Passing the Hat

During VBS last week at Loomis Evangelical Free Church, Loomis, NE, the kids literally passed the hat as they collected funds to build school benches for their C3 Partner Church's school.  They raised enough funds to build 4 benches.  That is enough to seat 25 students.  Way to go guys!!

We are in the middle of Hope for Kidz' annual campaign to renew sponsorships and find new ones for unsponsored kids.  Last school year there were 2660 kids sponsored and we are praying that 2880 will be able to be sponsored this year.

If you haven't renewed your sponsorship, now is the time!  And if you don't yet sponsor a child, don't delay in getting started.  These kids need your help to give them real hope for a better future.  You can go online HERE to start your sponsorship.

New Haiti Field Director Appointed

RMI is excited to announce the appointment of Benjamin Altema as RMI's Haiti Field Director.  Benjamin will be replacing Rob Thompson who is transitioning back to the US this summer.  For many years now, RMI has been developing multi-cultural leaders.  This is another important step in that process.  Benjamin has proven his leadership capability as he has worked his way up these last 12 years from starting out working with teams, to being in charge of RMI’s Haitian staff, to the Director of Haiti Field Operations and now to lead the entire field, both US missionary and Haitian staff.

Benjamin grew up in Aux Cayes near the mission center.  He and his family have been friends of RMI for many, many years.  His mother worked for RMI co-founders, Herb and Shirley Shoemaker, for 10 years while they served in Haiti, and eventually, years later, worked for RMI and Dan and Debbie Shoemaker for 25 years.  In his university years, he occasionally worked for RMI in various capacities.  He graduated from the American University of Cayes in 2006 with a degree in the Science of Agriculture and Environment.  In January of 2007 Benjamin joined the staff of RMI full-time.  He married his wife, Lucette, in 2010 and they have 4 boys, ages 8 (twins), 7 and 4.

Benson Joseph will take on the directorship of the new Department of Operations for RMI which includes most of the ministries, projects, and programs of RMI, as well as facilities and vehicles, something he has already been doing informally.  He will also continue his supervision of the Hope for Kidz Department.  His leadership in these areas has been and will continue to be crucial to the ongoing success of RMI.

Lee Nunemaker has taken on a new role as Member Care Coordinator for all of our Haiti field staff, both US and Haitian.  This new role fits his pastoral heart and caring spirit.  He will be ministering into their lives through discipleship, mentoring, and spiritual care.  Lee will also continue in his role as Director of the C3 Partnerships.  His engagement with our C3 partners have been a big part of their ongoing success in their partnerships and the impact they are having together in their Haitian communities. 

Pray for these leaders as they continue to move RMI forward on the ground in Haiti.  The ministry of RMI is having a great impact all across south Haiti and just continues to grow.  Pray for wisdom, understanding, vision, and unity as they transition into this new leadership structure.

Meet Tessa Andrews, RMI's Newest Missionary

Tessa is a Florida native who grew up in the church with her mom and grandmother who are both Christians.  She has 2 stepsisters.  She had the opportunity to go on a mission trip with her church to Cite Lumiere in 2017.  Haiti and the ministries there really grabbed her heart and she found it very difficult to leave.  She heard of the need for teachers at the missionary kid school, located at Cite Lumiere and felt that God was calling her to teach at the school.  

Tessa shared, "...before I told anyone that I was praying about moving here, I had a moment where I was awestruck. My mama was cooking and came around to where I was sitting. She simply looked at me and said, 'if you ever wanted to move to Haiti I’d be okay with it.'  It was one of the times during my journey here that really just solidified that Haiti is where God wanted me."

She has lived in Haiti since August 2018. She is going into her second year of teaching early elementary students at Cite Lumiere Christian School.  Each year is different, based on the need...how many students there are in which grades.  When she is not teaching, she enjoys sharing her passion for ballet by teaching a class to missionary children. 

She'll officially be an RMI missionary at the end of May and shared, "I would love to participate in other RMI ministries when I am available to do so and as RMI needs me. I am very interested in the Hope for Kidz ministry in particular. I am very excited to be joining RMI, I love the missions focus on relationships with the Haitian church."

June, July and part of August will find her in her home area in north Florida working on raising her support.  If you would like to be a part of her very important ministry to missionary families, please go HERE to donate.  She would also appreciate your prayers as she prepares for the new school year.