Monday, February 26, 2024

What Does "Reciprocal" Mean?

On September 28, 2022, Hurricane Ian hit just north of the barrier island of Sanibel, off the coast of Fort Myers, Florida.  One of the worst storms in Florida’s history, it packed winds of 155 miles per hour, just shy of Category 5 speeds, and propelled an
8–15-foot storm surge that “overwashed” Sanibel – that is, submerged it in seawater. Many homes and businesses were washed away while many others were heavily damaged.  The road to the island was even washed out.

Nothing escaped unscathed, not even Sanibel Community Church.  The church campus was heavily damaged.  Even though their homes were destroyed or heavily damaged too, the congregation came together to rip out the flooring, take out damaged pews and equipment, and sheetrock all over the campus.  Their property was used as a staging area for relief efforts on the island.  

They didn’t feel their pain alone, though.  Their Haitian Sister Church of 5 years, Formond Baptist Church, heard about Sanibel Church’s destruction.  Being near the ocean, they have been through many hurricanes.  They were also affected by the 2021 earthquake.  They are no strangers to disaster.

Their Sister Church’s plight touched their hearts deeply.  Out of their extreme poverty, they collected money for months, and in the fall of 2023, they sent a check of $1,000 US dollars to RMI for the Sanibel Church to help with their rebuilding efforts.  

A short time later RMI President, Dan Shoemaker, visited Sanibel Church during a Sunday morning service and presented Pastor Jeramie Rinne and the congregation with a $1,000 check.  As he announced the generous gift, there were audible gasps from the congregation.  They couldn’t believe that their Haitian Sister Church cared so much and had given so much. 
There wasn’t a dry eye as they clapped with appreciation.  It was very touching.  To experience this kind of reciprocal ministry was humbling.  He also presented Pastor Jeramie with a certificate of appreciation from the Formond church for all that Sanibel Community Church had done for them.

This is what RMI, Reciprocal Ministries International, is all about. This is the Body of Christ in action, ministering one to another. When one part of the Body is in need, the others come alongside and provide for the need as God enables.  Sanibel Community Church has ministered to the needs of their Haitian sister church at various times and now it was their turn to minister. God doesn’t look at the size of the gift but at the heart and capacity of the giver. What a great example of how a C3 partnership impacts both churches. This is how the Lord transforms lives by breaking down those things that divide us and make us one by His Spirit. 

Monday, February 05, 2024

Important Hope for Kidz News from the RMI President

Hope for Kidz is a program that has had a dramatic impact on the lives of not just kids by providing them hope through education but also their families, their churches, their communities, and their schools. It is a huge help in this time of unprecedented inflation and runaway costs in Haiti. However, because of the extreme situation RMI is facing, we must raise the cost of sponsorship by $5, from $35 to $40 a month. This decision was made after much deliberation, discussion, and prayer, and with the blessing of the RMI Board. 


Here is why.  Since the beginning of last year, RMI has recognized that we were facing an issue that needed a solution or we would have a serious financial deficit in the Haiti operations budget. RMI has been having to draw out of our very limited reserves thousands of dollars every month to subsidize their budget for several years now and our funds were drying up. We understood that the shortfall was because we lost the income teams provide when they visit. Due to having to cancel just about all teams for the past six years, this has caused a major shortage of income for the field as well as for RMI in general.

Teams bring in a significant amount of funding that helps pay for salaries and many administrative costs as well as provide significant cash flow for the field, enabling them to efficiently manage their finances and along with other sources of income cover their operating costs. Canceling teams since 2019 has caused the field to lose over $600,000 of administrative income. 

Another huge issue for the field has been the rate of inflation over the past several years. Currently, items that used to cost $10 are now $30 to $50+.  Food costs have absolutely skyrocketed. We have had to provide raises and multiple bonuses over the last several years to try to help our staff feed and care for their families. We have not wanted to lay anyone off as they are all needed, and they simply don’t have other choices for income for their families. Fuel costs, material costs, etc. have risen to exorbitant levels. 

After much cost-cutting and analysis of the situation by both our staff and the RMI Board, we determined that we needed a two-fold solution. At the end of this past year, 2023, we initiated the Stand in the Gap fundraising program led by Rob Thompson to help cover the costs for the field for this present year, 2024, and to help make up some of the deficit from years past. God raised up 160 donors who helped us meet this need. The second part of the solution has been to raise the Hope For Kidz sponsorship cost by $5.00 a month. As the Hope For Kidz program plays a major role in field administrative costs, this will be a great help in helping to cover the added costs on the field for 2025 and following. This will plug the deficit that they have been having every month, enable us to provide a modest raise to the staff, and not have to subsidize the field every month. This will provide much-needed relief for the field and their needs.

Thank you for your understanding, support for our staff on the ground in Haiti, and particularly your participation in sponsoring a child.  You are needed now more than ever!  

Dan Shoemaker, President of RMI

Wednesday, January 03, 2024

2023 Ministry Impact Report

There have been a lot of things that have hindered or postponed growth and ministry in Haiti.  Once again gang activity in the capital resulted in the need to cancel teams.  We are thankful that our headquarters and most of the areas where we minister in southern Haiti are located remain quiet and safe.  The local police have taken a very tough stance against any gang influence.  A domestic airline flies between the capital and the airport in Cayes, allowing safe travel in and out of the country.  Having dedicated staff has also helped ministry continue to take place.  Here is how 2023 went.

C3 Partnerships

  • 185 salvations in our C3 Haitian Sister Churches
  • 115 baptisms in our C3 Haitian Sister Churches
  • 48 rededications
  • 235 Bible/songbooks distributed
  • 2 church constructions
  • 325 Good News Bibles distributed

Hope for Kidz, School Education, and Hot Lunch Program

  • 2,322 children sponsored in the first trimester of the 2023 school year
  • 14,585 kids fed a hot lunch daily in school
  • 6 containers - 8,540 cases - 1.8 million meals received and distributed
  • 13 hot lunch food storage buildings and school kitchens built
  • 68 soccer balls for kids
  • 10 Hope for Kidz sponsored children given medical assistance
  • 145 backpacks distributed

Haiti Operations

  • 38 national staff
  • 1 missionary family and 1 single woman
  • 34 active partnerships
  • 312 goats distributed
  • 25 farmer kits
  • 120 water filters were distributed and the families were trained on how to use them
  • 10 water truck deliveries
  • 2 wells drilled
  • 7 Homes for Haiti homes built
  • 15 SunTech solar systems installed (these are large systems for schools, churches, and offices)
  • 6 SunTech home solar systems installed (small, basic 1 battery systems)
  • 8 SunTech portable solar lamps distributed
  • 3 motorcycles for pastors delivered
  • 270 tin sheets (3’ x 6’) for roof repairs
  • 2 vehicles purchased to replace decommissioned ones

Stand in the Gap Campaign - God Did It!

In only 5 weeks, 156+ donors stood up and generously gave $207,902!  We are beyond thankful for EACH and every one of you who stood up with us to donate and bring in the funds needed for our Haiti team! To God be the glory, great things He has done!!! 

As you know, RMI asked Rob Thompson, our former Haiti Field Director to champion our $200,000 “Stand in the Gap” fundraising campaign.  This campaign was to help RMI augment the Haiti field budget for the next year. Since 2019, churches have been unable to send teams to visit their Sister Churches in Haiti because of the political upheaval within the country. This has caused a major decrease in our income for the Haiti field needs. On top of this, the costs for goods and services have skyrocketed in Haiti, often 3 - 5 times what we used to pay a couple of years ago. This shortage has compelled RMI to subsidize the Haiti budget by thousands of dollars a month over these last 5 years from our very limited reserves. These reserves are just about exhausted now.  We had hoped that Haiti would have opened up to free-flowing teams by now, but that has not happened.  Thus this specific campaign where we asked you to “stand in the gap” with us to help us cover these needs. 

Thank you for your prayers and gifts toward this specific need.  We are awed to see how God used His people to meet this need.

Tuesday, December 05, 2023

Have You Seen This?

Hello. This is Rob Thompson emailing you. This is clearly not about me, but yes, it’s me! Hello! You haven’t heard from me in 5+ years. I’m not officially serving with RMI, but RMI has given their blessing to this effort. I’m currently a pastor in NJ. Yet, I love my brothers and sisters in Haiti. I can’t stand by any longer. I have to do something. Something tangible. Something that moves the needle. I believe in a bright future for Haiti. I love what the team is doing. What I’m seeing from a distance burdens me deeply. I’m sure it does the same to you. This is my chance to make a difference. It’s our chance. Let’s do this together.

Problem: Our friends in Haiti are struggling financially. You’ve seen the news. Gangs control the country because they control Port au Prince. Inflation is out of control. The exchange rate is terrible. Security concerns and fuel shortages are commonplace. The cost of goods have skyrocketed. The RMI Office facilities are in disrepair from an earthquake. People, our people, my people are hurting. You may know them... Benjamin, Benson, Perguens, Frantz, Merry, Naga, and the list goes on and on. Basically no teams for more than 4 years! Yes, it’s beyond difficult. Benjamin shared with me that the financial crisis they are facing is like nothing they’ve ever experienced.

Solution: We’ve set the audacious goal of raising $200,000 to directly support the Haiti Team. Yes, that’s a lot of money. Why? We’re calling up an army of generous churches and people like you and me to come alongside our brothers and sisters in Haiti, standing in the gap between what currently exists, and what can be. These funds will go directly to staff (payroll adjustments and benefits) and infrastructure (buildings and equipment) in Cayes, Haiti.  Together, we can help continue the work in Haiti. Can you help?

Rob Thompson, Associate Pastor, Beacon Church

RMI has asked Rob Thompson, our former Haiti Field Director, who continues to have a great heart for RMI and the Haiti field to champion RMI’s “Stand in the Gap” fundraising campaign.  This campaign is to help RMI augment the Haiti field budget for this next year. Since 2019, churches have been unable to send teams to visit their Sister Churches in Haiti because of the political upheaval within the country. This has caused a major decrease in our income for the Haiti field needs because revenue from church teams normally covers about 50% of Haiti's operational expenses. On top of this, the costs for goods and services have skyrocketed in Haiti, elevating our costs often by 3 to 5 times what we used to pay a couple of years ago. This shortage has compelled RMI to subsidize the Haiti budget by thousands of dollars a month over these last 5 years from our very limited reserves. These reserves are just about exhausted now.  We had hoped that Haiti would have opened up to free-flowing teams by now, but that has not happened.  Thus we are asking you to “stand in the gap” with us to help us cover these needs. 

Up to this moment, the Haiti field has been able, through our subsidies and being as conservative as they can in terms of expenses, to continue to fully meet their ministry goals. Hope For Kidz is fully staffed and continues to have a major impact on the schools and families of sponsored children. Our partnership facilitators continue to manage our C3 partnerships, enabling projects and ministries to continue to be completed. We are feeding just under 16,000 kids a day in our Hot Lunch Program. Thus far we have not had to lay off any employees. In reality, much of our cost increases are over and above our salaries, however, due to tremendously high inflation, we are having to augment salaries as well to properly care for our employees and their families.  Hence, the need for this campaign.

We have noted that a number of folks have questioned the text messages they received from Rob concerning this campaign. Yes, they are legit! We have upgraded some of our software which now permits us to text you. Many of you have indicated that you would prefer to receive texts, and we are now able to do this.  This gives you a quick, easy way to give.  No, we aren’t going to inundate you with messages, but you will receive texts informing you of what is happening in RMI from time to time as well as urgent requests for prayer or urgent needs (like this) that RMI might have. Thanks for your understanding and prayers.  Especially thanks to those of you who are standing in the gap with us.

By the way, since this campaign started 3 weeks ago, over $55,000 has been raised!!  Praise God.

Sunday, November 05, 2023

MinistryWatch Gives RMI a Grade "A"

With Giving Tuesday coming up on Nov. 28, we thought it was important to share with you about MinistryWatch.  When you want to verify the funds you donate to an organization are being used responsibly, it is important to research them on an independent website such as MinistryWatch.   “MinistryWatch is an advocate for TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY, and the renewed CREDIBILITY of Christian ministries.” according to their website.  Recently MinistryWatch featured RMI in their June 19 edition of Ministries That Make a Difference.

“Through its Hope for Kidz program, Reciprocal Ministries International (RMI) gained sponsorships for 2,991 Haitian children, fed hot lunch to 14,706 students, built 13 hot food storage buildings and school kitchens, and constructed three schools. They also provided other resources for schools, including windows/doors, blackboards, soccer balls, desks/chairs, and backpacks. RMI works to facilitate cross-cultural church-to-church partnerships by connecting U.S. churches with international churches. RMI has five stars and an “A” transparency grade in the MinistryWatch database, and a donor confidence score of 96.”

We strive hard to be transparent, accountable, and credible and are grateful for our “A” grade and donor confidence score of 96.  They can be found at www.ministrywatch.com.  RMI has also been a member in good standing with ECFA since 1991.

Thursday, October 05, 2023

Make Your Christmas Gift Count


RMI is excited to announce our holiday food campaign.  The Lord’s provision has allowed us to safely and securely receive our latest shipments of food.  This gift of food is especially needed now.  With the gangs in the capital blocking off the roads and inflation at more than 300%, food scarcity is at an all-time high.  People just can’t find food or can’t afford it.  Real hunger is something that everyone is facing.  Don’t miss this opportunity to help our brothers and sisters in Haiti who are hurting and hungry.

Our regular food boxes are $35.00 each.

Our food boxes with cooking oil are $45.00 each.

If you are able to give 9 food boxes, with oil, a total of $405.00, we will add a 10th box FREE!

Go to www.rmibridge.org, scan the QR code, or mail your check to RMI at 

5475 Lee St. Suite 301

Lehigh Acres, FL  33971

Feel free to call RMI at 239-368-8390 if you have any questions.

Friday, September 01, 2023

RMI Needs New Missionaries

If you feel called by God to be in full-time ministry, then we need you!  RMI is open to couples, families, or singles.  Almost any profession can be used on the mission field.  You never know how God will use you!  

Jim and April Starkey have been in Haiti 4 years, going on 5 in the fall.  They have their hands full with their responsibilities as well as 4 kids!  

Jim wears many “hats”.  He works closely with the SunTech team, going out to help with solar panel installations on churches, schools, parsonages, and offices.  Another “hat” is as a missionary host when teams come, which means he goes out with the team while they are visiting their C3 partner church.

Jim’s newest “hat” is as the C3 Partnerships Manager.  He is the point man between the C3 coordinators in the states and the Partnership Facilitators in Haiti. He receives church updates, project estimates, and the like and communicates these back and forth between Haitian and US Sister Churches. He has worked hard since being assigned this role to have a video chat with every single C3 coordinator in the states. One of his goals is to establish better communications between Haitian and US C3 partners.  Judging by the positive feedback we are receiving, he is already doing a great job at this!  

Jim also travels to Haitian C3 partner churches with his drone and camera, getting footage to put together video updates to send to the US partner churches.  In addition, he and Steving, an RMI employee, set up the Starlink system at the RMI office for RMI and the entire mission center.  They maintain and troubleshoot it as it provides reliable, fast internet for RMI and other organizations to conduct their ministries.

Community living on a mission center has given him responsibilities as well.  He is the Chair of the Housing Committee and works hard with that whether he is in Haiti or the states. There is plenty of work in that position. 

April cares for and homeschools their children, some with special needs (ages from 4 months to 13 years old).  When possible she goes out from time to time to take pictures and get video footage to help capture all that RMI is doing.  She has also produced several videos for C3 partners or special projects that RMI has done.

Not every missionary’s experience is like the Starkey’s. “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few (Luke 10:2).”  RMI acutely feels “the workers are few” part of that verse.  We need new missionaries!  While the need is immediate, we know that applying, preparing, and raising funds to go to the mission field takes time.  If you feel called, don’t delay in exploring where God wants to use you.  Email RMI President, Dan Shoemaker, at dan.shoemaker@rmibridge.org or contact one of our missionaries to get the conversation started.