Thursday, August 21, 2008
Thank You
Thank You
Tom Osbeck
August 21, 2008
Thought I would pass on this email, from one of our visitor from this past week, for you to get a different perspective. tom
Dear Tom,
Thanks again for your kindness and the way you and your boys made Sheri and I feel welcome. I went back in a bad mood and my wife asked me why, I knew it was because of the attacks I saw you endure.
To see you being beat down, lied to, and all the other untrue and unfounded attacks just really broke my heart. Riding with you in the truck the other day and seeing how discouraged these things havecaused you to be also made me angry and sad. The more I get to know youand especially after this last trip, I see you as a very committed, spiritual, faithful, trustworthy, wise and one of the hardest working men of God I know.
I know it's hard for you to see the progress you have made with your boys sometimes, but your influence and example has and will continue to have a huge impact on them, if you doubt me in this please ask Marco or Roger if I am right. Having Roger helping you is a very good idea, his name along with Marco, you and Pastor Jackie were the top 4 when we asked the guys who the top 3 wisest people they knew were.
I had a chance to talk to Roger and Marco quite a bit more on this trip than I did last time. What a pair of good Godly men they are! You are blessed to have them on your team.
I was so excited to see Jesus in Haiti's points of light in action. Your house, the amount of energy, thought, love and time you pour into yourfamily and visitors amazes me. It shows in the way things run, in the midst of a country that is so depressed, your house is a place where the boys, Kaykay, Calvin, and their friends can relax and have good clean fun.
God was seen by me at your place this past week in and through you and your family. The garbage dump, what a sad situation for those folks there...how my heart felt good as I got to be a part of the Hope that rolled in there last week.
Tom, you bring hope to the hopeless. The school, you made it possible for me and my daughter to meet the family of the girl we sponsor at a school in Haiti and deliver a bike to her for improvement in her grades. When I think of 80 plus kids that would sit around with nothing todo but be hungry and now they can be fed not only food twice a day, but their minds can work on reading, spelling, math and even learn about a God that loves them. That's enough to make almost any believer shout AMEN.
The church, seeing the land was exciting last time, but to see the block and mortar actually going up is exciting. My mind just reels thinking of all the things that will happen for God there. At the service last Saturday, praying with the leadership of Victory Bible before the service, playing with the praise band, attempting to play with Haslom and Dearson, and being able to help and watch you work with the kids in junior church...all were blessings.
The orphanage, you didn't think you went there with me, but I saw you both times, in Marco, Roger, Jony, Pierre, Haslom, Claudy and Deckenson. If you don't remember what happened, the Word was preached, lessons were taught, kids were loved and hugged on, tons of kisses were given, laughter was heard, tears were shed, a couple visitors were prayed over, a sick girl named Mary had hands laid on her and her healing was prayed for and Gods presence was felt very strongly. Man what a difference from January, this is now a place with a good amount of joy. If you hear of anybody that says you are going down a wrong path or that you have bad fruit, please please have them give me a call or give me their number as I will be more than happy to let them know what I have seen, heard and experienced first hand. My only regret on this trip is that I wished I could have encouraged more. I hope this email helps, you know I mean every bit of it from the bottom of my heart. Well I guess that's about all I have for now.
Love from one of your biggest fans and cheerleaders,
Mark Travis
Tom Osbeck
August 21, 2008
Thought I would pass on this email, from one of our visitor from this past week, for you to get a different perspective. tom
Dear Tom,
Thanks again for your kindness and the way you and your boys made Sheri and I feel welcome. I went back in a bad mood and my wife asked me why, I knew it was because of the attacks I saw you endure.
To see you being beat down, lied to, and all the other untrue and unfounded attacks just really broke my heart. Riding with you in the truck the other day and seeing how discouraged these things havecaused you to be also made me angry and sad. The more I get to know youand especially after this last trip, I see you as a very committed, spiritual, faithful, trustworthy, wise and one of the hardest working men of God I know.
I know it's hard for you to see the progress you have made with your boys sometimes, but your influence and example has and will continue to have a huge impact on them, if you doubt me in this please ask Marco or Roger if I am right. Having Roger helping you is a very good idea, his name along with Marco, you and Pastor Jackie were the top 4 when we asked the guys who the top 3 wisest people they knew were.
I had a chance to talk to Roger and Marco quite a bit more on this trip than I did last time. What a pair of good Godly men they are! You are blessed to have them on your team.
I was so excited to see Jesus in Haiti's points of light in action. Your house, the amount of energy, thought, love and time you pour into yourfamily and visitors amazes me. It shows in the way things run, in the midst of a country that is so depressed, your house is a place where the boys, Kaykay, Calvin, and their friends can relax and have good clean fun.
God was seen by me at your place this past week in and through you and your family. The garbage dump, what a sad situation for those folks there...how my heart felt good as I got to be a part of the Hope that rolled in there last week.
Tom, you bring hope to the hopeless. The school, you made it possible for me and my daughter to meet the family of the girl we sponsor at a school in Haiti and deliver a bike to her for improvement in her grades. When I think of 80 plus kids that would sit around with nothing todo but be hungry and now they can be fed not only food twice a day, but their minds can work on reading, spelling, math and even learn about a God that loves them. That's enough to make almost any believer shout AMEN.
The church, seeing the land was exciting last time, but to see the block and mortar actually going up is exciting. My mind just reels thinking of all the things that will happen for God there. At the service last Saturday, praying with the leadership of Victory Bible before the service, playing with the praise band, attempting to play with Haslom and Dearson, and being able to help and watch you work with the kids in junior church...all were blessings.
The orphanage, you didn't think you went there with me, but I saw you both times, in Marco, Roger, Jony, Pierre, Haslom, Claudy and Deckenson. If you don't remember what happened, the Word was preached, lessons were taught, kids were loved and hugged on, tons of kisses were given, laughter was heard, tears were shed, a couple visitors were prayed over, a sick girl named Mary had hands laid on her and her healing was prayed for and Gods presence was felt very strongly. Man what a difference from January, this is now a place with a good amount of joy. If you hear of anybody that says you are going down a wrong path or that you have bad fruit, please please have them give me a call or give me their number as I will be more than happy to let them know what I have seen, heard and experienced first hand. My only regret on this trip is that I wished I could have encouraged more. I hope this email helps, you know I mean every bit of it from the bottom of my heart. Well I guess that's about all I have for now.
Love from one of your biggest fans and cheerleaders,
Mark Travis
Sunday, August 10, 2008
An Island(e) in the midst..............
An Island(e) in the midst..............
Tom Osbeck
August 10, 2008
Dear friends,
Today was another defining moment for me. We went to town, Dee and kids, myself and Islande. Here is Islande's story.
Eight years ago, 15 year old Islande started coming to my youth group. She accepted Christ, was baptized and became part of our ministry. 3 years ago she graduated from a Culinary school which we helped her with. Two years ago Islande became our head cook at Grace Emmanuel School. She has been a faithful, smiling part of Victory Bible Church since service one. Her outer beauty pales in comparison to her inner beauty.
Today as we were taking the 2 1/2 hour round trip, I decided to interview Islande. I like to stay up on life in the village, what.... I don't see.
It began simple enough but within 20 minutes, I was fighting tears big time. Islande works at our school and makes about $100 US dollars per month which is more then the average Haitian makes per month, $60. I asked her how many people lived in her yard. (a yard is made up of several one room bedrooms) She said there is her, her cousin, her 3 children and two widow women. Islande takes her entire pay, to support these 6 people, plus herself, totally. I was asking her what she had for supper Sunday and the cost of everything.
To buy 3 pieces of chicken, rice, beans, oil and charcoal, it cost her 9 dollars. I then asked, what if other people show up hungry, like two extra, would you feed them. She said of course. I asked what if 10 showed up hungry, she said she would divide the food 17 ways. (3 pieces of chicken)
After thinking of 9 dollars per day, one meal, I realized that would only take her $100, 11 days. I then asked the question I was afraid to ask. I said "Islande, in the past 20 days, how many of those days did you and your folks eat nothing"? She answered after some thought "probably 9 or 10".
The tears were flowing as I thought of this. This young warrior makes enough money to support herself, but has taken on 6 other human beings to care for. I then thought about soap and hair care and dish soap and toilet paper and tap tap money and all the other needs. I was overwhelmed.
I can't properly put in words what I was feeling. This is one person, one dedicated person, doing her part to do what Jesus said "love your neighbor". Islande is loving her neighbor.
I asked this young lady what about getting married someday and having a family and doing other things. She said she could never do that as long as these people need her.
Islande is just an example of all of these people we have working with us. Pastor Jackie has several "others" in his home. Assistant Pastor Roger has taken in two, Our children's pastor Bebe has two extra, and on and on. People with not much of anything, sharing with those around them all they have.
Thank you for placing me smack dab in the middle here. Thank you for helping me to be Jesus in Haiti, and to teach others to be Jesus in Haiti.
On a final note, I received a letter from a young man who is in prison for 30 years. He told me his aunt is sending him my emails. He said he was discouraged, and just existing. Then he began to read my emails, God began to speak to him and he now realizes that his mission field is in that prison, that he is Jesus in Ionia State Pen.
Folks, you have been placed where you are, to love God, and those around you. I hope you are doing that and if not, it is easy. Just start next door to where you live, the office next to where you work, the co-worker you eat lunch with or that person living in your own home.
Be Jesus where you are, that is your mission field, I will pray for you in your mission field, and I ask you continue to pray for me. May God bless! tominhaiti
Ecclesiastes 3:11,12 God makes everything happen at the right time. Yet none of us can ever fully understand all he has done, and he puts questions in our minds about the past and the future. I know the best thing we can do is to always enjoy life because God's gift to us is the happiness we get from our food and drink and from the work we do. For financial contributions JiHM Suite #155 10214 Chestnut Plaza Dr. Ft. Wayne, IN 46814 Att: Pat Hinen
Tom Osbeck
August 10, 2008
Dear friends,
Today was another defining moment for me. We went to town, Dee and kids, myself and Islande. Here is Islande's story.
Eight years ago, 15 year old Islande started coming to my youth group. She accepted Christ, was baptized and became part of our ministry. 3 years ago she graduated from a Culinary school which we helped her with. Two years ago Islande became our head cook at Grace Emmanuel School. She has been a faithful, smiling part of Victory Bible Church since service one. Her outer beauty pales in comparison to her inner beauty.
Today as we were taking the 2 1/2 hour round trip, I decided to interview Islande. I like to stay up on life in the village, what.... I don't see.
It began simple enough but within 20 minutes, I was fighting tears big time. Islande works at our school and makes about $100 US dollars per month which is more then the average Haitian makes per month, $60. I asked her how many people lived in her yard. (a yard is made up of several one room bedrooms) She said there is her, her cousin, her 3 children and two widow women. Islande takes her entire pay, to support these 6 people, plus herself, totally. I was asking her what she had for supper Sunday and the cost of everything.
To buy 3 pieces of chicken, rice, beans, oil and charcoal, it cost her 9 dollars. I then asked, what if other people show up hungry, like two extra, would you feed them. She said of course. I asked what if 10 showed up hungry, she said she would divide the food 17 ways. (3 pieces of chicken)
After thinking of 9 dollars per day, one meal, I realized that would only take her $100, 11 days. I then asked the question I was afraid to ask. I said "Islande, in the past 20 days, how many of those days did you and your folks eat nothing"? She answered after some thought "probably 9 or 10".
The tears were flowing as I thought of this. This young warrior makes enough money to support herself, but has taken on 6 other human beings to care for. I then thought about soap and hair care and dish soap and toilet paper and tap tap money and all the other needs. I was overwhelmed.
I can't properly put in words what I was feeling. This is one person, one dedicated person, doing her part to do what Jesus said "love your neighbor". Islande is loving her neighbor.
I asked this young lady what about getting married someday and having a family and doing other things. She said she could never do that as long as these people need her.
Islande is just an example of all of these people we have working with us. Pastor Jackie has several "others" in his home. Assistant Pastor Roger has taken in two, Our children's pastor Bebe has two extra, and on and on. People with not much of anything, sharing with those around them all they have.
Thank you for placing me smack dab in the middle here. Thank you for helping me to be Jesus in Haiti, and to teach others to be Jesus in Haiti.
On a final note, I received a letter from a young man who is in prison for 30 years. He told me his aunt is sending him my emails. He said he was discouraged, and just existing. Then he began to read my emails, God began to speak to him and he now realizes that his mission field is in that prison, that he is Jesus in Ionia State Pen.
Folks, you have been placed where you are, to love God, and those around you. I hope you are doing that and if not, it is easy. Just start next door to where you live, the office next to where you work, the co-worker you eat lunch with or that person living in your own home.
Be Jesus where you are, that is your mission field, I will pray for you in your mission field, and I ask you continue to pray for me. May God bless! tominhaiti
Ecclesiastes 3:11,12 God makes everything happen at the right time. Yet none of us can ever fully understand all he has done, and he puts questions in our minds about the past and the future. I know the best thing we can do is to always enjoy life because God's gift to us is the happiness we get from our food and drink and from the work we do. For financial contributions JiHM Suite #155 10214 Chestnut Plaza Dr. Ft. Wayne, IN 46814 Att: Pat Hinen
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