We are settling in here at Discovery Bay and have really enjoyed our transition into our new lifestyle and environment. It certainly hasn’t been easy saying goodbye to everyone and everything that has made up our lives over the last seven years, but it feels good to be in the center of God’s will and we are excited for what’s ahead.
Having entered into the world of Youth With A Mission (YWAM), we are being stretched in many different ways, some of which are a bit uncomfortable and some very needful. Today the tragic scourge of human trafficking, for example was revealed to us as our hearts were broken and our prayers engaged. Living in the comfort of rural USA is really wonderful, but it can also tend to divert your attention from the struggles and tragedies that are occurring around the world everyday. Creating an awareness of these issues is one of the many aims of the Discipleship Training School (DTS) that we are involved in. “Knowing God and making Him known” is the slogan of YWAM and each of the instructors and staff have been leading us down that path with inspiring, interesting, practical, and sometimes provocative insights. They keep us very busy with journaling, note taking, book reports, various meetings, meals, service projects, and outreaches.
The outreaches are particularly exciting! On Wednesdays we get to take part in an after school program for elementary school children at a local church. It is always a challenge and a real blessing to introduce them to Jesus or encourage them in their already established relationship with Him. Also, it is our goal to instill in them biblical character traits like love, honor, and service, which will help them to grow into mature Christian adults. Ryan and Aubry both participate in leading parts of the outreach as well. We have also been actively visiting Port Townsend to develop relationships with the locals and to become familiar with the city to prayerfully see where God might open doors of ministry.
Our children are adjusting well to life here also and are enjoying their home-school group that meets on Wednesdays just down the street from the base. We have had many family visitors since we began the school so we have all been blessed with the familiar faces and fellowship. There are a few children of staff and students here at the DTS who our kids are enjoying hanging out with and some of the speakers even show up with their children, too. The kids love the grounds, the beach, and the food and we are very appreciative that the staff are all readily pitching in to help watch them while we’re in class. All four are taking part in work duties and worship times, and sometimes the older two opt to stay in with us to hear special speakers share, especially the missionaries that periodically stop by on their way through the country.
As far as our future plans go, we are praying and waiting on the Lord to direct us specifically where we should go for the two month Outreach phase of our DTS and then on from there. We feel strongly that He’s leading us to Australia, but are waiting on Him to set things up in the area that He wants. Meanwhile, we are preparing to finish the packing and moving process from our home in Forks and the remaining transitional steps from the church in Forks as Pastor Nathan receives the pulpit.
Thank you so much for your prayers and support, we are literally sustained by them. God is wonderfully blessing us and we feel incredibly privileged to be here.
PRAYER REQUESTS:
Getting the House packed and cleaned for the closing sale date of Oct. 30.
The Abbate’s move on the 22nd into their new rental.
The remaining transitional steps at CCForks.
The Lord’s will for our Outreach phase of the DTS and whatever’s next.
Our children’s spiritual growth and well-being.
The kids of the after school program.
Fruit from our outreaches in PT.
God’s provision and His will to be known for the lives of the other DTS students and staff.
Having entered into the world of Youth With A Mission (YWAM), we are being stretched in many different ways, some of which are a bit uncomfortable and some very needful. Today the tragic scourge of human trafficking, for example was revealed to us as our hearts were broken and our prayers engaged. Living in the comfort of rural USA is really wonderful, but it can also tend to divert your attention from the struggles and tragedies that are occurring around the world everyday. Creating an awareness of these issues is one of the many aims of the Discipleship Training School (DTS) that we are involved in. “Knowing God and making Him known” is the slogan of YWAM and each of the instructors and staff have been leading us down that path with inspiring, interesting, practical, and sometimes provocative insights. They keep us very busy with journaling, note taking, book reports, various meetings, meals, service projects, and outreaches.
The outreaches are particularly exciting! On Wednesdays we get to take part in an after school program for elementary school children at a local church. It is always a challenge and a real blessing to introduce them to Jesus or encourage them in their already established relationship with Him. Also, it is our goal to instill in them biblical character traits like love, honor, and service, which will help them to grow into mature Christian adults. Ryan and Aubry both participate in leading parts of the outreach as well. We have also been actively visiting Port Townsend to develop relationships with the locals and to become familiar with the city to prayerfully see where God might open doors of ministry.
Our children are adjusting well to life here also and are enjoying their home-school group that meets on Wednesdays just down the street from the base. We have had many family visitors since we began the school so we have all been blessed with the familiar faces and fellowship. There are a few children of staff and students here at the DTS who our kids are enjoying hanging out with and some of the speakers even show up with their children, too. The kids love the grounds, the beach, and the food and we are very appreciative that the staff are all readily pitching in to help watch them while we’re in class. All four are taking part in work duties and worship times, and sometimes the older two opt to stay in with us to hear special speakers share, especially the missionaries that periodically stop by on their way through the country.
As far as our future plans go, we are praying and waiting on the Lord to direct us specifically where we should go for the two month Outreach phase of our DTS and then on from there. We feel strongly that He’s leading us to Australia, but are waiting on Him to set things up in the area that He wants. Meanwhile, we are preparing to finish the packing and moving process from our home in Forks and the remaining transitional steps from the church in Forks as Pastor Nathan receives the pulpit.
Thank you so much for your prayers and support, we are literally sustained by them. God is wonderfully blessing us and we feel incredibly privileged to be here.
PRAYER REQUESTS:
Getting the House packed and cleaned for the closing sale date of Oct. 30.
The Abbate’s move on the 22nd into their new rental.
The remaining transitional steps at CCForks.
The Lord’s will for our Outreach phase of the DTS and whatever’s next.
Our children’s spiritual growth and well-being.
The kids of the after school program.
Fruit from our outreaches in PT.
God’s provision and His will to be known for the lives of the other DTS students and staff.
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