Friday, December 26, 2008
A Shoebox Day at Grace Emmanuel School
Jesus in Haiti Ministries
December 26th, 2008
Hi from Haiti,
I trust each of you had a wonderful Christmas time with you family. Here is a Christmas update from this side of the ocean, please let me know about yours.
Grace Emmanuel School: Last week we took 87 gifts for the students, gift boxes from Samaritans Purse, packed by our friends at Sonrise Church in Fort Wayne. The kids were so happy with these gifts and I enjoyed so much watching their happiness. The teachers got a little cash bonus and a box of rice.
Victory Bible Church: Saturday night was the finals of our Singing Contest. We had a jam packed church, plus people outside looking in. We did our normal service, than had the finalists sing, and the congregation vote for the winner. It was a blessed time, a time where we all experienced God in a very powerful way, all 4 hours of it. The winners were two young men who might even got a nod from Simon Cowell. (if you don't know Simon, you are better off)
Good Samaritan orphanage: Thanks to many of you, and our friends at Love a Child Mission, we had over 150 gifts for the kids and staff. We had so much fun. We had a staging area and had 4 tables set up, little boys, little girls, big boys, little boys. They would get to go to the table, take as long as they wanted and pick a really nice toy. What a thrill that was. Of course the dolls and matchbox toys went first.
New Roads Orphanage: We have been able to help individual families from the dump which has been such a blessing to help these precious people. Thanks to those of you who made this possible.
First Point of Light, my home: As you can imagine, trying to "thrill" 25 people at Christmas with limited funds is a real challenge. However, thanks to many of you, including some board members, we had an unbelievable Christmas. Some nice cell phones were donated for my older boys, along with some ipods and the boys were so happy. For those of you who donated these items, thanks so much. During this year, between family and staff, I would encourage you to save any cell phones or outdated electronic items or video games that you have. Don't toss them, send them to our development director, Linda Neal and she will make sure they get used next Christmas. (also old laptops would be awesome!)
We did the traditional Osbeck Christmas. Our big night is Christmas eve. We ate grill edcheese sandwiches for supper then the festivities began. Around 8 we had a praise and worship time, then the reading of the Christmas story, then a time when I remind our family how blessed we are. We also take a time to welcome new members to the family, who are with us for their first Christmas. This year that included Betsie, Betsie's daughter Kayly, Ricardo, Altimae, Roger and Maxim. We gained 5 but of course lost the 5 Jeanty's to Ohio so we had the same amount as last year. Then a prayer before we open presents.
When we open presents, we start with the youngest and everyone watches that person until they open their 3 or 4 presents, then we move to the next. Kayly was first as she is only 3. When Betsie's (NEWS FLASH, NEWS FLASH. I found out Betsie is her nickname and that she prefers her birthname of Stephanie) daughter began to open her first present, she couldn't get the paper off, one of the boys said "hurry up". After a reprimand to him, we sat and watched her big smile as she finally got it open. Her 2nd gift was a doll, almost as big as her that came from our friends at Love a Child. Kayly was so happy, she never put that doll down, even now she is still holding it. Second was Ricardo, I have to tell you, I had tears as I saw this little boy tear open his fire truck with a huge smile. To me, to think of this little boy, who a couple months ago was sitting in a garbage dump, and now was here, just overwhelmed me.
Then it was on to Steven, Jay and all the rest. It was a precious hour or so watching 25 people open gifts and be so happy. After we were done, I said we had one more surprise. I then walked them back to an outside store room where we had the big weight machines set up. I had to be first so I could watch each face as they walked in. Each was speechless as they saw something they ALL have wanted for years.
Of course they began right then lifting and haven't stopped since. If any of you know a program I should use for them please email me. I am sure there is a correct way to train, I just don't know it. I know it is hard to believe that a perfect specimen like me wouldn't know this but.............
Before we opened the presents, I called Marco and DeAnna in Ohio and put the phone on speaker phone. We wished each other merry Christmas and the little kids, Calvin and Kaylyn in Ohio had a ball talking to all of us. I think it meant a lot to them knowing we did not forget them.
That covers it all: There you have it, our Haiti Christmas. I am simply overjoyed at the happiness we were able to bring to hundreds of people this Christmas. First and foremost, reminding all of them that the reason for our celebration is the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. When our God loved us so much, that He left Heaven, to come to walk among us, and to die for us, for our sins. Then to rise from the dead, to be our living Savior. What a message, what a thrill to share it with so many. Thanks so much to all of you who support us financially and in prayer.
2008 was a very difficult year for most of us, please pray for the new year as we continue to meet the challenges and needs of these wonderful people. Pray for our finances, this month is way down for us which will present some real problems for our ministry. I am praying that we don't have to make any ministry cuts, or staff cuts in the upcoming months. I know you all are having a tough time, as well as all Americans. However we continue to trust God to meet our needs. I am on vacation until January 5th and am so looking forward to a time of rest and to be with family here.
God bless you, tominhaiti
Thank you for your support
Tom Osbeck
Executive Director
Jesus in Haiti Ministries
For Contributions:
Jesus in Haiti Ministries, Inc. Suite 155 10214 Chestnut Plaza Drive Fort Wayne, IN 46814
December 26th, 2008
Hi from Haiti,
I trust each of you had a wonderful Christmas time with you family. Here is a Christmas update from this side of the ocean, please let me know about yours.
Grace Emmanuel School: Last week we took 87 gifts for the students, gift boxes from Samaritans Purse, packed by our friends at Sonrise Church in Fort Wayne. The kids were so happy with these gifts and I enjoyed so much watching their happiness. The teachers got a little cash bonus and a box of rice.
Victory Bible Church: Saturday night was the finals of our Singing Contest. We had a jam packed church, plus people outside looking in. We did our normal service, than had the finalists sing, and the congregation vote for the winner. It was a blessed time, a time where we all experienced God in a very powerful way, all 4 hours of it. The winners were two young men who might even got a nod from Simon Cowell. (if you don't know Simon, you are better off)
Good Samaritan orphanage: Thanks to many of you, and our friends at Love a Child Mission, we had over 150 gifts for the kids and staff. We had so much fun. We had a staging area and had 4 tables set up, little boys, little girls, big boys, little boys. They would get to go to the table, take as long as they wanted and pick a really nice toy. What a thrill that was. Of course the dolls and matchbox toys went first.
New Roads Orphanage: We have been able to help individual families from the dump which has been such a blessing to help these precious people. Thanks to those of you who made this possible.
First Point of Light, my home: As you can imagine, trying to "thrill" 25 people at Christmas with limited funds is a real challenge. However, thanks to many of you, including some board members, we had an unbelievable Christmas. Some nice cell phones were donated for my older boys, along with some ipods and the boys were so happy. For those of you who donated these items, thanks so much. During this year, between family and staff, I would encourage you to save any cell phones or outdated electronic items or video games that you have. Don't toss them, send them to our development director, Linda Neal and she will make sure they get used next Christmas. (also old laptops would be awesome!)
We did the traditional Osbeck Christmas. Our big night is Christmas eve. We ate grill edcheese sandwiches for supper then the festivities began. Around 8 we had a praise and worship time, then the reading of the Christmas story, then a time when I remind our family how blessed we are. We also take a time to welcome new members to the family, who are with us for their first Christmas. This year that included Betsie, Betsie's daughter Kayly, Ricardo, Altimae, Roger and Maxim. We gained 5 but of course lost the 5 Jeanty's to Ohio so we had the same amount as last year. Then a prayer before we open presents.
When we open presents, we start with the youngest and everyone watches that person until they open their 3 or 4 presents, then we move to the next. Kayly was first as she is only 3. When Betsie's (NEWS FLASH, NEWS FLASH. I found out Betsie is her nickname and that she prefers her birthname of Stephanie) daughter began to open her first present, she couldn't get the paper off, one of the boys said "hurry up". After a reprimand to him, we sat and watched her big smile as she finally got it open. Her 2nd gift was a doll, almost as big as her that came from our friends at Love a Child. Kayly was so happy, she never put that doll down, even now she is still holding it. Second was Ricardo, I have to tell you, I had tears as I saw this little boy tear open his fire truck with a huge smile. To me, to think of this little boy, who a couple months ago was sitting in a garbage dump, and now was here, just overwhelmed me.
Then it was on to Steven, Jay and all the rest. It was a precious hour or so watching 25 people open gifts and be so happy. After we were done, I said we had one more surprise. I then walked them back to an outside store room where we had the big weight machines set up. I had to be first so I could watch each face as they walked in. Each was speechless as they saw something they ALL have wanted for years.
Of course they began right then lifting and haven't stopped since. If any of you know a program I should use for them please email me. I am sure there is a correct way to train, I just don't know it. I know it is hard to believe that a perfect specimen like me wouldn't know this but.............
Before we opened the presents, I called Marco and DeAnna in Ohio and put the phone on speaker phone. We wished each other merry Christmas and the little kids, Calvin and Kaylyn in Ohio had a ball talking to all of us. I think it meant a lot to them knowing we did not forget them.
That covers it all: There you have it, our Haiti Christmas. I am simply overjoyed at the happiness we were able to bring to hundreds of people this Christmas. First and foremost, reminding all of them that the reason for our celebration is the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. When our God loved us so much, that He left Heaven, to come to walk among us, and to die for us, for our sins. Then to rise from the dead, to be our living Savior. What a message, what a thrill to share it with so many. Thanks so much to all of you who support us financially and in prayer.
2008 was a very difficult year for most of us, please pray for the new year as we continue to meet the challenges and needs of these wonderful people. Pray for our finances, this month is way down for us which will present some real problems for our ministry. I am praying that we don't have to make any ministry cuts, or staff cuts in the upcoming months. I know you all are having a tough time, as well as all Americans. However we continue to trust God to meet our needs. I am on vacation until January 5th and am so looking forward to a time of rest and to be with family here.
God bless you, tominhaiti
Thank you for your support
Tom Osbeck
Executive Director
Jesus in Haiti Ministries
For Contributions:
Jesus in Haiti Ministries, Inc. Suite 155 10214 Chestnut Plaza Drive Fort Wayne, IN 46814
# posted by Tom Osbeck @ 7:05 PM 
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