Dear friends,

Victory Celebration: 11 years ago had you told me I could sit through a 5 hour church service and love it, I would have called you loco. Last night we celebrated our 5th anniversary of Victory Bible church with just that, a 5 hour service. We had 8 different singing groups, 5 from other churches, a Mother's Day (tomorrow in Haiti) celebration of our mothers, oldest, youngest, most children, etc.....We honored staff and church members who didn't miss a service all year. After 3 hours we then began our praise and worship time for an hour, then an hour of preaching. We then fed all the folks, about 500+ and gave them cold drinks, which took another 45 minutes. My perch was on the stage and my worship time was watching our folks worship. What a grand sight seeing a packed house, and a hundred outside standing worshipping God. I have had Americans tell me "of course they can worship that long, they have nothing else to do." GIVE ME A BREAK. These people are no different than you and I, they do what interests them, what excites them. There is other stuff they could be doing, but they choose to spend this amount of time with God. Maybe my American friends could learn a lesson here.

I ended up being the bouncer at the door because when people hear about food, folks that did not attend the church service, bum rush the church and try to get in. It was mine and Bebe's job to keep them out. We did it.

By the time I got home by 10 or so, fixed supper for 25 people, I was ready for bed. Today starts year 6 of Victory bible church. I told the folks last night, "you will all be able to sit down for our next anniversary service, our new church will be built." They cheered.

Mini Miracle: Okay, you naysayers will say this is a coincidence or whatever but to me this was a real intervention with God. I was leaving my room on my way to the truck to leave for English class in Merjay. I was closing the door when I heard "Go back in, you forgot something." I jumped a little, then walked back in not having a clue what I forgot, I had everything. I walked in my room and my eyes fixed on a bottle of pain pills. I walked over, laughed, picked them up and put them in my bag. As I pulled into Merjay, I was greeted by Bebe, of my staff. He said "do you have any pain pills, my head hurts so much I can't stand up." I smiled and said, "I'm sure glad you're sick", he said "what?" I then told him that "him being sick revealed to me how God works and how much he cares for you." I told him why I had the pills. Coincidence?

Finances: My treasurer informed me last night that May was looking tight and she thinks we didn't make budget. This concerns me for one big reason. If we get behind, there is something that I am "forced" to do. I will have to come to the states for a few weeks to raise the funds back up. For some reason, when people see me, when they hear what God is doing, they give.Don't get me wrong, I love having you take me to Applebee's or sitting at your table with your family eating mashed potatoes and ham, speaking in your church, and all the fun that goes with a visit. However, Haiti is where I want to be, as selfish as that sounds. I have much work to do as we start the actual building of the church, our new ministry at Merjay and a family of 22. If my board asks me to go, I will go and I will do what I have to do, but here is what I would like you to do. Pray that the finances will come in so I can stay and do what I am called to do, minister to these wonderful people. Last month we were $350 short, and someone covered that. This month looks to be around a $1000 or so. We can't expect someone to cover that but, please pray that for June we hit our goal of $10,000+. Folks, 500 people eat per day, have clean water and medical services when we hit our budget. Disciples are being made, we can't slow down. Thanks in advance.

New drivers: I now have 3 drivers in my family. Manel, Jony and Claudy each received their driver's license recently and are they ever happy. I can't get behind the wheel anymore and they are doing a great job, minus a few mini heart attacks for me.

Bill Clinton: Someone let me know that Mr. Clinton was in this for the money and that working with Haiti, he would get his cut. I understand this, he is a politician but my point was simply, his name recognition will help bring much needed help and business to this place that so badly needs so much.

Help wanted: I am officially asking you to pray that God sends me another missionary or two to help with this work.

Here is what is needed:*A pastor and wife: a pastor who could help train our pastor and staff as we make the transition to our new church, an executive type pastor. Hopefully his wife would have children's and youth experience. This is a start, we can talk, I just know that I need someone to come along side me, to help continue to train and prepare this ministry for the future. Someone does not have to be married to come join our ministry. If you are interested or know someone that might be, please contact me. We would set up a plan for you to visit and see where God leads. This is very important for the growth of this ministry.

Money: Did I mention we were down in May, oh, I did, excuse me, delete this sentence.

That is all for today, so much more to share but for now we will quit. Thank you for your prayers for me, for my family and for these wonderful people of Haiti. God will bless you for your support. 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

Dear friends of Haiti, Wednesday afternoon

In a few moments I leave for our weekly kid's club followed by our leadership meeting in Merjay. I have been so busy, nearly overwhelmed with "stuff" that I have not been able to write you, for this I apologize. I have enough for a book but don't want to overwhelm you so will send this in two parts, today and tomorrow.

Our going ons....
Property update: I have taken some good natured ribbing about raising money to build and church, then not building it. We have some good news. Just yesterday we were given the green light to build as all our legal documents are in order. That seems odd but two major missions, (you have heard of them) in Haiti have both had to buy their land a 2nd time, after they built their buildings. They both had to do what we have been doing for the past few months, and buy it twice. We wanted to get this right the first time, and we did.

In the next couple months you will be seeing many pictures and hearing all the news of the church/school going up. Stay tuned, we are all so excited.
Flooding: Many of you have emailed me about the terrible flooding and loss of life you have read about in Haiti. This has not yet hit our points of light, so has not affected us, although our heart breaks for those it has.

The big 5: This Friday night, we will be celebrating 5 years of Victory Bible Church. Our pastor does it up big with a 5 hour service. We can't wait. We will have standing room only as always, probably 600 people. God's Word will be heard!
Speaking of big ones: I celebrated my 53rd birthday saturday night by preaching at church. Later at home I heard this noise, thought maybe the rapture was happening. It ended up being my family, of 22 people, walking in with pots and pans banging them singing happy birthday to me. They enjoyed that. I just hope the next 53 years are as good as the last 53.

BREAKING NEWS: You are the first to hear this. When I brought 2 year old Jony home and his 4 year old brother Peterson, it was only because God said to. After a few months, it is clear that I can't be the father, and mother they need. With much prayer and thought, God has shared with me that these two little ones need a mommy and a daddy. It will be hard to let them go but it is the right thing. They are happy here but..............they are missing so much. I am so busy I don't want them to become an afterthought. They need daily care, minute by minute and I am not able to give that. If you are interested, please let me know and we will work out the details. You won't be sorry.

Prayer needed: Fondi's mom, Fondi is our school director, is critically ill. She has tuberculosis. Please pray today for her.

Electrocution: I knew with power coming to the village that someone would get hurt. What I didn't think was that someone would murder someone with it. This week someone planted a bare live line on the ground in front of a house, on purpose, and the couple walked on it, and both died immediately. Very sad.

Mr. Clinton is in the house: No matter what party you follow, the appointment of Bill Clinton from the UN to Haiti is a great accomplishment. He will bring attention and much needed funds to this country. This will be good for Haiti.

Summer is here: Wow and wow, 3 days ago the burners were turned up a notch, summer is here. I say this to the couple hundred people coming in the next 60 days, enjoy.

Did you pay your taxes?: We had people with big guns show up at our house to tell us our taxes weren't paid and they were going to chain our house shut. Our landlord did not pay them and they are coming after us. Yikes, not much we can do but hope he pays them and we are pressuring him.

May Funds: You still have time, a few days left so this is a reminder. We were $350 short last month. We need to make budget to keep things going. Thanks so much for your commitment to God through this ministry.

Yesterday I was filling 40 jugs of water for the orphanage and a man called me over. He said "are you really Jesus in Haiti?" I said no, not the actual one but I represent the real one. He then pointed to his mom and said, "she wants to talk to Jesus." I explained that she could, right here and now.

Yes, I do represent Jesus in Haiti, just as you represent Jesus where you are. How you doing in this area? Are you representing well in all you do, your work, your play and at home? Important you know. take care, 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

Dear Friends, I wanted to share an email I received from a young lady who has visited us. It is the perspective of Haiti seen through the eyes of an american teenager on her first visit.

I peer out the window, overlooking the slums of Port-au-Prince. Trembling with anxiety, excitement, overwhelming curiosity, the plane comes to a halt. I wait in a line of unfamiliar faces as the crowd shuffles down the stairs. Stepping into the Haitian sunlight, the stench of burning garbage, the heat, and the anticipation engulf me. The distant mountains paint the background of the peaceful sky. Mumbles of Creole fill my ears, a melodic hum. I'm here. I'm finally here. The streets are bustling, a chaotic mess. Cars dodge past one another. I sit in the back of the truck, the wind rushing into my face, filling my hair with dirt and dust, and I finally feel free. I'm not trapped inside the walls of Mariemont. I don't have to be perfect. I don't have to fit the mold of the "cookie-cutter" image.

The sun begins to set, radiating a beauty unlike any I have seen in the states. Hues of purple, magenta, and orange illustrate the canvas against the horizon. Children run alongside the road, waving emphatically, with illuminate grins painted across their faces. The tired, worn eyes of an elderly woman gaze into mine, crying for help, for hope, for a future. She gathers the goods she had been selling that day from underneath her small stand, identical to the neighboring stand, selling the exact same products. On the corner, a defeated man resides in his wheelchair, for he is missing both legs. Draped in filthy rags, his piercing eyes stop when they reach mine, as a smile is uncovered in my expression. I see their pain, their suffering, their hunger. It is no longer a question of want, but a question of need. As I step foot through the door in the cement wall surrounding the garage-size school, children, clad in red and white checkered uniforms, immediately race to my side, grabbing at my hands, wrapping their skinny arms around my waist, almost knocking me to the ground. Shouts of excitement and laughter echo in my ears as the orphans cling to my body. A little girl carefully runs her fingers over my fingernails, examining, in awe, the pink polish covering them. She has never seen nail polish, a simple accessory almost everyone has in the states. Several little girls begin speculating my hands, noticing the contrast of my skin color, because it is not often they see an American. Katai's face is covered with stains from tears and sweat. Only a few inches shy of my height, I smile at her. Her morose expression melts away as she reveals a grin. She hugs me, grasping to my body, longing for someone to love her, to accept her. Her beautiful smile is no longer hidden behind her sadness. I hurt for these orphan children, for the elderly woman on the side of the street; for the teenage mother, younger that I, desperately searching for someone to help her sick baby, for the man who has lost his sight and is, therefore, good for nothing. I had been so ignorant. How can I live in such a materialistic society while the people of Haiti suffer? I will not go and I cannot go back the same. I have been forever changed.

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

Dear friends, Sunday PM

I trust you had a great Lord's Day and are ready for another week we have been given to be Jesus to those around us.

This past week I have had the pleasure of hosting Pastor Jason Huguenin and his wife Jen, from Brookview Church in Seattle. They have been wonderful guests and poured themselves into all 5 points of light. They have added lots of laughter to our life also.

Last night was our weekly church service and we had a full house. The village of Source Matles, about 60,000 strong just received electricity for the first time in the history of man kind. The excitement has been wonderful. However, it costs about $30 to get the power company to run a line to their house.

I had this great idea for church. We gave everyone tickets, and then after church we drew and gave away 4 "free power" hookups. The 4 families that won were so happy. We also gave away about 300 pounds of rice to about 30 people. Was an exciting way to end our service. My prayer is that the 52 first time visitors we had who heard the Gospel, will come back and end up with Life eternal.

Today we went to the Good Samaritan orphanage and had church with the kids, then gave each girl a doll and each boy 2 little cars. We had so much fun with them.

There was still about 2 duffle bags of toys and sports equipment left so I stopped at a small, Haitian run orphanage that I new about, 4 blocks from my home. This orphanage has 30 kids and are well taken care of, very clean, but living on almost nothing. We went in and gave the kids kites, jump ropes, soccer balls, teddy bears and much more.

We were also able to leave 150 pounds of rice for them along with oil and such. Then we got home and walked over to the soccer field to watch the "Osbeck soccer team" play the neighborhood teens. During the game my son, Sonal, went down and thought he twisted his ankle. It didn't swell but he was in so much pain after we carried him home, we thought it was broken.

Manel and Altimae took him to a doctor who fixes soccer injuries in the village. He said his ankle was dislocated and he put it back into place. I didn't know you could discloate an ankle. They were home a few hours later and Sonal seems fine. A real answer to prayer. Cost of the doctor, 6 bucks. Can't beat that!

Tomorrow is the biggest holiday in Haiti. It is flag day and the whole country will be in a patriotic uproar. Dance bands walking down the street, flags on all cars, a real day of celebration. I am taking our guests to see the presidential palace and the festivities downtown, then off to the airport for their noon flight.

Then I rest and prepare for a big week. Thanks so much for all of those who pray faithfully for this ministry and trust us with your finances. May God bless you a hundred times over. 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

Dear friends,


Well my vacation is over and I am sitting in the Miami airport, waiting to board my flight to take me home, to Haiti.

I have had a wonderful time with my grandkids and Marco and DeAnna. I will so miss story time at bedtime, milk, high speed internet, hot water, KFC and baseball on the radio, along with much more.

I look forward to getting home and hitting the ground running Monday morning with so much to do, fun stuff.

It was funny, I was leaving Dayton and Homeland security called me to the desk. They said they found my two six shooter guns, and that was okay, but the caps with them were confiscated. Poor Ricardo will have his guns, but no caps to shoot. I hope they didn't put me on some kind of list.

My oldest son, Manel, just got his driver's license while I was gone, so he will be thrilled to pick me up at the airport. I am anxious to see my 22, eat supper with them and spend time with them.

This week I received our April financial support. After I added and subtracted all the numbers, it seems we were about $350 short. This is the first time in over 130 months, since I have been in Haiti, that we have not made our budget. However, here is what I think happened. I think one of you simply forgot to mail a check for that amount. If you let me know this is the case, and you send it in, our streak of 11 years will be still going.

I tell you this for one reason. Please pray that we continue to make budget and that God will provide in this area. There is nothing more comforting than not having to worry about the finances or having to send "money" emails every week to stay afloat. As you have noticed, I have not had to ask for money for months and months.

Some on my board still think I need to make a fund raising trip but have agreed to let me stay and do my work here, as long as we keep making budget. This is where I want to be, these are the people God called me to. Thanks so much for your help in making this ministry happen. Tom was not in Haiti for a short time, but Jesus never left. God bless you, tom

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

Dear friends,

I am writing you this from the Queen city, that is the only clue you get. I am here for a few days, enjoying my grand kids and getting some rest. I have made many trips to the states in 11 years but all have been for fundraising and church presentations. This is my first real vacation, and I am enjoying it.

Last night as I lay on a mattress, with 3 grand kids hanging on to me, as I shared my famous bedtime stories, it was fantastic.

All is well in Haiti, I am going back Saturday morning early to get back in the fight. However, still gotta visit Chuckie Cheese, a couple parks and some more bedtime stories, as well as the usual Quarter pounders.

My board at their yearly meeting granted me a monthly salary and I have been saving for this. Thank you to my board.

With communication like it is, I am still able to text and email daily to stay on top of things. I know, it is my vacation but Haiti is what I love and 2 minutes now, might save me 2 months of work. Gotta stay on top of stuff.

We have a pastor and his wife coming next week and we are excited about this. Much is going on in our points of light and the fact that I can take a short break and have trusted men and women keeping things going is a real encouragement to me.

Sunday night Marco hooked up with my son Manel via web cam and I talked to all the boys, they could see me and me them and that is awesome. Little 2 year old Jony just looked at the camera and could not figure out seeing my face and hearing my voice in a little box. He smiled though.

So I rest, I tell stories, I chase, I tickle and I love this precious family of mine, here in the home of the Bengals. (do you know where I am yet?) This is awesome, God is good isn't He? Take care, tomincavscountry

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