Youth Missions International

Brazil Team Final Update

2011-07-25T15:32:00.000-07:00

Here is the final team update from the Brazil Team:

Hey all,

We finished our ministry at Itapeva City. The last day we presented the gospel in each of the three sessions. All together there where 43 salvations. This is very exciting for everyone and the church is thrilled with the ministry that we did.

It was sad to leave our new friends there. Yesterday, Friday, we went to the Good Jesus City Church that the YMI Brazil Mission Team worked with last year. The college team members were finishing up their week of ministry there. We got to see Eric Wahlstrom, the first YMI music person work with the kids. He is teaching them a song on the recorder. They will be doing a song at church tomorrow.

Our team is also going to learn the song and join in with the kids. After the music session, Katie Henderson taught the basketball session, she was helped by Bryan Presler and Tim Keough, the other YMI College Team participants. The kids did better with basketball than they did baseball last year. After we finished at the church, we went to a church member's house. Tomorrow we are going early to church to prepare music and a pantomime. The team is doing very good and everyone is well and working very hard and loving our time here in Brazil.

God bless everyone,

Brad and Becky Keough

Brazil Team Leaders

Final Philippines Update!

2011-07-24T11:56:00.001-07:00

Here is the final report from the Philippines Team:

Hey all,

The team is doing well. The youth have really begun to connect with the kids at the individual ministry sites. They are excited about the ministries that they have had the chance to witness and be part of, and they are doing very well establishing relationships with both the pastors/leaders, as well as the kids. We are encouraged :)

Our ministries have been very flexible - more so than we have ever experienced before. Mr. Curabo (Jess Curabo - Awana Missionary) knows when the Awana kids or the street kids do not understand. Because of this, he will frequently come to me and give a good suggestion on what to do next to keep their attention. We are blessed with a team that is perfect for that kind of flexibility. God certainly knew what he was doing :).

God bless, and thank you for your part in making it possible for us to be here. :)

Philip and Anna Ahrens

Philippines Team

South Korea Update!

2011-07-22T15:05:00.000-07:00

Here is the latest from the South Korea Team:

Hey all,

Today is our last day of our first English Camp ~ we are all sad to be on our last time with the children. We have also prepared gifts for each of our translators and those that are helping us through our time here.

Last night was a very nice dinner out. It was chicken stuffed with rice and served to us by individual boiling pots. GOOD stuff!

John and Penii Jo Trautwein

South Korea Team

Brazil Team Update

2011-07-20T11:20:00.000-07:00

Here is the latest from the Brazil Team:

The team is doing great. We are in Itapeva City, this is our second day of ministry. We arrived on Monday in Sao Paulo and drove four hours to get here. We are all staying in a church, it is very nice and they have been treating us wonderfully. The first day we walked around the town and handed out fliers inviting kids to the three sports clinics we are running. We do a soccer clinic in the morning and afternoon and basketball in the evening. They have had a very good turn out. The team is working very hard and running all aspects of the camp themselves with Juca interpreting. Tomorrow is the Gospel message and then we will leave here about 8:00pm to go back to Atibaia where we will join the college teams for their last day of ministry at Bom Jesus do Perdoes, a town nearby. Please continue to pray for all of us and the people here in Brazil that we are working with.

God Bless,

Brad and Becky Keough

Brazil Team

New Update From South Korea!

2011-07-19T14:47:00.000-07:00

Here is the very latest from the South Korea Team:

Hey all,

Just thought we'd do a quick check in here.

We had a great day, everyone is doing very well and slept pretty good last night after our 5 hour bus ride from the airport in Seoul to Jungpyung.

Today they took us on a tour of the POW Camp and then down to the seaside and saw Windy Hill and then stopped to dip our feet in the South Sea.

We are all set for our ministry tomorrow with very detailed schedule and we all know just what we will be doing; we are expecting about 60 children but hoping more with show up.

God Bless,

Penii Jo, John & the team!

Philippines Team Update

2011-07-18T11:25:00.000-07:00

Here is the latest from the Philippines Team:

We are going to s tribal ministry today. I think it will be more interaction and relationship building instead of an actual program. Everybody is really looking forward to it, but nobody is sure what to expect.

About the two Awana clubs that we were able to help with the other day: It was encouraging to see the leaders at both churches be devoted to reaching the kids. We hear many stories of leaders and pastors that have given up good jobs to work with youth full-time. Praise God for them!

At one church, the pastor had just started Awana about 3 weeks ago. Since he was reaching out to the unsaved street kids, he had decided not to start with handbooks, but instead to have the gospel presentation given for both the council time and the handbook time. So we got to do an hour and a half of songs and gospel presentations!

Philip and Anna Ahrens

Philippines Team

YMI South Korea Team Arrives!

2011-07-18T08:24:00.001-07:00

Hey Everyone,

Once again this morning YMI is pleased to announce the arrival of another mission team to the international field. The South Korea Team arrived early in the morning (around 3am) PST. We were notified by one of our International YMI Interns of their safe arrival. More to come later, hopefully, once they are rested.

Please note: This team will be spending time on some islands in the south of South Korea - one being off the southern tip. Given the new location, we will have to see how communication happens over the course of the trip. Be expecting at least one more update mid-way through their time in-country.

YMI STAFF

Brazil Team Arrives!

2011-07-18T07:58:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone,

We are pleased to let you know that the Brazil Team has arrived safely in Sao Paulo. They are now traveling to Iptapeva City, to a church there where they will do a sports camp. As this is a brand new location for YMI (and fairly new for YMI Brasil), we are not anticipating much in the way of internet updates. Be expecting at least one more, though, mid-way through the trip.

YMI STAFF

Philippines Latest Update!

2011-07-16T23:31:00.000-07:00

Here is the latest from the Philippines Team:

Hey All,

Two days into ministry everything is going very well. Yesterday we visited an Awana club in a very poor section of town. The club was run out of a space no bigger than 15'x15' and they had about 30 kids. It was run at the Awana office by the regional director and staff. Our team mentioned over and over again how they were challenged by the joyfulness that these people had in their conditions. We have a couple similar ministries later this week and are looking forward to it!

Philip and Anna Ahrens

Philippines Team

Update From the Philippines Team

2011-07-14T22:56:00.000-07:00

Hey all,

Well, to amend what was said earlier, it looks as if the team now has internet access and has been able to file the following report:

Hey,

I (Philip) am typing on my iPhone from the guest house, so this will be brief. :)

We arrived without problem and are very well taken care of at this guest house. We have no concerns and are getting ready for our first ministry to a school. I think everybody is ready to get out and do something as we have had a day and half of rest and we are very well adjusted to the time.

Thank you to all for your prayers!

Philip Ahrens

Philippines Team

Philippines Team Arrives

2011-07-14T09:33:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone,

We were notified today by Jess Curabo, the host missionary, that the Philippines Team arrived early (12am) in Manila. By the time they were through immigration it was 2am. They are resting up after their journey and will begin their ministry tomorrow! As a side note, it seems that internet for this particular trip will be limited. Therefore, we are expecting at this point to only hear from the team one more time (the mid-trip report) prior to their arrival home.

YMI Staff

The Latest From Peru...

2011-07-13T12:47:00.001-07:00

Here is the latest from the Peru Team:

Hey all,

The team continues to have valuable ministry opportunities. Julio Serrano, the missionary hosting the team, told us tonight that not counting the street evangelism and community outreaches, we have shared the gospel with over 2300 people! It has been truly amazing to see the response in so many different ways. We have seen over 200 children, youth and adults make professions of faith. In addition, we have seen the church commit to continue evangelizing their local community and neighboring areas using the tools we have taught them.

The leadership said on Sunday that they are organizing a mission trip for youth and young adults to go to a different city and share the gospel. This trip will happen next month! We give God all the praise for what He has done through this team and we are not finished. We have two days of ministry left. We have two additional schools we will minister in during the next two days. Please pray for protection for the team and that our focus will remain steadfast on Christ and Christ alone. The theme for our team has been "We are complete in Christ" as we have been studying the book of Colossians. Thank you for your prayers.

Rick and Raeann Velasquez

Peru 2011

Picture from Peru Team

2011-07-11T11:17:00.000-07:00

This is the YMI Team with YMI Peru National Director Julio Serrano and family.

Peru Mid-Trip Report

2011-07-09T12:06:00.000-07:00

Here is the mid-trip report from the Peru Team:

Hey Everyone,

All is well. We see God moving so visibly on this trip. We are actually so overwhelmed by the vision and excitement of the church body we are working with. We have worked in established children's projects, sharing the gospel and God's love. We have seen over 100 children make first time professions of faith in an environment where they will continue to be discipled. In addition, we have spent evenings training about 140 people from the church in evangelistic tools! They have become so excited by the possibilities of what they can do. Two nights ago, we went out with the church and shared Christ on the street corners. The church shared the gospel using gospel fliers while we were the attraction factor doing our music and pantomimes on the street corner. The church had 800 fliers and ran out!

Then, yesterday morning we went to the sight of their church plant. It is an old mechanics yard full of broken down vehicles, huge truck tires. It's a mess! Still, there is a vision for this place. We prayed for the future of the site and then we went door-to-door (business-to-business) sharing the gospel. We had two team members with an interpreter and we leap-frogged groups down the street. Seventeen people professed faith. One lady said she has heard the story many times but had never been asked to make a decision. It showed us how important it is to make sure that they have a choice. Then on the bus to our next ministry, one of the church members asked for an evangecube. She said "I want to try it" and she proceeded to share with a school boy sitting next to her. He responded to the gospel and she got off the bus saying "eighteen"! It was so cool! The church is being equipped to share. Also, the local residents were so happy that there will soon be a church near by for them to attend.

Finally, last evening, we went to a mall and performed in the food court. We rented a bus to get there and it was completely full of people. There was standing room only. The church proceeded to hand out many more fliers. They said it was the first time a group had been allowed to come into the mall and share! The only requirement was they had to hand out a promotional flier for the mall.

Next week, we will go into 5 schools - both private and public - to preach the gospel. This weekend, we are doing sports ministry and sharing the gospel with the community. It has been a very full trip and the team is so encouraged by all that they have seen. God is so good!

All praise to Him,

Rick and Raeann Velasquez

Peru Team

2011-07-08T09:57:00.000-07:00

Here is the latest from the Peru Team:

Wow! So we went out with the church this evening and did street evangelism! About 50 - 60 people from the church came. We went to two different locations very close to the church. The team did songs and pantomimes while the church shared the gospel to those on the street using a gospel tract. They ordered 800 pamphlets to use for the three evangelistic campaigns planned. They ran out. Over 1000 people heard the gospel tonight because the church has mobilized to go out and share! Julio is thrilled. The Pastor was beside himself. We came back to the church and they shared testimonies of what they saw God do. It was so amazing! They challenged themselves to continue after we're gone. They also ordered 1200 pamphlets for the two outreaches tomorrow. All praise to God!

Rick and Raeann Velasquez

Peru Team

Update from Peru!

2011-07-06T13:18:00.000-07:00

Here is the latest from the YMI Team in Peru!

Hey Everyone,

We did three ministries today. The first two were at the Compassion International projects. We ministered to 130 children. After the presentation of the gospel, the "teachers" talked with the children in their small groups. They reported that 20 became new believers today. We are completely overwhelmed by what we are privileged to see God doing in this country! We then spent 1 hour training the leaders of this project, teaching them pantomimes, illusions, the evangecube and the one tear cross. It was so well received and we received valuable insight for our evening ministry.

Afterward, we went to the church to train the leaders for their evangelistic outreach. We had 130 leaders who were trained in puppets, pantomimes, evangecube, and songs. The church is so excited by what they are learning. None of us can believe that this is day 1 - it feels like we did a week of ministry today! Please remember to pray specifically for the evangelistic outreach that will occur Thursday and Friday night. These 130 leaders will go out and evangelize their neighborhood in a church planting effort. We got to meet with the Head Pastor of the church and his wife this evening. He has a great vision for this community and is so excited by what Julio [The YMI Peru National Director and missionary host for the team.] is doing and the way he sees God working.

Rick and Raeann Velasquez

Peru Team

Peru Team Arrives in Lima!

2011-07-03T22:32:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone,

Below is an email from Rick and Raeann Velasquez, the leaders of the Peru Team. After a long journey, the team has arrived safely in Peru. Be on the lookout (potentially) for at least one update in about a week!

YMI STAFF

Hey Everyone,

We're here in Peru sitting in Julio and Rosario's [the missionary's] living room! Wow, we were met by a large group from Julio's church - about 20 people! The team is feeling very blessed to be here and extremely excited to start ministry with the church and Julio. The team is doing very well!

All our luggage made it as well!

Rick and Raeann
Peru Team

2011 Summer Mission Blogging Begins!

2011-07-01T10:33:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone!

It's July 1st and that means one thing: YMI Teams are preparing to launch. This year, all of our YMI Teams will be launched and received in the month of July. Only the South Korea team will be debriefing into the beginning of August. So, we are ready for a rapid-fire month of sending trips.

In fact, as this is post is being written, our first YMI Team of 2011 is assembling in the Seattle area. This team will be heading to Peru! Parents, friends, and family - please come here for updates from the teams - when they arrive and perhaps another update during the trip (as long as there is decent internet access where they are going).

YMI already has been running sports camps in the US, sent out multiple college students to South Korea, Haiti, and Brazil, and a church team to Costa Rica. Now it is time to send out our teams of individual high school students to share the message of Christ. We are very excited for what God has in store for our YMI Teams this summer. Be on the lookout for our first post announcing the arrival of the Peru team...and please, remember to pray for our teams this month!

YMI Staff

Sao Paulo Team Update

2010-08-16T15:52:00.000-07:00

Here is an update from our Sao Paulo Team leaders. Be in prayer for them as they finish their ministry in Brazil!

Dear all,

This is our trip report just before departing to come home. Rio was awesome. The first day, we rode the train up to the mountain to the statue of Jesus. After the mountain we went to the Copacabana beach area and ate lunch then we went to the beach. At the church we met Pastor Wilber and he told us his church's vision. He is truly an awesome person and man of God, I think he and Juca will do outstanding things in Rio.

The next day we visited a technical school just down the road and our team got to visit most of the classrooms. Durring lunch the Christian students hold church which was a blessing to see 16 & 17 year-old youth gathering to praise God on their own. The leader was a student himself. The team did 2 testimonies and the creation pantomime. After that Juca led the invitation and six youth were saved. It is truly amazing how wonderful God is! We also visited another school where Brother Wilber went as a kid.

We went to Pastor Wilber's father's church and we were able to tell Bible stories and testimonies. While at Pastor Wilber's church we did the same and Sunday helped with OANSE. His church is soooooooooooo awesome it is hard to tell in words but let me try: his church is all about loving God and His children. It felt like we were part of a large family. They took such good care of us and, boy, the food was out of this world.

Brasil is absolutely a beautiful country and the people are so loving and caring.

See everyone soon, God Bless,

Brad and Becky Keough

Sao Paulo team leaders

New Sao Paulo Team Update!

2010-08-14T18:26:00.001-07:00

Hey all,

Well, it seems the leaders have been able to access the internet and have emailed YMI a direct update. Here is the latest:

Hey everyone,

We have had a wonderful time of ministry here with the Cerpe family. We have helped with the youth group at PIBAI church (the small church) and did a few songs, a testimony and Bible story then the team played soccer with the youth there. This was on Saturday night, our first night here. On Sunday we went to PIBA (the big church) they had the team all come up front and sing "Amazing Grace", and afterward they had a Brasilian B-B-Q. It was so good.

We did ministry at an International school, went to two public schools to invite kids to the sports clinic we were helping with, did a radio broadcast, and then ran the two day sports clinic with two progams each day. We have seen around 50 salvations, which has been such a blessing to us all.

Everyone that we are working with has been so kind, we feel like family and all of us love it here. Everything here in the Rio area is going well. The people here are treating us so well, the food has been great, and the ministries are going very well. All of the team are good and trying to get enough sleep.

All in all we are all doing great and loving it here. We cannot believe the time has gone by so quickly and are sad to be leaving here so soon.

God Bless,

Brad and Becky Keough

YMI Sao Paulo Team Leaders

Sao Paulo Team Update

2010-08-14T14:27:00.000-07:00

Hey all,

YMI has received word from the missionary, Juca Cerpe, that the team is in Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil at "Niteroi Igreja Barreto" or Barreto Church of Niteroi. This is the main church YMI Brasil (our sister organization) is working with in the Rio de Janeiro area.

Prior to this the team had been working with a church in the town of Bom Jesus dos Perdoes, 45 minutes outside Sao Paulo. This ministry concluded a few days ago and they headed for the church near Rio where they are now. Here are some pictures from their ministry. In the final picture one of our team members is sharing about Jesus through his interpreter YMI Brasil's National Director, Juca Cerpe. They were teaching baseball and futsal (mini soccer) while telling children about Jesus!

That's all for the current update. We will see if we are able to get an update directly from the team to everyone here via email, but it seems that the current site they are at has limited internet access at the moment. Keep praying with us as the team continues their mission in Brazil!

YMI Staff

Northern Ireland Team Update!

2010-08-12T12:52:00.000-07:00

Hey All,

Here is the latest from the Northern Ireland Team...they have three ministries as part of their schedule now after beginning with two. Praise the Lord for opening new avenues for ministry! Please continue to pray for the team as they tell people there about Jesus:

Hi everyone,

We have added a third ministry to our ministries during the week. With this third ministry, we literally have no time during the day. We wake up, eat, rush off to the ministry site, rush back, sometimes coming in late for lunch....rush back out for the second ministry site, usually late getting there, come back for tea time, and we usually have about a half hour before we have to eat. And then we eat and have about a half hour before our evening ministry.

The ministry that God provided in addition to the scheduled ministry is to some rougher, more difficult kids. Yesterday in particular we saw a lot of opposition, and we were being made fun of a bit, and there were lots of distractions while we were presenting the Gospel. We prayed lots about today's ministry, and it was much better. Some of the same trouble makers were there, but for some reason they sat quiet and listened intently, and even got involved with the illusion. Praise God for answered prayers. We even had several professions of faith today!

We are having a Bar-B-Q with the group that we have been spending the most time with. Hopefully the parents will come out for it, and we will be able to share the Gospel with all of them.

Thank you for sending us here. It has been very good for all of us!

Philip and Anna Ahrens

YMI Northern Ireland Team Leaders

Sao Paulo Team Arrives

2010-08-07T12:38:00.000-07:00

The Sao Paulo Team arrived in Brazil. Here is a quick note from the team:

We wanted to let you know we arrived safe and sound. The flights all left on time and there was no trouble getting through customs. Everyone is doing well. We will be going to youth group to night and starting ministries tomorrow. The team is excited to get started.

God Bless,

Brad Keough

Sao Paulo Team Leader

P.S. It is soooooooooooooooooooooooo beautiful down here.

Northern Ireland Team Arrives!

2010-08-06T15:31:00.000-07:00

Hey all,

The Northern Ireland YMI Team has arrived safely at the Murlough House in Dundrum, Northern Ireland. Here is the email we received from the team leaders this morning:

Hey everyone,

We arrived safely and have met up with 3 of the 5 from Chicago (a group the YMI team will be working with from Midwest Bible Church). By the way, the Awana Club in their church is #002. They were the second Awana club ever! We will meet the other two members of their group soon.

Biggest prayer request is that the team will spend the time studying to be prepared for the VBS.

In Christ,

Philip and Anna Ahrens

YMI Northern Ireland Team Leaders

Costa Rica Update #2

2010-07-28T15:58:00.001-07:00

Here is the trip update from the Costa Rica Team!

Hi,

We have now completed the ministry portion of the trip, with the exception of one last school visit we will do tomorrow. Here is a synopsis of the ministry

Friday, July 23

We go to Curridabat to work with a church that is beginning Awana for the first time. Today, we go with the church to a very poor neighborhood to do ministry. As we walk through the alleyway, the church members knock on doors and invite the people to see our ministry. We stop in an alleyway and begin the ministry. We have 80 people watching, we share the gospel and Pastor's wife gives an invitation. They then invite them to their first Awana Club set for the next evening. We continue on and stop at a second location. At this point, thunderstorms are threatening, so we pray God will hold the rain back and He does. We share the gospel with another group of 50. Wow, this was an amazing experience of ministry for the team. We don't know how many accepted the invitation but we know there were some!

Saturday, July 24

This morning, we go into the closest neighborhood to the church at Curridabat. This is an area that is very closed to the gospel. It is a completely different experience for the team. We invite the families to the neighboring park for a ministry and also to Awana. We go to the park and nobody is there. We decide to do the ministry because God has called us and one father comes with his little girl. We minister to them. We notice that a couple more people stop and watch from a distance. The team has a great time working with the one little girl and share the gospel with her. The team learns that it's not about numbers - God cares about one. Later, we help the church run their first ever Awana club. They have 50 children and we run all of the elements of a club night.

Sunday, July 25

We go to the Robileato Children's home in the morning and run an Awana Club for about 100 children. This home is for children of families who can not care for them. It is a safe haven for the children where they live in house groups of 12 children with a house mother. In the evening, we go to a church that has not ever done Awana. We run an Awana-type program for 30 children. The entire time we are working with the children Mike Day, the missionary we are working with, talked with the children's Pastor about Awana. He tells us the next day that the church decided to start Awana. Praise God.

Monday, July 26

We go back to the Robileato Children's home where they are celebrating the annexation of the province of Nicoyo. Wow, this was a schedule conflict where the team was supposed to do ministry for the entire school, but instead, we get to join in with this cultural celebration. They wear costumes, do cultural dances, music, and traditional food. It is an amazing time for the team to experience the cultural in an incredible setting. They even teach us how to do the cultural dances. Later, in the afternoon, we share the gospel with them from a much different position because of the bonding that has occurred that morning.

God has truly blessed this team in the amount and wide variety of ministry opportunities He has given us.

Thank you for your prayers,

Raeann, Randy, and Mike

Costa Rica Team Leaders

South Korea Update!

2010-07-26T10:53:00.001-07:00

Hey everyone,

Below is the latest from our South Korea YMI Team:

Wanted to update you on our trip so far. The ministry has been wonderful. Our first ministry was in Yeosu where the 2012 Expo will be held. We had approximately 70 to 80 children. The YMI College Team [They are in South Korea for six weeks.] was a big help. The church members enjoyed seeing the teens as well as Ron and I doing song motions. While in Yeosu we visited the 2012 Expo under construction and went across the longest bridge in Korea. We were near the Sea so weather was hot and humid.

Our next ministry site was in Ilsan. The local children cried when Katie, Maggie, Emily, and Katherine left. The Korean teenagers were helpers in the English school so they had also become very attached to our team. The Awana church members took us to see a live Korea theatre play in Seoul. We were able to have our pictures taken with the actors after the performance. Chris and Emilee were chosen from the audience during the performance to come on stage and help with the activities. They both were given gifts by the actors. The Awana commander was so impressed with the team that he asked for them to participate in the closing Awana meeting of their season by doing songs and leading games.

We are at our third ministry site. We are getting ready to begin our first day of registration and evaluation before beginning teaching. All of the churches members, missionaries, etc have been extremely gracious and kind to us.

Please pray that we can finish well for Jesus, that we maintain good health, and that we can be a blessing to the children and ministry in Korea.

Blessings,

Ron and Marilyn Bidwell

YMI South Korea Team Leaders

Costa Rica Update

2010-07-22T10:08:00.000-07:00

Here is an update from the Costa Rica Team Leaders sharing about their ministry!

Hi,

We have completed three full days of ministry. The first day we were able to run the Sunday School program as the church did not have any of their normal volunteers. It was a great opportunity for the team to do their first ministry in a less demanding environment. The ministry was well received and the team gained confidence and skills doing it.

Monday, we went to a local school where we ministered and shared the gospel with 300 to 400 students. Wow, that was a challenge and a ton of fun. In the afternoon, we went to a local rugged basketball court between two apartment complexes. This was a new venue for the missionary and he enjoyed seeing how the team responded. The pastor came with us. We had about 25 children. 8 of them accepted the Lord. The Pastor was so excited and charged in his ministry.

Tuesday, we had two ministries at the church. In the afternoon, we had 4 children who do not attend the church. In addition, 5 children accepted the Lord. We had a church service in the evening. The four new children returned with their families. The team was asked to sing two worship songs for the church in both English and Spanish. It was an amazing time of seeing how God works through His church throughout the world.

Wednesday, we went to a new area - Alahueto. We went to a government run school for children who do not have home environments that can care for them. We had 64 children from 2 to 6 years old. There were also a lot of Nicuarguan refugee children at the school. We shared the love of God with them. It was an amazing time. We have seen the team grow in their ability to minister and reach out to so many children in a wide variety of settings.

Upcoming ministries - We will be working with a brand new Awana Club, teaching leaders, and two other clubs. We will work in a children's home, three additional schools and do relationship building in a strong Catholic area that has no evangelistic church. God has really blessed us with many opportunities to serve Him.

All praise and glory to the Lord!

Raeann, Mike, and Randy
Costa Rica Team Leaders

South Korea 2-Week Team Update

2010-07-20T17:00:00.000-07:00

Here is the latest update, received minutes ago, from our 2-week YMI Team in South Korea.

Hey all,

Just wanted to let you know that the ministry has been going great. Billy Lee (the Awana Korea National Director) has told us he is very pleased with how things have gone. We have had an average of 70 - 80 children. We are off today after ministry to another church. We have had very full days. We will update you again later.

Blessings,

Marilyn Bidwell

YMI South Korea Team Leader

Costa Rica Update

2010-07-20T10:21:00.001-07:00

We just received another quick note from the Costa Rica Team!

I just want to let you know all is well with the team. They had a great time of ministry at the school (over 300 kids), and then in the community.

God bless,

Mike Day

Awana Missionary in Costa Rica

Costa Rica Team Arrives

2010-07-18T20:22:00.000-07:00

The Costa Rica team has arrived safely. Here is a short message from the missionary.

I just want to let you know the team arrived safe. They already had breakfast and now they are at the church.

Mike Day

Awana Missionary in Costa Rica

Please be in prayer for this team as they minister in schools and daycares in the San Jose area.

YMI South Korea 2-Week Team Arrives!

2010-07-18T15:41:00.000-07:00

Hey all,

Our YMI Team (the 2-week team from the Sacramento area) has arrived in Seoul, South Korea! Below is a message from the leaders:

Hey all,

We have arrived in Seoul. It was a great flight. We have been met Awana Korea staff here. More to come later.

Be blessed!

Marilyn Bidwell

YMI Korea Team Leader

The 2-week team is linking up with YMI's 6-week college team to do English camps. Keep praying for the group and we will update you as we receive any information on the team!

YMI Staff

YMI Egypt Update!

2010-07-17T11:14:00.000-07:00

Here is an update from our YMI Participant in Egypt!

Hey everyone,

It's been going well so far. They do soccer ministry four days a week here, working with the youth Friday and Saturday and having team meetings on Tuesdays. The soccer ministry has gone great so far, and I meet tomorrow with the youth directors at Ragy's (the missionary's) church about either teaching English or leading a Bible study with the youth (perhaps both), so I'm hoping that goes well. It was really cool being here for the World Cup final - great experience.

In Him,

Josh

Amsterdam Team Update

2010-07-15T11:51:00.001-07:00

Here is the mid-point update from the YMI Amsterdam Team:

Hello from Amsterdam!

Everyone is doing fine, adjusting to the cultural differences and eager to reach out with the gospel. We have visited a nearby park twice. The first day was sunny and the park was full of children. We had abundant opportunities to play with the children and to teach them about Jesus. The parents and daycare workers that were in the park participated as well, encouraging the children to join us.

Today we went to the same park. This was a completely different day. It provided many one-on-one opportunities to share, but the team experienced rejection of the gospel several times as well. Tomorrow we will go to another park so please be in prayer for open doors. Also, we are enjoying working with a homeless ministry; opportunities to share food, friendship and the hope of Jesus with many.

Thank you for your prayers with us. The team is a blessing, growing and working in unity through all we face together.

Love,

Ken and Linda

YMI Amsterdam Team Leaders

YMI Ukraine Team Update!

2010-07-12T11:38:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone,

We are doing well. We took an 11 1/2 hour train ride to Skole in the Carpathian Mountains. We ministered at 1 orphanage for the entire week (M-F). It was a different ministry as it was 3 put together for recreation. They are children with issues, mostly mental. It appeared our ministry was well received. They were sad to see us go.

We also ministered at another orphanage for 2 days. The children there were very enthused and receptive. We had 2 park days in a local village. We were well received there as well. We don't know of any decisions, but a lot of seeds were planted. We had a lot of rain and very cool temperatures.

We have now left the Carpathian Mountains and have arrived in Cherkassy. We will be in a nearby village for the remainder of our time.

God is great. Continue to pray for the ministry.

Jim Robinson

YMI Ukraine Team Leader

YMI Fortaleza Team Update

2010-07-12T11:36:00.000-07:00

Here is the third update from the team serving in Fortaleza, Brazil:

The team is doing well. We are all healthy. We just got back to Forteleza from being about 5 hours south. We served at a new church. We were the attraction and they loved having us there. This morning for Sunday School, we packed the place out.

Tomorrow we leave for camp (Awana Scholarship Camp). This will likley be my last e-mail.

It is very hot and humid, but everyone is doing well.

Don Devinney

Fortaleza Mission Team Leader

YMI Amsterdam Team Update

2010-07-10T14:51:00.000-07:00

Here is an update from the YMI Amsterdam team leaders:

We have arrived with the grace of God giving easy access all the way. We are 9 hours ahead of West coast time. We are shopping for food and taking showers before getting some rest. All the luggage arrived, we took the train to the central station and then the 15 minute walk to the church where we will be staying.

The city is big, old and quite in need...in physical and spiritual ways. Please pray for these youth to begin to be moved with compassion for individuals as we begin to build relationships with whoever we meet as we reach out into this vast, amazing sea of faces.

In the Hope of Jesus,

Ken and Linda Wakefield

YMI Amsterdam Team Leaders

YMI Amsterdam Team Arrives!

2010-07-10T09:45:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone,

We want to let all the parents and friends of the YMI Amsterdam Team know that they arrived safely last night (PST) and are now with the missionary hosts. They are currently getting settled in and will be taking time to watch the World Cup Final (Netherlands vs. Spain) tomorrow...perhaps even in a public place with a bunch of other Dutch people! This will be an experience to remember for them and a tremendous opportunity to experience the culture. An update from the leaders will be posted shortly.

In Christ,

YMI Staff

YMI Egypt Participant in Alexandria!

2010-07-10T09:44:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone,

Our YMI College Age participant has arrived in Alexandria to participate for 3 weeks in sports ministry there. Please remember to pray for him while he is there during the month of July!

YMI Staff

YMI Ukraine Team Update from Awana

2010-07-07T14:18:00.001-07:00

Hey all,

Pavils Grigas, the Regional Director for Awana in Ukraine's region replied to us about the team. Here is his message confirming that the team are at the camp doing ministry. Here is his message:

Hello!

I know that the YMI Team is in the first location and everything is GOOD. I am on the my trip back to home on the train, so I will contact you with an update from Sergey soon.

Pavils

YMI Ukraine Team Update

2010-07-07T11:56:00.000-07:00

Hey all,

Currently the YMI Team should be in the mountains at a Christian camp in the western portion of Ukraine. They will be there until July 10. As internet has not been easily accessed since their arrival, YMI is working to get an update from the team leaders, so you can know what the team has been up to since their arrival and the ministry they have been doing at the camp. YMI is also seeking an update from Awana in Ukraine. Thanks for your patience - keep praying for this team as God has planned many wonderful ministry opportunities for them!

YMI Staff

Fortaleza Update

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

Here is a quick note from the Fortaleza, Brasil team. This team is made up of youth from Portland, adults from Kansas City, and Leaders from Pennsylvania! They are bonding well and enjoying the ministry. Here is the note:

Had a great ministry in a public school yesterday, and a VBS in the evening. The "mixed" team is working great!!! We are like one big family! We originally named ourselves the "hodepodge" team, but have decided "mixed nuts" was more appropriate.

We do prayer meeting tonight, and then Friday we leave for a church south of Fortaleza where we will be for three days.

Then, next week to camp.

The teenagers and adults are merging very well. The teens are mature spiritually and mature in all areas of their life, and we are more like a team of adults. Everyone gives 110 percent at what they do.

Don Devinney

YMI Fortaleza Leader

YMI Fortaleza Team Arrives!

2010-07-05T10:08:00.000-07:00

Hey all,

YMI is pleased to announce that after a VERY long time of travel the YMI Fortlaeza Team has arrived and is resting so that they can prepare for their ministry! The team traveled from Seattle to Chicago where they met another part of their team from Kansas City, which included Joel Culberson an Awana Missionary from Kansas. After that, the team flew to Sao Paulo, where they were met by YMI Brasil representative who showed them around the city before they boarded a late night flight to Fortaleza s (FYI "Brasil" is how they spell Brazil in their country). Here is an email we received just now from the leaders of the team:

Hey,

45 hours after we got out of bed in Seattle, we arrived at Julio's and Kristina's (the Awana Missionaries the team is working with). We are all well, travel connections were smooth, Rose and Julia Cerpe (YMI Brasil representatives who met the team in Sao Paulo) showed us a good time in Sao Paulo. We have all day tomorrow to recover from these two days.

Wonderful team. I am very excited for what the next two weeks hold for us!

We are tired, and now going to bed.

Don Devinney

YMI Fortaleza Team Leader

2010 Team Updates Coming Soon

2010-07-05T09:16:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone,

We recently sent our first two teams of the summer to Fortaleza, Brazil, and Ukraine. Updates for these teams should appear soon, so please be on the lookout for them. As a reminder, there is often a lag in the time the team actually arrives at the airport and the time when they can access email to let us know they have arrived and are with the missionary. In the case of Ukraine, since they are taking an overnight train to the Western portion of the country after they fly in, it may be longer until we hear from them. Please keep checking back!

YMI Staff

South Africa Mid-Trip Report

2009-09-13T16:10:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone,

Below is the mid-trip report from our YMI Team Leaders. This is the second of two reports sent to us from the field, though there may be more depending upon Internet access.

We are all well and the ministry is going great thanks to God! We spent two days at a village north of here called Ceres. It was a 3 hour drive through mountains, very scenic. When we arrived we participated in an Awana club, The team did a 1.5 hour program for 30-40 clubbers. We then ran a youth program for 15 young adults. The following morning, we ran a children's ministry for another 30-40 children, many of them were new visitors. We then went to a market in downtown Ceres, as well as a driving tour while the pastor explained how the community had looked during apartheid and the lingering affects that he is helping the people overcome. We drove back and the team went to the top of table mountain then pizza at a mall in Cape Town. We finished with Bible study and prayer.

Sunday we went to an all-association meeting where 9 churches met together to focus on missions and their specific call to reach youth and children for Christ. The team had the opportunity to present the mission they are on using music and testimonies. Then we met to plan the Awana Camp with the volunteer leaders who will be attending. In addition to running the all camp games, the team has been asked to run teaching sessions on Saturday morning and Saturday evening, and to help with camp worship. We will be very busy! Pray for us as tomorrow as we will be in a school to present the Gospel. On Tuesday, we go to a fishing village 2 hours from here on the west coast to introduce Awana to area churches and also to present the Gospel in schools. Our mission on this trip is developing into one where we are spreading the Gospel and the Awana ministry to children in a larger geographic areas around Cape Town. This supports the vision that Clive received for his ministry this year.

Rick and Raeann

YMI South Africa Team Leaders

South Africa Update From Team

2009-09-10T21:42:00.001-07:00

Hey everyone,

We have arrived on schedule in Cape Town. All our baggage made it and all of us are doing fine. We are staying at the Baptist College where all slept well. Yesterday was our first day here and we already had a ministry in a rehab center. We listened and shared our testimony to a group of men ages 18 and up who are recovering from drug and alcohol addictions. They were very open and we recieved a blessing by hearing how God is working in all their lives.

Pray for us as tomorrow we travel 2.5 hours to our ministry location where we will work in an Awana club and Youth Group. We will spend the night there and return the next day. Next week we will travel to a fishing village on the west coast 3 hours from here where we will work in a school and a church. Clive wants to use the team to introduce the local churches to Awana. They do not have any Awana churches there.

Praise - Clive reported record sign-ups for Awana Camp. He was hoping for 85 and has 160. He is very encouraged. We will meet with the ministry team on Sunday to plan the ministry for the camp.

Rick and Raeann

South Africa Team Leaders

South Africa Team Has Arrived

2009-09-09T23:13:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone,

YMI's final team of 2009 to South Africa has made it safely to Cape Town. Charmaine Atkins, the Awana Missionary's wife emailed YMI to let us know, so we are passing the information on to you all. A message from the team should soon follow - as soon as they are rested up enough to write! They had close to 24 hours of flight time (not counting a layover in Amsterdam) from Seattle to Cape Town.

YMI Staff

Final Korea Update!

2009-07-28T12:04:00.000-07:00

Greetings!

This is the last update from the field. Our ministry in Miryang was a success. God worked through our weakness and worked out many details for us. God is so good. We had 50 kids come to the camp.

The past few days we have been at AWANA Korea headquarters and touring the city of Seoul. The AWANA staff here are amazing. It is so encouraging to hear how God is growing and using the AWANA program to minister to young people here.

Please continue to pray for us as we fly home and spend a few last days together debriefing the trip and joining in the the ministry day for Puget Sound Camp.

Thank you all so much for your prayers and support! God Bless, and see you soon!

South Korea Team Leaders

South Korea Team Update

2009-07-24T09:41:00.000-07:00

Hello!

We hope all is going well with you in America! We are doing well here. Our first three day English camp in Ulsan was a great success. We had 80 children from the ages of 5-12. The church we were serving (we were told) was the largest church in Ulsan. The kids were all AWANA kids and were familiar with our games and basic structure of the camp. The Korean children and volunteers were so hospitable and kind. We were so blessed to serve there.

Today we are starting our last camp in Milyang. This church is smaller and will have around 45 children. We are told that most of them are unsaved or unchurched. Only 4% of the people are Christians here. We have a great opportunity to share the Gospel. Please pray for us as we minister here, that the Holy Spirit would work in the hearts of the children and families here.

Also please continue to pray for energy for our whole team. Even on our rest days the Koreans have much for us to do!

South Korea Team Leaders

Manaus, Brazil Update!

2009-07-22T10:29:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone,

We are about half way through our ministry in Brazil. We started with a school visit on Friday where there were about 30 decisions for salvation. Then we had a futsal (mini soccer) clinic on Saturday. Sunday we had 2 different church visits. Then Monday and Tuesday we had visits in about 12 different classrooms at a school (2 days hitting each class) and a soccer VBS in the evenings at a local church. The VBS was well attended.

The team is doing great. Spirits are high. God is evident.

Jim Robinson
YMI Brazil Team Leader

Manaus, Brazil Update

2009-07-20T16:07:00.000-07:00

Hey all,

Here is an update from the missionary, Juca Cerpe, the team is working with in Manaus.

Here in Manaus God did a lot of things with us...around 30 decisions on Saturday at Awana Futsal (mini soccer) and last Friday at the IBS (Baptist Institute Sara) School with another 30 decisions, praise the Lord....

This week we start our presentations at IBEE (Bible Institute Education Esther) and we will talk during 4 days and I will give the invitation on the last day...please pray for this opportunity....

And of course today we will start our VBS (Vacation Bible Soccer) at Monte da Oliveiras Baptist Church, today, Tuesday and Thursday at 7:00pm. Please pray for this too.

A big hug,

Juca & Julia Cerpe

MJI (YMI Brazil) in Manaus

Direct Message from the YMI Korea Team

2009-07-19T17:51:00.000-07:00

Hey all,

Well we made it safe and sound! We are all doing well. We had our first Korean meal and the missionary said our team is the best they've ever seen at using chopsticks. We are number one! Oh yeah! :-) We are busy working out ministry details as they added an additional location to our schedule for today and tomorrow.

Thank you for everything, please continue to pray for energy for us as we acclimate to the time change and the humidity.

Blessings,

The Korea Team

South Korea Team Arrives

2009-07-17T10:50:00.001-07:00

Hey all,

The South Korea Team has arrived as of 1:00am PST early this morning. Joseph Keith, our staff contact for the team, received a call from them during the night to let us know about their arrival and pick up by AWANA in Korea. If we receive another update from the team via email telling us about their arrival, we will pass this on to you. Otherwise, the next update could come as late as the half-way point in the trip.

Brian Hughes
President, YMI

The YMI Brazil Team Arrives in Manaus!

2009-07-17T08:36:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone,

I have included two updates for this team. According to one of our college-age participants who has been working in Brazil for the last three weeks and met the team in Manaus, internet access is limited at their site. So, we have two rather short updates on the team. One is from one of the team leaders, the other from the missionary, Juca Cerpe, whom the team is working with.

Brian Hughes
President, YMI

Hey,

Just a quick update. God was definitely in control. We made all of our flight connections. Juca has given us the latest schedule and we are heading to bed to get rest so we are ready for tomorrow.

Jim Robinson
Manaus YMI Team Leader

(The following morning...)

Brothers we are doing our ministry in Manaus very well.

First Day (Friday) - Testimonies, Bible message, special music, invitations and -praise the Lord- salvations...around 15 decisions for Christ at IBS (Instituto Batista Sara), in Manaus just in the morning, lets see in the afternoon.....

A big Hug,

Juca Cerpe
OANSE Missionary

Philippines Update!

2009-07-13T18:43:00.001-07:00

Welcome again from the Philippines.

How can you put into words what the Lord has done so far? Our first day of ministry was sharing Christ at two orphanage schools. Yesterday we were at three different churches for a total of five ministry opportunities. The teens are doing very well. They are working well as a ministry team. Every church so far has asked our missionary, Jess, if we can come back. Jess says that is a high complement of a job well done and acceptance. Everyone is well. The drama skits are well received; the songs with motions are a kick and the are adults trying to learn to move fast with the music. We have the opportunity to minister in a public school on Wednesday. Thursday and Friday are full ministry days again. Michael, Alex, Andrew, Jean-Marc, Sienna, Maggie, Camilla, and Rachel send their love to all at home! Andrew resembles a local movie star so everyone is having fun at the locals reaction to him. He is getting teased a lot and I don't think he will live it down during this trip. The Lord is good and He is blessing our socks off!

With love,

Ron and Marilyn Bidwell
YMI Philippines Team Leaders

Philippines Team Arrives in Cebu City!

2009-07-09T12:07:00.000-07:00

Greetings from the Philippines!

We have arrived safe and sound. Everyone is well and very excited about the ministry. We are staying in a beautiful bed and breakfast. The area is very nice and the grounds are gated. We arrived around 3 a.m. in the morning. We left for Cebu Island around 7 a.m. and arrived our our hotel around 10 a.m. We have the opportunity to get some rest the remainder of the day. We may do some walking and sight seeing with our missionary if everyone is up to the short walk. We will send another message later.

Be blessed,

Ron and Marilyn Bidwell
Philippines YMI Team Leaders

Guatemala Pictures

2009-07-08T18:46:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone,

Today was the final day of ministry for the team. Tomorrow they will be doing a cultural activity before packing and preparing to depart for the U.S. on Friday. Thank you for all your prayers. Please continue to pray for this team as they finish out their trip together strong. I am very pleased to have the opportunity to share some pictures given to us by the team while they are down there.

Brian Hughes
President

Guatemala Update!

2009-07-06T11:49:00.000-07:00

Hola,

We are having an amazing time here. We walked around a mall a little and then they took us to the National Palace area. Our hosts asked us if we would like to go for coffee...Of course we said YES. We walked a short distance to a little coffee shop that is owned by our driver's family. The coffee was very good and they have people sign the wall so we all got to leave a piece of us in Guatemala.

We generally have breakfast everyday at 7:00am and leave between 7:30-8:00. On the 3rd we had three ministries. The first one was out in the country in a farm type community. At the school we had about 600 kids. It was kind of crazy with that many, but the team did great, Taylor joined Kevin (one of the guys from there church) at being a clown. Daniel has been amazing. He is very confident up front and is always volunteering to help out. He also is always carrying the ministry tote. Heather is also doing very well. She has been helping with the puppets, playing MC, doing the evangecube and more. Jamie is amazing a being up front, she is very comfortable in that and since she speaks some Spanish that really helps as well. Elizabeth is always willing to do anything and does such a good job at giving the Bible story. Justin loves doing his song in Spanish and the David and Goliath song. After we were done with the first ministry we went to a vegetable garden that was up a dirt road. We ended up straddling a small irrigation ditch to get to where we could see out over the valley. It was very beautiful. We got lots of good pictures.

We went back to the same church for the 2nd time and had about 100-150 older kids. They were really a tough crowd. They just looked at the team and did not join in with the songs at all. So, we decided to do games. First we did "cat & mouse" or link tag. Next we did the blob tag game that got almost everyone involved and it was a blast.

We are ending with presenting the Gospel using the evangecube with each team member taking turns leading it and the rest spreading out in the crowd with the other cubes. Then Ruben comes up and gives the invitation. He asks if anyone has made a decision for Christ for the first time and has them raise their hand. For the whole day we had around 200 hands raised, praise God, it is so cool!!

Next we drove to a church back in the city. We got there a little early so they took us to their coffee house. We had coffee and pastries, it was so nice. Then we went to the Awana program. We set up and after they did the opening ceremony we did a 30 minute program because the pastor wanted to introduce us in the main service. We are finding that the illusions do not work very well, but they love the pantomimes.

Later we went into two classrooms to observe the clubs. We all came back to the mission guest house, including all Awana people and had dinner here, and Margarita had gotten a birthday cake for John Yao (the head of YMI's Project Resonate who is with the team, capturing the trip through his photography) whose birthday was the 4th. He was really surprised.

On the 4th of July we sang Happy Birthday to John 4-5 times. After breakfast we headed to Juan's church. They were all so sweet and did a really good job at joining in with us. The Awana group was amazing, high energy and joined in with everything. They even taught us new motions to one of the songs the team does in Spanish, it was a blast. When we were done we had time so they took us to exchange money and on the way home our driver asked if we wanted ice cream, of course we did and it was very good. It was nice to get back earlier so the team can prepare for the three church services we are doing tomorrow.

Brad and Becky

Team Leaders - Guatemala

Guatemala Team Arrives in Guatemala City!

2009-07-01T16:10:00.000-07:00

Hello from Guatemala,

Yesterday was amazing! After a little rest and getting settled in our room Margarita, the AWANA National Director for Guatemala, showed us all a video of Guatemala that was very wonderful. Then after lunch we were given a room here at the mission guest house that we can use to practice in. As the team was running through the program we looked back and there were children and adults watching at the door. We invited them in and we had an impromptu ministry for about one and a half hours. The adults were very helpful in helping Taylor find the right words as she was trying very hard to interpret for them. It was so cool. It also helped a lot to prepare them for the ministry today.

We went to a school nearby and did the ministry program for about 300 kids, They finally got the idea that during the songs we wanted them to join in and then it went very well. The team all did an amazing job and the kids just loved them! We were able to do several songs, puppets, an illusion and the Evangecube. The kids were fascinated by Daniel's height and, of course, loved having their pictures taken with all of us. We played a game of "Sharks and Minnows" that was mostly just us chasing them and tagging them. At the end we tried to give out balloon animals, but there were so many kids and not enough time. So, we just blew the balloons up and gave them out!

The food here has been amazing and the team is all doing well. We all got a very good night's sleep last night so we are functioning well. We miss everyone but are loving being in Guatemala and seeing God working in so many ways. Thank you all for your prayers.

Brad / Becky Keough

Guatemala Team Leaders

Ukraine 2 Mid-Trip Report

2008-08-29T10:05:00.000-07:00

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

2008-08-29T10:04:00.000-07:00

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!

2008-08-18T12:52:00.000-07:00

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

2008-08-14T17:07:00.001-07:00

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!

2008-08-14T16:59:00.001-07:00

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

2008-08-14T16:56:00.001-07:00

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!

2008-08-09T07:18:00.000-07:00

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

2008-08-09T06:49:00.000-07:00

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.

South Korea Update - July 28

2008-07-28T08:52:00.000-07:00

Hey all,
God has really moved in our ministry here. Yesterday we saw ten more kids pray to recieve Christ. Our team members are exremely happy. We have had great success with the SEEDS (TESOL) program and our host churches have practically begged me to give them a promise to return next year. If I sound a little giddy it's because I guess I have worried and prayed so hard about this trip. One person on the team had a large part in leading 36 kids and adults to Christ on Friday. She was completely broken by God. She came over to me and was crying uncontrollably. These were the kind of tears that come from the heart not from the eyes. God is so good!!
The church we are at now was just a weekend place to stay between our ministry churches. So while we were here they asked us if we would do games, a lesson, and a little bit of singing with their kids, so we did. One girl did such an awesome lesson that it was easy for the church to finish up with an invitation that saw ten kids accept Christ. It was awesome. Well, that's all for now. I hope I can be more excited when I talk to you again.
In service to an amazing God, Buddy and Kristi - Team Leaders

Ukraine Team Final Report

2008-07-25T13:07:00.000-07:00

Hey all,

We are back and have gone through all the team debriefing. Overall, this trip was a true blessing for the team members, the churches we worked alongside and for the places we ministered to. As a team we could see one theme that knit our whole experience in Ukriane together. If we had to state one purpose that we feel God inteneded for our team in Ukraine it was this: giving the local churches a vision for children's ministry. The churches in both locations were given a vision, some music resources, and some new children to bring into their church family. At each location the pastors of the churches were blessed by the ministry and were excited to continue working with the children we reached. We are truly convinced that our trip had a lasting impact there. Of course, the trip also had a lasting impact on the youth that went. After talking with them we can say that each one was stretched and challenged and grew in their faith in Christ. Some are very excited to directly apply what they learned on their trip right away here at home. We praise God for a great trip and for all He did with us and our team!

In Christ,

Brian Hughes, Team Leader

South Korea Mid-Trip Update

2008-07-25T13:06:00.000-07:00

Well we've just finished our ministry at the first church. Our team is in tears for joy as I write this. Through the SEEDS ministry (TESOL Program) our team was able to lead 36 people to Christ today. Praise God for his promises kept and for his love for all people. I just wanted to share the joy we are feeling right now with the rest of YMI and the family members of our team. Would you please share our good news with them.
In service to Christ, Buddy and Kristi, Team Leaders

South Korea Team Arrives in South Korea!

2008-07-25T13:02:00.000-07:00

I wasn't near a computor last night, we were riding on a bus for a while. After driving 5 hours to Atlanta and flying 14 hours we had a 4 and a half hour ride into the mountains with Koreas version of Richard Petty we arrived. Anyway, we made it to our hotel safely and the church had us a suprise watermelon feast waiting after 25 hours of travel and a 500 yard walk down a mountain. I'm not complainng at all, it was great!!! The kids loved meeting the Koreans and seeing their first place of ministry. Got some much needed sleep last night and we're off to have our first authentic Korean breakfast. Probably peanut butter and fish sandwiches. I will talk to you soon.
In Him, Buddy Combs, Team Leader

Fortaleza, Brazil Mid-Trip Update

2008-07-13T10:06:00.000-07:00

I had the opportunity today to send an update so I decided to take it and let you know how to be praying. Our team works very well together, and there are no concerns as far as divisions, or rifts in the group. Our ministry that is planned for this evening is an outdoor service in a park, and is very evangelistic in nature. Please pray for boldness and clarity for us, as well as open and receptive hearts for the people. We may have some more brothers and sisters before the night is out!

Till all have heard the Gospel,

Philip and Anna

Ukraine 1 Mid-Trip Update

2008-07-13T10:04:00.000-07:00

This evening we finished our ministry in the Boryslav area. We ended our ministry by being part of a 2-hour presentation put on by the local church in the town theater. The kids we had at our day camps during the week performed for their parents. They did the motions to our music and some of them did puppets with some Ukrainian music. After the presentation, we had dinner at the house we have been staying at. An amazing thing happened at this meal. The pastor of the church called Mark, the main contact from the church we had been working with. To this point, the church leadership had not been quick to support Mark's AWANA ministry or embrace a full children's ministry program in their church. Apparently the pastor was so moved by the ministry we had done with children that he has begun to have a more open vision for the chidren's ministry in his church and the surrounding community. At this announcement, the AWANA Missionary we are with, Sergey, pumped his fist in the air. Praise God for a hard week, but a week full of salvations and amazing doors He has opened for the church to conduct future ministry here in the community. We look forward to the next town we will be working in - Kalush. This one is also full of opportunity as we will be working with a church plant. Please be praying for the team and our ministry there.

Brian Hughes

Fortaleza, Brazil Team Arrives!

2008-07-09T09:42:00.000-07:00

We have arrived in Fortaleza safely. We got the luggage (with supplies) to Sao Paulo to Juca (another missionary) just fine. Our team ended up with about five more E-cubes than expected due to the dispersion of them in our personal bags. Oops. Prayer request - We were expected to arrive yesterday at 3:00 AM, so Julio and Kristina had set that day aside for us to rest. But today we have ministries that we are running...and we slept in. Praise God for our training! -Philip

Ukraine 1 Team Arrives in Kiev

2008-07-07T01:40:00.000-07:00

Our team is in Ukraine and all is well. We are at the house of Victor Gureyev, the National Director fro AWANA in Ukriane now. The flights to Ukraine were good, but we almost missed our connection in New York! Our flight from Seattle was parked at a remote gate and we waited about 30 minutes to be bused to the terminal. When we arrived we found out that we had only a matter of minutes to get to our next gate! We were able to move very fast and get to the departure gate just in time for the final boarding call. We were the last people to board the plane! God saw us through. We are excited to see what God has in store for this team as we travel west tonight toward our ministry sites for the next two weeks!

First International Teams Leave Tomorrow!

2008-07-05T21:04:00.000-07:00

The time has finally come! YMI is sending out its first international mission teams. The two teams pictured to the left represent these teams. In the blue jackets are one of our first Brazil teams, bound for Fortaleza. In the white are one of our two Ukraine teams. They will be working in two cities in Western Ukraine, near Lviv. Both of these teams have been preparing to head into the mission field for one year and will be staying about two weeks at their ministry sites. Please be praying for these teams, the missionaries, and the communities they will reach out to with the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the coming weeks.

Sports Camp - Final Report

2008-06-30T11:31:00.000-07:00

Well, the Sports Camp week for YMI has come and gone and we once again stand amazed at what God has done. The three sports camps went off with no big problems. Three of our international teams were trained and now have experience leading a week-long ministry together before they go on their trips this summer. It was good seeing the teams come together as they ministered alongside each other, but the best part of the week was serving the local churches. It was an honor to support each of the four churches' children's ministry and to hopefully bring new kids into their church family. At the end of the week, between the four camps, 35 kids placed their trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior. Praise God! We have seen Him do great things this last week and look forward to what God holds for the teams this summer as they go into the international field!

Sports Camps Mid-Week Report

2008-06-25T19:17:00.000-07:00

Three of YMI's International Teams have been leading sports camps for different churches in the Seattle area (Puyallup & Bonney Lake, WA). So far, the teams have ministered to over 120 kids runing sports camps with the Uncharted Waters Sports Ministry curriculum. The first evening, one of the girls who was coaching cheer felt like God wanted to give her testimony. At the end she gave the girls a chance to receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior and fifteen girls did just that! We praise God for all He is doing through our teams and these sports camps. We look forward to the rest of our week as we continue to reach the community through sports.

Sports Camp Training Day

2008-06-22T16:32:00.000-07:00

The three International Regional Teams that have come to lead the Sports Camps have arrived. We have about 21 youth here with several adult leaders. Today the teams went to the three churches and put on a training for the church volunteers who will participate in the camps. It was so amazing to see the youth leading the training. In each case they were helping to prepare the adults for the upcoming camp! We are so excited to see what God will do at these camps beginning tomorrow. One of the Ukraine teams, which is doing the early camp, is preparing for their first day already. Stay tuned for the updates from the first day of ministry!

Sports Camps

2008-06-19T15:49:00.001-07:00

Beginning Saturday, YMI will be working with youth from five of their mission teams going out this summer, leading sports camps for four churches in the Puyallup, WA area. This is not only a chance for us to train these teams in the sports ministry tool we use from our partners Uncharted Waters, but most importantly it is a chance for us to help churches reach out to the local community with the gospel of Jesus Christ. All of the teams will be housed at Puyallup Nazarene, which has had these camps before, but have called on us to their camp this summer. Their camp will happen in the evening. The other Puyallup Church having a YMI-led sports camp is Sunrise Baptist. Their camp will be in the morning. YMI will be working with New Hope Community Church and Eli Hill Baptist in Bonney Lake during the afternoon camp. Please be praying that God would bring many kids to these camps and that, though them, many would commit their lives to Jesus Christ. We will be posting updates with pictures throughout next week as we work with these churches doing ministry in Washignton State!