Below is our newsletter that we sent out to family and friends this past month. Please read as it contains some important news as to the direction of our family. :)
Hello!
As you can tell from the picture, the P___ family is looking ahead
to something new on the horizon. Since Joel returned from a
short-term missions trip to Thailand last May we've sensed it was
time for a new direction for us. In Bangkok, Joel served at Santisuk
English School, teaching conversational English, encouraging younger
Christians and interacting with his students outside of class. The
expanse of this visit was one month, but many adventures,
opportunities to share the Gospel, and new experiences were had. When
Joel came home, we knew God was opening the door for something new.
We
began looking for ways to get more ministry training and to take a
step toward long term missions. It took awhile to figure out what
God was showing us, but after prayer, waiting, and more prayer, we
now know He is leading us to a town called R_______. R_____ is a town of about 4,000 people and 45 minutes
west of M__________. It is also home to a Youth With A Mission (YWAM)
base where we (Joel and I) have been invited to join their staff!
If
you are not familiar with YWAM I can expound a little: Youth With A
Mission is a Christian missions organization who trains and sends out
people of all ages on short term trips, but also has 18,000 long-term
missionaries at 1100 locations in 180 countries. Each YWAM base
offers basic discipleship training as well as many other schools of
missions, ministry, or bible training.
What
drew us to the base in R______ was that for one, it's still in __.
It's (still) close(r) to family compared to, let's say, Nepal. We
would still receive the health care which covers Joshua's daily
medicine. But also, we noticed other things that drew us to this
base, such as an outdoors focus in their Discipleship Training
school. They have a Biblical Studies school similar to what Joel and
I did with YWAM ten years ago in Alberta. This base is also involved
in the Kids Against Hunger program offering weekly opportunities for
youth groups to pack food which will be sent to kids in malnourished
countries.
After
meeting and speaking with the directors of the R_____ YWAM base,
Joel and I sensed a spiritual maturity and a humility that impressed
us both. There is a genuine friendliness in the staff atmosphere and
a handful of staff families with children in a variety of ages. They
were also excited for us to come! Not only does this base reach out
globally, but it also has a number of different local outreaches,
some in the inner city, as well as partnership with the local
churches.
As
far as our part and how we are going to be involved is still to be
determined. I (Renee) would like to be part of the hospitality team
or help out in some of the base's mercy ministries. At least in the
beginning Joel is going to be involved in the facilities management
and doing special building projects. Honestly, we just want to be
used where we are needed and be a part of the team that fulfills the
Great Commission.
So
that is our news! There are big changes about to take place. In the
next little while, our house needs to sell, we will need to raise
enough financial support to live on, and we need to find a home close
to the base.
The
kids are excited. They know we are moving. They know they will have
to say goodbye to their friends, say goodbye to Papa and Nina
(Renee's parents), and of course goodbye to the familiarity of home
and town and church. For all of us it is bittersweet, but underneath
is peace knowing we are following Jesus and going where He is
leading.
Please
contact us if you are interested in being a part of our 'sending'
team. We hope you found this update encouraging and helpful. May God
bless you and your family.
With
Christ's love,
Joel,
Renee, Joshua, Rachel, Madelynn and Hudson
