God has brought us a long way

Dear Friends and Family,

We wish each of you the peace, joy and fulfillment that only Jesus can give!

Looking back, it has been 7 and a half years since April and I were married and so much has happened in those years. Last fall, our dreams of serving God full-time finally became a reality as we began our Discipleship Training School in Kona, Hawaii and continued with an outreach in South Africa where so many were open to the gospel. Following our return to the US we felt led to join the staff at YWAM Discovery Bay in Washington State and we are so grateful for your thoughts, prayers and support, we couldn't do it without you!

We are planning, promoting and looking forward to ministries on campus such as: Youth retreats, Weekly outreaches to churches around Western Washington to promote DTS, assisting local church outreaches and a YWAM Alumni retreat while we focus on the upcoming Discipleship Training School (DTS) in September 2023.

As we have visited many churches, we are heartbroken at the lack of youth in attendance. Having heard alarming statistics of the precipitous drop in church attendance among young people over the last 20 years, we see YWAM as one of the answers to this tragedy, showing the way to a purposeful life for Jesus. This has reinforced the conviction of our calling to reach the youth around us.

As we are in prayer for our nation and world, we ask God, what can we do? What will matter or make a difference for your kingdom? What is success? He has shown us that He is not concerned with the outcome of what we do, but that our hearts are pure before Him. Success to Him is not in numbers, but in our obedience (1 Corinthians 15:58). This is why we do what we do.

(Photos: April leading worship, Family Christmas photo, Display table at church, the four of us together in Spokane. E'Lon with Clarissa)

We wear many hats at this small base and that may seem like enough to keep us busy, but we are also working in regular campus ministries, planning and leading weekly worship and intercession times and working on maintenance and housekeeping.

We are also blessed to be involved in two churches who are very supportive, caring and strong in The Word: Calvary Chapel in Port Angeles and The Church United in Port Hadlock.

For Christmas we were excited to see and spend time with Clarissa only 6 hours away in Spokane, WA. We are thankful that She has a wonderful friend she met in Kona who loves the Lord and has been helping her. She has applied for a job and hopes to get an apartment of her own.

We just found out that a large portion of the regular income we were receiving just ended - six months earlier than we had expected. Initially, we panicked, but took it to the Lord and trust that He will provide. We ask that you too keep us in prayer. In the midst of all this, we have seen God’s provision, covering many expenses in surprising ways with unexpected gifts at just the right time.

(Photos: E'Lon playing violin for outreach, Sharing the gospel, E'Lon in a soccer outreach, Sacred Heart Church in Paris, team outreach, the outreach team, Team singing on outreach, E'Lon playing for worship time, E'Lon in Germany)

E’Lon just completed her Outreach to 3 nations in Europe and is now returning to life back with us in the states. While glad to be home, she is sad that it is over. She is hoping for opportunities to share her testimony and stories, encouraging others in the faith, joining in the ministries we are already involved in. There are many exciting stories to tell about her whole DTS experience and we look forward to supporting her wherever she is called.

You may be wondering, “What happened to the 2022 DTS?” In spite of our efforts, there were not enough students committed to cover the costs of the school and guest speakers. After seeking the Lord, the leadership felt it best to cancel due to a lack of students following the US State Department refusing the visas of prospective students from Mongolia. Even though it was disappointing, it was a good reminder that this is God’s work and not ours, and what He wants cannot be stopped.

In January we plan to visit YWAM bases located in Victoria, Canada and Lynden WA in an effort to build unity and fellowship. We will also travel to Arizona to celebrate the life of my (Mark’s) mom who recently passed away. She was a strong, energetic, caring and faithful lady who loved the Lord and we are blessed to know that she is fully healed and safe in His hands, united with my dad, who she missed so much.

In April, we plan to attend a six-week leadership training school at YWAM Lakeside, Montana to better prepare us for staffing Discipleship Training schools. After that, we will return to Colorado briefly to attend April’s nephew Daniel’s wedding.

We knew full time ministry would be a step of faith, and it seemed overwhelming to sell most of our possessions, leave an enjoyable job and family, but we are confident that God has us right where He wants us, for His purpose and plan.

As we say goodbye for now, we pray that you are finding the fulfillment of knowing that you are in the place where He has called you. There is no better place to be than in the center of God’s will.

Mark, April, and E’Lon