Friday, June 13, 2008
Today's email, not what I was going to write....
Tom Osbeck
13 Jun 2008 12:54 pm
Dear friends,
As you know, a big part of my job has become letting more people know about the JiHM ministry so we can continue to care for the natural growth we are having. Raising funds is what I must do, not what I want to do.
This morning I had two emails that had to do with "fund-raising". One was a generous offer from a dear friend of Haiti, to match every dollar given over the next 90 days, up to $30,000. Isn't that awesome? If someone gives Ten dollars, he will give 20, if 100 is given, he gives 100, if Ten thousand is given, he will match that. I can't think of a better way to invest money in eternal affairs, then to double your money. This is what I was supposed to write today. We also have another very exciting way for you to get involved that I was going to send. I was sitting here yesterday, thinking about sending these two emails, which is first, etc........... Then something happened.
I am running a basketball league, in our yard. Our dear missionary friend, Don Adamson from Hope Missions, brought us a brand new backboard and rim when he moved here a few months ago. Yesterday with my 14 and about 20 more of their friends in the yard, Jony came up to me and said "Jimmy wants to accept Christ". I then watched as Marco and Jony took him inside and prayed with him. What a thrill to see this happen. I asked Jony, what brought this on. He said he had been talking to his friend Jimmy Edmond for a long time and today he was finally ready to accept Christ. As I gave him a Bible along with a few words of encouragement, I was almost overwhelmed.
I had dreaded sending the "fundraiser" emails until that moment. I realized that here was a young man who would spend eternity with God, not with satan in a lake of fire. For some reason, I realized then that if JIMMY EDMOND was the only person to go to Heaven because of my calling to Haiti, it would be worth it. What is the price of one soul?
However, there has been many more then Jimmy, in fact, I can think of 3 other Jimmy's alone, that will be in Heaven some day. This is why I do what I do, this is why my board works so hard, this is why you so faithfully give................so people like Jimmy, can spend eternity with Christ, with us, in Glory!
So I continue to share with you that if $30,000 is given, $30,000 more will be added by our friend, towards our new church building project. I will continue to share, to ask, maybe even at times beg....for these folks. Folks who have no voice and many themselves have to beg, just to live. I will continue to fight for these folks, wonderful folks who just need to hear about Jesus, need to be loved like Jesus would love them.
For Jimmy Edmond, I say thank you. He has begun a journey, the same journey we are on, Praise God! Until later, May God bless you and I thank you for all YOU have done for me and this ministry. tominhaiti
ps- I have prayed and waited for $23,000 to come for the truck. Marco said in jest this morning, "when are we going to get the truck". I said, oh yea of little faith, we still have one more day.
2nd ps- A great sigh of relief and thanks for my friend Pastor Mori Elliot from Turlock California who had open heart surgery yesterday morning and was walking the hospital last night. (probably looking for a snack machine)
13 Jun 2008 12:54 pm
Dear friends,
As you know, a big part of my job has become letting more people know about the JiHM ministry so we can continue to care for the natural growth we are having. Raising funds is what I must do, not what I want to do.
This morning I had two emails that had to do with "fund-raising". One was a generous offer from a dear friend of Haiti, to match every dollar given over the next 90 days, up to $30,000. Isn't that awesome? If someone gives Ten dollars, he will give 20, if 100 is given, he gives 100, if Ten thousand is given, he will match that. I can't think of a better way to invest money in eternal affairs, then to double your money. This is what I was supposed to write today. We also have another very exciting way for you to get involved that I was going to send. I was sitting here yesterday, thinking about sending these two emails, which is first, etc........... Then something happened.
I am running a basketball league, in our yard. Our dear missionary friend, Don Adamson from Hope Missions, brought us a brand new backboard and rim when he moved here a few months ago. Yesterday with my 14 and about 20 more of their friends in the yard, Jony came up to me and said "Jimmy wants to accept Christ". I then watched as Marco and Jony took him inside and prayed with him. What a thrill to see this happen. I asked Jony, what brought this on. He said he had been talking to his friend Jimmy Edmond for a long time and today he was finally ready to accept Christ. As I gave him a Bible along with a few words of encouragement, I was almost overwhelmed.
I had dreaded sending the "fundraiser" emails until that moment. I realized that here was a young man who would spend eternity with God, not with satan in a lake of fire. For some reason, I realized then that if JIMMY EDMOND was the only person to go to Heaven because of my calling to Haiti, it would be worth it. What is the price of one soul?
However, there has been many more then Jimmy, in fact, I can think of 3 other Jimmy's alone, that will be in Heaven some day. This is why I do what I do, this is why my board works so hard, this is why you so faithfully give................so people like Jimmy, can spend eternity with Christ, with us, in Glory!
So I continue to share with you that if $30,000 is given, $30,000 more will be added by our friend, towards our new church building project. I will continue to share, to ask, maybe even at times beg....for these folks. Folks who have no voice and many themselves have to beg, just to live. I will continue to fight for these folks, wonderful folks who just need to hear about Jesus, need to be loved like Jesus would love them.
For Jimmy Edmond, I say thank you. He has begun a journey, the same journey we are on, Praise God! Until later, May God bless you and I thank you for all YOU have done for me and this ministry. tominhaiti
ps- I have prayed and waited for $23,000 to come for the truck. Marco said in jest this morning, "when are we going to get the truck". I said, oh yea of little faith, we still have one more day.
2nd ps- A great sigh of relief and thanks for my friend Pastor Mori Elliot from Turlock California who had open heart surgery yesterday morning and was walking the hospital last night. (probably looking for a snack machine)
Sunday, June 8, 2008
The Lady in Red
Tom Osbeck
08 Jun 2008 2:41 pm
Dear friends,
Greetings! Last night I was a tad disappointed at our attendance, after 500 last week, we were at about 250 last night. I thought we would get some bounce but....we didn't. It was real hot so that might explain some.
Last night was my first night of Junior Church. I have kind of taken over our kids program, while I work with our current kids director to train him better. I used 5 of my boys to help me and we had a great time.
My son Manel has been staying with us the past couple weeks. He had been staying with his aunt in Port au Prince but the area he was staying has become very dangerous. Two teens had been kidnapped, and then after the ransom paid, they were killed, in the neighborhood Manel was staying. I told him he needed to stay back with us for awhile. His bedroom as been the living room and I have seem some amazing changes in him. He is working with our pastor, and Marco as in Manels own words "I want to fix Manel". With God's help, lots of prayer and work, we trust he will be "fixed".
Marco has to fly to Indianapolis in two weeks to take his citizenship test. Some may wonder why this is important. The only way Marco can live in Haiti, is to be a citizen of the United States OR, give up the right to ever enter the United states again. He has been studying very hard and will do well.
Last night at church, we had another salvation and Pastor introduced me to two people who accepted Christ this past week. I am happy that almost weekly someone accepts Christ and begins a new journey. My boys are excited as they only have a week or so left of school. They do have exams this week and are preparing for them.
Summer is here, it is very, very hot. Many of you are getting the same thing so you know what I am talking about.
A great big thanks to Don and Tamela Sperr. They were here for a few days to visit their little Haitian daughter Auddy, who they are adopting. They heard our generator was shot, and bought us a brand new Honda, a much bigger and better generator then we have ever had. Don, it worked awesome at church. It does take 7 of us to move it around but well worth it. I showed pastor Jackie the full gas tank after 3 hour of church and he was amazed it only used about 2 ounces. He said "we were running on God's gas".
Today I made my normal run to fill 20 bottles of Culligan, buy propane, fuel etc................A couple of the boys always go along with Deanna, CJ and Kaylyn. On the way home DeAnna wanted to run in and buy something to take home from a store. The rest of us waited in the truck.
I was sitting there in my air conditioned truck, playing with Jayden when I got this annoying knock on my window. It was a lady about 40, dressed in a homemade red dress, with two little children. She had a little bowl and wanted some money.
My first thought was "leave me alone" "I already take care of 6 points of light" I get so tired of everyday people begging for money. I was doing my part, after all, I couldn't take care of all of Haiti. I waved her on. She dropped her head and continued down the street.
Stage right, enter God! All of a sudden it hit me. I began to weep as I watched this lady put her arms around her two hungry children, dressed in rags, as she begged for money, to no avail.
I then told God, "the day I stop helping a pour soul like that, you can let me drop dead, and replace me". I don't ever want to lose my compassion for these people. I quickly gave Claudy about 400 gourdes and told him to catch up with her and tell her that God loved her, and this money was from God.
I continued to weep as I saw Claudy catch up with her, put his arm around her, whisper a few words and hand her the money. I then asked forgiveness from God and asked Him to NEVER let me think I am doing enough, giving enough, or loving enough. NO, I can't take care of all of Haiti but when God brings someone into my life, I must respond.
I also thought this, I have the good part of this ministry. How boring it is for you all to write a check and take it to the mail box. I am the "lucky" one who gets to experience this first hand. Thank you so much for making that sacrifice, doing the boring part, so I can minister to these wonderful people.
Let me add this, I bet you there are people that God will put in your life that you will be to busy for, or will think you have done your part, or you will let someone else meet there need. I challenge you, starting NOW, when God sends that person your way, (might even be an angel) don't miss your chance to be Jesus to that person. Then you know how you can encourage me so much, email me and share your experience with me. You will bless me. May God bless, tominhaiti
Ps- please pray for our huge need of another truck. Our Mazda's life may be over. Church is tough, we have to pile 20 people and all our sound equipment into the Kia. Not only is that hard on the truck, it is not as safe as I would like. I told Marco yesterday, by next Saturday, God is going to provide $23,000 for us to buy another Kia. He looked at me and said "do you think so". I said yes. So, pray with me that the money that God has for the truck, will find it's way to Fort Wayne this week.
08 Jun 2008 2:41 pm
Dear friends,
Greetings! Last night I was a tad disappointed at our attendance, after 500 last week, we were at about 250 last night. I thought we would get some bounce but....we didn't. It was real hot so that might explain some.
Last night was my first night of Junior Church. I have kind of taken over our kids program, while I work with our current kids director to train him better. I used 5 of my boys to help me and we had a great time.
My son Manel has been staying with us the past couple weeks. He had been staying with his aunt in Port au Prince but the area he was staying has become very dangerous. Two teens had been kidnapped, and then after the ransom paid, they were killed, in the neighborhood Manel was staying. I told him he needed to stay back with us for awhile. His bedroom as been the living room and I have seem some amazing changes in him. He is working with our pastor, and Marco as in Manels own words "I want to fix Manel". With God's help, lots of prayer and work, we trust he will be "fixed".
Marco has to fly to Indianapolis in two weeks to take his citizenship test. Some may wonder why this is important. The only way Marco can live in Haiti, is to be a citizen of the United States OR, give up the right to ever enter the United states again. He has been studying very hard and will do well.
Last night at church, we had another salvation and Pastor introduced me to two people who accepted Christ this past week. I am happy that almost weekly someone accepts Christ and begins a new journey. My boys are excited as they only have a week or so left of school. They do have exams this week and are preparing for them.
Summer is here, it is very, very hot. Many of you are getting the same thing so you know what I am talking about.
A great big thanks to Don and Tamela Sperr. They were here for a few days to visit their little Haitian daughter Auddy, who they are adopting. They heard our generator was shot, and bought us a brand new Honda, a much bigger and better generator then we have ever had. Don, it worked awesome at church. It does take 7 of us to move it around but well worth it. I showed pastor Jackie the full gas tank after 3 hour of church and he was amazed it only used about 2 ounces. He said "we were running on God's gas".
Today I made my normal run to fill 20 bottles of Culligan, buy propane, fuel etc................A couple of the boys always go along with Deanna, CJ and Kaylyn. On the way home DeAnna wanted to run in and buy something to take home from a store. The rest of us waited in the truck.
I was sitting there in my air conditioned truck, playing with Jayden when I got this annoying knock on my window. It was a lady about 40, dressed in a homemade red dress, with two little children. She had a little bowl and wanted some money.
My first thought was "leave me alone" "I already take care of 6 points of light" I get so tired of everyday people begging for money. I was doing my part, after all, I couldn't take care of all of Haiti. I waved her on. She dropped her head and continued down the street.
Stage right, enter God! All of a sudden it hit me. I began to weep as I watched this lady put her arms around her two hungry children, dressed in rags, as she begged for money, to no avail.
I then told God, "the day I stop helping a pour soul like that, you can let me drop dead, and replace me". I don't ever want to lose my compassion for these people. I quickly gave Claudy about 400 gourdes and told him to catch up with her and tell her that God loved her, and this money was from God.
I continued to weep as I saw Claudy catch up with her, put his arm around her, whisper a few words and hand her the money. I then asked forgiveness from God and asked Him to NEVER let me think I am doing enough, giving enough, or loving enough. NO, I can't take care of all of Haiti but when God brings someone into my life, I must respond.
I also thought this, I have the good part of this ministry. How boring it is for you all to write a check and take it to the mail box. I am the "lucky" one who gets to experience this first hand. Thank you so much for making that sacrifice, doing the boring part, so I can minister to these wonderful people.
Let me add this, I bet you there are people that God will put in your life that you will be to busy for, or will think you have done your part, or you will let someone else meet there need. I challenge you, starting NOW, when God sends that person your way, (might even be an angel) don't miss your chance to be Jesus to that person. Then you know how you can encourage me so much, email me and share your experience with me. You will bless me. May God bless, tominhaiti
Ps- please pray for our huge need of another truck. Our Mazda's life may be over. Church is tough, we have to pile 20 people and all our sound equipment into the Kia. Not only is that hard on the truck, it is not as safe as I would like. I told Marco yesterday, by next Saturday, God is going to provide $23,000 for us to buy another Kia. He looked at me and said "do you think so". I said yes. So, pray with me that the money that God has for the truck, will find it's way to Fort Wayne this week.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
The Celebration
The celebration
Tom Osbeck
01 Jun 2008 3:55 pm
Dear friends from around the globe, Wow, what a night last night. As you know, we celebrated our 4th anniversary of Victory Bible church. A visiting choir started the service with "happy anniversary" and happy birthday" and the service ended 5:50 minutes later with 5 people accepting Christ as their personal Savior! No misprint, nearly 6 hours of song, preaching, drama ending with a meal of chicken and rice.
What a blessed 6 hours it was. satan tried to disrupt, as our generator broke 30 minutes in, but we were able to quickly rent one in the village within 30 minutes we had power going again. A crowd of 600+ people made it quite a night to remember. The church only holds about 300, we had 400 inside and over 200 children that met outside.
Now, for you kids leaders, can you imagine trying to keep 200 kids for that long? Well, we didn't, our staff did not do a good job in this area and they ended up milling around outside for the last couple hours. Two visiting choirs were very good, along with a dozen or so specials from our church. We had a very powerful 45 minute drama that I had written a couple years ago and performed. It is judgment day and one by one people are brought before the Lord. Some are taken away kicking and screaming to the fiery furnace, several are allowed to walk into Heaven, hugged by Jesus. What happens as each approach God is, satan is waiting to persuade them what to say. Our characters were really good, a pimp, a go go girl, a preacher, a soccer player, etc......
The drama ended with lucifer standing before God. There was quite an ovation has he was dragged to his permanent home. The "God" spoke and then pastor Jackie spoke and gave an invitation and the 5 came forward. What a blessed event to witness. Last night only made me want to hurry the building process. To have over 100 standing and not be able to even let our children in the church was very sad to see. Our new church will hold 700 comfortably, probably 1000 in a squeeze. We can't wait and I will encourage you this, if a few of you had about 10 grand sitting around not being used............and you want to invest it in THE BEST POSSIBLE WAY YOU EVER COULD, send it down. I promise you this, it will hurry the process of us getting in our church/school and you will never regret doing this. We really need about $80,000 to finish the church/school. That would be 8 people sending 10 grand. Okay, tell you what, if 80 of you will send $1000, I could be talked into that. I was going to start this sentence with "seriously now" but.......I am very serious in what I said in that last paragraph. Pray about it will ya? I have enclosed a couple pictures.
The email last week were "imaginary" pictures which confused some of you, this email has actual pictures. One of Marco at the new property, some of our celebration last night. This week I will send more pictures as phase one of our building project is nearly done, the wall, guard house, cistern and parking lot. Thanks again for all of those who sponsor our children at our school, for those of you who help the Good Samaritan orphanage, for those of you who help members of our staff, for those of you who prayer, who send packages, who encourage me via email, and for those of you who support us financially. Thank you all so much.
Last night as I looked over the 600 plus people, I thought, wow, am I really responsible for all this. Not that I have done anything great, but just the fact that my actions were responsible for the sight I saw. I am humbled and thrilled to be a small part of what God is doing here. God bless you all, tominhaiti
ps- how do you like my birthday suit?
For financial contributionsJiHMSuite #15510214 Chestnut Plaza Dr.Ft. Wayne, IN 46814Att: Pat Hinen
Tom Osbeck
01 Jun 2008 3:55 pm
Dear friends from around the globe, Wow, what a night last night. As you know, we celebrated our 4th anniversary of Victory Bible church. A visiting choir started the service with "happy anniversary" and happy birthday" and the service ended 5:50 minutes later with 5 people accepting Christ as their personal Savior! No misprint, nearly 6 hours of song, preaching, drama ending with a meal of chicken and rice.
What a blessed 6 hours it was. satan tried to disrupt, as our generator broke 30 minutes in, but we were able to quickly rent one in the village within 30 minutes we had power going again. A crowd of 600+ people made it quite a night to remember. The church only holds about 300, we had 400 inside and over 200 children that met outside.
Now, for you kids leaders, can you imagine trying to keep 200 kids for that long? Well, we didn't, our staff did not do a good job in this area and they ended up milling around outside for the last couple hours. Two visiting choirs were very good, along with a dozen or so specials from our church. We had a very powerful 45 minute drama that I had written a couple years ago and performed. It is judgment day and one by one people are brought before the Lord. Some are taken away kicking and screaming to the fiery furnace, several are allowed to walk into Heaven, hugged by Jesus. What happens as each approach God is, satan is waiting to persuade them what to say. Our characters were really good, a pimp, a go go girl, a preacher, a soccer player, etc......
The drama ended with lucifer standing before God. There was quite an ovation has he was dragged to his permanent home. The "God" spoke and then pastor Jackie spoke and gave an invitation and the 5 came forward. What a blessed event to witness. Last night only made me want to hurry the building process. To have over 100 standing and not be able to even let our children in the church was very sad to see. Our new church will hold 700 comfortably, probably 1000 in a squeeze. We can't wait and I will encourage you this, if a few of you had about 10 grand sitting around not being used............and you want to invest it in THE BEST POSSIBLE WAY YOU EVER COULD, send it down. I promise you this, it will hurry the process of us getting in our church/school and you will never regret doing this. We really need about $80,000 to finish the church/school. That would be 8 people sending 10 grand. Okay, tell you what, if 80 of you will send $1000, I could be talked into that. I was going to start this sentence with "seriously now" but.......I am very serious in what I said in that last paragraph. Pray about it will ya? I have enclosed a couple pictures.
The email last week were "imaginary" pictures which confused some of you, this email has actual pictures. One of Marco at the new property, some of our celebration last night. This week I will send more pictures as phase one of our building project is nearly done, the wall, guard house, cistern and parking lot. Thanks again for all of those who sponsor our children at our school, for those of you who help the Good Samaritan orphanage, for those of you who help members of our staff, for those of you who prayer, who send packages, who encourage me via email, and for those of you who support us financially. Thank you all so much.
Last night as I looked over the 600 plus people, I thought, wow, am I really responsible for all this. Not that I have done anything great, but just the fact that my actions were responsible for the sight I saw. I am humbled and thrilled to be a small part of what God is doing here. God bless you all, tominhaiti
ps- how do you like my birthday suit?
For financial contributionsJiHMSuite #15510214 Chestnut Plaza Dr.Ft. Wayne, IN 46814Att: Pat Hinen
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