LAIM provides a service hard to find -- it is willing to channel funds to small, grass-roots organizations in developing countries, and does so with integrity and efficiency. I am very grateful for their obvious caring and the effort they put into serving the most needy.
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Few 2lst century organizations are willing to forward money to little-known peoples or small indigenous enterprises seeking to serve in isolated regions. Latin American Mission is a much-appreciated exception. The staff, cognizant of grass-roots realities and the challenges faced by mission endeavors in rural areas of developing countries, makes every effort to facilitate such endeavors. This has meant combining dedicated service with absolute honesty; it also means navigating tax law, instituting rigorous procedures for processing and receipting donations, coping with the complications of bank transfers to foreign lands, and a heart to go the second mile, when emergencies arise.
We have deeply appreciated LAIM for exemplifying all of these wonderful characteristics, and for being patient to educate new indigenous partners who are learning to navigate the complexities of the system.
Hats off to Dale Kietzman for his vision and kindliness and to the LAIM staff who from behind city desks make a world of difference 'out there' by devoting their expertise and meticulous attention to mundane financial details.
LAIM is an organization that clearly demonstrates the holistic nature of the love of God in the types of ministries it partners with. Their work includes empowering local people with biblical, health and technical skills, seeking to educate rather than hand out services in a model that can impact many generations to come. As physical therapists missionaries in the Dominican Republic, LAIM has supported our work in health care education in a country where rehabilitation services are still developing. They have provided consistent support and the frequent communication needed to allow us to focus less on administration, and more on training and supporting Dominican people. We are truly grateful for their partnership.
I have known Dale Kietzman and LAIM for many years, as associates and co-workers among the Amazonian tribal nations across the Amazon and lowland regions of South America. Dale and his team are not only competent and very experienced, they also have always demonstrated a high degree of integrity, passion, and critical understanding of ministry in cross cultural settings.
They've also demonstrated clear evidence of believing in and adhering to an overall strategy of empowerment of native peoples, which is vital to the spread of the Gospel and the strengthening of the indigenous church, throughout the region.
As the founder and President of Alteco (Amazon & Lowland Tribal Empowerment Coalition .. a band of 160+ agencies, churches, and other entities focused on empowering Amazon area indigenous leaders) I completely endorse and highly recommend LAIM and any ministry partnerships that can be forged with them. In fact, Dale is one of very few recipients of Alteco's "Amazon Pioneer Award" which honors veteran missionaries who have had massive impact on the Amazon region.
Latin American Indian Ministries (LAIM), was founded by missionary-statesman, Dr. Dale W. Kietzman, and is a unique and highly-respected ministry reaching out to the Indian population of Latin America. Dr. Kietzman has been a translator for Wycliffe Bible Translators in both Brazil and Peru, and was later the US director of Wycliffe. He brings a vast knowledge of the many Indian tribes in Latin America, and he and his fine team, are bringing a message of hope to the many people of this region who are often ignored by the world. I highly recommend this organization and have personally visited their work among the Totonac Indians of Mexico, and was deeply impressed with their caring work with them.
Trusted leadership and a vision for reaching people characterize LAIM. I strongly support this ministry.
Dr. Dave Beckwith
Senior Pastor Emeritus
Woodbridge Community Church
Irvine, California
LAIM is a proactive organization, meeting "on the ground" needs of Latin American Indians in partnership with local pastors, teachers and missionaries. David and Dale Kietzman, a unique "grandfather/grandson" team, provide leadership that combines cutting edge creative strategies with decades of accumulated wisdom and experience. I highly recommend LAIM!
This organization is meeting people where they are and are addressing their specific need for training in a very effective way. Their focus is on meeting the felt needs of their targeted people group and then communicating these needs to others and also reporting on the effectiveness of what they are doing. They are to be commended for identifying people who are often overlooked by more traditional programs.
I have been a donor to LAIM since its inception. It is run by wonderful people with a selfless devotion to God and Latin American Indians (among others!). The Kietzman Family set up the organization as a tribute to their wife/mother, Harriet, and her calling to minister to this population. Personally, the good people at LAIM were extremely helpful to my husband and me in our efforts to try to establish a baseball ministry in Nicaragua (in my husband's hometown). While LAIM couldn't be directly involved with any funding for this effort (because our desires were outside of their Federal charter), they put forth a great amount of effort researching and locating resources for us and guiding us along the way. Truly selfless folks.
