Saturday, August 23, 2008

The Marshall Islands


This picture and the one below are of the beautiful Marshall Islands, where I grew up for 10 years. This is also where we adopted our three older girls, Telma, Teyolla and Keyolla. The water is so beautiful there! The Marshalese people are very gracious and have such precious hearts.

My parents, Sam and Florence Sasser, were missionaries in the Marshalls Islands, serving together for over 11 years. They planted churches and built and directed a Bible school called Calvary Bible Institute. When they first arrived in the islands, there was no running water and no electricity. The planes that landed on the island had to fly over the grassy landing field twice before landing. Once, to scare off the pigs and chickens on the landing strip and the other to land! Life was truly a great adventure there.

After 11 years of service in the Marshalls, Mom and Dad moved to Hawaii, pastoring a church on the island of Oahu for 5 years and ministering all over the South Pacific after their time in Hawaii. They were still involved for many years in helping the Marshalese in many practical and spiritual ways. They visited the islands often and when my father passed away in 1995, his heart was buried in the Marshalls as he had requested in his will. He loved the Marshalese people with a passion beyond words.

My mom, along with my brother Terry Sasser, returned to the Marshall Islands after my father's death. She remained there for another 11 years, serving the people a combined total of 22 years. In April of 2008, Mom moved from the Marshalls and in with our family. She is basing Charismedia Ministries (the name of her ministry) out of Kansas City. Mom is still helping the Marshalese people by translating important materials into the Marshalese language. She also travels to churches both nationally and internationally, bringing awareness to the needs of the Marshalese people. Mom also travels frequently to Springdale Arkansas where she is involved in helping the Marshalese community living there. There are over 20,000 Marshalese who have settled in Springdale, making that the largest Marshlaese community in the United States.














This picture of me, my brother Terry Sasser and my mom, was taken at the airport in the Marshall Islands. I joined my mom in the Marshall Islands and flew back home with her to Kansas City in April.

My brother, Terry, and his wife Amy, both live in the Marshalls and have four children. They adopted our Teyolla and Keyolla's siblings. Terry and Amy love the Marshalese and have done so much to help them. They write grants that benefit the islanders and help the schools there with supplies and after school programs. They built a Science Center there that includes all types of sea life, everything from live sharks to turtles, various types of salt water fish and giant blue star fish. They also work alongside the Marshalese government in many different areas. They have provided much help to the islanders in regards to issues such as teen pregnancy and awareness about Aids and STD's and are now planning to build a home for girls who have been abused.

As if Terry and Amy didn't already have their hands full...they formed an Olympic staff and got the Marshall Islands into the Olympics for the very first time this year. The Marshalese are competing in swimming, Tae Quon Do and track and field events. We are excited and we know the Marshalese are having a great time being involved!








Mom, visiting the grave where my dad's heart was buried.










Joanna and her mom, Marso, live in the Marshall Islands. Joanna was born with no eyes, only eye sockets. This was very traumatic for Joanna's mom Marso, and Joanna's father Solomon, as they are very poor and are not able to get Joanna the help she needs. Joanna and her family live in a tiny shack with many children. Joanna also suffers with swallowing and sensitive stomach issues. She chokes easily on food and many times her parents have to massage her throat to get her food to go down properly.

My husband Derek and I are going to begin raising money to bring Joanna and her mother to the states in February to get Joanna some of the help she needs. If any of you are interested in helping this precious family financially, please contact me at reneeloux@ihop.org and we will be more than happy to provide you with a tax receipt. Also, if any of you know of an Oncologist who might be willing to donate their services to help Joanna, please let us know. Thanks in advance for considering the needs of this precious little one.






Joanna's little cousin has such a precious little spirit and she sure loves her cousin, Joanna!


Thanks to all of you who read our blog and who faithfully pray for us! You are a blessing! Have a wonderful day and God bless you!

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi sweetness! I love the picture of you and your family! You look so pretty in the picture. Long time no see... I hope you're doing wonderful. Your mom sounds awesome! I've been busy with work at IHOP. Sending you my love! : )

Anonymous said...

Big oops! Silly me! I pressed the wrong button and my comment went under anonymous. It's me, Esther Myung! ;)

The Loux Family said...

Hi Esther! It was great to hear from you! I haven't seen you in forever. I miss you! Email me ok?!
Love you!

Renee'

Anonymous said...

This is GREAT I love what you are doing for the children I look forward to giving money to help

The Loux Family said...

Thank you and God bless you Linda!

Dolores said...

Oh, they are beautiful people! What a blessing for you to be able to grow up in helping others.

I hope and pray that Joanna can get the help she needs. What a doll! My son also has trouble eating and is fed by g-tube.

Anonymous said...

Your Mom and Dad were youth pastors early in their ministry in Pasadena. My Mom is PatShull as she was called in the Marshall's and spent a year teaching. Many fond memories...
Michael Shull

Skip Hicks said...

Hey guys, my name is Skip Hicks(Nashville) and Im trying to find Terry to catch up. Im looking for an email address. If you can help that would be awesome. Your family id beautiful!!!. God continues to BLESS!!! Tell your mother I said hello(If she remembers me) Thanks!! skiphicks111@yahoo.com 615.573.1500

Anonymous said...

I would like to exchange links with your site thelouxfamily1.blogspot.com
Is this possible?

Raymond Moser said...

Hello
My name is Raymond Moser and I am trying to get in touch Terry Sasser, The last time we spoke I was deployed to Iraq and called Terry from there in 2007. Terry has left a Huge impression on my life and has been Great Inspiration to me. Things Terry has told me and taught me about people have stuck with me all this time. If Terry reads this maybe he can email me at Fightforfreedom38@yahoo.com. And Terry I moved away from Nashville Im now living in West Virginia.

Anonymous said...

great story!! You are wonderful people. I am a very old friend of Terry. It has been 20 years since we were in touch. My name is Debi Weireter LeSueur. If it is possible to pass this along I would so love to catch up! Debil4now@hotmail.com thanks!!

Carol Yates said...

What a tremendous legacy you have! Both parents love & commitment to the Lord and each other was very evident.
My regards to your Mother and blessings, too.

Lidebdebju said...

Iakwe im kommoltata to Sasser's family. Yes it is true that this family has contributed so much to my country .

I remember one time you and your husband came to Majuro and your husband performed at my church(BNJ). He was a talented musician and a singer too .

Again , komoltata im Anij ibbam

Lidebdebju said...

Iakwe im kommoltata to Sasser's family. Yes it is true that this family has contributed so much to my country .

I remember one time you and your husband came to Majuro and your husband performed at my church(BNJ). He was a talented musician and a singer too .

Again , komoltata im Anij ibbam

Pioneer Woman said...

I am doing research on Christianity in Micronesia more in the earlier years. I have been in YWAM for 42 years. I remember your Dad sharing with us a couple of times years ago about The Marshall Islands and just saw some stuff on the internet including your blog. I didn't realize your Dad has passed a way. Sorry about that and the suffereing he endured. He was so funny when he shared stories. I am wondering if there is a autobiography or diaries, written about the details of his time in the Marshall islands? My name is Fay Williams and my e-mail is faywilliamhawaii@gmsil.com I am at the Kailua Kona base on the Big Island. Blessings Fay

Dr. Kahle said...

Terry Sasser was suddenly on my heart, so I had to track you guys down somehow. Your dad Sam would come visit my family in Sacramento when I was growing up, and I remember him well. Terry came with him at least once, a little older than I. We took Terry gold panning in the American River. Maybe he will remember this.
I am not sure yet what Holy Spirit has in mind with this. Maybe Terry will have a sense of it?
I'm still in California. I'm a neuroscientist now. Maybe you have need of direction or advice? Or maybe intercession? You can email me jenniferkahle@gmail.com. In any case, my prayers are with you all...beautiful Sassers!

brian stromsoe said...

I too am chasing threads. My former pastor in L.A. County previously took classes from Sam in Seattle and took care of his shoes and feet on occasion. What was the name of the college where he taught in the Seattle area? I was entering S.C.C. in Costa Mesa when Sam and Don were leaving but saw them in passing as they spread their wings. I moved to the Tacoma area in 2017 and attend an AoG church. Was on the S.C.C alumni board for a decade in the last century.

Unknown said...

My name is Fred Hurst from Ohio. Your father and mother made a great impression on me. We moved Terry's belongings from Nashville to Oakland for shipment to the Marshalls. I have lost touch with you mother and was hoping to get an update.
I can be reached hurstfred@aol.com