GoWests!

Enjoy the experience!  Come along with us as we “hunt” (you hunt everything here in Montana) this year’s Christmas tree.

Merry Christmas!

…Go Wests!

Hi all.

Just back from a trip which took me to Panama, then on to Taiwan.

Panama:

As a member of YWAM’s International Discipleship Training Centre (IDTSC), we meet globally once a year. This year we met in regions, the Americas rep’s meeting in Panama. We had around 20 members gather, representing DTS oversight from Canada down to Argentina.

Our discussions vary from recent inititiaves in discipleship, program multiplication and integrity, as well as what the Lord is speaking to us as a mission globally: where we should be focusing, contributing, and heading. For me personally two highlights of these meetings are:

IDTSC Americas Regional Members, Panama

1. the human connection. It always amazes me how personal and close this group of international and cross cultural volunteers is. Some of our best times are sharing what we are going through in work, life, heart, …successes and challenges.  Prayer for one another is always great, and God speaks through our relationships.

2. training and discipleship development. This element of our gatherings is priceless, and essential. We are able to learn from each other, hear what is working and what isn’t, and learn what other discipleship issues are being dealt with in their region’s programs and if any themes are emerging that we can recognize within the generations globally.

One more thing for me; it allows me to spread the word about the training I can offer others, such as DTS Equip, and other leadership development work.

From Panama, it was directly to Taiwan…

Taiwan:

It was such a privilege  to be invited to address the entire (35) DTS and SBS (School of Biblical Studies) staff in Taipei, Taiwan, on discipleship and leadership. It was a great week of coming back to our roots as disciples first, as sons and daughters of God, before we attempt to lead and disciple others. With some fantastic translation, I think we had a profound time of learning and growing, individually and corporately.

I also spent time with some of their training leaders talking about some extended, more specialized leadership development in the future.  This is very exciting to me, and I would like to think very beneficial for everyone. I look forward to more time in Taiwan, teaching both within, and outside of, the DTS program, such as the SBS.

On a much sadder note, I was in Taiwan when the earthquake and tsunami hit Japan. Taiwan soon received a tsunami warning and it wasn’t long before we were on our way to higher ground. Thankfully there was no tsunami of any significance to hit Taiwan.  On a better note, I was able to immediately contact my brother in law in Tokyo and talk to him and his family. They are fine, although they have just now relocated to his wifes family’s home further south in Japan, due to rolling blackouts, food issues, and approaching radiation.

PLEASE pray for the beautiful people of Japan. I have been there several times and love it. Seeing this lifetime-tragedy for so many people, from the comfort of my living room or office, makes us feel so helpless, inadequate, and hopeless. But God is still good! And reports of miracles are just now starting to emerge from a shattered nation. Reports of amazing rescues, inexplicable survival, selfless giving, and of course a global force of intercession and prayer. As I hear of things through our network of contacts in Asia and Japan, I will pass them on to you also.

One small miracle for me and my family… after being away for 2 weeks, I was looking at more days stranded in Taiwan as my flights home were heading back through Tokyo airport, which was promptly forced to close. At the last minute I was able to call my airline in the USA, and actually find a seat on a flight that night directly out of Taiwan, which was previously sold out (as all were for two days). Sweeeet.

Thanks for following me, and for your prayers and support.

JW

Hi All.

FYI, I just finished updating our calendar for the year.

As projects and commitments come up I update this calendar so people can get a glimpse of our ministry schedule.  Just click on “Calendar” on the right.

Thanks for looking!

JW

Hey all. Just got this, this morning.
While I don’t like to be the bearer of bad news, I couldn’t help but pass this one on. Please send out a prayer.  Thanks,

JW

Tragedy in Kenya
25/02/2011 2:32 pm
ShareThis

YWAM is devasted to report that around 1am on Friday, 25th February,
armed robbers broke into an orphanage operated by a YWAM team in Athi
River, Kenya, 50 km outside of Nairobi. A Dutch couple, Ebel and Lora
Kremer, managed the orphanage. In the attack, Ebel was shot and killed
in front of his wife and their two small children. A night watchman
was also injured in the shooting.

The orphanage shares a property with a YWAM community which is
preparing to host a Discipleship Training School graduation this
evening and has recently received students for a new DTS. Member care
professionals from YWAM Africa’s trauma team and other YWAM leaders
are on the scene to provide support and care.

Your prayers are requested for the family, staff and students of YWAM
Athi River.

Hello everyone. As I travel and talk to people I am sometimes asked what YWAM is doing in Haiti. We have a permanent work in Haiti, and has been there for many years.  Since the earthquake YWAM has been involved in virtually every sphere of the recovery of that nation, from day 1. We also lost people in the tragedy, and almost every local YWAM worker lost freinds and family. YWAM teams flooded in from [literally] all over the globe. Last month this email went tout as a general update. I thought I would also forward it to you. It will simply show you some of what has been happening through YWAM, but most of all, the goodness and faithfulness of God.

January 12^th 2011 marked one year since the earthquake shook the nation of Haiti! On January 12th there was a large gathering. YWAM partneried with the Protestant churches of Haiti in an act of unity, recognizing the saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ for those of us who survived the disaster! The event was called “Célébration de la vie” or “Celebration of Life!” We will be reflecting on what happened one year ago but with the motivation to give God thanks for what He has done in sustaining so many and the provision He has produced through so many organizations, churches and individuals!

Currently YWAM has various teams doing outreach in and around Port-au-Prince. Our newest YWAM Center operated by Director Peterson and Lucy Georges is gearing up to host their first Discipleship Training School this year as well as facilitate the teams they can. A YWAM team from Montana is on the island of la Gonave doing outreach with WISH Ministries and another team from YWAM Kona partnering with various ministries and orphanages in Montrouis. In St. Marc we continue building homes through the YWAM Ministry called Homes of Hope!

YWAM has closely followed 84 families since they were displaced and fled to St. Marc days following the earthquake. Since January we have been able to nurse back to physical health 62 injured people with their families, built permanent homes for 24 of these families and built semi permanent metal structured homes with concrete foundations for an additional 22 families. We have already received funding for the building of cement block homes for an additional 16 families in which these homes should be completed by the 1^st week of Feb. 2011. This will bring the total of relocated families to 40 in permanent cement block homes and 22 in semi permanent metal homes. I know you will enjoy praising God with us on this accomplishment.

In addition we have acquired and paid for 35 acres of land in Timonette, St. Marc. Our goal is to develop a village called the New Beginnings Village for January 12^th victims. This village will contain land for Resident homes, Church, Market and School. We have an additional 3 acres in Timonette where we have 30 hoop tents. These tents are acting as a temp housing for victims as we rotate families through into permanent homes. We require each family seeking a new home through the Homes of Hope Project be a victim of the earthquake, former renter in Port-au-Prince (With no intention to return),  participate in building at least three other homes beside their own, pay for the land the home is built and they must not sale or rent the home for a minimum of five years after entry. (For more info on Homes of Hope  www.ywamhaiti.org)

It has been so great to partner with so many this past year. Let me say once more a big thank you for the many volunteers that worked with us. I would like to take special not of those that help with the hoop tents through Espanshades Greenhouses. These tents became a model tent. The Commander for the UN in Haiti did a surprise visit to our camp in Timonette where we had the hoop tents erected. He observed the tents and the design of the camp. His comments were very positive as he shared that YWAM was a head of the curve with tent style, camp design and recovery strategy. It was a big encouragement for all of us and the efforts of so many that came as volunteers and the good people of Lancaster, PA area that sacrificed their time and resources in the design and implementation of the hoop tents. As we have relocated families we have disassembled many of the tents, storing them for quick response in case of future disasters.

Much to say and much has happened and we do not know how to thank you, your family and all those who have been involved thus far. Keep us in prayer through the day as we pray for a new foundation for new beginnings in Haiti! Zechariah 8:9-13.

Taking the High Places!

Terry W. Snow

Director St. Marc

www.ywamhaiti.org

A little late, but worth a peek.  A short little look at our Christmas in Montana.  A few video clips, …a few photos. It all starts with the West’s Christmas tree hunt…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EINzDzXne2w

Just a quick word/reminder about tax deductions.

I know that some of you who follow us out there (who file taxes in the USA) prefer to donate to our work at the years end. If this is you, be sure to get your donation in before December 31. Youth With A Mission will send you your tax deductible receipts for 2010.

Thank you to those individuals, families, and churches out there who give to our work. Your support is returning a yield in multiple lives, ministries, and continents!

JW

Hi all.

This Thursday last we commissioned our Fall Discipleship Training School.  They have been studying here since September, and now about to embark on their outreach phase. There are 4 teams heading to 4 different locations: Turkey, Thailand, Guatemala and Haiti.

It is a privilege for us us to work with this program, even though our involvement with this particular school was minimal due to our recent role in Asia. To be able to show you a little of the fruit that comes out of what we do (and in this case only half-way through the program) is a delight.  At our community service they did a little presentation for us.  Please take a look for yourself. Just click on the link below.  It is something called “cardboard testimonies”. …You can work out the rest.

For those of you who sponsor our work, this is just a part of the fruit we are working to produce together. Now, these transformed people are off to take the Great News to others!

God is good.

Enjoy, JW

Fall DTS Cardboard Testimonies