YWAM Chico

"ROYALTY" Theme for Summer Teens

2011-08-23T14:35:00.000-07:00

This summer's theme for the 24Seven (our yearly high-school student discipleship and leadership development program in June & July) was ROYALTY, from Romans 8:19 "The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed."

In early June, 16 teens arrived on our campus ready for a summer that would change their lives forever. In early August, the 16 teens who we were privileged to know and serve with headed home across the USA and internationally. Rather than tell their story for them, I'd like to share some of their responses as they transitioned back home and prepared for school/what's next for them.....

"This summer has been AMAZING! I'm so glad that I came and met you all. We've all grown so much in the Lord and I can't wait to see what he does in our communities when we go back home. However, I will miss you all terribly... This summer has been the most radically life changing experience of my life. I saw the love of God during this experience and got to meet incredible people along the way and do some crazy things! Everyone should get an opportunity to do something like this! Come!!"
- Shaela / California

"Well, I gotta say... I will NEVER regret going and I never regret meeting you guys!! That summer was well worth giving to God and seeing how much He has changed me... this summer is going to be remembered. I have one more thing to say............... 24Seven 2012, here I come!!!!"
- Caleb P / California

"Thank you 24Seven for the best summer of my life!"
- Johanna / Washington

"24Seven helped outline a path for my life, showed me who I was in my identity and in Christ. Jesus has done miracles, healings, gotten me through "fun" hikes; I've made some of the best relationships with other people I would never exchange, who I would give my life for. It has been an experience of a lifetime!"
- Connor / California

"I am so happy I got to be part of the 24Seven program, and I'm also thankful to have experienced the change God has placed in me. I pray God will bring me back next year... I want to thank the 24Seven program for deepening my relationship with God and I also want to say thank you to God for bringing me here for this training; it has helped me a lot and I'm going to apply it at home, school, church and everywhere I go. THANK YOU!"
- Grace / Fiji

"24Seven was definitely a life changing experience. God totally transformed my heart and opened my eyes to the depths of His love. I no longer look at myself based on what I think I am or what others say I am, but what God calls me...royalty!"
- Trinity / California

"24/Seven was an amazing experience for me. I grew so much through the different challenges and ministries we stepped out in--and best of all I grew closer to God and my fellow students and staff/interns through it. It's an amazing opportunity for any teenager who wants to give his/her life to God!"
- Caleb A / California

YWAM Chico 24Seven 2011

"ROYALTY" Theme for Summer Teens, II

2011-08-23T14:34:00.000-07:00

Our heart for the youth we disciple at YWAM Chico is that each one will grow in relationship and intimacy with God, gain a solid foundation of their identity in HIM - and take that reality out into their everyday lives for years and years to come...

In light of that, we invite you to ponder the following truths, as shared by one of the 2nd-year 24Seven-ers at the end-of-summer celebration we had for the students:

MY IDENTITY IS ANCHORED IN CHRIST AND SECURE IN HIS LOVE.

I AM AS BOLD AS A LION.

I AM NOT AFRAID OF BEING AROUND PEOPLE WHO ARE GREATER THAN ME.

I AM ALWAYS LOOKING FOR THE GOLD GOD HAS PLACED IN ME.

I TELL MYSELF WHAT I CAN DO AND THEN I DO IT

I LOOK FOR CREATIVE WAYS TO IMPACT THE WORLD AROUND ME

I LOOK FOR WAYS TO SERVE OTHERS SO I CAN SEE THEM STEP INTO THEIR GREATNESS.

I BELIEVE THAT THE GREAT " I AM" WHO LIVES INSIDE ME PRODUCES GREAT WORKS THROUGH ME (John 14:12).

I DON'T HAVE TO WORK FOR LOVE ; I WORK FROM LOVE.

I KNOW THAT WHEN I WALK INTO A ROOM, I CHANGE THE ATMOSPHERE BECAUSE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WHO LIVES IN ME.

I HAVE THE UNLIMITED RESOURCES OF HEAVEN TO GIVE AWAY TO ANYONE, IN ANY PLACE, AT ANY TIME.

I WILL NOT COMPARE MYSELF WITH OTHERS BECAUSE I AM UNIQUE AND SIGNIFICANT.

I WILL NOT BE JEALOUS OF OTHERS WHO ARE GREATER THAN MYSELF, BUT I WILL REJOICE WITH THEM IN THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

I AM A WALKING ENCOUNTER.

I HAVE THE FAVOR OF GOD IN MY LIFE.

I AM WHO HE SAYS I AM, AND I WILL DO WHAT HE SAYS I CAN DO.

MIRACLES, SIGNS, AND WONDERS ARE A NORMAL PART OF MY LIFE, AND THEY FOLLOW ME AS I FOLLOW CHRIST.

I LIVE BY FAITH AND TODAY IS GOING TO BE THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE SO FAR.

(---note: the above truths were shared by Jarrett, as heard from Chris Overstreet during the 24Seven ---)

August 2011 Staff Spotlight

2011-08-03T11:45:00.000-07:00

Jim & Judy Tholen

WOW, I’ve been married 43 years! That sure makes me sound old. Judy and I have two beautiful daughters and four grand-daughters. We had a Christian Book Store (C.B.S.) for 26 years in the San Francisco bay area. It was a great blessing to us.

In March 2005, we retired from our C.B.S. and in July of that year, we did a DTS in Kona. Our outreach was 5 months in South-East Asia. It ruined me for "ordinary" life. Judy and I went on staff in Kona for a year, and have been staff in Chico for four and a half years.

The thing God has been impressing to me for the past few weeks is to focus on my foundation. First Corinthians 3:11-13 says, "For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work." I have been asking myself the question, “What am I building on? Am I doing my work for the Lord or for Jim?” My desire is to enter the Kingdom with His rewards, not man's. I want to pan and dig for the Gold while I labor here in the California foothills. So I ask myself the question each day: “How can I be a builder of Your Kingdom, Lord? A Kingdom that will last forever.”

My encouragement to all who read this is “GO FOR THE GOLD”

- Jim Tholen

the MIRACLE of life

2011-07-13T09:00:00.000-07:00

Baby Joshua (see Jennifer's story)

Jennifer Combs completed her DTS here at YWAM Chico a few years ago. She has recently completed the Birth Attendant School at YWAM Perth, Australia. As you read the story below, let it encourage you that God is not only using us to touch the lives of our students, but He is at work to reach countless others through them as well! Let’s continue to pray to see His kingdom come and His will be done – both locally and worldwide!!!

“We were in Tanzania, Africa working in a government run hospital. I was assigned to the delivery room on this day. I saw that two nursing students were standing at the end of a bed and whispering. As I began to care for the mother, I noticed the students were very afraid. They told me that the mother was HIV positive and they did not want to touch her. The mom’s vitals began to show signs of danger as did the baby’s. When I started to ask her questions I found that she had been to the witch doctor and had taken a local herb that is thought to help speed up labor; this often causes risk to both mother and baby. The nurses both declared that the baby would die and walked away. My partner and I began praying life over baby and mother, breaking off the curses. The baby came and had no heartbeat and no breath: dead. We kept praying and resuscitating, refusing to give up on life and knowing that God had plans for this little baby boy! After five minutes he gasped and began crying. It was a beautiful scream of life! The mother was so grateful that she asked me to name him. After praying, I felt the Lord’s name for him was Joshua, which means “Jehovah is salvation!” I left that day with mom and baby both doing great!”

- Jennifer Combs

July 2011 Staff Spotlight

2011-07-12T15:19:00.000-07:00


Rachel, Jenna, & Robin

Well it’s been almost a year since Dan and I sold our house, packed up the boys and moved across the country. After CDTS we were looking into language school to learn Spanish before moving to a YWAM base in Creel, Chihuahua, Mexico. Then we thought maybe we’d just be here in Chico for a year first. It’s interesting how God shows us just one step at a time and gently guides us to where He wants us. He’s closed the door on Creel for now so we feel free to let our roots here in Chico go deeper. We’ve painted the kitchen...we’re committed!

I tend to be a task oriented person and always look forward to the next chapter of life: like graduating, getting married and having babies. Now we are in a place where God directs the timing of our next chapter. As I reflect on what God’s been teaching me this past year about identity and relationships, I’d like to share a challenge. Be in the moment. Sure planning ahead is required for programs to run smoothly but...get to know each other...build up your spouses...savor your children...pour into each student...bless each conference...share your story...slow down and soak in His presence. I love living here in community and wait with eager anticipation to see what this chapter will bring!

- Robin Oosterhouse

Words of Life from ICS, part 1

2011-07-08T15:10:00.000-07:00

During the last months of school, as the students were looking ahead toward the freedom of summer, our Jr-high and Sr-high-school class sought the Lord for words about our base and the ministry that takes place here. They typed out, printed, and hung these words in a common area for all our staff to be encouraged over the last few months. Now, as we put up some new media in that spot, we are posting it on our blog for the continued encouragement of our staff and our friends worldwide.

"Seeking God's Heart for Our Community":

- Malina, 7th grade:
"We are all God's chosen people. We are all here for a reason. God has brought us together, as a base, as a community, as a family, to touch the hearts of all the people that set foot on this base. We are here to know God and make Him known. It all starts with our hearts. If our hearts are on fire then that will spread to our hands, our mouths, our feet, and soon we will be completely on FIRE for God. And anything that we touch or anyone that we speak to will get that contagious fire and love and soon we will have touched the world! And it have started with our hearts. It all started with that spark inside of each of us. So I want to encourage each of you to light that fire, start that spark. DON'T LET THE FLAME BURN OUT!! Whatever you have on your heart to do, do it! I want to see a world that is ON FIRE for God! But it all starts in our heart. There is a world of darkness out there that needs the light! We have that light and we need to give it to them so that they have that love and grace of the Father that is so overwhelming! They need someone that will listen to their needs and hear their cries. THAT IS JESUS!! They need Jesus!! Do not let the fear of the world stop you! They can't tell you what to do or who to be! They can't tell you what is right or wrong! You have the Creator OF THE UNIVERSE on your side! That means we should have NO fear! So what are you waiting for?? SPREAD THE LIGHT!!" (Psalm 22:22, "I will DECLARE Your name to my brothers; in the congregation I will praise You. You who fear the Lord, PRAISE HIM! All you descendants of Jacob, HONOR HIM! Revere Him, all you descendants of Israel! For He has not despised or disdained the suffering of the afflicted one; He has not hidden His face from Him but has listened to his cry.")

- Mattias, 7th grade:

"Youth With A Mission... What does this name mean to us? What should it mean to us? Isn't it just another name? No. It is our calling. It is who we are.

Youth

we are called to be young at heart

we are to have a child's faith

we are to reach the youth

With

we are with a God who loves us

we are with His blessing

we are with His protection

we are a help to the helpless

we are a guide to the lost

we are a extension of God's power

Mission

we have a mission

our mission is to bring the gospel to every nation, every tribe, every person"

- Jesse, 10th grade:

"YWAM Chico~

"Ahhh........... the beauty, love, and comfort of this base. It's perfect!! God dwells here, and He is so happy to call this His home.

--From the YWAM Bible - page 590 (blue print), 'The Good Life/Rights of Ownership':

'How little most of us know about the wonderful garden that God created for us to live in! God knows every bird, even these in the farthest and most deserted mountains! Psalm 50 reminds us that He still owns the earth and holds the whole of creation together. God is not possessive about the things He owns, for He has graciously given us authority over His creation. This position of stewardship is more about receiving than giving: it involves first receiving the authority and responsibility from God, and then faithfully using it. Just as God requires government officials to look to Him for wisdom to rule for the good of the people, so humanity needs God's wisdom to rule over such a wonderful and complex creation as the earth for its welfare as well as ours. As we do so, we will be able to work with him to restore some o the beauty in what is both our world and God's world.

--Nehemiah 9:6 = You alone are Lord. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and their entire starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything and the multitudes of heaven worship You.'

"This place fills people with God's love. People are not the same when they leave. Even if they just come here for a day, their lives are changed. We are a family here and share that family with tons of other people. God loves to see us working together, having a wonderful time bonding; we have the ability to change the world and that is POWERFUL!!"

- JP, 8th grade:

"Just as the Jews were set apart for God's kingdom; YWAM Chico has been set apart for God's glory and mighty works! We are a family set apart to do God's work for us. And just like a family business, anyone 'adopted' into YWAM Chico is trained and works in the family business of reaching to the ends of the earth. Do not lose heart, Oh children of God! The lord is with us! Keep your eyes fixed on Him and Him alone! for God will bless you in your valiant mission."

Words of Life from ICS, part 2

2011-07-08T15:05:00.000-07:00

(continued from Words of Life from ICS, part 1)

...When our ICS students in the Jr-high and High-school classes listened for God's heart for YWAM Chico, these are some of words they shared as encouragement for us:

-Caleb, 10th grade:
Matthew 5:14, "You are the light of the world - a city on a hill that cannot be hidden."

God is going to use you in a powerful way. He has blessed you greatly, but the spiritual battle is about to begin. He has brought each and every one of you here "for such a time as this." Each of you are here for a reason. God has poured out His Light and His Presence here in amazing ways. You are God's Church, called to show the face of Jesus to the lost and despairing. You've been given the true light - let it shine!

1 John 2:8, "For the darkness is disappearing, and the true light is already shining."

God wants to use you in spectacular ways. He has an amazing plan for your life and the Base as a whole.

- Rachel, 10th grade:
1 Peter 1:22, "Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart."

1 Peter 2:9, "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light."

1 Peter 4:8-11, "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen."

2 Chronicles 7:14, "If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

-Caleb, 9th grade:
Matthew 6:32-34, "For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

Philippians 4:6-7, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

-Mrs. Anderson (Jr-high and High-school Teacher):
Acts 2:17-21, "And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on My male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day. And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Psalm 16:8-11, "I have set the LORD always before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

Lillian Cooper's Legacy (Memorial Service to be held July 2, 2011)

2011-06-23T15:30:00.000-07:00

The history of YWAM Chico began long before this ministry came under the covering of Youth With A Mission. It began with a couple named Cecil & Lillian Cooper. Together, they had a vision to create a place where Christian youth and others could come and be refreshed - a "Christian retreat center." In June of 1967, following the direction of the Lord, they discovered Richardson Springs just north of Chico. Tucked into a canyon, it had a unique feel and atmosphere which they knew instantly was the place for their vision to take form. They made an offer on the property (by faith, since they did not yet have the necessary funds for the purchase), and God began to move miraculously in and through their obedience.

Cecil & Lillian named the new ministry "Springs of Living Water Christian Conference Center", and began to see the fruit of their vision. Their first conference was in April 1968. Following is a quote from Cecil about that conference: “It was a group of about twenty-five young people from College Avenue Presbyterian Church in Oakland, California. On Sunday morning, [my wife] Lillian and I were invited to attend their worship service. Several of the young people told of being saved and baptized in the Holy Spirit. As tears ran down our faces, I turned to Lillian and said, ‘Honey, if nothing else ever happens here, what we are hearing here this morning would make it all worthwhile.' " In keeping with his testimony, there have been many salvations, baptisms, and life transformations in the years that have followed.

In April of 1988, Cecil & Lillian gave the Springs of Living Water conference ministry into the care of Youth With A Mission. In November,1989 Cecil passed on to be with the Lord. On June 13, 2011 Lillian Cooper also passed from this life into the next. Those who knew Lillian would tell you that she had the gift of encouragement. She was always ready to share a "word in season," giving words of life and encouragement from God's Word, as well as from His Spirit through her willing voice.

Lillian leaves us a legacy of faith and relationship with God that lives on in the many thousands of people who have been touched by the ministry of Richardson Springs "Springs of Living Water Christian Conference Center." We at YWAM Chico / "Springs of Living Water" have been blessed by the life and example of Cecil & Lillian, and aspire to continue carrying their legacy for many generations.

A memorial service in honor of Lillian Cooper is planned to take place at YWAM Chico / Richardson Springs on Saturday July 2, 2011at 2 pm.

Divine Expectations

2011-06-10T09:00:00.000-07:00

"We're Trusting, Believing.... We're expecting something great!

It's going to happen.... here in this place."

These are the lyrics to an old hymn that have lodged themselves in me throughout the past few years. The themes of trust, faith, expectation, and the imminence of what God is doing are so encouraging and uplifting! Consider who He is - He is the one who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. (Eph. 3) Simple faith is enough, by His grace, for impossibilities to not only become possible, but to actually HAPPEN! There is no match for His creative abilities and supernatural ability to give life.

But that's not all... He has called us to walk in redeeming relationship with Him, and gifted us to participate in bringing life to the places of our past that are like the dry bones that Ezekiel speaks to (Ezekiel 37).

Have you ever stopped to consider what it must have felt like to be in Ezekiel's shoes that day? Here was a man who was looking out over a valley full of dead, dry bones. These were bones of dead hopes, broken dreams, utter destruction. These were men who hadn't even received a proper burial (consider what that implies regarding the devastation that had preceded this scene)! When God asked Ezekiel if these dry bones could live - his only response was that "only You (God) can know that"... does this sound to you like faith that will move a mountain or see a miracle? Maybe not. But wait! Perhaps we have ruled out the miracles in our own lives prematurely?.... God doesn't seem to notice Ezekiel's uncertainty - and has him speak life so that he will know that God is GOD!

Here at YWAM Chico... we are in a season of revival. We are praying and seeking God's face, and trusting that He is bringing new life to the "dry bones" of past ministries and dreams and visions, and strengthening each person who is here to walk by faith and to live intimately with Him. We are spending time listening to His guidance, and stepping out by faith to agree with the truth that He alone knows our potential and He alone is the Giver of life - and that He has called us to participate in this great adventure, that we may know that He is the Lord! (37:6)

This is the season for faith to arise. This is the season for the impossible to take place. This is the season for us to join the Father as He brings hope and restoration. He is saying - "SPEAK My words of life, and behold what I will do! I don't mind that you have a hard time believing it can happen. I am ready to respond as soon as you open your mouth..."

God spoke to Ezekiel, and he responded beyond his own ability to understand how God would do what he said. This is the same God who speaks to us. Wherever you are, whatever your current situation: what are you "Trusting, Believing... Expecting" God to do today? Let's stand up together and believe that "it's going to happen... here in this place!"

Ezekiel 37

A Valley of Dry Bones

¹ The Lord took hold of me, and I was carried away by the Spirit of the Lord to a valley filled with bones. ² He led me all around among the bones that covered the valley floor. They were scattered everywhere across the ground and were completely dried out. ³ Then he asked me, “Son of man, can these bones become living people again?”

   “O Sovereign Lord,” I replied, “you alone know the answer to that.”

 4 Then he said to me, “Speak a prophetic message to these bones and say, ‘Dry bones, listen to the word of the Lord! 5 This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Look! I am going to put breath into you and make you live again! 6  I will put flesh and muscles on you and cover you with skin. I will put  breath into you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I  am the Lord.’”

 7  So I spoke this message, just as he told me. Suddenly as I spoke, there  was a rattling noise all across the valley. The bones of each body came  together and attached themselves as complete skeletons. 8  Then as I watched, muscles and flesh formed over the bones. Then skin  formed to cover their bodies, but they still had no breath in them.

 9  Then he said to me, “Speak a prophetic message to the winds, son of  man. Speak a prophetic message and say, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come, O breath, from the four winds! Breathe into these dead bodies so they may live again.’”

 10  So I spoke the message as he commanded me, and breath came into their  bodies. They all came to life and stood up on their feet—a great army.

Winter 2011 DTS Graduation

2011-06-06T16:47:00.000-07:00

the winter 2011 DTS grads & their staff

We are proud to announce the graduation of our Winter 2011 DTS class! On Saturday, June 4th we gathered with friends and family to celebrate the completion of the DTS lecture & outreach for Nelita, Mackenzie, Makaela and Paola. Their passion for God and love for one another was contagious as they led worship, shared stories from their outreach, and generally smiled their way through the evening.

This is the first all-girl school here at YWAM Chico (at least in a very looong time!), and the smallest group of students in several years as well. During their outreach, they came to be known as "las chicas de Chico" wherever they went, and they loved it. Nixaliz, the school's outreach leader, has a specific vision to reach the gypsies in Spain with the redeeming love of Christ. She shared that she'd been told Spain is a hard place to minister, and specifically that the gypsies are a closed culture. She did not expect to be able to establish relationship with them during this trip, thinking she and the "chicas" with her would be preparing the way for future opportunities. But God opened doors not only to meet gypsies, but to be invited to their homes and to develop relationship with them and to worship together. Nixaliz looked out across our faces and testified that Spain is open and hungry for the love of God and that the "field is ripe for the harvest."

Mackenzie, Makaela, Nelita & Paola

At the DTS graduation, we were inspired as we heard about the many ways that God directed the team during outreach, not only to bring His love and presence to the people in Spain, but also to make Himself known to each of them in new ways. Mackenzie shared about the relationships and the love of the people in Spain. This showed her God's heart for relationship with us, and inspired her to love others and to look beyond where someone is from or what kind of social group they belong to... whether she expected to know them for a few minutes, a few hours, or a few days. Makaela shared about the power of following God's lead and being ready "in season and out of season" - as their all-girls group found favor and open doors in ministry even in areas where women were not usually invited to minister. She also shared about growing in her gift of leading worship, as well as the "gift" God gave her during outreach of spontaneous Spirit-led songs, and participating in the beautiful sound of intercultural worship. Nelita & Paola also shared testimonies of God's love and faithfulness, stories of seeing His glory revealed, stories of His perfect timing to use them in reaching people who needed to be refreshed and encouraged, and stories of revelation of God's heart for each person individually. Paola summed it up well: they grew in intimacy with God and in sharing His love with others. Each of the girls shared a real and deep experience, and we could see the relevance of God's love and the reality of His presence in their lives.

As these four girls step into the next season of their lives, we are confident that God will continue to develop their gifts and passion so that many more lives will be touched with His love and awakened to their identity in Christ! Way to go, "chicas"!

June Staff Spotlight

2011-06-01T14:35:00.000-07:00

Brad Olson

The Lord has been a trusty trail-blazer in my life. My whole life has been a journey and He has gone before me through it all! In His unique plan for me, He has led me here and I know for very specific reasons.

Recently, I have heard the Lord defining this YWAM Season that I have been in. This journey has led me to a cave in my life, a cave that is safe and protected, free from the worries of the world. I am trapped under His wings and am surrounded by intimacy. In God defining this season, I feel like the circle is almost complete and this cave will end soon. What's next? All I know is that I am beginning to see the light from the edge of this cave that will lead to the next part of this journey. Rosie and I will appreciate all your encouragement and prayers as we seek God's direction for our lives.

- Brad

Auf Wiedersehen...

2011-06-01T11:48:00.000-07:00

“Where are you from… How long are you here?” are often the first words exchanged by unsuspecting YWAMers when they first meet - before they realize what a treasure their friendship will grow to be. “Come back soon!!! Our doors are open...” are often the words that accompany inevitable goodbyes months or years later. YWAM Chico shares this legacy of friendships that span generations, languages and callings. What a privilege to serve together, developing deeper relationships than mere co-workers or fellow-volunteers. We’re truly a family!

As we joined with one heart last month (May) to pray for an increase in our staff, mission-builders & sowers… God was at work behind the scenes guiding some of our YWAM-family to move into a new season away from here. Bud & Lyn Lang have served off and on at Richardson Springs since June 1977 (34 years ago -- before YWAM existed here!). They have lived on this campus 5 separate times through the years, as well as serving on base while living elsewhere.

I have asked around for some words that we will remember about them from their time with us… this is what I heard: to Bud, Lyn & Jesse… We will miss you…

Bud: caring, KIND, faithful servant, conscientious, nice

Lyn: energetic, hard worker, CREATIVE, heart of gold, fireball, everywhere

Jesse: sweet spirit, bubbly personality, loving, FRIEND TO ALL

"What you leave

behind is not what

is engraved in

stone monuments,

but what is woven

into the lives,

of others."

– Pericles

"24Seven* was a great experience.. It was all about relationships. Getting to know and be with teens was a great experience. The staff was awesome, and of course, getting closer to the Lord. It's all about relationships!" – Jesse

*24Seven is a YWAM program we offer to high-school students during summer break

"My highlights...Working with such great people! Growing in relationship with the staff was a wonderful experience! I loved getting to grow with the members of the Base. It has been a great experience! I love you all!" - Lyn

"God has done so many wonderful things in my life. I have grown in my relationship with the Lord! Working with Tomme Nyberg and Suzanne Keitzer has been a great experience. They both have been so very patient with me. I believe we have all grown to love one another in the Lord! The staff has always blessed me, and I loved working with the teens.. Thank you one and all!" - Bud

Want their story from 1977 to present?
Here it is...

Lyn, Bud and four of their children first came to the Springs of Living Water in June of 1977. They moved in on "Family Row" (where the Grigg family now lives). Bud was the principal of Springs of Living Water Christian Academy and Lyn was in the Finance Department. They were at the Springs for one year. During that time Bud was asked to be the Outreach Manger of the Springs, as well as to continue as the principal of the Christian academy. April 7, 1978 Bud was operated on for open heart surgery. In June of 1978 he was asked to become the pastor of Cazadero Community Church and open a Christian Academy at Alliance Redwood Conference Center. He and Lyn went to Cecil Cooper, the founder and Executive Director of the Springs, and prayed with him about the move. Cecil gave his blessing.

Three years later, they planned to go to the Philippines as missionaries. Lyn's step-mother was suffering with cancer. She went down to southern California to minister to her, and Bud was asked to return to the Springs to be the pastor of the Springs until the going to the Philippines. Lyn's mom passed away, and they continued at the Springs until December 1983. Bud again was asked to pastor a church in Chico, and to bring the Springs Academy into town. He met with his elders and Cecil Cooper and they again prayed. This opportunity was blessed by the elders and Cecil. Bud & Lyn lived at the Lodge Apartment with three of their children, an adopted daughter and two of the siblings of their adopted daughter during their time at the Springs.

Bud was pastor/principal/coach for three years at the church/school. In 1987 he & Lyn went to the Philippines. In September of 1990 until March 1992 they joined YWAM Chico, attending CDTS and later Bud was Administrator of the Base/CDTS Co-Leader with Lyn. Again, they lived at the Lodge Apartment. They returned to YWAM Chico in 1999 and continued on until 2000. Bud was Conference Director and Lyn was Head Housekeeper for the conference ministries. This time, they lived on Hummingbird Hill and Patrick, Andrew and Jesse (three of their grandchildren) were with them.

In 2005 Bud attended the newly formed TESOL (Teaching English as a Second Language) school as a student. He has continued to date as a teacher in the TESOL/ESL schools. Their daughter, Dani, (Patrick and Jesse's mom) is a burn victim and Lyn is her caregiver. Bud, Lyn and their granddaughter, Jesse, moved back to the Base in 2008. Lyn began serving in Housekeeping and Food Services. Jesse has been at ICS (International Christian School, on the YWAM campus) for the past three years. She loves the teachers and kids!

Bud & Lyn have been so blessed with YWAM Chico/Springs of Living Water. The Springs and YWAM have been a big part of their lives. They love every member of YWAM Chico. They shared that their time at YWAM Chico/Springs of Living Water has blessed them in so many wonderful ways. Only the Lord knows what is next in their lives. They ask that you pray for them, their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren - as the Lord leads!

Manlleu, Barcelona

2011-05-25T15:00:00.000-07:00

We've now spent two weeks "up north" in Barcelona, staying in a beautiful town named Manlleu that was founded 1100 years ago. We've been flooded with blessings staying here. One of the most notable: through a series of unexpected circumstances, our hosts were able to give us our own apartment (!) belonging to a woman they've never met, who agreed to let us stay here while she was out of town. Incredible! Another blessing has been the hospitality of our hosts; the Alfaro family has had us over for lunch every day, and has happily included us in their lives since we've arrived.

Our ministry work has included speaking at a lot of cell groups, going prayer meetings, prayer-walking through town, leading a women's group, running Sunday morning Sunday school, doing balloons and face painting at the mercadillo, and helping out with the church's first youth group meeting. On top of that, we got to go on a "field trip" of sorts to a beach town called Malgrat de Mar and hang out with a church and youth group, fellowshipping at the beach and staying overnight with host families - we were really blessed by the warmth and love of that congregation as well.

Manlleu has been a warm mix of worship, teaching, and simple conversation; we've really been met with open arms by this church and have had heart after heart opened up to us in cell groups, church services, and beach days alike. God has been so faithful with His words here: the theme for this time has been refreshment. We've been refreshed as much as anyone, but God has also allowed us to be refreshers and restorers of His faithful children here, who have been pushing through tough spiritual territory for years. Thank You, God, for Manlleu!!

--Winter 2011 DTS

Makaela's Story

2011-05-19T16:37:00.000-07:00

In a time of prayer before coming to Spain, I was told that God had a gift waiting for me here. Last night I was reflecting on this, and there is one unmistakable and unexpected occurrence that I'm sticking in the "gift" category. This took place in Jaen, in a Monday night church service. Nix had just gotten up to the front to teach after worship when she called the worship team back up. Now, one thing has to be said to paint this picture accurately: the worship team in Jaen is no ordinary worship team. That night it was comprised of three gypsies, a Spaniard, and the Salvadoran pastor. Each and every worship time we had to stop ourselves from whipping out our cameras and just recording the entire thing. But that night, God wanted to take things a step further. We had strongly felt that God was wanting the worship to break into making new songs, and Nix asked each of them to begin, one at a time, to play completely led by the Spirit. Soon the music began to swell and flow, and it was beautiful... and then, God took me a step further. Nix asked me to come up and begin singing in the Spirit along with the band. THIS WAS NEW. God is so faithful, and He had already been putting new songs into my heart throughout the worship earlier on, so it was just an awesome experience for me. Pushed me further, stretched my faith in how I could worship God, and was a beautiful time for us all. That's my highlight!

Spanish Gyspy Culture

2011-05-18T09:25:00.000-07:00

By: Jennifer Paola Colom

As you already know we are a very multicultural team. We have been sharing with many kinds of cultures here in Spain, one of them are the Gypsy culture. They invited to have lunch one Sunday with their families, we ate paella, meat potatoes etc.. it was amazing! They received us with open arms. They were very impressed by what we were doing , traveling, sharing the love if Jesus, sharing to others who He really is. Ok, Gypsies are a very CLOSED culture, most of the time, they hang out with other gypsies. They are very tight and they hold on to their traditions very strongly. Having that in mind, I wanted to share a story about Ana. We went to Ana's house and she started to talk to me. She said that she was thinking about us the night before and she realized that in God there are no cultures. We are just one culture in Him, we are one KINGDOM culture. Her words to me were; "all of you come to Spain from different countries, cultures and families, but all having one thing in common and that is the same God." I was so excited because I realized we are touching people's lives being ourselves. I have learned the power of walking and being who God made us to be and how it is this that impacts people's lives!

My Best Experience on Outreach until Now

2011-05-17T09:00:00.000-07:00

Status: Speechless

By: Nelita Saravia

Everything has been amazing, such a great blessing and so difficult to put it into words as well as narrowing it down to just one experience. I will do my best in giving you a glimpse of what my time has looked like here in Spain.

Being able to see the blessing that we as a team have been to others' lives just by going to their homes, getting to know them and love them has definitely changed my perspective of how God works through me. With my presence I can bless others because it is the presence of the Lord that's in me.

On of my best memories has been the opportunity to meet gypsies and get to embrace their culture. Our last Sunday in Jaen, a gypsies family invited us to a FAMILY lunch. It was awesome, not only because if the food but because family gatherings are so special to me. Everyone was there, from the great grandmother, cousins, brothers and sisters, aunts and nephews. It was amazing to be able to go into their homes spend and evening with them and bless their lives as well as ours.

My most Heart Filled Moment here in Spain

2011-05-16T09:00:00.000-07:00

By: Mackenzie Santos

My most heart-filled moment here in Spain has been the relationships that we have been able to build. I have enjoyed getting to know the families and friends. I loved the times that we would just go to a simple place to get a coffee, and just talk and got to know each other. Relationships are a big effect in everyone's lives and I like how they value this in Spain. They have really changed the way I would get to know someone and I like it!

**for more stories on outreach, go to: http://cdtsoutreach.blogspot.com

Spain Outreach Update

2011-05-09T17:07:00.000-07:00

The Jaen Update!

We have had some great times of worship, attended many small groups, and participated in several church services since being here. We have had times of worship outside - in a park, out by the cathedral, and at the castle, by the cross overlooking the city - and have led worship inside as well, in small groups and church services. We've been INCREDIBLY blessed by our home church's worship team, which is comprised mostly of gypsy musicians. Last Monday, Nix was teaching at the night service, and before starting her message, she called the worship team back up and asked them to simply be led by the Spirit in worship. It was powerful. Since first hearing the church's worship, several of us felt that God wanted to lead them deeper, especially into creating new music. That night was a beautiful step into that.

We have not only been blessed by this church's worship; we have also been blessed by their hospitality. Several families have opened their homes to us, and our closest friends here are not only the pastor and his family, but Diego and Mari, Janet and Camila, and Patricia, a sweet girl our own age.

Other highlights of our stay in Jaen include a heartfelt women's small group in which some women opened up their lives to us and allowed us to pray into their lives, tasting Diego's own olive oil with fresh Spanish bread (in a million different combinations), and going to an all-gypsy church worship service. Jaen has been a full-on cultural experience as we've spent time with Spaniards, gypsies, and South American immigrants. The ethnic mixture keeps everything interesting, and has been so much fun!

Please pray for the team's well-being; Nix and Paola in particular seem to keep getting hit with health issues. Also keep us in your prayers as we leave for Barcelona at the beginning of next week! We'll be taking the train north and beginning to work with churches up there for three weeks. We're excited to see what God has for us, especially as it wasn't in our plans to go to Barcelona at all.

May "Staff Spotlight"

2011-05-09T10:00:00.000-07:00

Elaine Morency

“Are you upset little friend? Have you been lying awake worrying? Well, don't’ worry.. . . I’m here. The flood waters will recede, the famine will end, the sun will shine tomorrow, and I will always be here to take care of you.” — Charlie Brown to Snoopy
This quote echoes familiarly in my heart. My deepest pains in life have come through the avenues that once carried my greatest joys. Somehow, God uses these deep hurts like “road construction”, enlarging my heart to circulate even greater joy... Though the pain is real, He carries me through it again and again. In the past year, I have “looked my past in the face” as well as seen unfolding life changes (weddings, deaths, new vision, financial challenges, etc.) Sometimes it’s been difficult for me to be still and simply hear Him. In a nutshell, I’m thankful that He will even speak through Charlie Brown in His desire to reach this daughter’s heart! - Elaine (2 Cor. 4:17)

DTS Outreach to Spain

2011-05-05T11:05:00.000-07:00

Our January DTS is currently on outreach in Spain. This is very unique, as it is the first team we've sent to Spain from our base, and it's also a team composed of all women! It is exciting for those of us here "on the home front" to partner with them through prayer, and to read about the things that God is doing through them as they blaze a trail into a new avenue of ministry for our base. Just yesterday, they posted a recap of their second week on the outreach blog. (that blog link is: http://cdtsoutreach.blogspot.com/) We invite you to join us in following their story, and in praying for them as they partner with God's heart in reaching the nation of Spain!

Here's what they said:

We ended our first week in Spain by spending Saturday night with the youth group of a nearby church, the same church we had worked with in the food giveaway ministry on the previous Wednesday and Thursday. The night was ours to run, so Nelita and Makaela led worship, the whole team performed our Drime "Thief," Paola and Makaela shared testimonies, and Nixaliz spoke on fear. It was cool seeing how God worked through even those simple things: Makaela tied the Drime and her testimony together using the concept of fear as a way the devil controls us. Nix wasn't planning on talking about fear at all, but felt God had led her to that topic. Likewise, we also weren't initially planning on using that Drime, but switched last-minute. It was exciting to see God coordinate what we had to offer, even unbeknownst to us. After Nix spoke, we got to pray over each person at the youth group individually, which was a good time of us participating in God speaking to people's hearts.

Then we were in for a surprise! The youth invited us to the pastor's house to watch the Real Madrid vs. Barcelona game. Blessed! We got to spend more time with the youth and get to know them as Makaela and Kenzie watched their first "real" partido de futbol.

On Sunday we returned to the church at which we'd attended a prayer meeting earlier in the week, and again played a few songs, performed a Drime, and shared testimonies. Later that day, we went with a ministry that is part of that church, Remar, to Valdemingomez. That was a new experience for us. Valdemingomez is a drug-based community on the outskirts of Madrid. We drove to the centre of the shanty town to talk with and hand out bread and yogurt to the community's inhabitants.

Culture shock. We were bombarded by the smell and feel and sounds and sights of a day-to-day existence. Spiritually, the atmosphere was thick and dark. Visually, we were surrounded by glassy-eyed, vacant stares and over-punctured, throbbing veins. Half the battle was remaining present - no, we are not in a movie; focus. A few of us spoke with Alexander, who used to live there, for the majority of the night, and others spoke with the ministry's volunteers; guys who themselves had once been addicts, some specifically there in Valdemingomez. It was an eye-opening night! God had given us a word while still in Chico that we would be going to some of the darkest places to love "the unlovables" - we hadn't anticipated how dark some of those places would be. We now have a place in our hearts for this place of addicts, prostitutes, families, dealers, pimps, and teenagers, and a conviction to pray for the darkness to be overcome and for God's favour to fall on that ministry, Los Angeles de la Noche. Appropriately named.

Monday morning was the base meeting, and Nix shared our base's heart as well as her own for the vision God has given her for Spain as she spoke with the staff of YWAM Madrid. We prayed over them, and the latter part of our day was spent finishing the painting and organizing of the other half of the apartments' top floor, readying it for this fall's coming DTS.

Paola led the Wednesday morning base intercession, and we had a guitar-and-jambe group, a prayer group, and an artistic-expression group going as we prayed over the base and various requests. It was fun to see people's natural gifts come out, especially with Goyo on the jambe and Nestor creating intercessory art. Nestor brought out his art portfolio after the meeting and showed us both other works of intercessory art as well as a number of incredible paintings that he does on his weekends in Madrid's Plaza Mayor.

That evening we went back to the Remar and ironed clothing for their second-hand store for a couple of hours. When we returned home, we had a bit of a debriefing and regrouping as a team as we refocused - what has God been doing? what is He showing us? God reminded us that it's both His outreach and each of ours, individually.

On Friday, after a morning run in the park, we joined the base for a huge paella lunch in the newly renovated flat. That night, we went to la iglesia El Calvario, and joined with their youth group in evangelizing at Torrejon's Plaza Mayor as well as at the plaza by the train station. They sang "Lead Me to the Cross" (en espanol, of course), we performed a Drime, and they also did a drama. Paola and Makaela met about ten girls in the plaza mayor, all of whom were very excited to talk with them, and we all talked with various couples and singles around both plazas. All those we spoke with were invited to watch "The Passion" the following night, which we watched in El Calvario. In the afternoon, before going back to El Calvario, we walked around praying and looking to talk with anyone we saw. Pao and Makaela got to speak with a Nigerian immigrant whom we'd talked with briefly in the past on our way into the grocery store. He shared some of his story and his hopes, and we got to pray for a breakthrough of a solid job for him, as well as give him the address of El Calvario, which has some Nigerian members. He promised to visit, and we're praying that God will bless him with some substantial work.

Easter Sunday was celebrated with a huge potluck brunch with the base. Oh, the food! It was a great way to spend our last full day with YWAM Madrid's staff and families, and we worshiped, prayed, took communion, and talked. We finished the day with packing, cleaning, and real, Domino's pizza with Emmy and AJ. We're already excited to return "home" to YWAM Madrid at the end of May before heading back to the States. The people and the purpose God has there is exciting and a blessing to be around.

MONDAY MORNING: it was go-time. We attended our last YWAM Madrid base meeting, were prayed over, sent off, and promptly left for the train station. Despite our unfamiliarity with the Spanish transportation systems, we made it safely to Jaen right on time. We were in awe of the Spanish countryside - at least to this Canadian, the word "Spain" meant "land parched by sizzling heat... with beaches." Sitting next to a man born and raised in Jaen on the train, we were on a guided tour as we sped past castles and pueblos, rivers and mountains, and innumerable olive groves. Jaen, we now know, is the olive oil capital of the world!

We were picked up by Pastor Saul and a couple of guys from the youth and taken to the church, our new home for the next two weeks. It's a converted warehouse, and we're living in the office loft (and washing our dishes in the shower). Outreach adventures have begun! That night, Saul, his wife Noemi, their friends Diego and Mari, and 19 year old Patricia showed us an evening of true Jaen culture. From 9pm until after midnight, they took us from place to place, sampling tapas and drinking mosto and eating Argentinian paninis. We were led through street after street of ancient architecture juxtaposed together with modern apartments, walking cobblestone streets that led us to cafes and cathedrals. We have arrived in "real" Spain!

Tuesday we settled in and bought our groceries, had lunch with Saul, Noemi, and their baby Ruth, and attended their evening service. There's so much to say, but most striking was the worship - this small church is anointed. Drums, bass, flamenco-style guitar, piano, and violin flowed together incredibly, with Pastor Saul leading. Nix spoke on identity (with Nelita translating) and we met part of the congregation. Now, on Wednesday, we will be going to Mari's house to be a part of her cell group and get to know more of the women in the church as we talk and ask questions and spend time together.

“YOU KNOW YOU’RE A YWAMer WHEN…” (quotes from YWAMers around the world)

2011-05-05T09:00:00.000-07:00

YOU KNOW YOU'RE A YWAMer WHEN....

“…you have a time zone or currency converter in your internet favorites.”

“…your most precious possessions on outreach are your Bible, a pair of flip-flops,

and your own roll of toilet paper.”

“…people think you’re nuts because you’re “working” without being paid.”

“…the word “flexible” takes on a whole other meaning.”

“…your love life becomes international news.”

“…you need time to “process” everything.”

“...one week you can’t afford to buy coffee, and the next week

you’re in another country on outreach.”

Student Spotlight

2011-05-04T11:36:00.000-07:00

In April, we took time as a base to focus on praying for an increase in students for 24Seven, DTS, CDTS, BLS, ESL, & TESOL. We have already begun to see the fruit of our prayers in the number of inquiries and applications that Marleen has received as our Schools Registrar. As we move into a new prayer focus for the month of May, check out this testimony from one of our DTS graduates, and be encouraged to continue praying for our schools:


Lacey Bishop (Fall DTS 2007)

Before I came to DTS I had no direction in life. Was college what God had for me, or maybe working? In my DTS God really set my life’s course into motion. I didn’t know who I was or where I was going before the school started. I met God truly and intimately through breaking down walls of fear and failure. He opened my heart to begin to worship freely and set ablaze a passion for worship during this season.

I graduated the DTS with a strong direction towards what was next: a worship school. The next fall I went to Nashville, did a School of Worship with YWAM, and was encountered by God even deeper than before. The tools and discipline that I learned through DTS definitely helped in the effort of keeping intimacy with God.

It’s been 3 years now since I graduated DTS and I have been completely amazed at God’s faithfulness and direction. I have also had the privilege of attending a 3 month internship with the International House of Prayer in Atlanta. There I was again fueled and set ablaze in worship ministry and am now waiting on what He has next.

Today at YWAM Chico, we come before God with thankful and open hearts… thankful for the mighty things He has done in this place and through this ministry; open to the increase that He will bring as we are faithful with this calling!

The Living Room- Six Months and Counting

2011-04-06T11:58:00.000-07:00

Sitting in the Media Arts office one rainy February day, I picked up the "Living Room" Prayer Log and began to take in a beautiful living history of what God is doing on this base and in our lives!

The first entries shape our purpose in the "Living Room": Listen (seek and hear from God), Love (worship God), Ask (petition God, intercede). In Aug../Sept. 2010, common themes were: a dwelling place (for God in us and us in Him), healing, joy, and fruitful love (intimacy with the Father). This was "preparing the way" for the prayers, worship, and vision yet to be released.

As I read into October, absorbing the short, fragmented thoughts left in the journal and looking up the verses left there was so enriching that my heart stirred to be with Him more. Tears were shed, peace was found, and intercession began to come forth from our hearts. A frequent revelation centered on God’s heart being united with our own, as a Father to a child, or a Lover to His beloved.

By January 2011, our intercession and meditation took on new depth. I see Isaiah 43:18-19 (the Lord is doing something new) as a turning point. We spent time seeking His face (focus - Psalm 121:1-2), resting and being refreshed (peace), and a glimmer of "hope" began to sprinkle the notes left in the prayer log. Intercession became a much more common activity - for our base/one another here at YWAM Chico, for our city, and for the nations. Love was also a recurring theme. Throughout these first 6 months, the theme of humility also surfaced often.

Overall, I was blessed to see that we’re in a place of deeper intimacy with God than we were when we began, and a sense that intercession for what lies ahead urges us onward. I am encouraged (and hope you are too) by this journal's record of our pursuit of God. Let’s continue to press in for more of His heart and revelation!

April "Staff Spotlight"

2011-04-04T10:57:00.000-07:00

Cheryl Grigg

Dear friends, I was encouraged by this letter and felt prompted to share it with you.

“Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers and sisters, even though they are strangers to you… It was for the sake of the Name that they went out... We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth.” (3 John 1:2-8)

As we walk in truth and show hospitality to the body of Christ, we honor God. Through Mobile Teams, DTS & other outreaches, we are united with His Body to change lives for the sake of His Name. At home or away, we are making a difference for the kingdom. — Cheryl

March "Staff Spotlight"

2011-03-11T15:39:00.000-08:00

Cynthia Hood

"I have been on a journey since I first considered coming to YWAM Chico. The Lord offered me this opportunity as a gift that I could choose to take. As staff here, I have had the privilege of making friends and working with a fantastic group of people. The Lord has also been stretching me as I grow in this adventure with Him. I have learned so much about community living & truly loving one another, serving in different areas with many personalities & responsibilities, and I continue to grow in intimacy with the Father. I have had some setbacks with Immigration and border crossing, but this has not deterred me in my direction to stay here. In fact, this has caused me to seek the Lord even when I don’t understand. I know that I can fully trust the Lord no matter what happens in my life; He is so faithful! Now as I head back to Canada at the end of March, for an unknown time (new visa), I know that I can still trust Him to guide my steps each day and I’m excited for this next step. I am so glad God is in control, it sure takes the worry out of every situation! (Prov. 3:5-6) . . .
Thanks for your Prayers, Cynthia."

Meet Our New Staff Members

2011-03-11T11:47:00.000-08:00

Hello Goodbye
“I don’t know why you say goodbye, I say hello… Hello Hello”

Slade Stephens

A familiar face around this base, Slade completed his DTS here last fall. He comes to us “all the way” from Chester, CA.

“Hi my name is Slade Stephens; my vision here on staff is to draw closer to God and to see the Spirit flow through our ministries. God has told me to be faithful and to be his child and he will show me his glory; and also to develop a deeper relationship with people on staff. I am looking forward to what God has for me here and seeing Him move through this base and Chico as well.”

Marci McCloskey

Marci did her CDTS here this past fall, and has been Mission-Building with us ever since. Now she’s “officially” one of us, joining our staff family.

“From the first moment I arrived here at Richardson Springs, I knew it was a divine appointment. Whether it means scrubbing floors or leading a crusade, I will serve with gratitude and be confident that my every step will be one closer to the fulfillment of my dreams and the completion of His purpose. What a blessing it is to be home at last .”

DTS/CDTS Outreach

2010-10-13T11:47:00.000-07:00

Our Fall 2010 Schools will join up for the practical phase of their discipleship on an outreach to the southwest US and Mexico. It was quite a surprise for us when God changed our plans for the upcoming DTS outreach (we thought we were going back to Guatemala). But our eyes are opening more and more to this mission field He has called us to.

We will load up 2 large vans Saturday November 20 and get on the road with the DTS and Crossroads DTS students, traveling to several California towns and cities, build a house in Mexico, spend a couple of weeks serving at a Hopi Indian reservation in Arizona, and spend Christmas serving those in need in Sacramento.

Please pray for us as we embark on this journey. The leader's three young boys will be traveling with the school, and participating in some of the outreach. One of the students actually wrote a Christmas drama that includes the boys as cast members!

Pray for:

Traveling mercies

Unity for all the team members

God’s direction & grace for the outreach leaders and students.

“Divine Appointments” that is, that God would lead us right to the people He wants us to reach.

Grace for the kids as they travel and share their parents with the team.

DTS and Crossroads Fall 2010

2010-10-13T11:39:00.000-07:00

We are 6 weeks into our Fall 2010 schools and have enjoyed getting to know the new students. Our students this year come from California, Texas, Florida, Oregon and Canada.
So far they have received classes from Dale Harrison, Bill Payne, Carlos Penning, Joe Ferrante, Jerry Praetzel, Nixalis Alvarez and Dave Gustaveson.
The DTS also had the opportunity to join our staff in attending YWAM 50th anniversary celebration in Tijuana, Mexico.
The two schools have joined together for many of their classes, and will also join forces as they travel to Guatemala on outreach in November and December.

Celebrating 50 Years of YWAM

2010-07-28T16:22:00.000-07:00

Our staff will be gathering with YWAM missionaries from all over our region in Ensenada, MX to celebrate 50 years of Youth With A Mission. September 5-8 will be packed with family, friends, great worship, thrilling vision for our future, reflections from YWAM founders Loren and Darlene Cunningham, as well as exotic foods and amazing prayer and words from the Lord. In addition, YWAM President John Dawson will give insight and updates on the current pulse of our mission and its global impact.
We are all really looking forward to spending this time with others from our mission. Pray for an increase in vision and motivation to fulfill it!

CDTS Update- How God is using us in Labasa, Fiji

2010-05-17T14:29:00.000-07:00

Transitioning to Vanua Levu, the second largest of 330 islands in
Fiji has brought new joys, new challenges
and new relationships. It has been a great joy to the team to live with sixteen
staff and students of the campus in a large home overlooking the mountains
and sea of Labasa, Fiji. Watching the passion and
brokenness of the students has greatly challenged and encouraged our
Crossroads DTS. These ywamers have learned the power of worshiping our great God,
the key to overcoming the spiritual forces of darkness where youth suicide and
sexual abuse is greatest of any place in Fiji.

Worship
has created a healthy climate inside and around us, to minister God's love among
the children here, in the prison, hospital, riding in the bus or taxi or
wherever we are.

MARK AND GREG use Beaky the puppet to bring laughter
and the gospel to the children of a squatters' area, a very poor community where
inexpensive housing is provided yet no guarantee of of permanent residency as
they could be asked to move tomorrow.

Muslims, Hindus, and Christians; Indo-fijian, and Fijian reside in this needy area.

RANDY, our clown, instantly draws
crowds with his tricks, a perfect opening to teach children the truth of Jesus
and deception of Satan.

KATHY'S smile, warmth and compassion build
immediate relationships wherever she is.

ALLEN'S humility and love for many fatherless young boys and men bring a father's image, hope and
comfort.

JIEUN's insatiable hunger for
the Word of God bears much fruit as she gives words of comfort and encouragement
in the many homes we visit as a team.

JIM AND JUDY continue to build
relationships with old and new friends and had great joy in teaching "Renewal of
the Mind" and "Spiritual Authority" to the Labasa DTS.

MAY GOD ALONE GET THE
HONOR. HIS KINGDOM IS MOVING FORWARD.

THANKS for your prayers!!!! They
are greatly valued. Please pray we finish strong in His strength. Our return date
is May 25.

CHICO CROSSROADS

Genocide memorial built to honor famed General known as the “George Washington of Armenia”

2010-05-14T15:27:00.000-07:00

Youth With A Mission (YWAM) has joined with the Armenian community of Northern California to build a memorial spring on their Richardson Springs campus to honor Armenian general and national hero, Andranik Ozanian.

Ozanian (1865-1927) who was described by the Literary Digest as Armenia’s “Robin Hood, Garibaldi, and Washington, all in one,” saved 30,000 people from starvation and impending death during the Armenian Genocide by the Ottoman Empire. During the tumultuous years of World War I (1914-1918), the empire’s Christian minority were systematically killed or deported. In all, up to 1.5 million Armenians were killed.

As provisional governor, Ozanian was able to allow the population of the city of Van to escape the Ottomans. The Literary Digest says, "then Antranik (sic) did one of those things which so sharply differentiate him from a purely military chief. He gathered a great host of Armenian refugees about him - and anyone who passes through the Yerevan Republic today can see the horrors of Turkish wrought starvation from which he saved them - and trekked southward to the refuge of an impregnable mountain district. Accepting defeat, his one thought was for his people's safety."

In 1919, he left political turmoil and power struggles and went into exile in Fresno, CA and lived there until 1927. When his health began to fail, his physician referred him to the healing waters of Richardson Springs. He travelled to the springs and passed away there August 31, 1927.

To honor the bravery of General Andranik, and remember the persecution of people around the world, YWAM, the local Armenian community, Dylan Wagner, of Stone & Earth Landscapes, and Chico Granite and Marble Works collaborated on the memorial and the building of the spring, made using uncut local stone. The plaque reads, "General Andranik Ozanian, hero of the Armenian people, died at the Springs, August 31, 1927. This spring serves to remind us of the victims of persecution around the world, and specifically the 1,500,000 victims of the 1915-1918 genocide in Armenia."

Youth With A Mission is an international volunteer movement of Christians from many backgrounds, cultures and Christian traditions, dedicated to serving Jesus throughout the world. Also known as YWAM (pronounced "WHY-wham"), our purpose is simply to know God and to make Him known.
YWAM is currently operating in more than 1300 locations in over 177 countries, with a staff of nearly 16,000.
###

Some Images from Outreach

2010-05-13T13:45:00.000-07:00

Power drama @ Dreketi church

Praying for moms on Mothers Day

Praying for a Hindu lady (Door to Door)

Singing songs @ a kids club VBS

John talking to some teenagers about life decisions.

After 10 days in Dreketi...

2010-05-11T23:06:00.000-07:00

bula, Greetings once again! This time we come to you from Lautoka. We made it here on Tuesday, May 11th after spending two days traveling. We came to here after spending ten days tenting in the village of Dreketi. We camped out on the lawn of the church we worked with (Holy Cross church) for the full ten days. Our entire team had a very blessed week in Dreketi, and we all came away feeling extremely blessed and transformed. We experienced a whole new way of living during our stay in Dreketi and God really spoke to our team through our ministries and through the people we were able to connect with.
We did some door-to-door ministry to get to know the surrounding families that lived near the church where we got to pray and of course have tea while getting to know them. Most of the families that live near the church are Hindu and so it was really neat to reach out to that community. Our team also ran a children’s program for three days, and the outcome was amazing. We had 40-50 children come each afternoon with smiles that filled their faces. We had a lot of fun singing, story-telling, playing games and doing crafts. The children really blessed our team and in return we were able to teach them about the love of Jesus. We were also in charge of both Sunday morning services, and on the last Sunday the church blessed us with a Fijian feast! It was amazing! It was a great week of getting to know people while being blessed and transformed!

Here are some of our experiences; (included are our new Fijian names)

Minsoo (Mesu) – I really loved the children. I would love to write all of their names, but I don’t want to make a mistake and miss one of them. Fijian and Indian children are my love. I also loved the awesome hospitality. I loved the beautiful stars in the night sky, being at George and Anna’s house on the dock, and going to the island on our day off.

Kayla (Keleni) – I think some of the most impacting times in Dreketi were doing the kids ministry. It was amazing to see our relationships with them grow from day to day! I also loved praying for the mother’s on Mother’s Day. We were so blessed to share that time with them. I already miss our dear friends in Dreketi.

Makayla (Maki) – Half way through the week we felt God calling us to have a 3 day “kids club” tons of kids came as well as some of their parents. God really gave me a heart for those kids. I was really blessed by that ministry. The kids were so wonderful and I loved being with them. I really felt God move in the kids and their families. I love them! I also felt a huge freedom through dance. I have never felt closer to God then now!

Emily (Emilini) – Dreketi really had a gigantic impact on me! I was blown away by the people’s hospitality and genuine love for us and for one another. It was a time of personal growth in the Lord and a new found appreciation for the simplicity of life and what it means to truly love others.

Jonathan (Jonacani) – While we were in Dreketi one thing I found the most impacting was the relationships that we built. We made a lot of good friends through the Holy Cross church and through ministry, they blessed me a ton as we ministered to them.

Mambo (Maikeli) - Dreketi was the best time so far. I really like the people there. One of them was John, who is a pastor from the church. Kid’s ministry was also really funny. I enjoyed the times we had. Door-to-door was my best experience so far, I really enjoyed talking with the Indian people.

Denis (Denisi) – Dreketi was a wonderful place! I really enjoyed visiting the chief’s house, doing door-to-door, and kid’s ministry was amazing! I loved playing soccer with the Indian guys and watching how they started asking questions and showed interest about knowing more, not just about soccer, but about God too. It was a big blessing and spending time with John and Nasa was great too! Dreketi has been my favorite place so far! =)

Shea (Selena) – Let me just start off by saying that I’m in love with Dreketi…’twas an amazing week. One thing that impacted me was talking to an Indo-Fijian about God and Christianity. He came up to me and had many questions. Normally I would have gotten overwhelmed because I wouldn’t know what to say- I’m not always the best at conveying what I mean! But I got to see the lecture side of DTS at work. Information that I had learned the last few months came to mind and I was able to share with this man about lots of things! It was really neat. Please pray for him as he continues searching!

Cheyenne (Saini) – I knew coming to Dreketi that it was going to be a very transforming week. When we first arrived I did not have the greatest attitude and I wondered how I would survive sleeping in a tent, on the ground for 10 days. However, God gave me a piece of His heart for Dreketi and I immediately fell in love with the village. It was in Dreketi where God really solidified who I have become since DTS. The people and the children were a huge blessing to me! I love Dreketi!

Cynthia (Senijiale) – This week I was really impacted by each of our team members. They have truly been putting into practice the things they have learned throughout lecture phase, letting go of the past and now walking in their true identities in Christ. Personally, I have treasured each of the new friendships than have been developed here in Fiji. Spending time in this wonderful culture with relationship based people, has changed me forever.

Jake (Sekope) – It was amazing for me to be back in Dreketi. I had last been there in 2002. I was able to see many people that I had met before who remembered all of the teams that had previously been there from YWAM Chico. When I was there last time our team had spent a lot of time encouraging Fijians to go into the mission field. And now there are Fijians from the village in Cambodia, S. Korea, Mongolia, China, and New Zealand. Mk. 16:15

Our entire team was inspired through our experience in Dreketi and the people who shared with us along the way. The people there have places in each of our hearts and they will be greatly missed. We continue to pray that God would shower down His love over that village and that the seeds we planted would continue to grow into God’s glorious Kingdom. Blessings, Chico DTS Team

DTS Ministry Update from Labasa, Fiji

2010-04-27T14:12:00.000-07:00

Bula from Labasa!

We are nearing the end of our
stay here in Labasa after a week of ministry.
We have been welcomed with open arms and amazing food here at YWAM
Labasa. Our week has been busy with all kinds of ministry including:
door-to-door, prison evangelism, children’s ministry, leading home cell groups,
hospital ministry and church ministry.

A few members of our team were
able to go to a place called Baily’s Welfare where they packed groceries to
meet the needs of some people in the community, and the rest of us went to an
old people’s home where we had a lot of fun, to say the least. Most of the elderly could not speak English
so we spent time singing and sitting with them.
One lady decided to give her life to the Lord and it was so neat to see
God at work in the lives of these people.

From DTS & CDTS Outreach

Cynthia – We spent time offering to pray with the elderly. I had the privilege of
sitting with a Hindi lady in her 80’s. I prayed with her in English for a time,
but she only spoke Hindi, so I knew she could not understand. I was believing
that God would work beyond the language barrier. I started to pray in my
spiritual language and noticed that she was nodding often while I was speaking.
I know that God had given me a different language for that particular moment
with this lady, though I cannot say if she understood anything, but I knew God
was there. Afterwards, I got one of our Fijian friends who spoke Hindi to
translate the things I had been praying for her. One of the things was that I
had felt, was that she had been forgotten, that she had no
hope. As I told him this, his eyes widened and he told me that while I was
speaking this to him, she had just said the exact same thing to him in Hindi!
Well, this lovely lady had been searching for many years, waiting for someone
to come and tell her about the Jesus she had once heard about while she was
young. We had the honor of leading her, to finally, meet the Lord and break
down all the walls of the many gods she had grown up with. She said that NOW,
she has hope!

Our team also led the whole
Sunday morning service at COC (Christian
Outreach Center)
which is the church we have been working with.
It was a lovely Sunday morning with worship, testimonies, dramas,
communion, prayer and Michelle bringing the message. It was absolutely incredible to see members
of our team reaching out and praying for different individuals from the church,
sharing with them what we have been practicing and learning all throughout
DTS. It is just amazing to see the
changes God has made in every individual on our team.

We spent two days reaching out in
the men’s prison. The first day was on
Saturday, and we spent the morning leading a bible study with men who had
already made the decision to accept Jesus into their lives. It was so powerful to sit with them, sing
with them, and share with them. You can
definitely see the work God has done among some of these men. We went back again on Wednesday afternoon and
had more of an evangelism focused time, where we ministered to men who did not
have a personal relationship with Christ. Near the end, Denis (who was sharing
the message) invited anyone who wanted prayer or to accept Jesus as their Lord
to come to the front. Several men came
forward to ask for prayer and to accept Jesus into their lives. Praise the Lord!

From DTS & CDTS Outreach

As a team we have also been able
to work along side the Labasa DTS during children’s ministry and hospital
ministry. We spent one afternoon in
groups going through the hospital and praying for patients. It was a really neat experience to have the
freedom to minister to the patients in need of healing as well as their
families.

From DTS & CDTS Outreach

We have had a lot of fun here in
Labasa ministering, evangelizing, and creating more relationships with the
Fijian people. Our team has also had time
in the evenings to worship and fellowship with the staff and students here at
YWAM Labasa and once again God has blessed our team with wonderful
friendships.

We will be leaving Labasa Friday,
April 30^th for the village
of Dreketi where we will
spend 10 days before heading back to Lautoka.
Thanks to everyone for your thoughts and prayers. We are excited to see how God will continue
to work in and through our lives to reach out to the Fijian people! It is
always an adventure with God!

YWAM Chico, Winter DTS via Labasa

CDTS Serves with Dental Clinic in Solovi, Fiji

2010-04-27T13:49:00.000-07:00

Dear Family and Friends, (Bula from Fiji)

Proverbs 13:12 states, "Hope deferred makes the hear sick but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life".

For our team it was a longing fulfilled to meet felt needs in the rural Solovi area in the small home of Uma and Prem, who some of the recent Chico teams will remember, where a free dental clinic was conducted this week for three days. It had made our hearts sick to see diabetes, heart kidney and dental disease stealing the health of these precious people. It is not uncommon for these people with their beautiful smiles to have several teeth missing by age 21.

The word was out by day three of the clinic, thus the waiting crowds were growing larger each day, Muslims, Hindus, Christians, Fijian, Indofijian, the young, the old came with expectant hearts for taking away pain in their mouths. The days were long for the workers from Emmanuel Worship Center, Lautoka Marine Reach and YWAM Chico Crossroads, but God's promise is, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness". II Corinthians 12: 9-10

It was a joy to be able to teach healthy diet and tooth brushing. Many extractions were performed as well as some cleaning and fillings. Though the conditions were far from what we are accustomed to in America, many were encouraged by the gospel of Christ, by worship and dance in the waiting areas, by words of knowledge and wisdom.
More than 200 people received dental care. We believe many would say we had "touched the hem of Jesus" together this week.

ALL PRAISE AND GLORY TO OUR GREAT AND WONDERFUL LORD JESUS CHRIST!

Thank you for your support and encouragement and prayers.

Allen, Kathy, Greg, Randy, Mark, Jieun, Jim and Judy

Ministry Update from Labasa, Fiji

2010-04-27T08:47:00.000-07:00

Bula and blessings!

We are enjoying this time in the Fiji islands. The opportunity to be
here is a privilege, and we endeavor to be good stewards of it. God has been
gracious in revealing His purposes for each location we have stayed in
and leading us in how we as a team can share our specific gifts to the
best of our abilities.

Already, here in Labasa, we have seen fruit of our labors. As we have
shared in the local prison, bagged groceries for distribution to more than 250 poor families, prayed for the sick in the hospital, visited the
elderly in a nursing home, shared in a couple cell group meetings, and held a
kids’ club and church service, people have opened their hearts. We have
seen God save people, heal them, and touch their hearts.

One month into the outreach we have been able to pray for various
ministries as well as specific individuals. The YWAM ministry here in
Labasa, called “The Lighthouse” focuses on community outreach and
strategic prayer. During our 10 short days here we have been working
with Christian Outreach Center. On Sunday, I preached a word to the
church and we prayed for church members and spoke prophetic words over
them. I felt moved to pray for the children and the Pastor and his wife.
There are many Indian families in the neighborhood surrounding the
church which the Pastor has a heart to evangelize and disciple. We
blessed him and his wife and felt God would increase the ministry of the
church very soon, including salvations among the Indians, women’s
ministry through the instruction of the pastor’s wife, and people being
raised up to lead and minister the Gospel. The church members are
invited to a weekly family night here at the Lighthouse where we play
games and eat refreshments.

There are a couple stories Cynthia has told me that I’d like to share.
In Nadi, she got to talk to some Japanese students who were studying
English. They had never heard of Jesus or God, so she had a fun and
interesting time trying to find the words in English to describe God
with them and the idea that He wants to have a relationship with them.
She was trying to explain that there is a book from God that He wrote
for us called the Bible. She described it as an “e-mail”, which they
understood! It was a great experience for her to explain the Gospel to
people who had yet to ever hear it.

Earlier this week at a nursing home Cynthia sat next to an elderly
Indian woman who seemed just like a grandma to her. The woman allowed
Cynthia to pray for her and held onto Cynthia’s knee the entire time.
The woman said that she felt like Cynthia was her daughter. Through an
interpreter the woman told her that she had felt lonely and without
hope, which is exactly what Cynthia felt God say as she prayed for her.
Cynthia told this to the lady and told her own story, about how Jesus
gives us hope and in Him, we need never be lonely. The woman received
Jesus into her life and was encouraged to hear that she would one day
meet Cynthia again, in heaven! They smiled and laughed- it was a great
time for them both.

Jake shared his testimony in the prison last week. He shared his own
personal account of having spent time in jail for a day, due to some
unpaid debts from his past. We had to go back to his old hometown and
hear from the judge what the charge was. The judge told him that he had
to pay some outstanding fees. When we went to the place to pay, a woman
handed Jake a paper releasing him from the charge and stamped in red on
the paper were the words, “Paid in Full.” Jake told the prison mates
that that is what Jesus came and did for us. He paid our debt in full
and we are free and given a new life.

God uses the girls to share the gospel, too. Our family was in a taxi
and the driver was Hindu. I felt like God wanted him to know the story
of Jesus. As soon as I had that thought Kiera said to me, “Mommy, Jesus
died for us didn’t he?” I said, “Yes, Kiera. He did.” She then asked,
“Why did he die?” I told her, “Because he loves us and he wants us to
love each other.” We talked for a couple minutes about that. I wonder at
God’s ability to speak through our kids by them just being the gifts
that they are. I hope the taxi driver heard the truth being shared in
our conversation.

This base- the staff and present DTS- has blessed our team! It started
with them showing us our beautiful rooms and serving us coffee and fresh
doughnuts! Each day we have shared wonderful meals, sang, worshiped,
and played together. After a week full of ministry some of us took a
break and watched the movie “Up” last night. That was fun! One day there
was a huge rainstorm with incredibly strong winds. The next day a haze
stretched across the town. (There is a great view of the town of Labasa
here from the Lighthouse, as well as a view of the ocean.) That morning
after the storm we had breakfast outside on the patio overlooking the
view- it was beautiful.

This is a funny story. Julianna has been making more baby talk and on
Sunday, upon meeting the Pastor, she literally said, “Bula!” to him!
Ha-ha! The perfect baby syllables came out of her mouth. “Bu-la!” How
cute!

It is wonderful to have the joy and love that Jesus brings to those He
loves. My encouragement to you today is to spend time with the One who
holds your life in His loving and kind hands. It is so good to spend
time with our Savior, friend, and Lord!

“The very same God, who put things in orbit, runs to the weary, the
worn, and the weak. And the same gentle hands that hold me when I’m
broken, they conquered death to bring me victory! I know my Redeemer
lives… I know my Redeemer lives. Let all creation testify and this life
within me cry, “ ‘I know, my Redeemer lives!’ “

May His rain fall upon you!!!!

Michelle

for the Chico DTS team

Latest Facebook updates from the teams in Fiji

2010-04-26T14:47:00.000-07:00

Kayla Klassen
Loving Labasa! Kids ministry.. prison ministry.. church ministry..
busy, but lovvvvving every minute! Not to mention the intense rain we
had this morning.. and wind! wwwooowww!

Makayla Gaylord
Just got out of prison and I'm going back on Wed.

Jake Findley
Hello from Sunny
Fiji.

Shea
Martens
misses chocolate
milk and cheese...and menno food. hmm. but its a good think i love rice.
really. i do. the food here is great! not kidding. seriously. just
getting my point across...not lying. :) for realz!

Latest Facebook updates from the teams in Fiji

2010-04-19T20:52:00.000-07:00

Cynthia Hood
...off to Vanua Levu Island...Labasa & Dreketi...people are seeing
God's love and commiting their lives to Him. The team has been greatly
encouraged to see, hear and be a part of God's work here in Fiji. Thanks
everyone for your prayers!

Kayla Klassen
we're heading over to Vanua Levu in a few days! yay! And yes, I may
not be in Canada.. but all the same.. Go Canucks GOOOO!!!!! :)

Jonathan Grigg
time here in Nadi has been amazing! i'm going to miss all my friends
here. I hope to work with them again soon.

Makayla
Gaylord
I love God so much.
Just thought the world should know how great He is but then I realised
that there is no way I could even begin to describe how truely AMAZING
He is. So I'm just gunna say that I love Him. So much. ^_^

Shea
Martens
only a few more
days with our vunayasi friends. :( then off to our next destination of
lautoca! haha i have no idea how to spell either of those!

Denis
Garcia
mOving On!! Vanua
Levu.. Labasa.. Dreketi.. here we gO!! =) this is an incredible
experience!! yeah!! =)

CDTS sees family healed and meet Jesus

2010-04-19T11:42:00.000-07:00

How awesome it has been to serve our Great God here in Fiji this past week as YWAM Chico Crossroads team followed up on an unforgettable visit in the Nadi hospital where a Muslim family was desperate for God's intervention.
Others had sown seeds in this family while we simply watered those seeds as we prayed for and saw immediate relief of chest and abdominal pain, immediate improvement of eyesight due to cataracts among family members.

A few days following hospital release of the patriarch of the family our team visited the family in thier home in rural Nadi. Jesus Christ again was present to heal emotional and physical pain, but the greatest miracle of all was when Abraham, we"ll call him, said , "My God is not working. I choose Jesus Christ today".

On another follow up call a Bible was left with the family and a leaky flat tin roof was repaired.

Please pray for this family as it is common to endure family alienation and other serious repercussions when they make such important decsions.

Last week brought endless other opportunities to visit Indofijian homes, encourage, pray into physical and mental disease and to bless with prosperity. On Friday after meeting with Ratu (Chief) Osea from Cuva village and after we ceremonially offered the village gifts of flour, sugar and rice we were released to play with and pray with and teach around 200 children. They showed us where they catch fish in their backyard sea. We taught them how to catch fish for God, to become "fishers of men".

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ENCOURAGEMENT AND PRAYERS!

Crossroads Team,
Greg, Randy, Kathy, Allen, Jieun, Mark, Jim & Judy

Thanks for reading our blog!

2010-04-19T10:43:00.000-07:00

Please feel free to leave comments! As you pray for our teams, if the Lord speaks to you, please let us know.
Thank you for your prayers!

DTS Team meets a young man they had interceded for while still in Chico

2010-04-19T10:23:00.000-07:00

April 19, 2010

Dear loved ones,

Here we are in Fiji- ministering to the lost and seeking the heart of
God in this country, wherever our feet go! May God bless you with His
grace and peace as you read this letter today.

So far, it’s been 2 weeks that we have been here. There are many changes
in Fiji since the last time I was here (6 years ago). The city of Nadi
has developed, with numerous businesses and hotels. It gives me mixed
feelings. For one, it is great to see the island growing and changing.
But it cautions me to hear the heartbeat of God for the Fijian people
that they would not be swept up in the commercialism of the West but
maintain the simplicity and kindness of their land and culture.

It is a land of beauty and life! I love Fiji so much! They have much to
offer as a people and it feels as though things are just getting
started.

Praise God, there are many people being raised up as missionaries in
Fiji. At the YWAM base we have been staying at there are several people
heading out to the nations. One friend, Marika, goes to China at the end
of the month. Another YWAM staff person is going to India. (Please pray
for their financial and visa needs as they go out). The DTS from YWAM
Vunayasi is headed to Suva and the Yasawa Islands here in Fiji for their
outreach.

Three weeks ago, while our team was at Gleanings for the Hungry in
Sultana, CA, I heard a guest speaker share. He is the base leader of a
YWAM facility in South India. It was encouraging hearing what he had to
share and challenging also. It behooved me to continue praying for God’s
work among East Indians. I also felt that we were to pray specifically
for salvation among the East Indians here in Fiji, which make up almost
half of the population. The first time the team went out in groups of
three to talk with people, two weeks ago; I stayed back with our kids
and prayed. I felt to pray for them to meet individuals with whom it
would be a “kairos moment”- type of meeting. When the team came back and
shared they said they had a conversation with a young Indian man named
Sunjay. We feel that he is close to coming to know the Lord. We also
looked through the intercession journal recently and saw that Brad,
Jake, and Minsoo had received Sunjay’s name in prayer weeks before in
Chico. “Lord, continue to reveal Who you are to this man and raise him
up to be your disciple, we pray.”

YWAM Chico, thank you for the scriptures and words you shared with us
via e-mail. It came right on time! I was feeling fear and worry over
traveling to Vanua Levu with the girls because it will be a long day of
traveling and I feared that I couldn’t make it. Someone in Chico gave
Jake and I the word, “Don’t be afraid to go the extra mile,” (found in
Matthew 5). I knew God was saying that we/I could make it, by His grace
and His strength and through the help of others on the team. I know I am
to daily lean on the Lord and seek His strength, for He gives daily
bread to those who seek Him. Amen!

Speaking of the girls, they are doing well. It has been an adjustment
with sleep, mosquitoes, and the heat, but overall we love it here. Kiera
and Julianna are loved on by everyone. The Fijians will come and just
take the baby and carry her around to show her to other people! We had
Kiera’s third birthday party at Mama’s pizza in Nadi-town one week
early. We are traveling to Lambasa, on the other island, this Wednesday,
the 21st, which is her actual birthday. Kiera was so blessed to have
her birthday party with our DTS team. You could see on her face how
special and loved she felt. She got a princess outfit from her Auntie
April, “princess” heeled dress shoes, and her ears pierced! She looks
very pretty. Julianna is a big 6- month old! She is making more
baby-talk sounds and laughs a lot- what a little cutie- we are enjoying
her so much. She swam in a pool for the first time over the weekend.

Well, we feel at home here and are adjusting well after 3 weeks on the
road. If you would have told me that I would be having my daughter’s
third birthday party at a place I went to on my DTS outreach, nine years
ago, I wouldn’t have believed you, especially if you told me I’d be
married to Jake too! Ha-ha!

God is so good and His mercy endures always. We will write again in a
couple weeks. This week we are going to Lambasa, spending 10 days there,
and spending 10 days after that in Dreketi. Our friend Marika will
guide us there, before he leaves for China. I had one of the best weeks
of my life in Dreketi during my DTS in 2001. We are going to minister
with the same Anglican church, with Pastor Henry Bull. It is so exciting
to go there again! Also, the YWAM base in Lambasa is a new one. The
woman who runs it is named Gi. I prayed with her and Va, in 2001, about
the future of YWAM. It is good to see God answer those prayers. I will
be blessed to see her again.

We also have a friend in Suva, Joan McGoon that we hope to connect with.

Please pray for us as we travel over the next few days. It is a four
hour bus ride and 4 hour ferry boat ride to Lambasa. Pray that the girls
would adjust well and we would have grace in dealing with the heat and
lack of sleep (Julianna is a light sleeper and she is teething). Thank
you. We hope to share much more good news from here with you. God bless
your remaining month of April.

With love, The Findleys

CDTS in a Nadi Hospital

2010-04-18T15:27:00.000-07:00

Thank you for your prayers for 8 of us in Fiji. Having completed our first
week our team adjusted to food, water and heat yet they are on fire as we watched
the Kingdom of God come down in power several times this week. The most
memorable for me was in a dismal, hot feces-smelling room in the Nadi Hospital where
a Muslim family pleaded for prayer saw God remove chest and abdominal pain, and restore sight to eyes with cataracts. As we were about to leave one of the
brothers embraced Randy with tears running down his face saying. "You are my
brother", to Kathy "You are my sister", to Mark "You are my son", to Judy "You are my mother", and to Allen "You are my brother".

Needless to say we were amazed. Never before in Fiji have we seen such receptivity among the Muslims. Pray we can follow though with this
family who have invited us to their home.

We than you for your partnership with us!!

Jim and Judy

Latest Facebook updates from the teams in Fiji

2010-04-17T18:50:00.000-07:00

...seeing God work in Fiji! What an adventure! -Cynthia

we're almost two weeks into outreach now. things are going great, the Lord has been blessing our time and giving us lots of divine appointments. keep us in your prayers, we'll be traveling to our next location on the 21st, we'll be there for nine days and then it's off to a village in for two weeks. it's going to be a...n amazing next couple of weeks!!!!
-Jonathan

Loving God.. Loving Fiji... and loving life :)
-Kayla

All is good in Fiji. The team is well and God is moving. -Jake

I don't know if I'll get another chance on the internet for a while so another update... I love it here more than any other place I've been and I refuse to leave and GOD IS SOOOOOOO GOOOOOOOD. P.S. A few days ago it was 139 degrees. I think I've been sweating more in the last few weeks then in the last four years. I have yet to get sick. I love God SOOOO MUCH. How could you not?
-Makayla

will miss her friends in Vunayasi. What a joy they have been. Off to Labasa in 4 days!! Where internet may or may not be available... I will see everyone at home in 6 short weeks!
-Cheyenne

regresandO de la playa!! INCREIBLE!! ii terminandO de aprOvechar el dia libre!! =) preparandOnOs para cOntinuar trabajandO !! (3 serviciOs al dia mas trabajO extra en la base =S)
--TRANSLATION-- Returning from the beach!! Incredible!! Taking advantage of the rest of our free day!! =) Preparing ourselves to continue our work!! (3 services a day and extra work with the base =S)
-Denis

Isch guat in Fiji acho und mir sind zimlich eis am abschwitza nu mit dositza und nuet tua ;-) mir gfalts sehr do d luftfuechtigkeit isch zimlich hoch do muasi mich zerst no dra gwoena:-) -Mambo

Ok, I have no idea what Mambo said, but I know it's about Fiji. Anybody here speak Swiss German?

Michelle had a little more to say- and it's a lot more understandable to us English-speakers:

Bula!

Greetings from sunny Fiji!

We made it! :))) Things are great. Today is our day off, so Jake, Kiera and i went to Nadi town. Julianna is being baby-sat by Auntie Cynthia.

All 14 of us are staying at the YWAM Vunayasi base. We are bonding as a team. The water fights have already started! Hehehe!!!

There is a DTS happening at the base also. They are in their last week of lectures. We eat our meals and spend our off-time enjoying times with them,drinking tea, talking, and worshipping.

The team went to McDonald's and met with Japanese students wishing to speak English. They will be going again tomorrow to talk with them. We are going to celebrate Kiera's 3rd birthday tomorrow at McDonald's with a princess cake and ice cream. We are celebrating it early because we will be going to another location on the 21st, possibly on the other island of Vanua Levu.

Keep the teams in your prayers!
RP

Bula from Fiji!

2010-04-15T21:39:00.000-07:00

We have just finished our first week of outreach in Fiji. We arrived late on Tuesday, April 6th in Nadi. As we stepped off the plane the scent of tropical air filled our noses, and we could literally feel the warmth this place has to offer. After being picked up and driven to our new home at the YWAM base in Vunayasi we were all ready for a good night's rest.

We began our week speaking with Japanese students for an afternoon to help them learn English. It was both entertaining and stretching for some of us. The YWAM base here in Vunayasi also invited us to have intercession with them as well as lead worship for one morning. God definitely blessed us on both occasions, and it was a pleasure to connect with the staff and students here. We wanted to bless them in return so we volunteered to help clean the base. (Water + DTS students + Fijians = FUN!) Our team has been so blessed with great friendships and lasting relationships here in Vunayasi. We have also participated in door-to-door ministry, visiting the surrounding neighbors of the base, as well as children’s ministry with the kids from the neighborhood.

One afternoon we were able to go on a treasure hunt and it was amazing to see how God spoke to each of us individually and as a group. For example: Minsoo, Cheyenne, and Makayla asked God to speak to them about where to go and who to talk to. Cheyenne and Minsoo felt God saying they should go across the street into Jacks (a local department store) and Minsoo felt specifically that someone would ask him about his guitar that he was holding. We obeyed and walked across the street into the store. Needless to say that is exactly what happened and we ended up singing and playing worship songs out loud in the store where people stopped to listen. It was incredible. And we have most definitely discovered that listening and obeying to God’s voice is so important and also rewarding.

We have had many other opportunities to minister to the people of Fiji; spending the evening at a local church playing sports with the youth group, presenting dramas and testimonies to other churches in Nadi and connecting with local people. These have allowed us to build relationships with the Fijian people.

Thank you so much for all of your prayers and support! We look forward to what God has planned for us in the next weeks to come.

Blessings,

Winter DTS, YWAM Chico via YWAM Vunayasi

Packing Day

2010-01-14T14:44:00.000-08:00

This will be the final blog entry ( at least in Fiji). We are currently
preparing to head back to the U.S.

Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
morning we did some house to house around the PTC neighborhood to tell
them about the kid's program that we were going to have in Simla housing
on Thursday, and to visit and pray with them if they were available.
During this time Chick and Lynda met up with a girl that had been
cutting herself. It's too bad that problems that have been plaguing U.S.
teens for years have spread to other countries. One of the days Dan and
Robin had an interesting conversation with a Buddhist lady who's
son-in-law is from the Grand Rapids, Michigan area just like they are.
What a small world. In the afternoons we did kid's programs for the kids
of the staff of a local prison. They live in housing right outside the
prison. In the evenings we got a chance to hang out with Tony, Laisa,
and Bui the staff of the PTC that stayed during the break to work with
us and show us great hospitality.

Thursday we did the kid's
program In Simla housing, which looks like a low income apartment style
housing. We had the regular clowns and games. This was our last
scheduled day of ministry.

Robin and Lynda were both sick on
Wednesday and Thursday. Both were running fevers and had other
intestinal problems. Three of the Derusha kids had strep throat.

Friday
the staff of the PTC were preparing a love feast for us, so we had to
vacate the house for a while in the afternoon. We went and visited a
place called The Garden of the Sleeping Giant. It was a beautiful place
full of orchids and other exotic foliage. We all had a good time.

Saturday
was moving day. We moved back to Nadi for a few days before we left. It
was hard to say goodbye to the staff even though we had only been there
for two weeks. We spent the morning packing and cleaning up. We
returned in the afternoon, and had a relaxing time for the rest of the
day.

Sunday was our last day of worshiping with EWC. We had an
amazing time with them. We love them all so much. Frank gave a message
on God writing His story on our hearts, we are living epistles.
Afterwards we went to Pastor Paula's house for a special dinner that
members of the church prepared. As we were leaving, the “wetting”, a
Fijian New Years tradition, was beginning. Mostly Robin and Lynda got
wet.

Monday was a fun day that Bill had planned for us just
before we left Fiji. It was a short sailboat ride to another small
island that we could snorkel and swim or just relax at. Some of our team
felt that it was good to see the other side of Fiji. This was
definitely the tourist side, and what people associate with Fiji. They
did a kava ceremony right in the boat, and invited all the people to
join in. Of course most of the tourists that went on the boat joined in
since they knew nothing of the spiritual side of the kava drinking.
Unfortunately Dan and Caleb had to stay back at the hotel because Caleb
was sick.

Tuesday was packing day and our final day in beautiful
Fiji. We were sent off by some of the people from EWC. It was very sad
to say goodbye to all of our new friends that we me there. Our flight
left at 10:50 PM on Tuesday and we landed in Sacramento, after a 4 hour
layover in L.A., at 6:50 PM on Tuesday, 4 hours before we left. We were
very tired, and ready for a good nights sleep.

Well I started
this post in Fiji, but I finally finished it here in Chico. We are
completely amazed at how awesome God is. We had an incredible outreach.
God did amazing things and we were glad that we got to tag along for the
ride. I will try and and do one more post about what each of the team
members future plans are, but some might not know yet. Thank you to all
who have shared this journey with us. We certainly couldn't have done
this without your support in many areas. All of us continue to covet
your prayers as we finish up here in Chico and move out into what God is
calling us to do. Thank you again from the bottom of our hearts, and
may God bless each and every one of you.

Ministry with Kona DTS

2010-01-13T14:45:00.000-08:00

Monday we started off with worship and were joined by a DTS team from
Kona, Hawaii. We spent some time praising God with songs and then
breaking into groups to introduce ourselves to intercede for the
leadership of Fiji, all the way down to the leaders of our classes.
Later in the morning we met up with them at a low income housing area
outside of Lautoka called Koroipita. Our team went house to house to
pray with the people that lived there, while the Kona team did a kid's
program. Dan and Robin visited four families there who were all
Christians. Chick and one of the locals named Laisa visited a five
families as well, and lead a Hindi lady to Christ. Laisa gave the lady
her personal bible. They were both so excited. Lynda spent some time
watching the Kona team do their kid's program to get some more ideas
about what to do for our kid's program. Frank, Caleb D., and another
local girl named Bui visited some homes as well. Denise and the rest of
the Derusha kids watched the program as well.

Tuesday we returned
to Koroipita and reversed roles. We did the kid's program and the Kona
team went house to house.

Wednesday just our team returned there
again and did some follow-up visits with some of the families that we
visited before.

Thursday, New Years Eve, in the morning we met up
with the DTS from Chico and did some clean up at a local old people's
home. The guys did some yard work, while the ladies worked inside. Later
in the evening we went back and joined them for an end of year service.
What a blessing to spend time with the staff and residents. We
threatened to leave Bill there, but we decided to give him some grace.

Friday
was New Years Day. We joined together with the DTS from Chico and from
Kona and went to a popular beach for the day. It was wonderful! The
beach was crowded, but we had an enjoyable time throwing each other in
the ocean. That is the Fijian custom on New Years. Everyone gets wet,
most of the time involuntarily. We all went home very tired and lightly
toasted.

Saturday our schedule got mixed up, and we ended up
having another free day. Dan spent most of the day preparing for the
message he was going to speak on Sunday.

Sunday we worshiped at
Christian Renewal Fellowship. We spent some time in praise and a had a
couple of testimonies from some of the church members. We were
introduced and then Dan spoke a message from 1 Corinthian 3:5-9,
speaking on the power of God. He was anointed by God and was able to get
past his fear of public speaking and give a clear message. He
incorporated testimonies from all of our team members as well.

We
continue to be amazed at how God works through our infirmities and
accomplishes things despite us. He is doing great things here, and we
have the privilege of being a part of it.

Christmas in Fiji

2009-12-27T14:46:00.000-08:00

Monday we were supposed to go to Sigatoka again, but just for the day.
But we got the call that they still didn't have electricity or water.
Later in the day it finally came on and we started making plans to go
there for two days instead of only one. The rest of the day was spent
preparing for the ministry (kid's programs mostly) we would be doing and
packing for the couple of days we'd be gone.

Tuesday we headed
to Sigatoka. We arrived there about noon and had lunch. We stayed at
what they call a backpacker “resort”, which is set up with lots of bunks
and not as glamorous as what you'd expect a resort to be. It turned out
that the place we were staying still didn't have electricity, but it
had water so we were able to stay and accomplish the things we needed
to. Right after lunch the neighborhood kids from around the resort came
and we put on a program for them. We had the clowns and puppets and a
few little skits and ended by playing some games with them. After the
program we had some time to play in the ocean and see a lot of
interesting wildlife. There was a lot of debris on the beach from the
big storm from last week, so after supper we had a huge bonfire on the
beach. Pastor Gabbie filled us in on the history of the village we would
be visiting the next day as well as some history of Fiji. Bill hope to
have him come to future classes and teach them about what he spoke to us
about.

Wednesday we went to Dicuvu's (pronounced Deethuvu)
village. Dicuvu is Pastor Gabbie's wife. Her father is the chief of the
village and the high chief of 110 villages on the western side of the
island. He is a born again Christian and has been working on his
brother, the next in line to for leadership and vice president of the
Methodist church of Fiji, to stop the kava drinking in the Methodist
church. Dicuvu's dad was away that day so the brother was overseeing our
visit. We were brought to the meeting house in the village and had a
short ceremony where we presented the chief with some gifts of flour and
sugar. Traditionally we would present the chief with some of the root
that they grind for the kava, but since we couldn't have any part of
that we were able bring the other things instead. After the gift
ceremony they immediately started mixing up a bowl of kava for the men
to drink while we did the kid's program. It's really sad to see. It used
to be that only the chiefs would drink the kava, and then only one bowl
and they would be done, but it has exploded over the island and young
people and women have started drinking it. We started the kid's program
and did the gambit of clowns and skits. The DTS team from Chico joined
us there and they also did some things with the kids. We all went
outside to play a few games. We returned to the meeting house and asked
if we could pray with the children, and were given permission. Then we
asked if we could pray over the women and men that were there drinking
the kava and watching with their children. Again we were given
permission. One of the DTS girls prayed over the chief's wife for her
knee which was causing her some pain. Then we asked if we could pray
over the chief and lay our hands on him. He gave us permission and a few
of our group gathered around him and prayed. We didn't have any clue at
the time how big a deal all of these things were. Later Lynda was
talking to Dicuvu about it, and there had never been any public prayer
spoken in that meeting house. It had only been used for tribal
ceremonies. Dicuvu had come to the village about 20 minutes after we
left and the chief's wife knee was completely healed by the time she
arrived. Because of that and the other things that had happened, Dicuvu
told us that YWAM teams would be invited to that village to speak and
pray over the people there for healing and hopefully have an impact on
the kava issue that is gripping the people there. What an incredible
blessing to be a part of something so huge. Thank you God for the
opportunity! We returned to the Sandalwood later that day.

Thursday,
Christmas Eve, was a day for packing up and preparing for the move to
Lautoka. Later in the evening the DTS came and we celebrated Christmas
together. We had a fun time of sharing our stories together.

Friday
was Christmas and we worshiped with our church family at EWC.
Afterwards we were treated to a Christmas lovo that they provided for us
and members of their congregation that weren't returning home to their
families. What a great time of fellowship and fun.

Saturday was
final packing and moving to Lautoka. Bill went ahead with all the
luggage, and the rest of the team followed on the bus. We are staying at
the Personal Transformation Center (PTC) which is a YWAM base. We met
all the staff and enjoyed a nice dinner with them. After dinner we had a
meeting to tell us the things we would be doing while here.

Sunday
we went to a local Methodist church that was all in Fijian. The rest of
the day we had off and were able to relax before a really busy week of
ministering to the people here.

We are glad for God's protection
during the move and for the few staff members that are here during the
Christmas break to help us. They are truly a blessing to us.

We
now have pictures up on the blog, just look to the left of this post and
take a look at them.

Hurricane!

2009-12-20T14:48:00.000-08:00

Monday we experienced a small hurricane/large tropical storm. Mick blew
in rather quickly on Monday afternoon. We lost power right after noon.
It was amazing to see the power of the storm blowing the palm trees
around. A lot of the dead limbs from the palm trees fell throughout the
storm. After about 6:00 PM the storm ended and we all emerged from our
rooms and took a look at all the damage. There were a lot of branches
and trees down around the neighborhood, but no major damage to anything
near us. We thank God for protection during the storm.

Tuesday we
woke up with the power still off. We stayed around the hotel and helped
the staff pick up all the debris that had fallen. The kids were having a
blast hauling the big limbs back to the burn pile that is at the back
of the hotel. We found out that two staff members had quite significant
damage to their houses. One of them lost most of his house, the other
lost his roof. Chick and Dan went to the home of one of the families
from church to help set up a greenhouse that had partially collapsed.
The power came back on late in the afternoon.

Wednesday and
Thursday we were supposed to go visit some villages near Sigatoka, but
the storm knocked out the power and the water at the villages, so we
couldn't go out there. Dan and Chick went back to Nina's house, where
the greenhouse was, and put in some more posts so she could add another
greenhouse on the other side of the driveway. Bill and Denise did some
follow up visits to some families that had been seen before. The visits
were to people that were Hindus before coming to know Jesus Christ. They
were following up to see if they had destroyed the idols that were in
their homes. The rest of the team stayed at the hotel and continued to
help with cleaning up around there.

Thursday morning some of our
team went back to the hospital to visit sick people. They prayed over a
little four year old who had gotten burned on his backside and upper
thighs. It made Robin cry. Dan and Denise took the younger boys to a
park near the hospital since they are too young to go in. In the
afternoon Dan, Bill and Denise went to help hand out the tickets for the
Samaritan's purse gift give away on Friday. We met with some surfing
DTSers from New Zealand. We prayed over one of them, Malcolm, who was
sick with some sort of throat infection.

Friday most of the team
went to help with the Samaritan's purse gift program. The team did some
singing with the kids and the parents that came with them. We also had a
number of clowns and did some stories and short skits. It was exciting
to see the kids faces as we handed out the gift boxes. Most of the
families in this area are extremely poor, and probably never get gifts
at all. They were so happy. Some of us got thank you cards that the kids
had made before hand.

Saturday we got to spend with the DTS
students from Chico. It was really good to see them and hear all the
stories they had. It was good for them too. They got the chance to rest
and have fun with the kids. Some of them went to the internet cafe,
while others stayed back and took naps on comfortable beds. That night
some of our team and all of theirs went to a Nadi Christian Youth
Gathering (NCYG) that was happening near by. There were youth from all
around the area coming together to praise Jesus. It was an awesome
experience. Chick and Lynda spent the day with a couple from EWC and
their extended family. This couple had experienced a lot of isolation
from their family since becoming members of EWC and this was a time of
reconciliation between this couple and their family.

Sunday we
worshiped with EWC again. This is the last Sunday before we head to
Lautoka for a couple weeks. Pastor Paula gave a powerful message on
courage. Today was also special because one of the women we prayed for
at the hospital the first time we visited was there worshiping with us.
Jhatika was the woman who had drunk the weed killer trying to kill
herself. She was there and was completely healed. It's awesome to see
how God works in the lives of His children.

We continue to be
amazed at the goodness of God in the lives of the Fijian people. We hope
that what happens while we are here will not die after we leave. Our
prayer is that our team will be forgotten, but it will be remembered
that God's power was at work here and continues to work.

To see
the photos of our outreach, please go to Dan and Robin's website:
www.oilandflour.com .

This is what the LORD says: “Don't let the
wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the
rich boast in their riches. But those who wish to boast should boast in
this alone: that they truly know know me and understand that I am the
LORD who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and
righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things. I, the
LORD, have spoken! Jeremiah 9:23-24 (NLT)

Wow, what a busy week!

2009-12-06T14:51:00.000-08:00

We did many house visits this week with
families that Pastor Paula set us up with. We go out in teams, usually
the Oosterhouses and the Munfradas are together, and the Derushas and
Bill go out together. We also either have Pastor Paula or Uate with us.
Some are believers and need encouragement or prayers for healing. Others
need prayers for salvation and discipleship. So far we have seen 8
salvations in our time here. One was little 4 yr old Nathaniel from our
team.

Sunday and Monday are our weekend, and our time to go to
church, to get laundry done, and relax a little. We are free to do
additional ministry in our free time or do tourist activities. Tuesday
through Saturday are our days of ministry, these are the days that we do
the house visits and other things.

This week in addition to the
house visits, The Oosterhouses and Bill went to the YWAM bases at
Vunayasi to do their children's program that they do every Friday. They
dressed up as clowns and did songs, balloons and a Bible story.

Also
on Friday the Derushas went and spent some time with a couple from EWC,
Mary and Tameli. Tameli is in the military and is leaving on Monday for
a year tour in Iraq. They spent some time with them in prayer and
encouraging them and they prepare for this time of separation.

On
Thursday and Saturday Chick and Dan went to Lautoka with Pastor Paula
to help build a church building for a church plant of his. It was
basically a pole barn frame with a big tarp for a roof. They will add to
it as they have the funds, but for now this will suit them very well.
Pastor Mike (different from the first Pastor Mike we talked to) is the
pastor of 15-20 people, both Fijians and Indos.

On Saturday we
were honored to be able to attend the first birthday party of an
Indo-Fijian child whose family goes to EWC. The first birthday in the
Indian culture is a very big deal so to be invited is an incredible
honor. Unfortunately some of the men at the party were celebrating out
back by drinking kava. Kava is a drink made by crushing a root found in
the jungle. It has a narcotic effect and causes intoxication. Drinking
kava is one of the strongholds that holds this nation captive.

On
Sunday Bill gave the message at church and the Munfradas and the
Oosterhouses helped with the Sunday school for the children that was
during the service. The Oosterhouses led the kids in a couple of songs,
and the Munfradas dressed up as clowns and taught the kids on self
control. Bill's message was two fold, the first little bit was on how
the people of Fiji have been ministering to us on the importance of not
worrying, and taking one day at a time sometimes one hour at a time. The
other half was on our class verse 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, and calling
the people to step up and become the ambassadors of reconciliation that
God has called us to be.

We are praising God because of the
variety of things He has opened us up to doing. We are all being
stretched physically, emotionally, comfortably, and spiritually. It's
amazing the many ways that the Fijian people have been ministering to
us. We continue to praise God for bringing us here and letting us be a
part of the works He is doing here.

Getting settled in Fiji

2009-11-28T14:52:00.000-08:00

Hello again from Fiji. We are having an amazing time here already. We
arrived on Tuesday, and spent Wednesday and Thursday adjusting to the
time and to our new surroundings. We had a few meetings scattered about
in there, but other than that we pretty much had time to ourselves. We
are getting to know the staff at the hotel, and enjoy talking to them.
They are very fun loving and really enjoy talking to our children.

Thursday
night we joined a cell group from the Emmanuel Worship Center (EWC),
one of the churches we will be working with while in Nadi. In was a
great time of worshiping with our Fijian brothers and sisters. There was
a message given by one of the men in Fijian that they interpreted for
us. We met outside one of the cell group member's home. It was a three
or four room metal shack with the kitchen in a separate little shed to
the side. The poorer people live in the metal shacks, while those a
little better off live in concrete block houses.

Friday morning
we split up a little bit and six of our group went to the local hospital
to minister to the people there, five were dressed as clowns. Four
others went on a prayer walk through the city of Nadi, one went to visit
a local orphanage, and 4 stayed back at the hotel due to a little
sickness. Chick, Lynda, Robin, Tavita and Caleb O. were dressed up, and
Caleb D. decided to go unclowned. We received lots of smiles from the
people on the bus, especially from the children. The hospital group was
joined by the Youth Pastor from the EWC, Uate (pronounced Watā). While
there the group prayed over people that were sick and their families
that were visiting. They were well received, and only one Muslim man
refused to be prayed over. While there a woman who the team prayed over
received healing from the asthma that she was suffering from. After that
she received Jesus as her savior. Another woman, Jhatika an
Indo-Fijian, that was prayed over was in the hospital for drinking a
whole bottle of weed killer trying to commit suicide. She was
experiencing a lot of hardship at home with her family, and couldn't
take it any more. Uate lead her through renouncing the Hinduism in her
life, and lead her to Jesus as her Lord and King. She also forgave her
family for what they had done to her. She also forgave her one child who
had died.

Dan, Bill, Joshua and Nathaniel went through town on
the prayer walk. We had the opportunity to pray over a young Indo
brother and sister who were looking for rent money that was due. We also
ran into the DTS team, and had a great time ministering to them and
lifting their spirits. They were especially excited to see Josh and
Nathaniel.

Frank went to visit an orphanage right down the road
from the hotel. He spent some time there praying over the staff and
talking with the children. He fell in love with about a half dozen of
them. From there he visited a local village and talked with the people
there. On his way home he had the opportunity to talk with a man for
just a few minutes while waiting for the bus. The man told Frank that he
must have been “sent” because the man was so lonely.

Denise,
Micaiah, Israel and Isaiah stayed behind at the hotel. Israel and Isaiah
were not feeling well, hopefully just a little jet lag.

Friday
night we surprised the DTS and met them at the airport and said goodbye
to them for a while. They are going to Samoa for about three weeks. They
were excited again to see us all. We got a chance to pray over them and
send them off. Also Friday night Caleb D. had the opportunity to go to
Uate's youth group. The theme of that night was that the people are
seeking God's hands and not His face, meaning that we are all looking
for the things that God provides for us, but not the greater blessing of
truly knowing Him.

It has been and amazing time already, and we
look forward to more amazing things that God is going to do through us.

Arrival in Fiji

2009-11-25T15:53:00.000-08:00

Bula, bula, bula! (Hello, hello, hello) We made it to Fiji!! After a
pretty uneventful, but long, day of travel we arrived at Nadi
(pronounced Nandi) airport. The trip through customs was easy. The
people here are so incredibly friendly. They are easy to talk to and
eager to hear about you and where you're from. Our CDTS group is made up
of 15 people, and at least one gecko, who is living in our room with
us. The Derushas are Frank and Denise and their five children Caleb,
Tavita, Micaiah, Israel, and Isaiah. They are from Arizona. The
Munfradas are Chick and Lynda, they are from Colorado. Bill Cheney is
from California. The Oosterhouses are Dan and Robin and their three
boys, Caleb, Joshua and Nathaniel. They are from Michigan. We are still
in the process of getting settled and accustomed to the time change. One
of the Derusha kids was up at 3:30 this morning, he was still on
California time. All of the kids are doing great they are loving the
pool that is at the hotel. It's a great way for them to expend all the
extra energy that has been built up after a 10 1/2 hour flight from L.A.
We already had a meeting with Pastor Mike, one of the pastors that we
will be working with in Lautoka. He gave us some insight into some
specific areas that we can minister too. One of the areas he spoke about
was the area of relationships, both in the church and in families. He
was glad that our team was composed of couples both with and without
kids. He said that we would be examples to the people of good
relationships. Pastor Mike also explained to us about how the tourism
trade in Fiji has caused the Fijian people to have preconceived notions
about western people. They assume that all Americans are Christians.
When they see Americans doing wrong things, they see it as Christians
doing them,and they have a hard time believing that Christians can do
such things. That is also true between the Indo-Fijians and the Fijians.
Most of the Indos are Hindu, but they see all of the Fijians as being
Christians, even the thieves and such. Why would they want to become a
Christian if that is what Christians are doing? One of the most
important things that Pastor Mike said, was that the people are sick of
hearing about Jesus, they need to see Jesus. We have to give them a
positive view of Christianity. One of our speakers, Dean Sherman, said
that we need to show people the treasure we are, so that they will want
to sell their fields (religion) and buy ours. Matthew 13:44 says: "The
Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered in a field.
In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get
enough money to buy the field" We have to show the people around us that
we are not like the world. We have been set apart by God as His
treasure. If the world doesn't see us as any different, we have a
problem. We hope that we can be a light to the people of Fiji, and that
we can show them the treasure that God has made us.

Last Log Date for CDTS Outreach stardate 6.1.2009

2009-06-01T17:01:00.000-07:00

Out last week of Outreach and we finished strong and with the hearts of true servants; going in strength that wasn't our own. We all felt this last week and were running out of steam, but God showed himself strong in our weaknesses. It didn't feel like we had much of a break from Guatemala City to the last week here in Antigua, yet we decided that we wanted to end strong and that we did. It is good when you are tired...then God can show up and he sure did in this last week. We've added another 30 pictures to finish off the blog.

We had a full week starting on Tuesday with our third visit to the Good Samaritan Christian School. Intercession and then feeding the homeless. On Wednesday we worked at Hope Haven with Mark Richards and the crew, and we even played a little. We then did "Soul Patrol" for the evening. On Thursday we had morning worship and intercession, then we did a prayer walk and passed out fliers for an outreach we did on Saturday evening. Then it was time for the Thursday night English service and we have been trying some interesting things with the service. We spoke for about 25 minutes on hearing God's voice. We had set up table in the service so everyone was sitting at tables instead of looking at the backs of people's heads. After the teaching we opened up discussion at the tables with the questions: How do you hear God, How does He speak to you and what is He saying to you today. At the end we opened it up for some testimonies and it was amazing to hear how God had spoke to the people. Friday was our busy day with three scheduled ministries for the day. In the morning we went and spent four and a half hours at the Jackson House Malnutrition Center...This is one of all of ours favorite places. After lunch we went to a drug rehab and did worship, Betty did a testimony then we did a skit and Greg (this is I) did a testimony and then we prayed with the men....God really showed up there...this was very good, especially the prayer part. We ended the night with playing with kids an orphanage....This is pure religion...On Saturday we did Kids Club at 9am and did the movie outreach in the evening. Now it is time to rest and get ready for running with God in the next sphere of our lives. We are exited to see what He is going to have us join Him in doing. Tomorrow we go to the beach then we head back to Chico on Thursday. This is the last update from me...God has changed us all and we each look forward to sharing all God has done in our hearts with you as we return home.

Jackson House Malnutrition Center

Cheryl and Eddy

Melanie (A volunteer at the Jackson House) and Jose Luis.

Wendy.....she is so cute...she was new at the Jackson House

Greg and Antonio

Greg and Angel. Angel was a new kid in the Jackson House

The famous Jose Luis

Taking the goats for a walk

Cheryl and Eddy

Kathy and Ingrid

Beatrice and Glendy

Mark Richardson from Hope Haven

Cheryl and Bill in these wheelchair machines called PETS.

Bill and Kathy playing at Hope Haven

Greg playing at Hope Haven

Good Samaritan School

Soul Patrol in the Park in the Middle of Antigua

Cheryl and Maria

Good Samaritan School....This is the principle Magda

Guatemala City Outreach

2009-05-25T22:27:00.000-07:00

It was an amazing ten days in Guatemala City. We stayed busy with ministry the entire time we were there and we all felt blessed by the ministries that had been prepared for us to participate in. The leadership team at Guatemala City was top notch! We were very impressed with them. They truly blessed us and were fun to be with.

We've loaded 30 new pictures. There is a lot to show. Our hearts continue to be broken and God continues to blow us away. In the first five pictures you will see our team on a prayer walk and intercession for the city.

Captions then will be under each set of pictures....I'm not going to say a lot...we will let the pictures speak for themselves.

Greg, Bill and Efrian...I hope I spelled that correctly. We just call him "Little e"

Sarah, Little e, Greg, Ale and Beatrice.

This is "Hogar Luz de Maria" Orphanage. None of these kids names will be listed...because they don't have names...they were left in dumpsters, the garbage dump or left in churches. All the children here were under five. This place really broke our hearts, God's too!

This is as close as this little girl ever got to me. It was like she didn't want anything to do with people. As a matter a fact it felt this way with most of the kids here at this orphanage. The staff was amazing but you could feel the wounds of the children.

Here is the Dump that a lot of these kids came from....and the children and people that are still living there...we couldn't go in the dump and take pictures but as you will see the houses and people live on the dump.

This is a program that the Guatemala City YWAM Base does every week at the dump. What an amazing ministry. We were blessed to join them.

They go here to get a little food for the family. The kids go to get the food as you can see.

This is a retirement home that we visited. We played games with the people it was really fun.

Outreach to children in the park

Guatemala City Orphanage. We have seen a lot of children on this outreach that don't have parents or a home. Each time tears are brought to our eyes. This orphanage was impressive on how it was ran. Each house is set up with house parents and an assistant. They try to model the family as best they can. When we were upstairs in the girls dorm a few of the girls were dancing for us and my heart was broken becuse in the spirit I could feel them say..."am I pretty enough for you to take me home?" I just want to take all the kids home! I'm going to need a really big house!

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life

2009-05-15T09:19:00.000-07:00

Hello family and friends,

In Proverbs chapter 4 it says that "above all else, guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life" I always thought that this meant we should be protective of our heart to keep it pure and protect if from being hurt. Over the last two weeks I've learned new things about this passage of scripture. See every night we come home from doing outreach with the kids I think about the events of the day and tears come to my eyes when I'm thinking of the starving children that are in the first set of pictures and the orphans and the kids that come to the kids club and schools we go into. The kids that don't have fathers or a concrete floor. And in coming home I ask God how do I protect my heart from being hurt or broken when these things are going on? I felt God say to me this week..."this is protecting your heart, don't harden your heart against the needs you see here don't quit feeling what I feel every day for these children of mine...this is protecting your heart....this is a pure heart that beats with mine."

We all love these kids so much...we will never be the same and I think that is God's work in us...to never leave us the same.....when you encounter needs like we have here....you encounter God in a new way.

The gospel awaits new discover in the open places we leave in our hearts. Jesus today is more amazing than yesterday, because our hearts are more open today than in the past.

We are putting up 19 new pictures for you to enjoy and we are headed to Guatemala City today until the 25th of May. We then will return here to Antigua for one more week of outreach then debrief.

Please continue to keep James and Dawn and the family in your prayers. Our new facilitator; Bill has fit right in. Things are going as smooth as they have and should when you have a team that is united and moves as one as God has allowed us.

I do want to apologize for any misspelled words, I can't seem to get the spell checker to work and spelling isn't one of my stronger skills.

Jackson House Malnutrition Center. This is Jose Luis. We has shown pictures of him to the world in the past. He is still in the center. When I fed him I had to force feed him because he is use to starving and hasn't adjusted to eating yet. I think we are still friends though even though he was pretty mad when I was holding him down shoving food down his throat.

Jackson House Malnutrition Center. This is Antonio.

The Jackson House Malnutrition Center. Kathy is holding Ingrid; Ingrid came in from the field outreach that we did a few weeks ago. These are children that this project is stealing from the grave. They are almost dead when they get them and bring them in. Cheryl is holding Eddy; Eddy is 20 months old....and Bill our new facilitator is holding Dulce; Dulce means sweet in Spanish and she is....she is 13 months old.

Jesse and her husband Edwin are new staff at the Antigua Base. A great asset to the ministry. Jesse is holding Jose Luis and Antonio.

Jackson House Malnutrition Center. Beatrice is holding Glendy; Glendy is 4 months old.

Our second outreach to the Good Samaritan School. We are building relationships there in the schools with the kids and staff. We are welcome to come any time now day or afternoon.

Good Samaritan School arts and crafts with the teachers and students

This is one of the teachers and students at Good Samaritan School. The name of the teacher is Carmen....very good teachers here at this school.

Good Samaritan School outreach. This is the amazing Edwin and Bill holding the curtain for Beatrice and Cheryl and Kathy while they do the puppet show.

We can dance!

Cheryl and Mandy doing kids club at the base. We do this on Saturdays. Mandy is a missionary with the International Missionary Board; another missionary organization that we are building relationship with. Another missionary woman by the name of Kendall was with Mandy.

Kids Club at the Antigua Base

Kids Club, This is Kendall working with the children.

Mandy, Kathy and Cheryl working with the kids club at the Antigua Base

Seeds of Hope Orphanage. We completed the painting of the outside.

Bill, Cheryl and Kathy doing a third coat on the Seeds of Hope Orphanage

Beatrice, Cheryl and Kathy riding in the back of the Truck into Antigua.

I love them glasses Marianne

Week Five of Outreach

2009-05-09T06:23:00.000-07:00

It has been an amazing week, yet it has been very different without our leaders. We missed them and it was like part of our family was gone. We ask that you continue to lift them up in prayer as they walk through this season in their lives.

We are blessed to have an amazing team here at the Antigua Base. They have done well with the adjustment of us being here instead of heading to Guatemala City. Dale Harrison the Chico Base Leader is here right now with a new facilitator to carry us through the remainder of the outreach. His name is Bill and He was visiting from Kona and he agreed to join us. He has been here in Guatemala and is fluent in Spanish. He is going to be a great fit.

We've loaded ten new pictures for you to look at and see the work that God is doing in us...or us in Him...one of those ways...maybe both...yay...both, yet first We want you to read a testimony from Beatrice. Hope you enjoy. Sorry I wasn't able to do two posts this week...it is just a little busy for two blogs a week at this time....thanks for your understanding, prayers and grace.

Beatrice testimony:

During the first week of our outreach I made an interesting experience that gave me a new point of view for things we do during outreach. Many of our activities are just short. We meet people only once or during a short time. So on Tuesday afternoon. We visited a place called “cabezitas de algodon” (cotton heads) where we spent more or less an hour with old people living there. We didn’t even have a song prepared. So we just went around and talked to some of the older women and men, sitting in the courtyard. The oldest lady was 103. I talked with Mrs. Timotea (she cannot hear anymore), with Mrs. Maria -Elena, with Mr. Hector, with Mr. Francisco and with another man. I had the impression that we couldn’t do much in this time. But one of the men, who started to tell me his whole life-story, said to me when we were about to leave, that we had brought much joy to them. “Today joy has arrived to this house through your visit”, was Mr. Hector’s comment. I was quite surprised to hear that. And it made me change my opinion about short visits.

We pioneered a new relationship with a Christian School here this week. The name of the school is; Good Samaritan Christian School. The principal Magda gave us a testimony that she had really good funding from some Germans and Canadians but they asked her not to do any Christian dramas or teachings in the schools and she refused and was trusting God and He has continued to provide.

We taught the kids the Lord's Prayer and the picture they are coloring is of a child praying

Songs with the children at Good Samaritan. The teacher in the white is Victoria

The woman know what they are doing....I'm still kind of confused about all this...and still haven't figured out all the songs.

See here we are again...what's up?

This is a set of pictures from Hope Haven. Hope Haven is an amazing ministry that builds wheelchairs and sends them to kids and people who can't afford them...all over the world. They have delivered over 75,000 wheelchairs and currently have logged over one million volunteer hours to this date. Prisoners in South Dekota prisons work at building these chairs along with several other plants. You can get them on the web at www. hopehaveninternational.org

We spent most of the day re-arranging a where
house. There was so much dust from all the work and it was one of the hardest labor intense days for the team...we all slept really good that night. It was so incridible because as we were working a group came in for wheel chairs and we got to be part of that.

Kathy and Beatrice working with a girl that was being fitted for a chair.

Most of the people that work at Hope Haven are handicapped....if you would call it that. I worked all day with my new friend Carlos...there isn't a picture here....but he lost both of his legs...they got chopped off in a train accident. We were moving these 15 foot shelves in the where house and we were moving stuff on the top shelves and I look up and there is Carlos on the top of the racks handing me things on the ground. He has two prostectic legs. I'm serious....I didn't outwork Carlos that day! You can see videos on U-Tube.

This is Mary....We painted her apartment for her....she was so grateful...she's a missionary here in Guatemala....see before and after pictures.

Lake Atitlan

2009-05-03T20:20:00.000-07:00

Greetings from the team. It has been an amazing week, yet it has been one of those weeks that have not only stretched us and our hearts but one of those weeks when trials and tribulations come. We ask you to remember our leaders James and Dawn and their family as they face another huge family trial this week. Last night they found out that Dawn's dad had passed away. This news coming only two months of James losing his dad. This is a lot to walk through for anyone...especially kids. Please remember to lift them up in prayer as they go back to Canada to be with family. They have been amazing leaders...good enough that they have showed us that we can stay and continue to do what we were brought here to do...it won't be the same without them...they are already missed...

We've loaded ten new pictures and some testimonies. I'm going to try to do two blogs a week now to keep our leaders and you all updated on what God is doing.

We got to do a little walking on the way back from the lake...The van got a little hot with all of us in it...the hills are so steep it is a lot of work and the van was having a little problem...I think the problem was Matthew's (speedy's) weight....or it could have been James and I.

This is Nick's Place Restaurant in San Pedro. This was our day off. We spent the morning at Panajachel. This is about three blocks from our hotel. It was a great day of relaxing and team fellowship

Kathy, Beatrice and Cheryl shopping....this happens every time we are not doing some ministry...I'm really glad for this....they keep me in chocolate....good team yay?

This is Betty...Pastor Efraim's wife. We worked together with them, they live in San Pablo. There are seventeen towns on the lake. Betty runs an health care ministry out of their house. She has an amazing testimony and she has cancer. We prayed for her twice while we were there, but she got some reports back from the doctors and well it wasn't good news. Please remember to pray for her and their ministry that they do. We are going to put in some testimonies and this is Cheryl's testimony:

A week full on new experiences! It's hard to choose only one highlight. Going to a refugee camp and spending time with kids and combing and doing the girls hair was a privilege. The most memorable time for me was spending time with Pastor Efraim and His wife, Betty. They are a couple with some very real needs themselves, but they give and give and give to those who have nothing. It was a blessing to share a bit with them, pray for them and go with Betty on one of her visits to an elderly woman's home. We were able to buy a towel and some groceries for this woman and her handicapped daughter.

This is a family that City Light Church in Chico California will be building a new house for. Bruce with the YWAM Team here in Antigua will be leading this project up. Five people live in this shack. We can make a difference one family at a time.

From left to right starting in the back: Jessica, James and Greg. Next row...Kaitlyn, Dawn, Beatrice, Kathy and Bruce the Base leader of Antigua YWAM Base. Next row...Matthew (Speedy), Pedro and Pastor Antonio(an amazing pastor that is doing amazing work in San Pablo and the area around the lake) Cheryl.

^{This was the refugee camp that we went to on Friday. Kathy gives Testimony: For me, seeing the people out in the remote villages and working closely with them has given me a new reality for this verse:}

^{Romans 8:18}

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” I had read this verse many times, memorized it and thought that I understood it. Now I see that these people are living it.

Doing the girls hair in the refugee camp

This is a stove that the families can get for free if they do the training program. There is 6 people I counted living in this house. That is...if they were all there...they probably weren't all there.

CDTS Outreach Week Three

2009-04-24T09:07:00.000-07:00

We had another full week of ministry. The kids continue to break our hearts and there is not any shortage of opportunities for ministry. We've been in Hospitals, schools and way out up in the mountains of Guatemala loving on people all week. We've uploaded 7 new pictures with captions under them to tell you a little of what God has been allowing us to do with Him.

This is the Jackson House Team, A few from the health clinic and of course part of our team that went out into the field up in the hills of Guatemala on Thursday. This was an all day outreach and a huge adventure.

During the break at our field outreach we had to do a little playing with the kids.

After the kids were weighed and got their shots we handed out formula and information on malnutrition. Malnutrition is a education issue as well as a poverty issue.

The kids are measured and weighed to see if they are suffering from malnutrition. Some of them don't care for this to much.

Clown skit at one of the schools this week...amazing program that takes kids from the streets and puts them into schools. We have information how you can directly sponsor and adopt one of these kids and put them through school.

Another outreach for malnutrition center in the villages.

This is Hamano Pedro Hospital. We've been their a few times and were not able to get pictures.....but because of establishing a relationship with them now we were able to take a few pics. This place breaks your heart. These kids are well taken care of...but don't get enough attention.

CDTS Outreach Kids Ministry

2009-04-17T10:19:00.000-07:00

It has been another amazing week for our team. Last Sunday we did a kids program at a local church here in San Miguel Escabar. The kids were so much fun and very receptive to our attempts at the Spanish language and our songs. We are getting a little better as time goes. One thing we quickly notice is how we are able to spend time playing with them without any of the things that we have back home and how grateful they are to just have someone spending time with them....We could spend all day just kicking a can or taking pictures of them and then showing them. Below We wil comment on each picture so you have an idea what we are experiencing down here...I really think that it is us who are getting blessed and changed!

This picture is some of the kids from the kids program we did at the church last Sunday. We Sung songs, played games and did bible stories and skits. Then we took pictures and played football (soccer)

This is the orphanage that we have been painting. We did the yellow color. The guard with the shotgun works the gate...this is common to have guards at places such as this, all banks and Pepsi trucks. This is so they don't get robbed!

This was the sunrise service we did at the cross lookout in Antigua. We started at about 6am

This is Juan Louis. He is in the Malnutrition Center that we went to on Wednesday. You can see how small he is. This was an amazing place...they go out and do field outreaches to the community to see if kids are getting the food they need. When they find kids who are in trouble they take them back to the center and get them healthy. A social worker then works with the family on educating them as well as helping them with foods and water filtering.

Crossroads Team at the Malnutrition Center

Greetings from the 2009 Crossroads Team.

2009-04-13T05:15:00.000-07:00

Greetings from the 2009 Crossroads Team.

We are having an amazing time and God has given us many opportunities to share His love with many of the people in Guatemala. The week that we arrived here in Antigua it was Semana Santa (Holy Week). During Semana Santa the streets are adorned with magnificent floral carpets of pines, dyed sawdust and flower petals depicting vivid religious scenes. Local congregations, known as Cofradias, carry large wooden litters festooned with flowers and decorations, bearing the figures of the Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ. A lot of emphasis is put on the death of Jesus and not much on the resurrection. During this time we did a lot of street ministry and we asked the people of Antigua several questions and we've come to find out that many participate out of tradition rather than belief. They've always done this...this way. It was amazing to see all the floral carpets and see that the people are very spiritual...everyone is involved, even children.

Our week began with us working at a wheel chair ministry that supplies free wheel chairs for children all around the world. The next day we went to a retirement home, they call this, "The home of the cotton heads" this is a term of endearment and respect. From there we went out and handed out reflectors for people to put on their bikes. (See Pictures) This was amazing because so many are killed here on the roads, they are kind of dangerous. The reflectors gave us an opportunity to share the gospel and pray with the men on the bikes. We then spent a day painting an orphanage which we will do again this week. Thursday we led a English service at the coffee shop of YWAM in Antigua. Friday we had a day off and Saturday we did the kids ministry here at the base, (See pics). Sunday we did the Sunrise Service in Antigua and then we did a kids ministry at the church here in our village which is called Sam Miguel Escobar. The kids are so amazing here! I think that our whole team would agree that it is the children that have stolen our hearts! They are so grateful and it takes nothing for them to hang all over you.

We will try to update this blog at the minimum once a week and more as time allows.
Thank for your prayers. Dios te bendega!

The crossroads team!

Cofradias, carrying the large wooden litters,

bearing the figures of the Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ.

Magnificent floral carpets on the street.

Easter Sunrise Service over looking Antigua.

Our team painting the "Seed of Love" orphanage

Greg putting reflectors on the bicycles

Matthew playing at our Kids Club

Belated Update

2007-12-15T15:49:00.000-08:00

Sorry this post is a little late this week, we had a small hurricane
come close to us on Monday, and the power was still out until late in
the afternoon on Tuesday. This is the update for last week. I'll have an
update about the hurricane and other news next week.

This week
(Monday) started out with our first torrential downpour that we've had
while here in Fiji. It rained extremely hard for just a short period on
time. That night we met some police officers that were staying at the
hotel. They were in Nadi for a spiritual leadership conference for the
police force in the area. We were able to pray for them and the
conference.

On Tuesday most of the team spent the day near
Sigatoka with Pastor Paula's brother Pastor Pisa. He is the pastor of a
small church there. We had a pretty good crowd of kids and some adults.
Robin dressed up as a clown and lead us all in some songs. Frank did a
teaching on Jericho and how the Israelites marched around the wall and
then shouted and blew the horns and the walls came tumbling down. We all
sang “Joshua Fought the Battle of Jericho” and marched around the bula
mat and had a great time. Lynda then did a couple of stories with the
kids and some card tricks with a message of how God sees us all the same
and He cleanses us from our sins. We ate lunch there and then walked
over to the church and prayed with Pastor Pisa while Robin took some of
the kids into the jungle.

Wednesday we joined with a number of
churches to do an open air service at a park right by the bus station
and the large market. There were a number of skits done by the churches,
and some worship songs. Some of our team were dressed as clowns, and
handed out candy to people walking by to try and draw them into the park
for the service.

Thursday we did more family visits. Bill
visited a family for a follow-up of a visit last week. The wife had had
some severe kidney problems some time ago, but had been prayed over and
healed. Her husband says he is a Christian, but his walk doesn't match
his statements. Bill encouraged them to come to church, but they said
they too busy working to be able to go. He told them about the Indian
cell group that meets on Thursday nights and invited them to come there.
The person that Frank, Caleb D., Israel, Dan, Robin, Caleb O., Joshua,
Nathaniel and Pastor Paula were supposed to visit wasn't there, so we
visited another family from EWC. They were and Indian couple, Herman and
Suman. They have two grown children. The couple were lead to the Lord
through their younger son who had become a believer when he was 18. The
older son came along later, and has a great testimony of how God blesses
you for following His ways. That night we joined the Indian cell group
for their weekly meeting at EWC. Asha, one of the women in the group
showed Bill an entry in her journal that had our class verses. Bill had
spoken on them on the Sunday before, so she thought she would share it
with him. Bill was looking at it and realized that the date of the entry
was his birthday during our lecture phase. God is so cool to keep
bringing up these confirmations of what we are supposed to be doing
here.

Friday we were supposed to hand out things for Samaritan's
purse, but we couldn't get the permits required by the government to
gather a crowd. So most of the team went to the beach to pick up trash
and to enjoy the warm water of the ocean (it feels like bath water).
Chick and Dan went to Uma's house to help with the construction of his
new house just down the road. There wasn't anything for them to do that
day, so they joined the rest of the team at the beach and helped pick
up. There were a couple of Sunday school classes there celebrating their
break-up, which is the end of classes for the year. They saw us picking
up trash and started cleaning up the areas that they were using. Fiji
is such a beautiful place, but there is a huge litter problem. People
would rather throw it by the roadside than pay the high price for it to
be properly taken care of.

Saturday Chick and Dan went back to
Uma's for the morning to help level out the ground and prepare it for
the floor to be poured on Monday. That afternoon we all went to the
break-up for the EWC Sunday school. We had clowns and did some other
games and spent some time just having fun with the kids.

Sunday
we heard a message from Pastor Solomon. It was the first message he has
ever given in English, everything for the past 35 years he's been in
ministry was in Fijian. He did a great job. He spoke on John 11:17-44,
Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead.

God continues to give us all
divine appointments wherever we go throughout the week and we are able
to freely talk to just about everyone about the love that God has for
them. The people here are hungry for the relationship that God wants to
have with them. We are grateful for our time here and pray that we are
furthering the Kingdom of God with our presence. To God be the glory!

If
you would like to see pictures, please go to the Oosterhouse's website.
I'm having trouble getting the pictures on the blog mostly due to ify
connections. The website is at: www.oilandflour.com , then click on the
pictures page.

Bula!

2007-12-15T10:48:00.000-08:00

Greetings and Bula to all friends and family!

This concludes our fourth week of ministry in Fiji. On
Monday we will be leaving Lautoka, heading back to our humble abode in
Nadi. We hope to be spending a week working with the Shiloh
International Church doing children’s Vacation Bible School. We will
also be spending our Christmas holiday in Nadi.

As the Christmas season creeps upon all of society back
home, and as people are rushing to do their holiday planning, YWAM Chico
students are making their way through the homes and streets of Fiji
Islands, sharing with them the true meaning of Christmas… the love of
their Creator.

Over this past week we have continued to work with Pastor
Maikeli and the youth at his ministry house. We have stepped out in
street evangelism and moved forward in our home visitations to Fijians
and Indo-Fijians, sharing the different things God has done in our own
lives. People have been very open to hear about the Lord, as well as
open to receive Him into their lives.

A testimony from one of our DTS students:

“One morning during intercession, the Lord showed me a
picture of a lady dressed in lime green, with lots of jewelry on. I
felt like she had a lot of material things and I prayed for her to find
Jesus and not look to other things. Later on that day we were doing
house-to-house evangelism. We met a woman and as we shared with her, she
began showing me a small stack of pictures. One of the pictures of her
was the same as I had seen earlier during prayer. She was wearing the
green dress and had a lot of jewelry on. I thought it was cool how God
showed me that picture, and that I was able to pray for her in person.
It showed me that God was speaking to me and encouraged me to not
ignore the things He shows me.”

~AnaLisa Broderick

We also visited several cell groups in the area. We have not
only had the opportunities to share what God’s done in our lives, but
we have also been able to listen to the Fijian’s hearts and hear what
God has done in their own lives. What a blessing it has been to hear
testimonies from those we fellowship with!

Fiji is a highly relational culture. Almost everywhere we
go, people have shared their lives with us through fellowship and their
hospitality through opening their homes, tea and bread. We were
encouraged about our ministry here when Ed shared the following
scripture with us from Acts 2:46-47:

“So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and
breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness
and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the
people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being
saved.”

It’s funny to think that while family members and friends at
home may be trudging through snow and rain, we have been walking the
streets in the hot sun, sitting on woven mats, having tea, breaking
bread, fellowshipping, and playing volleyball with our new friends in
Fiji.

We also drove about an hour away and spent the day in a town
called Ba. We visited some homes and then went to a prison down the
street. People were very responsive to the message and the testimonies
that were shared. We also spent some time this week doing service
work, pulling weeds and raking. It reminds me of a quote, “Preach the
gospel always, and sometimes use words.” He has called us here to share
His love with people and has given us abundant opportunities to do so.
In our stepping out in faith, He is blessing people through us.

It has been a tremendous blessing to work with Pastor
Maikeli, the youth and YWAMers these last two weeks. It will be
difficult to part from their outstretched arms. We thought we were
coming here to reach out and bless people, yet it’s hard to believe we
could be any more of a blessing than they are to us. Each day we fall
more and more in love with the people and this beautiful land!

We hope that everyone back in the States and in Europe are
well and safe. We want to wish you all good holidays and a Merry
Christmas! Thank you again for all of your thoughts and your prayers.
Know that you are a part of what God is doing here, simply in those
prayers. God is faithful and He hears us when we call.

God bless!

Fall 2007 DTS and BLS

YWAM Chico

Greetings from Lautoka Fiji!

2007-12-01T13:25:00.000-08:00

We arrived in Lautoka
yesterday afternoon, and are staying with Pastor Maikeli and his wife
Va. All is well.

Since our last update we have been keeping busy
through our neighborhood in Nadi. Last Sunday we were able to
participate in a service at Heritage Family Centre International
Church in sending off missionaries to different parts of the world. The
YWAM Fiji DTS students were there as well, anticipating an outreach to
India. We were able to pray for them with the church and be blessed by
some of their own dramas. After the three and a half hour service we
had a curried lunch together with the church community. It was a great
time of fellowship.

Some friends of ours, Robert and Menani have
blessed us by cooking dinner for us throughout the week. We had an
assortment of fish, Fijian stew, and chop suey. The food has been
quite different from what we are used to, but it has been fresh and
essentially, gourmet. We’ve been well fed.

Tuesday we had a “free day,” in which Ed and
Kelly took us to a nearby beach, Wailoaloa. We walked along the beach to
a nearby resort. We all had a nice time relaxing and swimming for the
few hours that we were out. It ended up raining, so we headed back to
the house. Despite the clouds and shy weather, a majority of us ended
up pretty well sunburned. All in all, it was good for us to have the
day to relax, catching up on our journals and laundry.

Throughout the week, the DTS and BLS team spent
a substantial amount of time working on new dances and dramas. We have
completed two dances (a worship dance and a pop dance) and one drama.
It’s been a lot of work, but everyone has been faithful in his or her
participation, and in making this something that can be effective in
our ministry.

We have also had the opportunity to be under
the submission and guidance of one of our BLS students, Elaine. She did
an amazing job and was very natural about her leadership. She took over
Ed and Kelly’s position up until we left for Lautoka on Saturday.

We also were able to visit a nearby orphanage.
We took a bus just down the road to Treasure House, where there are
about five orphans living. The orphanage has five other girls, but they
are older, and in school. They also live at a different location.

While we were at Treasure House, we helped with the five
younger boys and girls. The orphanage operates as home and has a very
healthy environment (both physically & emotionally). The women that
minister to the children are a genuine blessing, compassionate. They
have a great measure of patience and unconditional love. It was good
to see the children receiving the love and affection they need.

After our first day at the orphanage we decided
to go back the following day. We divided the team into two groups and
sent one half to be with the children, and the other half stayed at the
house to work on Chapel talks and create a drama.

The team participated in a lot of different
acts of service in our community. We were able to spend an afternoon
picking up trash all throughout the neighborhood and later burning it in
our backyard. We also went to our neighbors and asked them what we
could help with. Some of us raked, some did laundry, and others did
different things to help serve. It was such a blessing to be able to
bless people in that way. We are still in the process of building
relationships and simply being a light to the dark places. We try and
do this through serving, as Christ did.

People are very relational here and there is no
way past that. It really is a blessing to connect so easily with people
when they are this open and willing to share their lives with you.

Sports are a constant happening in Fiji. Va told
us they love Rugby so much that even if they don’t have a ball,
they’ll play with a coconut. While the boys are running each other over
on the fields, a lot of the girls are on either sides of a volleyball
net. We were invited to play volleyball with some of our neighborhood
youth. They play everyday for a few hours, so we stopped by to play on
Monday. It was so exciting to be a part of their games. Most of us had
the opportunity to play and take turns with the Fijian boys and girls. I
think that playing volleyball was one of those moments where I felt
part of. I felt like there was this natural connection between the
YWAMers and the Fijians, like we were playing with friends that we met
with regularly. That’s just how they make you feel – as if you are one
of them. Welcome. We have been back since then to play and it was just
as much fun.

Friday night we were invited to the Shiloh
International Church for the youth service. You have to understand
that youth in Fiji can pretty much be up through age twenty-five. We
had a time of worship with the church and shared a few testimonies,
dramas, and chapel talks. We were very blessed to see a group of teens
that showed up from our own neighborhood (they were the girls we met
playing volleyball). After our service, we had a time of fellowship with
cake and juice (what is known here as tea).

This Sunday we returned to Heritage Christian
Church and met up with some of the Crossroaders. Seeing them again was
like seeing family members. They shared a drama during the service, and
we also shared a few, as well as a few testimonies from Liv and Gratia.
Va shared from I Samuel during the service. It was very encouraging.

Later Sunday evening we had another chance to
be a part of Pastor Maikeli’s ministry. We went to a village that was
actually the first place the Fijians came to on this island. It is also
the village that the Fiji President is from. We had a few tours by
some of the boys that are a part of the cell group. The village is
right on the West coast, so we were all able to watch the sun set,
right alongside the ocean’s salty waters. It was beautiful! What a
creative Creator we have! The tour was actually very helpful because we
have heard many things about the Fijian villages, but it was nice to
finally see it for ourselves, and to gain understanding of some of the
traditions, history, and the way that the community functions.

After the tours we had a time of fellowship with the boys in
the cell group. We were able to speak into their lives what we felt God
was sharing with us, and one of the boys was especially called out. He
was brought to tears as some of our DTS students shared with him what
words of knowledge the Lord was giving to them about his life.

We are so blessed by what opportunities the
Lord is giving us during our time here. The relationships are still
growing and we very much look forward to the time that we will be
spending with Pastor Maikeli. They have so humbly and willingly opened
their home to us. We are very honored by their generosity and their
hospitality. Pastor Maikeli has a lot planned for us during our two and
a half weeks stay, so we look forward to coming alongside what God is
doing here.

As much as we feel led to be a blessing, serve,
teach, disciple, and make a difference in our time in Fiji, we are the
ones really being blessed, discipled, and changed. Everyday I see how
much more Fiji has to teach me about relationships and hospitality,
about having a passion for Jesus and a heart for the nations, about
honor and value. The people of Fiji truly are a beautiful people. We
are so blessed to learn, grow, and to walk along side of them.

We hope you are all well back home and we send
our love. Thank you again for your thoughts and prayers. We appreciate
all that you do for us. Thank you for your willingness to open your
hearts and hands to what God is doing through us in Fiji, as well as in
our own lives.

God bless,

Fall 2007 DTS and BLS

YWAM Chico

Arrival in Fiji

2007-11-23T13:29:00.000-08:00

After twenty-four hours of travel time from the Chico YWAM base, the
DTS and BLS students and our staff have arrived safely in Nadi Fiji. It
was such a blessing to see Dale at the airport! We have made
ourselves at home just outside of Nadi in a three bedroom house that
YWAM Chico is renting. Dale also spent some time with us and helped us
get set up in our new home. Vinaka Dale!

Things seem to be moving a little slowly, but God is
providing many opportunities for relationship building just around our
neighborhood. There is an emphasis on building relationships and on
crossing over to the Fijian and Indo-Fijian cultures. We want to reach
the people where they are, and to do so are we are engaging ourselves
in the day-to-day lifestyles of the Fijians. Which is, in essence
simple. The Fijians are beyond friendly. They are very relational and
willing to open both their homes and their lives to us Americans. You
will not pass by more than three people without a cheerful “Bula!”
(meaning hello) and a smile.

The first day of being here, the students went into town for
a few hours. The shops were mainly owned by Indo-Fijians. We walked
around observing the culture and the people living in it. We talked to a
few people about what we were doing in Fiji, and some knew about YWAM
Chico.

We met up with our leaders and Dale at a McDonalds just a
few miles down the road from where we are staying. We later met up with
the Crossroader’s team and went to dinner together on a Port. After
dinner there were a number of native dances and fire shows. It was nice
to see a glimpse of the culture in that way.

The next day we started the morning with worship and a team
meeting. Pastor Maikeli and his wife Va came to speak with us about the
culture and Evangelism. They told us how grateful they were to have us
come and be an example to their culture of what daily being a Christian
looks like. They also encouraged us that even though we may not see
the fruits of our time here, God is doing many things and has used many
of the DTS ministries to minister and help change Fijian’s lives.

We will be working with Pastor Maikeli and Va for seventeen
days doing an assortment of ministry. He has a church in Lautoka and we
will be able to come alongside what God is already doing there to help
serve and love on people.

Our second day of being in Fiji we also had an opportunity to
go to the YWAM Fiji base to have dinner and fellowship with the staff
and students there. They served us a traditional Fijian meal… fish
cooked in coconut milk, casava, tarot root, muscles, and corned beef
cooked in tarot leaves. It was an all around good time. The Fijian
dinner was amazing and the company was even better. Everyone was so
talkative and such a blessing to be around. They were very open about
their lives and about what God has done and is doing in them.

After dinner they performed a few cultural dances for us and
we all sang a few worship songs together. We left their company very
blessed and encouraged. God is doing work in Fiji and in people’s
lives all around the Eastern world.

It has been pouring rain the majority of our time here, but
we hear that it will be getting warmer. The landscapes are beautiful and
full of tropical delight. Our back yard has a banana, mango, and
coconut tree. We also are blessed by the tropical plants and flowers
that surround us daily. I cannot express enough how much warmth is
found in these people. I sometimes feel as though they are blessing us
more than we are them. It is simply the Fijian way.

Yesterday and today we spent some time walking through the
neighborhoods praying and getting to know the people. We met a local
pastor from Shiloh International Church and were invited to come and
visit their services. Everyone is so overwhelmingly hospitable,
inviting us over for dinner and for friendly conversations.

We plan to take a trip into town today and visit the “Bula
Festival” (a local carnival) in Nadi. We have hopes of emerging
ourselves in the community a bit more, as well as whatever it is that
God wants us to do.

Much of our time has also been spent in intercession and
prayer for whatever it is that the Lord wants us to do. When we don’t
have a set schedule we ask for guidance and the Lord is faithful in
directing us. We have had many pictures and directions in our prayer
times. God is sharing His heart with us, giving us the opportunity to
work with Him rather than by our own understanding.

It is an honor for us all to be here and to be a part of
what the Lord is doing throughout Fiji. We appreciate all of your
prayers and your thoughts. We are excited for what awaits us over the
next eight weeks. Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!

As the Fijians say, “Moce!”

God speed,

Fall 2007 DTS and BLS

YWAM Chico

YWAM Chico

"ROYALTY" Theme for Summer Teens

"ROYALTY" Theme for Summer Teens, II

August 2011 Staff Spotlight

the MIRACLE of life

July 2011 Staff Spotlight

Words of Life from ICS, part 1

Words of Life from ICS, part 2

Lillian Cooper's Legacy (Memorial Service to be held July 2, 2011)

Divine Expectations

Ezekiel 37

A Valley of Dry Bones

Winter 2011 DTS Graduation

June Staff Spotlight

Auf Wiedersehen...

Manlleu, Barcelona

Makaela's Story

Spanish Gyspy Culture

My Best Experience on Outreach until Now

My most Heart Filled Moment here in Spain

By: Mackenzie Santos

Spain Outreach Update

May "Staff Spotlight"

DTS Outreach to Spain

“YOU KNOW YOU’RE A YWAMer WHEN…” (quotes from YWAMers around the world)

Student Spotlight

The Living Room- Six Months and Counting

April "Staff Spotlight"

March "Staff Spotlight"

Meet Our New Staff Members

DTS/CDTS Outreach

DTS and Crossroads Fall 2010

Celebrating 50 Years of YWAM

CDTS Update- How God is using us in Labasa, Fiji

Genocide memorial built to honor famed General known as the “George Washington of Armenia”

Some Images from Outreach

After 10 days in Dreketi...

DTS Ministry Update from Labasa, Fiji

CDTS Serves with Dental Clinic in Solovi, Fiji

Ministry Update from Labasa, Fiji

Latest Facebook updates from the teams in Fiji

Kayla KlassenLoving Labasa! Kids ministry.. prison ministry.. church ministry.. busy, but lovvvvving every minute! Not to mention the intense rain wehad this morning.. and wind! wwwooowww!

Makayla GaylordJust got out of prison and I'm going back on Wed.

Jake FindleyHello from Sunny Fiji.

Shea Martensmisses chocolate milk and cheese...and menno food. hmm. but its a good think i love rice.really. i do. the food here is great! not kidding. seriously. just getting my point across...not lying. :) for realz!

Latest Facebook updates from the teams in Fiji

Cynthia Hood...off to Vanua Levu Island...Labasa & Dreketi...people are seeing God's love and commiting their lives to Him. The team has been greatly encouraged to see, hear and be a part of God's work here in Fiji. Thankseveryone for your prayers!

Kayla Klassenwe're heading over to Vanua Levu in a few days! yay! And yes, I may not be in Canada.. but all the same.. Go Canucks GOOOO!!!!! :)

Jonathan Griggtime here in Nadi has been amazing! i'm going to miss all my friends here. I hope to work with them again soon.

MakaylaGaylordI love God so much.Just thought the world should know how great He is but then I realisedthat there is no way I could even begin to describe how truely AMAZING He is. So I'm just gunna say that I love Him. So much. ^_^

SheaMartensonly a few more days with our vunayasi friends. :( then off to our next destination of lautoca! haha i have no idea how to spell either of those!

DenisGarciamOving On!! Vanua Levu.. Labasa.. Dreketi.. here we gO!! =) this is an incredible experience!! yeah!! =)

CDTS sees family healed and meet Jesus

Thanks for reading our blog!

DTS Team meets a young man they had interceded for while still in Chico

CDTS in a Nadi Hospital

Latest Facebook updates from the teams in Fiji

Bula from Fiji!

Packing Day

Ministry with Kona DTS

Christmas in Fiji

Hurricane!

Wow, what a busy week!

Getting settled in Fiji

Arrival in Fiji

Last Log Date for CDTS Outreach stardate 6.1.2009

Guatemala City Outreach

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life

Week Five of Outreach

Lake Atitlan

CDTS Outreach Week Three

CDTS Outreach Kids Ministry

Greetings from the 2009 Crossroads Team.

Belated Update

Bula!

Greetings from Lautoka Fiji!

Arrival in Fiji

Kayla Klassen
Loving Labasa! Kids ministry.. prison ministry.. church ministry..
busy, but lovvvvving every minute! Not to mention the intense rain we
had this morning.. and wind! wwwooowww!

Makayla Gaylord
Just got out of prison and I'm going back on Wed.

Jake Findley
Hello from Sunny
Fiji.

Shea
Martens
misses chocolate
milk and cheese...and menno food. hmm. but its a good think i love rice.
really. i do. the food here is great! not kidding. seriously. just
getting my point across...not lying. :) for realz!

Cynthia Hood
...off to Vanua Levu Island...Labasa & Dreketi...people are seeing
God's love and commiting their lives to Him. The team has been greatly
encouraged to see, hear and be a part of God's work here in Fiji. Thanks
everyone for your prayers!

Kayla Klassen
we're heading over to Vanua Levu in a few days! yay! And yes, I may
not be in Canada.. but all the same.. Go Canucks GOOOO!!!!! :)

Jonathan Grigg
time here in Nadi has been amazing! i'm going to miss all my friends
here. I hope to work with them again soon.

Makayla
Gaylord
I love God so much.
Just thought the world should know how great He is but then I realised
that there is no way I could even begin to describe how truely AMAZING
He is. So I'm just gunna say that I love Him. So much. ^_^

Shea
Martens
only a few more
days with our vunayasi friends. :( then off to our next destination of
lautoca! haha i have no idea how to spell either of those!

Denis
Garcia
mOving On!! Vanua
Levu.. Labasa.. Dreketi.. here we gO!! =) this is an incredible
experience!! yeah!! =)