Ukraine 2 Mid-Trip Report

Dear Family and Friends,

Here in the middle of the ministry, we are in Odessa where there is internet. The rest of the time, we are in a little town on the edge of the black sea and do not have access to the internet. So, we thank you now for continued prayers for us. We are well cared for by the hospitable Christian leaders in Yuzhny. After the long trip, they treated us to a day of rest, playing volleyball in the shallows of the Black Sea and visiting their city. Yuzhny is only 25 years old as a city. We have been ministering each day in a church there, running a VBS program for the children and youth.

The weather is very hot yet not one of the team has complained. Attitudes seen among the team are gracious, caring for one another and very loving toward the nationals. Already, the children have won our hearts and our team is realizing they will be saying good-by to new friends. In the afternoons we have traveled a ways from the city to surrounding villages where a mule and cart pass on the same road as a motor scooter. The village children were waiting by their gate when we arrived, a half hour before the VBS would begin. They greeted us with enthusiasm and immediately we were playing with them. When making balloon animals, they asked to learn so we pumped up balloons and watched their joy in creating simple balloon animals. With the language barrier, pantomime’s have been extremely valuable. Yesterday as we did the creation, fall and crucifixion in pantomime, the children watched with emotion and squeals as Christ came alive and defeated satan. The pastor got very excited and requested this pantomime to be done again for the church service on Sunday. Praise the Lord for the universal language of pantomimes.

We were traveling home yesterday from the village, stopped at an orphanage to drop off on of the youth, and were invited to watermelon. We all got off and spent the next two hours playing games and laughing with the children. We will return there Sunday afternoon. Monday and Tuesday will continue to be busy ministry days as well. Please do not stop praying. Today as we drive, we are getting to know the leaders better. Opportunities to discuss church issues are arising. Please be in prayer for Ken as he seeks God’s wisdom to open the Word with them and participate in the discipleship of the national leaders. They love the Lord with all their heart and give selflessly, yet need a shepherd themselves in certain areas.

We love you and often move forward in faith that you are all with us in prayer and that we do not lean on our own strength or wisdom but on what God provides through each of you praying on our behalf. May God bless you for your sacrifice with us for this work.

In His grace and for His glory alone,

Ken and Linda, Team Leaders

Ukraine Team 2 Arrives

We have arrived safely after a couple hour delay leaving New York. Many opportunities to share about the Lord while on the plane. Luggage was collected quickly and easily except for one….This is a first for Rose as her one checked bag did not arrive. In her bag is the modem for Victor so he is praying with us about getting this bag. We are enjoying a wonderful dinner and fellowship with Alexandr. We will leave here shortly for Yushny. The team is doing very well and ready for a good night sleep and ministry tomorrow.

Ken and Linda Wakefield, Team Leaders

Seattle Training Camp #1 Complete!

Hey all,

Yesterday YMI trained yet another mission team that will be going into the international mission field in the summer of 2009. We are pleased to announce that this latest team will be heading to Guatemala! The team really came together during our Training Camp. Toward the end of their time together, they had a chance to do an outreach event with North Auburn Baptist Church (where they were training). The team ran a family fun night and told the kids and adults present about Jesus. The next morning, Youth Missions International supplied the church with workers in Sunday School, Children's Church, and the worship service. The second and final Ukraine team was also on hand, as they were leaving the next morning for their trip. Ken Wakefield, a Ukraine Team Leader, gave the sermon, while some of the YMI youth led the worship portion of the service. Praise God for our time at North Auburn Baptist!

Seattle Training Underway

Hi again,

Today is the first full day of YMI's August Training Camp in the Seattle area. Currently we are training a team of youth who will soon be finding out where there trip will br going next summer. We are very excited to be at North Auburn Baptist Church, who has graciously welcomed us at their facility. Not only have they welcomed us, but they are wanting us to actively participate in the life of the congreation. On Saturday we will be helping the church do an outreach to children in the local community. This will be an important part of the team's training as they will be ministering together for the first time. Then, Sunday morning the church has invited us to help run Sunday School, Children's Church and even the worship service. The message on Sunday will even be given by a leader of the second Ukraine team, Ken Wakefield, who will be taking his group to Ukraine early Monday morning. Please be praying for the Training Camp, that it would run well, that the team that is being trained will come together and that North Auburn Baptist Church would be blessed by our presence. More to come later!

Sacramento Team Trained!

Hey everyone,

Sacramento Training Camp ended last Sunday, and with it a team of nine youth and two adult leaders has been trained and is now beginning to prepare for their mission trip next summer to the Philippines! While there, the team will be running a VBS-type ministry and reaching out with the Gospel of Jesus Christ in churches, schools, and the local communities in the Philippines. Please be praying for this team as they begin to prepare for their trip. If you are interested in going and are from California, Nevada, or anywhere else for that matter, there is a second chance to join a team in Sacramento! YMI will be having a second Sacramento Training Camp from January 28-February 1. If you want to go to this Training Camp, you can sign up at on our website at www.ymimissions.org or email the Regional Directors for the Sacramento Training Camp, Ron and Marilyn Bidwell at rmbidwell@ymimissions.org. We look forward to seeing you at our next Training Camp in California in January!

Sao Paulo Update

Hey all!

Today was the day for a salvation message at our futbol clinics, and we had about 25 kids make some type of decision for Christ. The good thing is that the church where we are doing these has an active sports ministry, and there will be follow up for the kids to follow up their decisions. I continue to praise God for this wonderful team. They know their material well, and are so versitile in being able to change and adapt as needed. We all continue to have good health, and a good long night's sleep last night really revived us.

Don DeVinney, Team Leader

Sao Paulo Team Arrives in Brazil!

Hey all,
We have safely arrived at Juca's house and are settling in and resting today. Tomorrow we will go into Sao Paulo to tour. Sunday we jump in full force with our ministries. 2 or 3 on Sunday, and then 3 soccer (futbol) clinics per day for the week. We have a very nice air conditioned bus with a professional driver to take us around. This is a great team to lead. All I have to do is say what needs to get done and it gets done. They travel well because they are all alert to their circumstances and quick to follow our procedures. I also was complimented on the plane on the teams behavior. So, we are all well and happy! But, a little tired...

Don DeVinney, Team Leader

Sacramento Training Camp

This week, beginning on Wednesday, nine youth and two adult leaders have been training hard for a trip that will take place next summer. The training has been taking place at First Baptist Fair Oaks. Right now the youth are working on using some ministry tools, such as puppets and songs with motions, that will be used during a one-day ministry in a park nearby today (Saturday). We are excited to see what the Lord has in store for these youth as they move toward completing their training this evening.