Sunday, October 5, 2008
Home Sweet Home, Again
Jesus in Haiti Ministries
October 5th, 2008
Sunday afternoon
Dear friends,
I had intended to write you this detailed email on how great church was last night. I was going to tell you about a 90 minute Praise time that nearly raised the roof off the packed church. I was going to tell you about me leading "head and shoulders knees and toes" in a circle of over 100 children in Junior church. I had so much to tell, than this morning happened.
One thing I always tell our church folks is "as great as our weekly church service is what happens the other 6 days will determine what kind of church we have and will define who we are, as Christians."
This morning I felt that even more. I told you about a little boy from the garbage dump who God laid on my heart to give a home to. He lives just a stones throw from the dump in a village that is not much better than the dump itself. The poorest village I have been in.
Today I drove into the village and within seconds a crowd of over 100 had gathered around me. I knew more than half of them from the dump. We were standing, talking, laughing, enjoying fellowship when a cheer broke out. I looked up and from his "house" walked Ricardo, dressed in a sponge bob t-shirt and a pair of oversized faded dress pants, and sandals, carrying a book bag on his back. (it was empty) I walked over and kissed his mom and greeted Ricardo. I was asking about a birth certificate (he has none) when his birthday is (march 2nd but not sure of the year) and any other information I would need. As we began the 25 yard walk to the truck, the hundred people or so that had gathered began to cheer and shout words of encouragement to this little boy. One of theirs was getting out, and they were all so happy.
As I was pulling away with Ricardo and Claudy my son, I asked Ricardo if he had eaten today, he said no which I expected. I asked him what he had to eat yesterday he hung his head and said "nothing". With tears flowing, I could not speak, to even ask about Friday. I had many thoughts going through my mind at this point. I did know this! God is using this ministry to do some pretty amazing things. Our school, Grace Emmanuel school opens tomorrow for 90 students who would not be going to school otherwise, packed church of people being discipled and hearing the Gospel, orphans and widows being helped, and much, much more. However, nothing stands above bringing little Ricardo to my home today, giving him life, giving him hope, hearing him say "poppy, thank you".
Just writing this has tears flowing uncontrollably. Never again will Ricardo have to pick through garbage. For the first time in his 9, 10 or 11 years, he will be: sleeping in a bed, eating food every day, going to school, having a family, getting medical attention when needed, and being trained in the things of God. This is why I was put on this earth, to bring hope to the hopeless. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to be Jesus to Ricardo, and so many others.
We have a big week coming up. We are grilling 300+ hotdogs at our school tomorrow, my boys start school, we have a group from Indiana bringing a dentist Thursday, the actual blocks start to go up for our church building and so much more.
A very special thanks to those of you who understand Proverbs 21:13 so well. Around $13,000 came in for the flood relief. We have been busy using every penny to bring relief to these folks. We have been helping 58 families with food the past 3 weeks, we have rented homes, built walls and much more. Thank you for responding to this need. When I asked for help, I was hoping for $5000. Then I adjusted that prayer to $10,000. God knew what we needed. Not only were we able to rent homes for some for one year, we were able to get beds, cooking utensils and other much needed items to get them started. Again, thank you for the sacrifice you made, for these folks. Thank you to all of you who sacrifice during tough times, for the Kingdom, for the "least of mine".
As I write this, Ricardo. Steven, Jay and three neighbor boys are playing soccer. Trouble is, I don't see a soccer game in progress, I see living, breathing, smiling proof that God cares for his little ones, and that HE has given us a great responsibility. The curtain continues to open. tominhaiti
PS-
* Marco and DeAnna celebrated their 5th wedding aniversary yesterday, Marco sang a special Love song to Dee during church, she then came up and kissed him and the people went crazy. It was neat.
*Also, Shadrach turns 14 tomorrow and Haslom turns 16 on Wednesday
*Pray for Mommy Tia, she is really moving slow and in pain even with her medicine
*Don't forget our club365 and matching grant available
Thank you for your support,
Tom Osbeck
Jesus in Haiti Ministries
For financial contributions JiHM Suite #155 10214 Chestnut Plaza Dr. Ft. Wayne, IN 46814 Att: Pat Hinen
October 5th, 2008
Sunday afternoon
Dear friends,
I had intended to write you this detailed email on how great church was last night. I was going to tell you about a 90 minute Praise time that nearly raised the roof off the packed church. I was going to tell you about me leading "head and shoulders knees and toes" in a circle of over 100 children in Junior church. I had so much to tell, than this morning happened.
One thing I always tell our church folks is "as great as our weekly church service is what happens the other 6 days will determine what kind of church we have and will define who we are, as Christians."
This morning I felt that even more. I told you about a little boy from the garbage dump who God laid on my heart to give a home to. He lives just a stones throw from the dump in a village that is not much better than the dump itself. The poorest village I have been in.
Today I drove into the village and within seconds a crowd of over 100 had gathered around me. I knew more than half of them from the dump. We were standing, talking, laughing, enjoying fellowship when a cheer broke out. I looked up and from his "house" walked Ricardo, dressed in a sponge bob t-shirt and a pair of oversized faded dress pants, and sandals, carrying a book bag on his back. (it was empty) I walked over and kissed his mom and greeted Ricardo. I was asking about a birth certificate (he has none) when his birthday is (march 2nd but not sure of the year) and any other information I would need. As we began the 25 yard walk to the truck, the hundred people or so that had gathered began to cheer and shout words of encouragement to this little boy. One of theirs was getting out, and they were all so happy.
As I was pulling away with Ricardo and Claudy my son, I asked Ricardo if he had eaten today, he said no which I expected. I asked him what he had to eat yesterday he hung his head and said "nothing". With tears flowing, I could not speak, to even ask about Friday. I had many thoughts going through my mind at this point. I did know this! God is using this ministry to do some pretty amazing things. Our school, Grace Emmanuel school opens tomorrow for 90 students who would not be going to school otherwise, packed church of people being discipled and hearing the Gospel, orphans and widows being helped, and much, much more. However, nothing stands above bringing little Ricardo to my home today, giving him life, giving him hope, hearing him say "poppy, thank you".
Just writing this has tears flowing uncontrollably. Never again will Ricardo have to pick through garbage. For the first time in his 9, 10 or 11 years, he will be: sleeping in a bed, eating food every day, going to school, having a family, getting medical attention when needed, and being trained in the things of God. This is why I was put on this earth, to bring hope to the hopeless. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to be Jesus to Ricardo, and so many others.
We have a big week coming up. We are grilling 300+ hotdogs at our school tomorrow, my boys start school, we have a group from Indiana bringing a dentist Thursday, the actual blocks start to go up for our church building and so much more.
A very special thanks to those of you who understand Proverbs 21:13 so well. Around $13,000 came in for the flood relief. We have been busy using every penny to bring relief to these folks. We have been helping 58 families with food the past 3 weeks, we have rented homes, built walls and much more. Thank you for responding to this need. When I asked for help, I was hoping for $5000. Then I adjusted that prayer to $10,000. God knew what we needed. Not only were we able to rent homes for some for one year, we were able to get beds, cooking utensils and other much needed items to get them started. Again, thank you for the sacrifice you made, for these folks. Thank you to all of you who sacrifice during tough times, for the Kingdom, for the "least of mine".
As I write this, Ricardo. Steven, Jay and three neighbor boys are playing soccer. Trouble is, I don't see a soccer game in progress, I see living, breathing, smiling proof that God cares for his little ones, and that HE has given us a great responsibility. The curtain continues to open. tominhaiti
PS-
* Marco and DeAnna celebrated their 5th wedding aniversary yesterday, Marco sang a special Love song to Dee during church, she then came up and kissed him and the people went crazy. It was neat.
*Also, Shadrach turns 14 tomorrow and Haslom turns 16 on Wednesday
*Pray for Mommy Tia, she is really moving slow and in pain even with her medicine
*Don't forget our club365 and matching grant available
Thank you for your support,
Tom Osbeck
Jesus in Haiti Ministries
For financial contributions JiHM Suite #155 10214 Chestnut Plaza Dr. Ft. Wayne, IN 46814 Att: Pat Hinen
# posted by Tom Osbeck @ 2:01 PM 
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