“Great is the LORD! He is most worthy of praise! No one can measure his greatness.”

Psalm 145:3

Life in Discovery Bay has picked up pace as we have welcomed our first Discipleship Training School (DTS) Students on September 23rd. We have an awesome group of ten young adult from all over the world. The lessons have been paired with practical times of local evangelism. Port Townsend is a very “spiritual” little community which is heavily influenced by universalism and witchcraft. It’s been really cool for the students to learn a little bit about apologetics, and then have the opportunity to put what they’ve learned into practice by talking to people in the city. We are all growing in faith as we step out of our comfort zones.

Along with local evangelism and learning how to share the gospel, the students (AND STAFF) are being educated on the cultures which we will be going into on the outreach phase of DTS. Preaching the gospel is illegal in some of the places we will go, so our team has to find ways to build relationships in order to have the opportunity. In recent years our team has visited a Leper Village, and we will be doing that again this year. Today Leprosy is a curable disease if caught within the first two years of exposure. But in many countries, someone with Leprosy would be outcast from society. These Lepers live extremely poor, and in desperate conditions. They suffer physically, and do not experience acceptance and love. All the staff who went to the Leper village last year said it is their favorite part of outreach because the people are so open to the gospel.

Isn’t it interesting that those who are the most broken people are the most open? Those who have suffered the most are the most receptive? Those who are humble and open can receive the greatest gift – a relationship with the Creator of the World. “But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong.” – 1 Corinthians 1:27

Isn’t that so encouraging! God doesn’t see things the way we do. He uses our brokenness and weakness for good. He uses our pain and hardship to help us recognize what matters most. It causes us to look to Him. This is where I’ve been at lately. Honestly, our family has had a really hard few weeks, despite the excitement of DTS starting. Isaac has been experiencing some issues relating to his TBI, and we are in need of the Lords wisdom and help. In the valley, He is still with us. We could not be in a more grace-filled community than the one we are in here at YWAM DB. We wait in hope for the Lord in seasons of joy and struggle. He never fails us.

So, please keep praying for us. We know this is where the Lord wants us and He will provide for our family in every way.  We are still in the process of raising consistent financial support and are in need of people who want join our ministry team. If this is something God has put on your heart it’s easy to get started! You simply go to: https://www.ywamdb.org/donate

We are so thankful for those of you who pray for us and give so we can do this work. It is a privilege to serve the Lord with YWAM and we take the responsibility to heart. We love being able to invest in the Kingdom of God and in these precious student’s lives. May the Lord bless you as you shine the light wherever God has placed you!

In Christ,

Isaac, Kristi and the Crew

Hello everyone!

Summer is drawing to a close here in Discovery Bay. We hope you have enjoyed the sun, friends and family as much as we have this year.  In July, we were able to drive down to visit family in California and New Mexico. We were so blessed by those of you we had a chance to see in person.  The kids sure had fun playing with their cousins and friends.  God even helped us to manage such a loooong drive. His grace was sufficient in every situation we faced.

Since we got back we have been busy, along with the rest of the staff, preparing for the upcoming Discipleship Training School. The DTS starts September 22^nd and will run until February. As of now we have seven students confirmed, but are expecting more to confirm within the next few weeks.  As we have been praying and reviewing the student’s applications we have felt that this will be a season of healing and growth for them.  Most of the students are between the ages of 18-23 but we do have a couple who are older.  Each one comes with their own story and struggles. Isaac and I know how life-changing our DTS experience was. This kind of community setting and Bible training provides a catalyst for God to move powerfully in people’s lives. By the end of a DTS we have all grown in the Lord and in relationship with one another. We feel like family!

The leadership has decided that the outreach location for this DTS will be a combination of China and Mongolia. We will spend a total of 6 to 8 weeks in these countries. The team will spend time in a providence in China that is a majority Buddhist and Muslim. Christians in this area experience a lot of persecution and are often ostracized from the community. I am not including the name of this providence intentionally because it may pose a risk for our group. Our YWAM campus has sent missionaries on a consistent basis to this location since we started in 2009.  It’s really awesome to have this connection and everyone is excited to go back. We are expectant and enthusiastic to see how God is going to work in the lives of these students, and in those we meet on outreach.

Lastly, wanted to give a financial update.  We have a consistent donation amount averaging about $800/mo. This is great and covers our staff fees! But our campus guidelines require a family of six to raise an average $1,900/mo. in donations. So, we are still fundraising and hoping to partner with more individuals who want to support this ministry. If you want to start supporting our family through giving financially you can do so by going to the address below. All donations are tax deductible.

https://www.ywamdb.org/donate

We want to thank everyone who generously supports us financially and through prayer. Without your partnership, we would not be able to fulfill this calling God has placed on our hearts. We are passionate about sharing Jesus with the nations, and about training up youth to do the same!

Please pray for:

• God to bring the students he wants to be a part of this DTS.
• For each student to raise what they need financially for DTS & outreach.
• For open hearts allowing God to do a transforming work.
• For open doors in China & Mongolia.

“And then he told them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.”

Mark 16:15

God Bless,

 Isaac, Kristi & the Crew

Hello friends and family,

We hope you have been enjoying the nice weather that spring brings.  Out here in Discovery Bay we have had mostly sunny days, and it has been so awesome! There is something wonderful about spring and new life that reminds us of God’s goodness.  He loves to give good gifts, and brings him pleasure to see his children enjoying the world he created!

Aside from enjoying the beautiful weather, we have been busy helping with TESOL. The base had ten students successfully complete the course which wrapped up last week. These students were incredibly dedicated and passionate about using what they learned to impact the world. I interviewed a couple of them so I could show you a piece of their hearts.

“God has given me a love for languages, and I know I’m supposed to use it for His glory. That’s why I decided to do the TESOL, so I can be qualified to teach English overseas. It was a big step for me to come here and do this! It really stretched me spiritually, and intellectually. I love the community here. I felt very convicted and encouraged by it.  Through my experience here, God has taught me that He is big enough to take care of me as I venture out into the mission field. God’s heart is so in missions.”      – Bethany Tanaka, 20-year-old from Poulsbo, WA

“Doing a TESOL was the next step for us. God has given us a vision to be a bridge to the Korean people. We plan to move to Korea within the next few years and plant a church. There is a lot of division in the international community, even between Christians.  Having the knowledge, we gained through TESOL is like a tool in our tool belt. It will enable us to bridge the gap through teaching English, and open doors for the gospel. We are so excited to be used by God in this!”

-Noah & Bora Wilson, from YWAM Salem, OR

Something cool about the Wilsons – They are a young couple in their late 20’s. Bora is Korean and Noah is from the East Coast. They met while serving with YWAM (like so many people do!) They now have two precious children, Jinha and Jubliee, and serve at YWAM Salem. It was awesome to see their heart for Bora’s home country.  Each student that came had an intentional reason for completing TESOL. And almost every one could tell you how they plan to use it in the mission field within the next few years.  It was really cool to see how our base is a stepping stone for future ministry to take place.

UPCOMING:

Leadership Training Seminar (or LTS, you know how YWAM loves its acronyms!) is starting on June 11^th. Isaac and I will be two of the 18 students attending that. This is the first time our base has run an LTS and we don’t know exactly what to expect. We are excited though, and hope to be stretched in our leadership skills.  Isaac will be leading worship several times a week for the seminar. It is a 3 week, intensive course and so we have in listed help from my family in taking care of our kids. That is a blessing to us, and will enable us to focus on the course.

Lastly, I have taken over (for the most part) YWAM DB’s social media accounts. That’s our Instagram, and Facebook. In today’s world the main way people are going to learn about our ministry is through these outlets. We have an awesome facility here, and really great staff – we should be running bigger schools. Despite good intentions, it seems like our social media presence and relevancy has been lacking. So, I’m really excited to be working on marketing the base. The only problem is… I have no idea what I’m doing.  I’ve been reading articles about how to market through social media, and Isaac and I are drafting up ideas about a promotional video. So, that’s a start! God has stewarded YWAM DB to us, and we are responsible to do our best with what He has given. We want to see this ministry grow and change more people’s lives!

How you can pray:

• God opens doors for the TESOL students and enables them to fulfill the dreams he gave them.
• That God will help us to focus, and get all that He has for us out of the LTS.
• That we will be able to balance family time with ministry/school responsibilities.
• We will have wisdom and open doors to manage the bases media marketing. Word spreads about YWAM DB.
• That God will bring more students to YWAM Discovery Bay

Thank you all for your love and support! We are so grateful for you.

Blessings,

Isaac, Kristi & the crew

I spent some time helping my aunt this weekend. She recently bought a storage unit full of stuff without knowing exactly what was in it. The previous owner of the unit had passed away and it was auctioned off.  The contents of the unit proved to be a surprise to her, as she moved it all into her house and garage.  As we sorted through boxes and bags, we discovered many of the items had never been opened. There were packages from Macy’s with brand new sweaters inside, and boxes of items ordered online and then stashed in the closet. Most of these things were new around the 80’s and 90’s time frame, but they had never been opened! There was so much of it.

This reminded me of when I was a kid. See I had this TERRIBLE problem. It was bad. Like I should have been on the show “My strange addictions.” I used to go around the house throughout the day and find things I liked or thought were useful, then I would take them and put them in my dresser drawer. Weird. I know.  This included, but was not limited to: Candy, money, toys, clothes, stickers, kitchen magnets, gadgets (like nuts and bolts) rubber bands and tooth picks… (ya never know when you might need one a them right!?) My mom called me a pack rat and rightfully so.  I always thought I might have a use for these items later, but in reality they just sat in my drawer. FOR YEARS. Until I was old enough to realize this was a ridiculous waste of space and emptied the darn thing.  Anyways…

So here I sat, opening boxes of old, new, unused gifts. Strange paradox huh. I think I spent the whole two hours wondering why the woman had bought all these things and then just stashed them.  I mean, I know some people have hording issues (like I used to) and maybe this was her way to “fill a void” in her life. But really it made me kinda sad. I opened a box of papers she had saved from way back when and out fell a paper towel with something wrapped in it. As I pulled apart the paper I found dried rose petals.  They must have been precious to her as she had saved them for years.

Made me think of the dried roses I keep above my kitchen cabinets that have meaning to me. Bouquets from the first Valentine’s Day I spent with my husband, my wedding flowers, and my sister’s wedding flowers those type of special things people save.  But now I’m staring at her special dried flowers wondering what moments in her life she must have cherished represented these? Days gone by.  Gifts unopened.

The brevity of life is haunting when it hits you. When you remember that you are just dust and breathe which will soon return to the Maker.  No one is exempt from this fate, and when we are reminded of this truth we try our very best to put it out of mind. Yet even though they are uncomfortable reminders they serve a purpose if we let them – to spur us on to live to the fullest with the time we have.

Now I’m going to share a secret with you… and you might think I’m odd… but here goes – I don’t think cemeteries are creepy (usually.)  When I was younger I used to help my family clean up our local cemetery because my grandpa was in charge of it. I would sit on the headstones and lay in the grass.  Often I wondered whose life the crumpled names represented. It gave me this healthy reverence for the fact that I am alive today, but someday I will just be a name and a memory.  I don’t like death – Not one bit. I hate the loss death brings. No one is immune to it. And honestly I’m afraid of dying.  But how beautiful is it that the soul is eternal? As I walked over those headstones, even ones that belonged to my great grandma who I loved, I am grateful that she lives today (very much a live) with Jesus.

What can we say about today then, since we still have breath in our lungs. I think we waste too much time on Facebook, TV shows, anger and worry! Think about your life … what gifts do you have stashed away in the closet (Not literally of course, those might be for Christmas!)

What gift of your time, your love, your talents, your creativity, your passions might you have stashed that you can give the world?  God has specific things for you to do with your precious life that only you can accomplish.  He has set dreams in your heart on PURPOSE. Are there things hidden in your soul that you have a desire to do but you always tell yourself “I’ll do that someday”?

If not now – then when? If not you – then who?

I want to make the most of my time and this is personally something I am working on because it takes balancing.  There are some practical things we may need to figure out to accomplish those dreams (like for me… where to contain my kids while I write a book…) but Someday is TODAY. And today is all we may have.

So please don’t stash your gifts! Take a step towards using them. Be bold with your life and live with eternity in mind.  For the wise, living Word reminds us:

“So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise.  Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.  Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.”

Ephesians 5:15-17

My family and I have slowly been getting involved with the YWAM base in Discovery Bay, WA. For the past two weeks we’ve gone to the bases “Community Worship Night.” Honestly I was a little hesitant to go because I didn’t know what to expect. We have four kids who are all so little (and noisy!) As a mom I knew my main focus was going to be trying to keep them quiet and since i’m hobbling around on crutches I feared that would be difficult.

But wouldn’t you know… God is so good. His unfailing love goes even into the small details of our lives. When we got to the base and walked into the building where worship was taking place we were met by loving smiles. We have been so blessed by the base staff, I just love them to pieces already! Our children immediately joined a handful of other kids who were playing the prayer room just a few feet away from where we were sitting.  These other kids are the children of the staff members. They have titled themselves the “Stafflings” – which I thought was pretty adorable. They are a few years older than my kids (6-11 years old) And they like to take care of the little ones. I’ve been so impressed by their kindness and love towards my babies.  It gave me peace to watch them play.  It was like my soul gave a sigh of relief!

Isaac and I were both able to really engage in worship… something that we haven’t done with a whole heart in a long time. I felt the overwhelming love of God cover my heart, filling it to the brim and I remembered how deeply intimate Jesus knows me.   It was good to be in God’s presence and experience His love.  How quickly we forget! We all need to experience His love like that. I think that’s why worship is so vital to our spiritual life – because when we remember who He is – we remember who we are. We are filled up to pour out.

At one point during the night I glanced over at my husband. With both hands raised and voice lifted to heaven he looked in his element.  He was in God’s presence, and for a moment nothing else mattered or existed.  Joy fluttered through me as I remembered seeing him like that once when we were just friends. His passion for Jesus was contagious and he wasn’t daunted by what people thought of him.  That was one of the things that impressed me about him – he loved Jesus genuinely and was not ashamed to show it.  Sometimes the worries and distractions of life suppress that love from shining through us and we don’t live it out like we ought to.  Sometimes we forget what really matters.  We forget who we are.  But despite our inadequacies the Spirit is still alive in us and He longs to reveal His unending love to each of us.

God shows us grace upon grace when we seek him. One of His greatest desire is that we would truly know Him. He just wants us to come – whatever state we may find ourselves in.  I think the only requirement is that we are open to Him – honest – with hearts looking to receive.  Seek him and you will find Him – because God wants to be found.

I hope you will find time to worship Him this week. You will not be disappointed!

Oh and hey! If you find yourself anywhere near Discovery Bay I highly recommend joining us next Monday at 7pm for Community Worship Night.  Isaac and I are going to be leading the worship portion with help from the lovely Megan Kinjorski (and hopefully a few others.)  To Jesus be all the glory forever!

Blessings,

Kristi