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Dear Parents,
Since you are reading this letter you are probably praying about sending your child to one of YWAM Orlando’s programs or schools. I would like to share my heart and experience with you about facing that decision myself, not with just 1 child, but with all 3 of my children!
Seven years ago after seeing YWAM Orlando share a drama presentation called “Toy Maker and Son”, my oldest, Alexa age 14, felt a desire to be part of a mission outreach with YWAM. I felt hesitant because they were going to Mexico. She would be going out of the country without her mom.
I saw that I was full of fear. We did a lot of praying and I spoke to YWAM Orlando’s base Director and his wife, Mike & Darla. I heard, “Peace, be still — know that I am God”—through their voices. The Lord kept making it very clear that we were to release our fears and TRUST our daughter to Him and the staff at YWAM Orlando. I remember how hard it was putting her on the plane by herself. But through my tears I told the Lord again—“she yours”.
Alexa’s faith became very alive, very much her own on that trip. No more living off of mom and dad’s faith. Her decision to listen for and follow God’s will was rock solid. We flew down for Alexa’s final ministry performance. What an awesome experience for our family. And while we were there, I watched my son; Ian as he was touched and called.
It was soon to be his turn.
And for the last 7 years, I have been putting Alexa & Ian on planes to YWAM Orlando and watching God minister through them to inner cities in the US, ---far away to Russia, Norway, Finland, Sweden, India and Latvia, How their walk with the Lord has grown. How their hearts of compassion for a lost world have deepened. How their place in the body of Christ has been revealed.
And this summer 2007, I will be putting my baby, my 13 year old daughter, Asia on a plane with her brother for the 1st time-- without mom---to minister in Mongolia. Each time my children leave for the Lord’s work, my mother’s heart thinks of Hannah, Samuel’s mom, What trust! What Joy! And I have grown in this process of releasing and the “joy unspeakable” God gives back is truly amazing!
YWAM Orlando’s, summer mission’s trip program-- EPIC QUEST has been a part of the Lord’s discipleship process for my children. We have always Homeschooled our children and are very involved in our local church. But the piece that YWAM has played for my children in maturing and owning their faith was huge.
I encourage you, allow the Lord to meet your child in a way that will strengthen their faith and allow them to grasp the words of Jesus as he ascended, telling all of us to preach the gospel to the world—even our kids!
And let Him minister to you in the process.
AND--- if you are questioning if a DTS-- Discipleship Training School or SOME--- School of Ministry and Evangelism could benefit your child, I have so say another resounding YES. Not only have I put my children on planes for 5 weeks at a time for the last 7 years, but we sent Alexa for the 6 month DTS and a ministry to INDIA and then for another 6 months for SOME and a tour of the inner cities of the United States. My daughter learned to wait on the Lord, depend on his Word and hear his voice through the teaching, worship, community, service and evangelism
that she lived. Through these two schools, the Lord directed her to the path for her future—nursing and medical missions.
I encourage you to say YES to YWAM Orlando.
“Send us around the world with the news of your saving power and your eternal plan for all mankind.” Psalm 67:2 LB
Sherrie Attila
Benton Harbor, MI |
