Third Generation Missionary

Meet RMI’s newest missionary appointee, Dawn Shoemaker.  She is literally returning to the land of her birth.  Dawn is the daughter of RMI president, Dan, and RMI Director of Communication, Debbie Shoemaker and the granddaughter of Herb and Shirley Shoemaker, RMI founders.  Dawn was born in Les Cayes, grew up and went to school on the mission center where the Shoemaker family were missionaries for 25 years.  She returned to the US with her parents when she was 15.  After high school she attended Trinity College of Florida and majored in cross cultural communications and Biblical studies.  One of her summers was spent as an RMI intern in Haiti.

Besides growing up as a Third Culture Kid, she has participated in a home building trip to Mexico, a leadership training trip  that traveled to Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam and a trip to Paraguay using volleyball as an entry point to present the Gospel in public schools. 

Dawn began to feel the call of God on her life  while she was a child in Haiti.  This was strengthened in high school and she chose to attend Trinity so she could prepare for full time ministry. 

Dawn will be working with teams, helping them to engage in ministry and evangelism with the Haitian people, helping with hospitality,  providing video/photos and stories for our blogs and social media, and assisting wherever the Field Director has need.  RMI has many needs and will be looking as to how best to use her skills and passion.  She is needed there as soon as possible so pray for her as she begins to raise her funds to be able to get to the field.  

She excited to be going to Haiti to minister.  She’ll be living and working on the same mission center in Cayes where her grandparents lived and where her dad grew up as well as where she grew up.  The maternity clinic where she was born is also located on the mission center.  Who would have known that she’d be back as a full time missionary one day? 

We’re excited to welcome Dawn to the RMI family!  If you would like to be a part of Dawn’s support team you can do that online HERE.

RMI President has Published an Article

Exciting stuff!! RMI President, Dan Shoemaker, is now a published author! A shortened version (due to length restrictions) of his article was published on churchleaders.com.  In the article, What’s Missing in Your Short Term Missions Program, he addresses 4 principles of how to do Short Term Missions correctly - which is RMI's specialty.  Check out the article on church leaders.com HERE.  The full article can be found on RMI’s website HERE.  Way to go Dan!

Becky and Kendall went to Haiti

Becky Rose (left) and Kendall Kehres (right), friends who are both from Crossroads Community Church, Doylestown, Ohio, joined the RMI team in Haiti for almost seven weeks as interns this summer. Their first weeks were full of visits to a number of ministries in the Les Cayes area. We spent time visiting a deaf school, orphanage, Maranatha School of Simon, Cite Lumiere Christian School, observing life skill training for some blind students, helping in the library of the American University in Cayes, along with some others. It was great for all of us to get a better look at the community in which we serve and the many needs that are being attended to by our friends and partners in ministry.

Becky and Kendall brought new life and excitement to our team as they connected with our Haitian and American staff with new vigor and enthusiasm at a time when many on our team were becoming tired from the busy schedule of our team season. It was an incredible blessing to have them add new energy to our lives, just when we needed it most. They were a huge help in connecting with teams and helping in the behind-the-scenes preparations that makes team visits with their sister churches run smoothly.

Both young ladies were actively involved in the day to day events and challenges of the RMI schedule. They spent some days interviewing the RMI staff for some new mini bios that you will eventually be seeing on the RMI website. They spent a day sorting through medical supplies in preparation for them to be sent to one of our local hospitals. Teaching Bible lessons and spending time with the children at the orphanage in Simon and at the Maranatha School of Simon were among some of their favorite activities.

In addition to their opportunities to minister with teams, RMI staff, and the Haitian communities; Becky and Kendall also spent some time reading several books focusing on the history of missions work in the Cayes area and around the world, to give them a better understanding of what life as a missionary really looks like for the long-term. They had several opportunities to interview the missionaries living in our missionary community, as well.

Kendall and Becky were a joy to work with throughout the summer weeks that they were with us. It was clear that God had them with us for those weeks, when He knew that we would need their zest for life and willing helping hands of service.

Thank you, Kendall and Becky, for giving so freely and abundantly of your hands and heart for God’s Kingdom.

It’s Back to School Time in Haiti, too

Back to school is in full swing in the US now.  It is also in full swing in Haiti.  Education, while taken as an expected right here, is a privilege in Haiti.  It can be the difference in being able to have a better life for Haitian children and their families.  RMI is impacting 2,000+ children in southern Haiti through its Hope for Kidz Child Sponsorship Program.  Are you sponsoring a child?

What does a Hope for Kidz sponsorship provide?
•  Access to a quality Christian education
•  All necessary uniforms and school supplies
•  Continued expansion of the Hot Lunch Program (now feeding 5,500 children daily in 19 select schools)
•  Annual De-Worming and Prevention Education Program in all Hope for Kidz schools (17,000+ receiving the medication)
•  An Emergency Major Medical Needs Fund
•  Teacher enrichment and much more

What are the benefits to sponsors?
•  An annually updated picture and brief profile of your child
•  The opportunity to send and receive 1-2 letters each year from your child
•  Accountability - including frequent visits from RMI staff to your child’s school to check the facilities and curriculum, get updated pictures, confirm your child’s attendance, and assess his or her academic performance

You can be a change agent in a child’s life!  Now is the time to renew your sponsorship of your child if you haven’t already done it.  If you aren’t supporting a child now is time to take up the challenge to impact a Haitian child’s life.  Sponsor a child through RMI’s Hope for Kidz child sponsorship program.  Sponsorship is only $28 a month or $336 for the entire year.  Donate online HERE.  Don’t delay because like we said...it’s back to school time!

Update on Becky Thompson

After innumerable doctor visits, a second opinion, tests and more tests, Becky’s surgery took place on the morning of August 18, last Thursday.  All went as planned and the doctors were pleased with how it went.  Becky was release the next afternoon to begin her recovery at home.  The pathology reports will help the doctors know the next steps and the extent of her chemo and radiation treatments.  The Thompsons have definitely felt and appreciated everyone’s prayers.  Thank you!! 

Please focus your prayers now on….

1. Becky’s recovery in the next month before she is scheduled to start chemo.
2. Rob as he is now filling the “mom” role as well as dad to Drew, Tessa and Braden.
3. The 3 kids as they start a new school in very different circumstances than they are used to.
4. Rob as he continues to work for RMI from a distance. 

God has graciously supplied many things they needed…a home, furnishing for that home, a vehicle, a good Christian school and some good family times (see the smiling faces in that picture!) with both sides of the family.

For further updates, follow them on their Facebook pages or via their blog HERE.

What do Missionaries do during the Summer?

Summer means home assignment for many missionaries.  This month finds all 4 RMI missionary families in the US for home assignment of varying lengths of time.  This time entails a mix of annual doctor visits, travel, spending time with family, friends and supporters, ministry and vacation.   After a jam packed schedule and intense activity/ministry since the first of the year, they all deserve some time to relax, re-group and reconnect with family, friends and supporters.  Here’s the latest on each of our families.

The Rob Thompson Family - Rob and Becky Thompson received some very difficult news shortly after arriving in the US in June.  A routine exam showed that Becky has breast cancer.  A flurry of tests, doctor appointments, surgery, chemo and radiation treatments and recovery have replaced their planned visits to supporters and friends in the NJ and Chicago areas.  They are living in a home provided by a supporting church in NJ and will spend a year there as they attend to Becky’s health.  The cancer is classified as 2a and her prognosis is good, which is encouraging to them.  Before Becky’s surgery (currently scheduled on August 12) and in between doctor visits they are getting in as much family time as possible.  They are planning on putting the kids in a local Christian school for the coming year.  Many other details remain to be worked out.  Rob will still be working for RMI and they’ll still be on a support basis.  Pray for them during this trying, difficult time.  Pray that their support will remain steady...and that the additional funds they need for Becky’s medical treatments and the kids’ schooling  will be supplied.  This hasn’t caught God by surprise and they are confident in God’s supply.  You can connect with them via their Facebook pages and their blog at www.robandbecky.blogspot.com.

The Greg Harvie Family - Greg and Star Harvie are in the US from mid-July to mid-September.  Their daughter, Jessica, met them in Florida when they arrived.  Star flew to Chicago to spend a week with their grandson (and daughter and son-in-law too).  Greg had a motorcycle in Florida and he and Jessica took several days driving it to Chicago where they met up with Star and the rest of the family.  Family time is one specific goal of their furlough.  They’ll be sharing their ministry with churches in the Chicago area and their home area in Nebraska.  Another goal is to raise additional support funds since their account is very low.  Pray that they’ll have good contacts and these funds are raised.  Keep in touch with them through their Facebook pages and  their blog at www.gregstarharvie.blogspot.com.

The Nunemaker Family - Lee and Tina Nunemaker’s home assignment is being spent in their home area in Pennsylvania.  They are staying with Lee’s parents and will be visiting their supporters, friends and family.  They’ll also be sharing their ministry with their supporting churches.  Family time and vacation will take up a part of their time.  Their support is very low and raising it up will be another major objective for them during this time in the US.  Pray for them for refreshment, renewal and for the Lord’s supply of these support funds.  The end of August is their return date.  They have a new newsletter out which can be found on their blog at  www.thehaiticonnection.blogspot.com.  You can connect with them on their Facebook pages, too.

The Joel Sutton Family - Joel and Laura Sutton are visiting their family and friends in West Virginia and Florida.  They will also share their ministry in several supporting churches.  Some country quiet is something they’ve been looking forward to since their home in Haiti is located in a somewhat noisy village just 2-3 minutes from the mission center.  They want to catch up and spend some time with their many grandchildren. Support raising is another priority for them since their account is very low. They’ll return to Haiti at the beginning of September.  You can keep in touch with them through their Facebook pages and their blog at www.lbjtsutton.blogspot.com.

Marsh Corner Community Church went on their first trip to Haiti recently. How did it go for them? Here is their presentation to their church when they returned. Judging by the smiles and ministries they were involved in (one of which was installing water filters for families), it looks they had a great time!

A Photo Update from RMI...

There is a fresh coat of paint on the RMI depot wall thanks to Calvary Bible Church of Greencastle, PA.

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A Photo Update from RMI...

What a great morning! Marsh Corner ladies shared with the ladies of Bariadelle while the men delivered goats and water filters. During the Ladies Tea the entire group of women serenaded Marsh Corner.

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A Photo Update from RMI...

This morning Pastor Jeremy of Marsh Corner is sharing the gospel with the people of Malaya Church. Afterwords the team will present goats to some of the children and install some water filters in the area.

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A Photo Update from RMI...

Delivering food and visiting shut ins this morning on Chardonette. It has been a great week for the Crossroads team.

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A Photo Update from RMI...

The youth meeting is understood at the Chardonette church. The Crossroads church will be sharing the love of Christ with them.

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A Photo Update from RMI...

The Crossroads church had angels visit in the Chardonette church this morning.

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A Photo Update from RMI...

Who likes to paint? First Baptist Church of St. Petersburg, FL is literally being the hands of Jesus today at the Zanglais School. THANK YOU!!

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A Photo Update from RMI...

Pastor Will from Bethany Baptist Church in Florida sharing the Gospel with the youth of Dame Marie Church in Haiti.

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A Photo Update from RMI...

Strings of love is off to Dame Marie. Please pray they have a great week of ministry.

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A Photo Update from RMI...

Can you guess the Bible lesson that Rebekah Rose and Kendall Kehres taught at the Maranatha school in Simon today? We are blessed to have them with us for six weeks! Looking forward to seeing how God is going to work through them while they are here.

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A Photo Update from RMI...

Celebrate Joel Sutton with us! He is our May 2016 Missionary of the Month. This is to honor his hard work, character, and display of RMI values. Thank you Joel for what you do!

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A Photo Update from RMI...

Great day of fun yesterday here in Haiti at our semi-annual All Staff Celebration Day. We prayed, played, sang, ate, and were enouraged in the word. The day included a fun team building activity, teaching us how to build for success in God's eyes.

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A Photo Update from RMI...

Our team from Hollywood Community Church, Hollywood, FL, is off to visit their Sister Church Partner in Corail, Haiti. It's a rough road, but God will go before them! #rmihaiti #rmi

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