Jesus in Haiti Ministries
September 28, 2008
Tuesday night

Dear friends,

Wow, what an eventful day. After arriving in Miami yesterday, I was ready to come home today. I was up early and to the airport about 5 hours early, anxious to come home.

Things went well until I got stopped at security for having a human arm in my luggage. I knew a lady from Haiti got stopped in Miami for having an actual human head in her luggage but I didn't think an arm would have the same affect. When they found out it was a good fake, they got a good laugh. Now, for all you youth workers and fathers of teens, I know you appreciate the value of a single human arm, that actually crawls. I found it in a clearance bin and boy the possibilities.

Then I was walking with my packed to the guild carry on, my computer bag stuff full and a bag full of 8 t-shirts, 3 hats and 2 watches and 12 pair of underwear. Someone told me you can have as many carry on's as you want. Well they stopped me, and everybody, ONLY 2 PIECES OF ANYTHING IN YOUR HAND. I could either throw them away or try to get them in my packed bags. I chose neither, I went into the men's room and put the 8 shirts on, the 12 pair of underwear on, put the 3 hats on my head, the 3 watches on my arm and walked through security. What a sight I was. Okay, I am fibbing, I squeezed it all into my full bags and off I went.

Then the flight to Haiti. As we were decending into Haiti, God began to speak to me, and boy did He speak. I began to weep right there in my seat. I was overcome with emotion of seeing my boys and overcome with a passion for the people of Haiti. I thought what was ahead, I thought of the people, I thought of the awesome responsibility that God has placed on me. This will sound weird but it felt like I was on a stage and the curtain was shut. On the other side of the curtain were lots of people, just waiting for the curtain to open.

After getting through the craziness of the airport, Bebe our children's pastor and my son Claudy were waiting. We loaded up, stopped at the grocery store and headed home. As we pulled into the lot, I didn't see anyone but Roger. I said "this is odd, where are the boys". He winked and said, "just go in". I could hear whispers and giggles as I opened the front door and there stood all 13 of them, ready to pounce. Plus they had a bottle of ice cold Coke they handed to me as they hugged me. It was a special moment.

Then greeting each one, checking things out and unpacking followed by my favorite meal, chicken and rice. I have then spent the past few hours with about 10 boys hanging out in my room, just happy their poppy is back. Believe me, their poppy feels the same way.

The good news is nothing was broke or missing and everything looked so clean. I am really proud of the job they have done. Of course the fridge and freezer and all the shelves are bare. At least they didn't eat my turtles, the last time they ran out of food the last day and cooked our 7 pet pigeons for supper.

Tomorrow I will began to fill the supplies, fuel, eggs, rice, propane, water jugs, pop bottles and much more. Plus I have to cash a check as tomorrow is pay day for our staff.

Will have to wait until Thursday to do a complete run through of our points of light. Thank you for praying, I am tired but very happy to be home. The curtain is slowly opening. tomINHAITI


Thank you for your support,


Tom Osbeck


Jesus in Haiti Ministries Suite 155 10214 Chestnut Plaza Drive Fort Wayne IN 46814