Ron and Dianna on the 4
wheeler with Dan Cutler in the
background.
wheeler with Dan Cutler in the
background.
| Ron and Bear the lap dog. |
| Ron & Dianna Cyphers' Page |
| Ron and Samuel. |
| Ron playing with the kids' toys. Eventually he gave it back. |
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| Above 2 pics: Dianna handing out Valentine cards. |
| Ron with his new chick. |
| December, 2008. Ron and Dianna with a few of the kids. |
| December, 2008. Ron holding Shinalove. |
| December, 2008. Ron & Hernby |
| December, 2008. Dianna & Clauden |
| Ron and Dianna: I hear that you are retiring- I rather doubt that !! But know that you are leaving the orphanage in July. There is no one that I admire more. Thank you for your wonderful service to so many, you have made a big difference in the world for a lot of people. I am so glad that I got to meet you, you are both really special people and I love and appreciate you. Let me know your plans, I hope to get to see you and hug your necks some where along the way. God bless you. Take care of yourselves and may God bless you . I hold Ron and Dianna in high esteem, they are both wonderful. Not only do they know God ,they have lived it out in their lives. They are an example to me and to many others who have met them. I pray that this time of their life will be good- I will not tell them to slow down because I know that they will not. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I say God bless you. Take care of yourselves, keep those happy smiles. My love, Marie Shipp |
Wow, it's hard to believe it's been 8 years since we first met. My coming to Haiti with David May and Beacon Light Ministries was because David had read, and then I
read Ron's journal of his first year in Haiti, by himself (given all his personal challenges) while Dianna wrapped up responsibilities for their last special needs foster
child in the US. That journal was so compelling we immediately made plans to visit Haiti (me for the first time), and nothing has been the same in any of our lives. I
remember Brad Gautney saying of Ron & Dianna, "they lead with their hearts", and I can think of no higher complement. The years have taken my attention to other
missions, but nothing can compare to that first visit to Haiti and visiting Ron. Ron and Dianna are truly amazing, amazing people. And I have the great privilege to
know and see them in their service. Who would "retire" to run an orphanage in a former swamp in Haiti? They are
beautiful people. Thank you so much for showing me the way. Perhaps I don't follow as well as they serve and lead, but their example is incredible. I will never
forget it. -- Norm Curington
read Ron's journal of his first year in Haiti, by himself (given all his personal challenges) while Dianna wrapped up responsibilities for their last special needs foster
child in the US. That journal was so compelling we immediately made plans to visit Haiti (me for the first time), and nothing has been the same in any of our lives. I
remember Brad Gautney saying of Ron & Dianna, "they lead with their hearts", and I can think of no higher complement. The years have taken my attention to other
missions, but nothing can compare to that first visit to Haiti and visiting Ron. Ron and Dianna are truly amazing, amazing people. And I have the great privilege to
know and see them in their service. Who would "retire" to run an orphanage in a former swamp in Haiti? They are
beautiful people. Thank you so much for showing me the way. Perhaps I don't follow as well as they serve and lead, but their example is incredible. I will never
forget it. -- Norm Curington
Ron and Dianna,
Upon first meeting you this past Christmas, it was if I had known you always. Sure we had the commonalities of Jesus and special kids, but it was more than that. You
have such a way of making people feel welcome, accepted and appreciated. The memories and experiences you two shared make for wonderful listening - and some
good laughs! I really do hope you write that book, Ron, so others can learn from your faith journeys. And Dianna, I so appreciate the conversations we have had. I
imagine the kids feel much like I did on my visit; whether being with you for their very first time or just checking in with you each day - being with you feels like
coming home. God will still be guiding you on this next step in your journey; I can't wait to hear what happens!
Love, Peggy Jones (and my driveway is holding your spot open)
Upon first meeting you this past Christmas, it was if I had known you always. Sure we had the commonalities of Jesus and special kids, but it was more than that. You
have such a way of making people feel welcome, accepted and appreciated. The memories and experiences you two shared make for wonderful listening - and some
good laughs! I really do hope you write that book, Ron, so others can learn from your faith journeys. And Dianna, I so appreciate the conversations we have had. I
imagine the kids feel much like I did on my visit; whether being with you for their very first time or just checking in with you each day - being with you feels like
coming home. God will still be guiding you on this next step in your journey; I can't wait to hear what happens!
Love, Peggy Jones (and my driveway is holding your spot open)
Ron and Dianna, Cyphers. Wow, two of the most selfless and dedicated people it has been my pleasure to meet ever. I first met them in '05-
'06? When I was asked to come and repair their generator at the orphanage. Soon after that, I was living and working at the Cap Haitien Children's home. My own
shop in Carrenage was broken into in the night and while I was not harmed, I did loose a lot of expensive tools. Ron and Dianna offered me a place at the orphanage
where I could live and work and operate my own business. During my time there, I watched the way the Cyphers interacted with the children, the staff and the
community. I can truly say that they have touched lives in the community. In the course of my time there, I also came to understand how I in my own way could learn
the personal joy that comes from reaching out to the community. I have Ron and Dianna to thank for that inspiration. I hope that you might read this, look at the CHCH
website and find inspiration. Ron and Dianna, you will be badly missed in Okap.
Kindest Regards: Dan Cutler
'06? When I was asked to come and repair their generator at the orphanage. Soon after that, I was living and working at the Cap Haitien Children's home. My own
shop in Carrenage was broken into in the night and while I was not harmed, I did loose a lot of expensive tools. Ron and Dianna offered me a place at the orphanage
where I could live and work and operate my own business. During my time there, I watched the way the Cyphers interacted with the children, the staff and the
community. I can truly say that they have touched lives in the community. In the course of my time there, I also came to understand how I in my own way could learn
the personal joy that comes from reaching out to the community. I have Ron and Dianna to thank for that inspiration. I hope that you might read this, look at the CHCH
website and find inspiration. Ron and Dianna, you will be badly missed in Okap.
Kindest Regards: Dan Cutler
We met Ron and Dianna on a mission to Haiti and have been family ever since. Their spirit is so God centered and their hearts are full of children. They truly are
content with what they have and seek more only for those around them. They may be retiring from Haiti, but I am sure they will find some niche to serve God's kids
wherever they are. Bless you Ron and Dianna, and thank you for being our family.
Steve and Sherry Boberg
content with what they have and seek more only for those around them. They may be retiring from Haiti, but I am sure they will find some niche to serve God's kids
wherever they are. Bless you Ron and Dianna, and thank you for being our family.
Steve and Sherry Boberg
| December, 2008. Dianna holding Davilma |
| December, 2008. Dianna with the pet goat. |
When I try to think of ways to characterize Ron and Dianna, I come up short. One of the first phrases that comes to me is servant warriors. For they serve on the very
front lines. They have gone above and beyond duty to... love. One just has to walk up to either of them to feel their love and enthusiasm. I know I have dropped in
on them many a time when their day has been long and tiring to say the least, and yet the love is still up front. "How are you, young man," says Ron cheerfully. "Oh,
let me show you around," says Dianna enthusiastically. What I might have been hoping would be a short tour for their sake as well as mine turns into a love fest of
being shown this and that and him and her. Eventually, we just visit, and talk turns to their family in the States. This child is doing so and so, that grandchild is doing
this and that. I sometimes think they must have been especially gifted by God to do all they have done, and I'm sure that's true. But where my thoughts end up is that
we have been especially gifted by God to know them, be inspired by them, and be loved by them. Thank you, Ron and Dianna, for your example and for sharing your
wonderful selves with so many. We thank God for you, and say, "Ke Bondye beni nou anpil anpil" - your friend and brother teem (April 2009, Tim Mastenbrook,
Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Haitian Christian Foundation)
front lines. They have gone above and beyond duty to... love. One just has to walk up to either of them to feel their love and enthusiasm. I know I have dropped in
on them many a time when their day has been long and tiring to say the least, and yet the love is still up front. "How are you, young man," says Ron cheerfully. "Oh,
let me show you around," says Dianna enthusiastically. What I might have been hoping would be a short tour for their sake as well as mine turns into a love fest of
being shown this and that and him and her. Eventually, we just visit, and talk turns to their family in the States. This child is doing so and so, that grandchild is doing
this and that. I sometimes think they must have been especially gifted by God to do all they have done, and I'm sure that's true. But where my thoughts end up is that
we have been especially gifted by God to know them, be inspired by them, and be loved by them. Thank you, Ron and Dianna, for your example and for sharing your
wonderful selves with so many. We thank God for you, and say, "Ke Bondye beni nou anpil anpil" - your friend and brother teem (April 2009, Tim Mastenbrook,
Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Haitian Christian Foundation)
| The last 2 rows are pics of Ron and Dianna's bon voyaj fet (going away party) on July 29, 2009 |
Hi from Canada:
I well remember first meeting you in Haiti when Beacon Light Ministries sponsored me to come and help with arranging various projects. You were always a real treat
to just watch and observe you working with the children.
Then you came to Canada (staying in Norm's house next door to us). What a treat that was. Do you recall the trip into the "bush" with my old truck? How about the
bear we saw? Ron, you weren't able to see the bear but you had no trouble feeling the bumps in the bush road. I remember you saying it was kind of like the roads in
Haiti.
God bless my friends and brother/sister in the Lord.
Clyde Lansdell
I well remember first meeting you in Haiti when Beacon Light Ministries sponsored me to come and help with arranging various projects. You were always a real treat
to just watch and observe you working with the children.
Then you came to Canada (staying in Norm's house next door to us). What a treat that was. Do you recall the trip into the "bush" with my old truck? How about the
bear we saw? Ron, you weren't able to see the bear but you had no trouble feeling the bumps in the bush road. I remember you saying it was kind of like the roads in
Haiti.
God bless my friends and brother/sister in the Lord.
Clyde Lansdell
| As I mentioned some time ago on the Home Page, Ron and Dianna are retiring in July. They will have been here over 9 years by that time. Their story is amazing to me. Over 150 foster kids and after that come down to Haiti and run an orphanage. Wow! To say that they both have been a mentor to me here at the orphanage is a dramatic understatement. I have made more than my share of mistakes so far, but Ron and Dianna have been there with me all the way, being supportive and always offering constructive criticism. I seriously appreciate it and hope that I can do half as good a job as them. I love them both very much and will forever admire them. I would like to ask those of you that have come to know and love Ron and Dianna as I have to send to me a written and/or a pictorial tribute to them for inclusion on this website. I will keep them there for as many years as I possibly can. To do so, simply email me (bob) at northeast125@yahoo.com and write-up your experiences with them from your own lives. If you have old pics of them, scan them and sent them too. It would really be great if we could put something together, kind of like an electronic collage of their life of service and love - a living memorial to a couple that truly demonstrates a working definition of Christian service. Thanks very much! Update 7/30/09: They left today! Ron and Dianna have officially retired. Please keep them in your prayers as we as ask our God to give them His grace as they go off to retirementland. Last night the staff gave them a going away party. It was very touching to participate in. You could see that they were very moved. Pics below in the last 2 rows. REMINDER: It's never too late to write up a tribute and send it to me. |
| Update 10/6/09: This is Ron and Dianna's farewell letter to the orphanage family: We want to say thank you to all the church family we met and fellowshipped with on our last trip out to update supporters and say goodbye. We had such a good time every where we stopped. We were treated with kindness and love and thoroughly spoiled. We also both gained at least 5 lbs! We would like to say thank you to the supports we didn't get to visit this time. We traveled over 6,000 miles, but there are many more congregations across the US that we were not able to visit. We want to thank all of you for your continuing support of the orphanage. Without you, the existence of the orphanage would not be possible. Some of you help by coming in with teams to work, some of you are sponsors, and some of you are financial supporters for the regular orphanage budget, or special projects, and some of you help raise money. I takes all of it to make it work, and you have continued to make it keep working. We will miss the children and staff and all the extended church family, but its time for us to retire, and we are leaving knowing the orphanage is in good hands. That makes it much easier to retire. We will love and miss all of you. God Bless Ron and Dianna |