Introducing RMI’s new Women’s Ministry Coordinator!

RMI is thrilled to announce that after prayerful consideration, Mrs. Mary Langford has agreed to volunteer with RMI as the part-time Women’s Ministry Coordinator.

Mary was born and raised as the second of five children in a Catholic family in Lafayette, Louisiana. Following many painful experiences during her childhood, Mary made the conscious decision to turn her back on God immediately following her graduation from high school. While earning a BS in nursing from the local university, Mary met a young serviceman by the name of Bill Langford. Three and a half years later, after his return from Vietnam, Bill and Mary were married. Four years into their marriage, each of them turned their lives over to Jesus Christ. Together they raised a son and two daughters and have since been blessed with eight delightful grandchildren (the ninth is due in April, 2012).

After her children were grown, Mary returned to school and earned a master’s degree in professional counseling from Liberty University. She then worked for a Christian counseling agency for several years before going into private practice. Mary was certified as a caregiver in formational prayer and inner healing by Ashland Theological Seminary. Mary and Bill are also both certified in equine-assisted counseling and learning through EAGALA (Equine-Assisted Growth and Learning Association). They currently practice both on their 170 acre horse farm (learn more by visiting their website at www.astablejourney.com). They are particularly interested in providing help and healing to survivors of all types of trauma.

Mary and Bill have attended Trinity Bible Church, one of RMI’s Sister Churches, for over 30 years. Mary has served in various positions during her time there including those of Bible teacher (she is trained as a Precept leader), ladies’ ministry and small group leader, Young Life volunteer leader and local board member, lay counselor, volunteer with local homeless ministry, inner city summer tutoring program, and college ministry volunteer.

Mary went on her first trip to Haiti in 2002 to visit her Sister Church in Picot. It was then that the Lord captured her heart for the country and for its people. As their team drove up to Picot church and were greeted by their joyous, exuberant Haitian brothers and sisters she simply fell in love! She thought to herself at the time, “This is a taste of heaven!” She has since returned to Picot about a dozen times, and each time feels like she is going home.

As the years went by, God began to strengthen Mary’s desire to do something to help her Haitian family. She says, “As my friendship has grown over the years with my sisters and brothers in Haiti, I have been richly and deeply blessed by their steadfast faith in our Lord. I treasure being a part of God’s family with them. For years I’ve seen the numerous sacrifices the Haitian women make without complaint in service to God and their families, and I admit I’ve been frustrated that I couldn’t more effectively come alongside them to share their burdens.”

When RMI asked Mary to serve as their coordinator for a new U.S. and Haitian women’s ministry which would provide their long-dreamed of vision within the Sister Churches of intentionally engaging women across both cultures in mutual transformation, she was intrigued…and terrified! “Who me? Certainly the Lord had someone else more qualified for the job.” Still, she agreed to pray about her decision. As she did, God reminded her of something she had asked Him the year before in response to a pastor’s challenge. It was, “Lord, whatever You are doing in this season, don’t do it without me!”

Here is what it comes down to for Mary. She loves Haiti….and especially her sisters there! So now here is a way that we, U. S. sisters, can come alongside our Haitian sisters and minister to one another as God leads us. Therefore, it is an honor to be a part of serving Christ together on one another’s behalf.

RMI will be unveiling more about this new Women’s Ministry and how it will impact each Sister Church Partnership in the weeks and months to come! In the meantime, help us welcome Mary by sending her an email of welcome or encouragement to mary.langford@rminet.org.

RMI Founders Honored for 50 years of Faithful Service

RMI founders, Herb and Shirley Shoemaker, were honored during the recent RMI Board Meetings for their 50 years of faithful and sacrificial service in ministry. Dec. 6, 1961 they went to Haiti with their 4 year old son, Dan. That son, now RMI’s President and RMI’s Chairman of the Board, Billy Byrd, presented them with a framed certificate of honor and an engraved gift at the Semi-annual Board meeting dinner on Dec. 8.

What a legacy! We are grateful to them for their steadfastness, their enduring love for Haiti and their continued involvement with RMI. It is because of them that RMI exists and is where it is today.

RMI’s national Haiti Administrator, Benjamin Altema, was also able to be present at the RMI dinner. He was in Ft. Myers at the annual ECHO (Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization) conference. Being a trained agronomist, it is a part of his continuing education and networking opportunities that RMI provides. Besides his being connected to RMI by being an employee, he has a personal connection to Herb and Shirley since he was a little child. His mother worked for Herb and Shirley in their home in Haiti since she was 18. Her husband asked Herb for her hand in marriage. When Dan returned to Haiti, as a single missionary, she worked for him until he left to get married. When he returned, she worked in Dan and Debbie’s household for many years until the day they left. Benjamin started working for RMI on a part time basis in the last few years before Dan and Debbie moved to the US. The Shoemaker and Altema families are intricately connected.

He was happy to share a few words at the dinner.

Even though the restaurant noise was considerable, his sharing was very meaningful!

Thank you, Herb and Shirley, for your outstanding example, selfless servanthood and dedication to the Lord for these past 50 years!

Successful Board Meetings!

The 2 day RMI Board meetings recently went well. It’s hard to explain every single thing that happens at a board meeting, but here’s a short summary: budgets and finances are discussed, department, field, projects and staff reports are given, future ministry opportunities are considered, policies are made, and new applicants are reviewed. Board members are not afraid to ask the hard questions; they consider all the angles of an issue. Sometimes there are lengthy discussions because the members know there are long reaching, if not long lasting effects to their decisions. We are thankful for their deep interest and commitment to RMI.

Celebrating What God’s Done Through RMI in Haiti in 2011

Kim Rose, Vice President of RMI, made a visit to Haiti last week. He spent much of his time in meetings with different organizations in both Port au Prince and Cayes discussing ideas and future opportunities. While in Cayes, he took the opportunity to meet with all the RMI staff, both Missionary and National, to celebrate all the of accomplishments of the past year.

Kim sharing his excitement with the staff.
Benjamin, Serge, and Jean Claude with Gary and Marilyn in the background.

All staff members were present for this meeting and as we’re often so busy and in so many places, it was exciting to see the whole team together!

Did you know that in 2011 RMI:

• Hosted 19 Missionary Short Term Teams
• Rejoiced in more than 175 Salvations
• Delivered 1340ft Shipping Containers of Supplies
• Distributed over 67 Tons of Food (822,672 Meals)
• Built 59 Homes for Earthquake Displaced Families
• Enabled 1723 Children to Get a Christ Centered Education through Hope for Kidz
• Provided approximately 2600 Children a Daily Hot Lunch at School through Hope for Kidz
• Facilitated near constant oversight and accountability through church and school visits
• Hosted more than 20 Open Air Evangelistic Services
• Employed over 35 Haitian People
• Facilitated in excess of $104,000 of Projects (Bibles, Songbooks, Schools Buildings, Church Buildings) and
• The RMI Haiti team is better organized, more efficient, more accountable, working with a higher capacity and therefore more effective in all the work that has been accomplished.

We thank God that He has enabled us to accomplish what He has called us to do! To God be the glory!

A New Porch!

We’d been waiting for months for the opportunity to resurface and reroof the back patio at the Guest House. The thatches leaked and needed replacing and the way the poles were situated it was always a struggle to find a way to set up the tables so that they weren’t in the sun. And any time it rained it, eating outside wasn’t an option. But thanks to God, our wishes have been granted! Wilfrid and a team of workers worked hard tearing up the original concrete pad and removing the old straw thatches and all the poles. They then poured the concrete to create one level surface, relocated the poles to create a more logistically friendly layout and covered it with one solid roof. They added lights and wired it for fans. Now we are able to use the outside patio rain or shine and while it was long awaited, the wait was worth it!

We are so thankful that the project was completed and we’re looking forward to many great team meals out under its cover!

Feeding Haiti… One Hot Meal at a Time

“But when you give a feast, invite the poor” – Luke 14:13a

It’s no great secret that Jesus has a heart for feeding and caring for the poor. He both talked about it and demonstrated it on more than one occasion. He instructed a rich young ruler to go and sell all he had and give his money to those less fortunate. He equated feeding the least of His brothers and sisters with the same importance as feeding Him, the King of the Universe. With that in mind, we at RMI would like to thank you, our supporters, for helping us to feed Jesus’ beloved in Haiti…one hot meal at a time.

In 2010 RMI asked each Hope for Kidz sponsor to increase their donation by $50 each year in order to help us feed children in Haiti through the creation of a Hot Lunch Program. Through these additional funds, it is our privilege to report that within just one short year, 431,856 hot meals have been distributed! This school year, children in 12 schools will be receiving one of these meals each and every day. For many of them, this will be the only meal they will eat.

Following the massive crop destruction in November of last year, RMI founded the Food for Haiti program. We asked for donations in $25 increments to help feed families that were in desperate need of food. Less than one year later, 390,816 meals have been distributed.

Yes, you read that right. In approximately one year, RMI has distributed 822,672 hot meals. And…we aren’t finished yet. Another container of food is already on its way to Haiti!

As we prepare for Thanksgiving and the giant feast that has become synonymous with that term, remember…there are several thousand formerly hungry people in Haiti who would list you among their list of blessings.

Charity Softball Tournament raises money for RMI

Special thanks to Angie Becker and the team from Turtle Shirts for raising $300 in their Charity Softball Tournament to benefit RMI.

The tournament took place in Ft. Myers, FL on Saturday, November 19.

And Angie isn't stopping there! She's already working to get another one on the books for 2012! Way to go Angie!

For more information about Turtle Shirts or their charity softball tournaments, visit www.myturtleshirts.com.

2 Haiti missionary kids–years later

What are these 2 Haiti missionary kids doing together after all these years later?

RMI President, Dan Shoemaker (on the right) and David Uttley (Luminescent Images) on the left, grew up together in Cayes, Haiti in the 1960’s as missionary kids. We can’t resist….here is a “blast from the past” picture.

David is the one in the middle on the left hand motorcycle and Dan is the one in the middle on the right hand motorcycle. The photo is from the late ‘60’s. His family actually lived in the house that would eventually become our home during our 25 years there!

Flash forward to 2011…David is a freelance photographer who shoots photography & video for missions and ministries. He has been working with RMI for the past couple of years. You’ve seen his work on our website, in our publications, on this blog and it is his pictures that are on the RMI notecards “The Faces of Haiti”. His work has been top notch and we are so excited to have his expertise, talent and knowledge available to us!

David came by the RMI office for a day this week while he was in Southwest Florida visiting his mom for Thanksgiving. It was fun having him in the area, and helpful to talk through some of the projects he has in the pipeline for RMI. We appreciate you, David!

The fall issue of theBridge is out!

What’s up with Jules? What’s the latest on RMI’s projects, ministries and missionaries? Which US church was spotlighted in this issue? How can RMI use you? What is the Starfish Strategy and how does it affect Sister Church Partnerships? And what on earth does “Sot pa touye ou, men li va fe ou swe” mean?!

You can find out the answers to these questions and much more information in the newest issue of theBridge.

Check it out HERE. It is double the size this time and bursting with all kinds of exciting things!

If you did not receive one and would like to be on RMI’s mailing list, you can sign up HERE. Email Debbie Shoemaker at debbie.shoemaker@rminet.org if you’d like a copy of this current issue, or would like multiple copies to share RMI’s ministries. We have plenty to share!

Welcome to the World Litte Guys!

Congrats to Benjamin and Lucette Altema on the birth of two beautiful, HEALTHY twin boys, Jaden Benjamin Altema and Jason Benjamin Altema! The boys were born early Saturday morning at 1:35am(Jaden) and 1:40am (Jason). Jaden was born weighing 4 lbs and Jason weighed in at 5lbs. Both mom and babies are healthy and doing well! And daddy couldn’t be happier!!

A few more pictures of the happy family and babies can be viewed here.

The RMI Family Continues to Grow!

Many of you have gotten to know and love Perguens Hyppolite as he has traveled with many of our teams as a translator. He has always done a great job translating and everyone loves him!

While he was often hired as one of our translators he was not on staff with RMI full time. However, we are now excited to welcome him to the RMI family as a full time staff member. He will continue to travel out with teams as a translator but he will also have additional administrative responsibilities in the office and will work closely along side Benjamin.

Here’s a little bit abut Perguens: He writes:

I grew up in the Simon area in Cayes. I have one brother and one sister and I am the youngest of the three. I participated in a three year program of study which included agriculture, veterinary studies, and theology and I just graduated in January. In my free time I enjoy playing basketball and I love to study the word of God. I love Jesus and I love to sing.

Now I am working with RMI and I love my job very much. I love the job because it a way to serve my brothers and sisters. In my work, I am learning what the word ‘team’ truly means because I see that in RMI we work together side by side as a team and I am excited to see how this is happening. When I go out with a Sister Church team I always try to seize the opportunity to share the gospel with those I meet. It’s such a blessing for me to do what I am doing with RMI. God has commanded us to love one another and I am thankful that He has given me the chance to do that through the work RMI has given me to do. I would like to leave with you my favorite scripture, James 1:12, Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love him.

We are thankful that God has sent Perguens to us and we are happy to have him as part of the team!

The Faces of Haiti

We are excited to let you know that "The Faces of Haiti" note cards have arrived and are now available! Photographer, David Uttley, (luminescentimages.com) has done an outstanding job of capturing candid, expressive and insightful shots of the many faces of the people of Haiti. His use of vibrant colors has made this a truly exceptional and unique collection.

We are pleased to feature his heartfelt photographs in this 12 pack of 3” X 5” notecards. The pictures will bring back the sights, sounds, smells and great memories for Haiti alumni. Those who have a heart for Haiti but haven't been able to go will enjoy the insight into Haitian life that these cards give.

They are great for personal correspondence, but also are perfect for framing. Please let your church, Sunday School classes, small groups and Haiti alumni know that they are available.

Each pack of cards is $12. All proceeds from the cards benefit the ongoing ministry of RMI. Contact Debbie Shoemaker at debbie.shoemaker@rminet.org to order your cards today!! Spread the word about "The Faces of Haiti". Help us get the Sister Church Partnerships and the ministries of RMI known!

Happy Birthday Jules!

Today is Jules Gedna’s 57th birthday. Dan was able to visit him and his wife, Martha, last month in Boston where he is undergoing treatment for the return of his cancer.

His address is…

Jules Gedna, 139 Francis St., Everett, MA 02149

Phone….

407-545-9370

Dan talked with him this morning and he sounded strong (despite being in pain) and upbeat. Give him a call today and wish him happy birthday! Be sure to remind him what Sister Church you are from and what year (s) you were in Haiti or when/where you met him.

RMI is tremendously indebted to Jules for his many, many years of faithful, selfless service. His constant dedication and friendship have been unmatched. He is an amazing man of God. Our family shares a special bond with him because our daughter, Dawn, was born on his birthday (today is her 21st birthday!). When we lived in Haiti, we often had a children’s birthday celebration then went to his house where we had a Haitian dinner celebration.

I know he’d love to hear from you today!

Introducing RMI’s Electronic Team Training Manual

RMI firmly believes that in order to have a “Forever Relationship”, you must have adequate preparation. It is crucial to a successful visit. This Orientation Training is one of RMI’s distinctive features.

The Required Team Training Manual for Sister Church Partnerships is the core of our Team Orientation. It is written by RMI founders, Herb and Shirley Shoemaker, who have over 100 years of missionary experience between them. It is jam-packed with practical, pertinent and up-to-date information that you will find essential in your preparations for cross-cultural ministry to your Sister Church in Haiti.

In an effort to make your trip preparations fit in better with your busy lifestyle, RMI is now offering an electronic version of this manual on Amazon Kindle. The Kindle version can be downloaded for viewing on your computer, iPad, smart phone, and Kindle by visiting http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005R4K6Z8. The cost to purchase this version from Amazon is just $9.99.

Please note that the Kindle version does not contain pictures or color; it is text only. If you would still prefer to have the printed version, you can still order this from RMI by contacting Debbie at debbie.shoemaker@rminet.org.

Each team member is required to have a training manual and to bring them to each of your training sessions. The other parts of the Orientation Materials (Language study program, Creole dictionary, Foreign to Familiar, and the devotional) are still required as well. This Kindle version has been added as an option in place of the training manual notebook only. We require a new notebook every year as there are periodic updates that you need to be aware of. Please make sure you order the manual (either the printed version from RMI or the e-version from Kindle) at least 3 months before your trip.

16 minutes of fun

Harper Evangelical Free Church of Port Orchard, WA had a great visit with their Sister Church in July. They prepared a video of their time to share with the congregation when they got home. Take a short break out of your busy day to watch the video. It’s 16 minutes of fun. If you’ve been to Haiti, it’ll bring back the sights, sounds, smells and memories of your time there. (It may even give you some good ideas of something you can do when your team gets back from their next Sister Church visit.)

Harper Church Team Recap 2011 from Reciprocal Ministries INTL on Vimeo.

Woo-ben Faith has been born!

Benson and Denise welcomed Woo-ben Faith, 8 lbs., into their family this morning at 3:45 a.m. in Cayes, Haiti. Everyone is doing well and happy this morning!

We are happy to add 1 more to the RMI family.
Congratulations Benson & Denise!

Welcome Home Gary and Marilyn!

Marilyn left for furlough at the beginning of June and Gary followed, leaving Haiti in the end of July. Because of Marilyn’s schedule with Hope for Kidz and Gary’s schedule with teams last summer they were unable to leave at the same time but they were together once both in the US. During their time away, they spent time with friends and family, visited some of the RMI Sister Churches and some of their personal supporters, as well as spent time at their cabin in Washington State.

Marilyn returned on September 3 and Gary on September 18. Marilyn spent time with friends and family, attended a family reunion, read lots of books and worked on getting their cabin back in shape after a flood last year. Gary said he had a great time but was ready to come ‘home’, referring to Haiti. He said during the three months he was gone, he visited 11 states, slept in 14 different beds, visited 6 Sister Churches, fished for salmon and hiked in the mountains. Gary’s additional time gave him the chance to spend a little bit of time with Jules and Marthe Gedna in Boston. He said Jules’ spirits were high and he was doing as well as he could be with all of the cancer treatment he is enduring. Please keep Jules, his wife, and their family in your prayers.

And welcome home Gary and Marilyn! We’re glad you’re both back!

Sound Systems equal Gospel Systems…

Recently, we have had a several US churches purchase sound systems for their church in Haiti. It has been great to watch and listen to the reactions as these get delivered. We recently delivered one of these systems to Fond Deron. Their Sister Church is Christ Community Church in Ocala, FL.

When we delivered the system, the people were overjoyed! There were literally squeals of delight. Jumping up and down, waving hands in the air, cheering, audible praises to God, laughing…

Why so much excitement? Sound Systems are the mouth piece of God here in Haiti. Without a sound system, it is difficult to project the message of the Gospel to the lost. With a sound system, the Haitian people can project and proclaim the good news more effectively. Their faith has opportunity to be more contagious. Their songs of joy may reach the ears of the downcast. They may hold open air evangelistic services much more effectively in the town squares. With the increased volume in the church, they may call out to people to come within the sanctuary.

Fond Deron church members had just met on Saturday to pray, and collect funds for a desperately needed sound system. Yet, they were unable to collect funds since people just didn’t have anything to give. On Monday, RMI showed up with the Sound System that Christ Community donated. Praise the Lord!

On behalf of your brothers and sisters in Fond Deron, THANK YOU Christ Community!

More pictures here.

Rob

A Week in the Outback…

I just got back from another week out in the Haitian Outback. Only 74.9 miles (42.4 miles as the crow flies), but it took us 10 hours to get there, and 7 hours to get home. Long trip over the mountains, but well worth it!

We went out to Chambellan, Haiti (GPS Waypoint and GPS Trip Track), in the Grand Anse Department of Haiti with Crossroads Bible Church. Crossroads has had this partnership with the Chambellan Baptist Church for the last 21 years through RMI. Much has been accomplished in those 21 years!

This trip was all about coming together to put a roof on the church. Crossroads Bible provided all the funds, and Chambellan Baptist provided most of the

sweat! Crossroads thought they were putting a new roof on the old church. But, the pastor at Chambellan pulled a fast one and built an entire new church just before the team’s arrival. So, the new roof went on a new church! It was exciting to see it come to completion. Both US team members and Haitian church members worked very hard. It always thrills my soul when the multicultural body of Christ works together to accomplish a singular purpose.

Highlights? Great celebration and welcoming parade upon our arrival after dark, someone accepted Christ in the Sunday morning service, finishing the church roof, teaching young Haitian kids how to hammer and take part in the process, ladies tea, taking part in the very first church service in their new building!

Here are a few more pics of the team work. More pictures can be seen here.

Global Leadership Summit Pilot Program in Cayes

For the past few years the Willow Creek Leadership Summit has been broadcast in Port au Prince in the fall. Many of the RMI Staff and some of the RMI Haitian Sister Church Pastors have had the opportunity to attend. Most recently the program was broadcast in November of last year and then just last week we had the privilege to host the first of hopefully annual follow up seminars which have been designed to provide an opportunity for our Sister Church Pastors to debrief and discuss topics they hear at the seminar and to provide a chance to break down the content into a culturally relevant context, giving them the opportunity to apply what they learned in the culture and communities in which they minister. RMI President Dan Shoemaker and Director of the Strategic Leadership Network for Vision New England Jack Richardson visited Cayes, Haiti last week and facilitated two days of meetings in which Pastors and RMI Staff who attended last years seminar sat and revisited some of the video content and then participated in group and round table discussions. Between twenty-five and thirty pastors attended each of the two days and a lot of great discussion was had, ideas were shared and Pastors left inspired and encouraged.

Two of the attendees participate in a discussion.
Dan Shoemaker talking with the group.
One of the breakout sessions to discuss the video they had just viewed.

We are also looking forward to having the Leadership Summit broadcast here in Cayes (headquarters for RMI in Haiti) in December!

All the pictures from the event can be viewed here.

A portable air conditioner

We now have a portable air conditioner!

Ok, ok. In the sweltering summer heat you have to keep your cool and your sense of humor! RMI missionary, Rob Thompson, transports a very large portable air conditioner upstairs at a church to cool things down for a team. Service with a smile!

Can’t see it? Guess you have to look at it for a moment and put it together with the shadow on the building. See it now?

We are real fans of our our hardworking, outstanding missionaries!

Home #50 is Complete. Much More to be Done.

RMI vigorously launched our campaign to provide housing to earthquake displaced families after the EQ of Jan 2010. Just the other day, we completed our 50th home! Praise the Lord! On the Haiti side, RMI Missionary Gary McLaughlin has done a great job in facilitating this program, and Wilfred Fanfan, RMI Construction Boss, has done a great job leading our Haitian build team to make it all happen.

I have had the privilege of handing over the keys to just a couple of these families. They had tears in their eyes and joy in their hearts. It’s been a pleasure for me to see it all happen.

Sadly, I constantly meet families, living even here in Cayes, who are still in a desperate situation due to a lack of stable housing. The tent cities in PAP remain.

Last week, right here in Cayes, I visited the home of a family of 7 who are living in a rented 64 sqft room, with only half a roof made of metal, the remainder a tarp. No beds. They all sleep together on a blanket on the ground. They lost their home in PAP in the EQ. No relief in sight. Typical story.

I met another family of 4 who lost their husband and father in the earthquake. They are living in a rented home. They have no income, and the Mom clearly can’t afford to send their 3 beautiful children to school. I was told the Homeowner is evicting them soon and they don’t know where they will go.

Story after story. They are hard to hear. May God listen to the cries of the masses here in Haiti. I am glad I get the honor of being on the front line of God’s response.

50 Homes for 50 families. Praise the Lord.

Rob

Another 270,864 Fortified Meals Unloaded!

We just unloaded another container of 19 tons of food! Some of this food will be used for our Hope for Kidz Hot Lunch Program, and some used for general relief purposes. We are ready in case a Hurricane comes through this season to help those in deepest need!

It is exciting to get out to our churches and see some of the 1500+ students who are getting their daily Hot Lunch through Hope for Kidz. For many of these children, it is likely their only meal for the day.

19 tons of food. 1254 boxes of food x 36 bags in a box x 6 meals per bag = 270,864 fortified meals for the hungry.

Rob