Jesus in Haiti Ministries
December 7th, 2008

Ministry Update

Victory Bible Church, last night: Church was interesting. At our weekly staff meeting, we talked about getting in a rut and becoming a little boring at times so I asked the pastor if I could take the role of "getting the sheep in the pen, and then he feeds and cares for them". After much discussion, we agreed on that. We were in a rut of scripture, one song, prayer, announcements, offering, message. No fellowship time, no birthdays, no nothing extra. To perk things up, I had the ushers put name tags on everyone coming into church, and then during visitor time, I asked everyone to find 2 people whose name started with the same as theirs, and stand by them. It was a ball seeing a couple hundred people looking for others and getting in a group, laughing, hugging and having a ball.

I also gave away 5 meals to a new restaurant near our church. That was exciting. I had only given tickets to the folks who were on time, which was about 20. The other 200 were late and I bet you next week they are on time. My personal opinion is church should be a place that you want to come because you feel loved, you enjoy it, you get to worship God and you are taught from the Word of God.

At our meeting, as I was talking about giving some rice away or meals from time to time, Roger piped up and shared the fact that his girlfriend's two sisters came to church last summer for one reason, and one reason only, we were giving away 2 boxes of rice. These are the two girls who became demon possessed at church, accepted Christ as their personal Savior, and have not missed a service since. I believe in using any tool we can, as long as it honors God to get people to hear God's word.

I had the privilege of preaching from John chapter 4 and the response was good. Last night after getting home, I received a text message from Fondi, our school director. It touched me so, I thought it might touch some of you, now, this is not about me being a great preacher, it 's about what God can do THROUGH an uneducated, country boy. Read it, and see how God works, when we let him:

"Tom, I congradulate you for your message, every message you preach it's goes right in my heart as an injection. You know what, I don't like to congratulate bosses because they might think I do that to catch his attention or beause of money, Negative, I miss your teaching, I only hear your voice at church, you always talk with a high Christian philosophy that pleasing me. When you talk, I bless, I don't know the reason I love you my hero you deserve it from fondi (there was lots of misspelled words but my spell checker fixed them)

These are the words of encouragement that keep me going, in some very tough times.

MY FRIDAY; Friday was quite a day. We had some wonderful friends from Minnesota (even though their team beat my Lions today) who are adopting a little girl come visit for 3 days. They came to see Auddy, but ended up meeting her friend, and decided to adopt her also. Don and Tamala Sperr, thanks for coming, and for leaving, part of your heart with these two girls. I can't wait until you get to bring them home. While visiting Auddy at the orphanage she is in, I had the chance to see a little baby, 4 pounds, 2 weeks old that had been found in the garbage dump. Hal and Chris Nungster run HIS HOME for Children and this little baby who had been discarded, was brought to them. The precious little girl had rat bites all over her feet. I had the chance to meet her, touch her precious body and be reminded that yes, God really does care about these little ones. Thank you Hal and Chris for being Jesus to this little girl, and 135 others, in your home. You are my heroes.

While there, Chris shared with me that Rodrick had just left for the states to adoptive parents. Rodrick was the little boy who 3 years ago was found by one of my staff, in the garbage dump. Have ya figured out why we are here, why we do what we do, why we need you folks to continue to help make this possible? To me this is the ultimate giving of life, from dying in a garbage dump, all alone, to a home, a family, a life. Praise God!

After taking the Sperr's to our school, new property and our home, I had them to the airport by 2 p.m. Then it is home to get my boys, load the truck and head to the village with generator, projector and all the equipment. We had movie night and cooked a couple hundred hotdogs and had over 200 teens. We were home by 10 p.m. and I was beat, but a good day.

Misc: I think I shared this, but we made our budget thanks to all of you who gave. I have to tell you, when I look over the financial sheet each month, I pray for each of you who give, that God will bless you 100 times for what you do for this ministry. I don't think I ever get through this prayer without shedding a few tears. I see your name, I think of you, the memories with most of you and it humbles me to know you are making this happen in such a large way. Thank you so much.

Closing: Last night I closed my sermon with this story: A little boy whose house was on fire, managed to climb through an attic to the roof. The entire house was on fire. He was on the 3rd floor. He was crying and then he heard his father's voice on the ground. His dad said "jump son, I will catch you". The darkness below prevented the son from seeing his dad, he yelled, "I can't jump dad, I can't see you." His father yelled back "it is not important that you see me, what is important is, I SEE YOU, jump.". Anyone reading this need to jump? He will catch you, He promises that.

Take care my friends, 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