Impacting the Urban Poor

Dear Supporters,                                                               September 26, 2013                                       

Our family would like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your continued support of us in prayer and finances.  God has had us on an incredible journey, first Sunshine for three years and then us as a family for the last five.   It has been an amazing time reaching the lost for Christ, disciplining those who know Him, and helping those in need.  Along with any journey there have been times of great joy, sadness and gut wrenching choices.

After joining World Impact in October, we were to train in Central Kansas for nine months and then move onto our final position in Bailey, Colorado as Directors of Deer Creek Christian Camp.  At the end of December the decision was made to close two of the camps that were a part of World Impact, one in Pennsylvania and the one in Colorado that we were to take over as directors.  The leadership asked our family to stay on and become the directors of the camp in Kansas known as Morning Star Ranch.   We have continued to work at the camp while praying and seeking direction for our lives. 

As time went along, we both felt increasingly moved that it was time for us to step away from ministry as a full time vocation.  It was most certainly clear to us that Morning Star Ranch was not a place that our family would be able to serve and thrive in a healthy manner.  We both certainly do love the people that we have been able to work and serve with at World Impact.  There are numerous people who are dedicated to serving the urban poor and reaching the lost for Christ.

Eric has recently been offered an opportunity to return to working in professional baseball.  As a family we have decided to accept the position and we will be relocating to Bowling Green, Kentucky.  Eric will be working for the class A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays, the Bowling Green Hot Rods. For him it is an opportunity to return to work in an industry that he spent ten years in prior to becoming a missionary.

Missions and reaching the lost for Christ is still something very much near and dear to our hearts.   As Christians, we believe there are always opportunities to do ministry whether or not it is your full time vocation.  For Eric, heading back into the world of baseball will present him with the opportunity to reach his coworkers, players, and fans while doing his “job”.  He will be heavily involved in the chaplaincy program with the Hot Rods and establishing numerous faith and family nights where the gospel will be shared to the fans at the games.

We can never thank you enough for the love and support you have given to us over the years.  As we head off in a new direction, we would like to ask you to prayerfully consider one more thing, that is supporting some dear friends of ours Wilbert and Lisa Romain.  

  Wilby and Lisa are missionaries that we have supported for a while now and fully believe that they have been anointed by God and do His work in a mighty way.  Wilby grew up in Haiti and moved to the Dominican Republic in his late teens.  He became a Christian and after training, became a pastor of a Haitian church in Santiago, Dominican Republic.  Haitians are very much considered second class citizens in the Dominican and life is extremely difficult for them.  Most are migrant workers, moving constantly to find enough work to help support their families back in Haiti.  Pastor Wilby has established the church and seen sizable growth for the past five years.  In fact, his church has already risen up one leader and sent him out to help reach those who need Christ back in Port-a –Prince, Haiti.  It is Lisa and Wilby’s passion to have a thriving church, but more specifically to train up other Haitian’s to become pastors and plant churches throughout the Dominican Republic.   Right now, depending on which report you read, Haitian’s represent about 12-22% of the population in the Dominican Republic.  That is a large percentage that you can help reach by partnering with Wilby and Lisa. The name of their ministry is called “Lafwa, Inc.” They will have their website up and running by the 1st of the year.

To ask questions about becoming a financial partner, prayer partner, or to receive Wilby & Lisa’s ministry updates, email them at faithinaction08@yahoo.com. To send financial support, you can send checks to: Kentwood Christian Church, 5841 Kalamazoo SE, Kentwood, MI, 49508. Please write “The Romains” in the memo section of your check. The church will send you your tax receipt.

For those of you wondering about how to discontinue your financial support of us you many write World Impact at 2001 S. Vermont Ave.  Los Angeles, CA 90007, you may also call them at (323)735-1137, or email them at gifts@worldimpact.org.  Just mention that you wish to discontinue support for Eric & Sunshine Leach and they will be glad to take care of it.

Once again, your love and support for our family has been incredible and we can never thank you enough.  The lives that we have been touched are countless and it is because of your support thru the years that we have been able to show God’s love.  We have done it for no other reason than to bring honor and glory to our heavenly Lord and Father!  Amen!

Peace and Blessings,

Eric, Sunshine, Colton and coming soon Jaxson Leach