesus in our lives. He is our reason to live and move and have our being! Thank you for your encouragement to us and we pray that each of you have a blessed, Christ-centered Thanksgiving! 

Serving our Savior with you, Ken & Debbi