YWAM Pittsburgh

YWAM Pittsburgh in Colombia -Update 2

2011-12-20T12:28:00.004-05:00

Visiting the Orphanage in Subachoque, Colombia

One subject seems to be a reoccurring theme with our team here in Colombia. That is building the kingdom of God! So what does this look like? What does it mean? And how can we be more affective with it!?

Our team in Downtown Bogotá

As our team reads through the book of Acts every day, we get a greater look at how the early church operated by the Kingdom of God! To define “the kingdom of God” easily, it is this: the domain of God’s heart. These early church leaders were obedient to their call, for example, baptizing, boldly preaching the word, and following the lead of the Holy Spirit in their lives!

Our team here Colombia has been regularly discussing this subject, and even moving in ways, to build up the kingdom of God. I think back to a couple nights ago, when Diego and I got to talk to two male prostitutes in a park near downtown Bogotá. They were ashamed of what they chose to do to support their family, but by following the lead of the Holy Spirit; we had the chance to speak life, and encouragement, even while they were trapped in their sin, and hurting and broken! It was so amazing just to have the chance to pray with and for them!

Mari with Nicole at the Orphanage ¨Planeta Amor¨

God has been giving us some extremely awesome opportunities to work in building His kingdom while we have been here! We visited an orphanage with thirty children, who were all AIDS positive. The way the children run around, play, and just generally love, you would never believe that they had AIDS. These kids were lively and just wanted to be around the visitors! I forgot to mention that it was the first time that it was not Paola, Mari, Diego, and I by ourselves. We actually acquired a team of about 12 to 15 volunteers in total! The kids had so many people to play with, so many games to play, and plenty of food to eat! Paola and the group at “Rocka Aventura” (Rock Adventure) youth group invented games to play, and even had dramas for kids that they performed! It was a time of fun, but also a time where many kids came to Christ!

Today, we got to work with a camp called “Kings Kids,” a kid’s ministry affiliated with YWAM here in Bogotá, and we visited a community named “Ciudad Bolivar” (City of Bolivar). Kings Kids is running a camp for kids age 8 to 18 that would like to share their faith through the arts, and through testimony! Many from the neighborhood came out, and there were so many kids! We as a team, got to share the love of Christ, and many kids came to know Jesus today!

To sum up the trip so far there have been 109 decisions for Christ, and we have seen the kingdom of God being impacted every day! We have been having so many opportunities to strengthen the Body of Christ here in Bogotá, as well as reach out to many who don’t know His love!

-Christian Cole

YWAM Pittsburgh in Colombia -Update 1

2011-12-11T20:58:00.009-05:00

Well, we made it! We arrived safely to Bogotá on December 1, at 9:30 pm. We were immediately welcomed by our host families with a kiss on the cheek and a smile that could melt the coldest of hearts. We were very excited to finally be here that we were up for hours talking and laughing with our families.

Our first morning in Colombia was spent preparing ourselves for our time here. We exchanged American dollars for Colombian Pesos and, of course, had a cup of delicious 100% Colombian coffee!

Bogotá, Colombia

In the afternoon we arrived at the church we are working with, El Pacto. El Pacto is a nondenominational church that has an amazing passion for God. At the church, the youth group was preparing for an outreach in a neighborhood in Bogota they have never been to before. After spending time in prayer, we got on the bus and drove to Suba, Bogotá. Once we arrived, we were greeted with some discouraging news: the flyers advertising the show we were to perform that night had all been torn down and thrown away. We were momentarily discouraged but God used the situation for His glory! For ten minutes, we went out into the neighborhood and invited everyone we saw to attend our show. When it came time for our show to start, we did not have even enough chairs for everyone who had come!

Drama Team and Christian Perfoming ¨Clincher¨

El Pacto’s drama and dance team, which is made up of its youth group and the leaders, preformed many of their dramas and three of their dances. The dramas showed us what Christ did for us as well as what it means to have a relationship with him. All that the team did brought glory to God. Our team leader, Diego Colmenares, then preached to all those who were gathered. The crowd was greatly impacted by the team and 12 individuals gave their life to Jesus! It was an incredible way to begin our time here in Colombia.

Paola from Bogotá with Colombian kids at the outreach place with El Pacto Church

Praying and witnessing the homeless

So far, we have continued to work with the church. Today, we are going to go out on the streets and bring the Word of God to people. We want to bless them by random acts of service as well as handing out treats to children. We are excited to bring Gods Kingdom to earth!

Please continue to prayer for us, that we continue to be obedient to whatever God tells us, and for protection as we go out on the streets.

Goodnight and Good Luck,

-Mari Bauman

Campus Ministry Team

2011-11-22T12:17:00.004-05:00

How much do you know about the college and university system? Think about it. We all know that it is the choice of most graduating seniors in the U.S., and we know that higher education is vital today to get a decent job. But it is so much more than that. It is more then that because high education is an institution that is designed by God.

The Ivy League schools, Harvard, Yale, Brown… All of these and more schools were founded with a Christian base. That is one of the reasons YWAM Pittsburgh’s University Ministry team is so honored to be working for God on the campuses of Pittsburgh. We dream to bring the colleges and universities in Pittsburgh back to the base.

There are many ministry teams that are already on the universities and we are teaming up with them, serving them in anyway we can. Currently, we are primarily working with CRU (Campus Crusades for Christ) on the University of Pittsburgh Campus.

Each week, our Campus Ministry Team spends time on the campus praying and doing different methods of evangelism. One type of evangelism that we use is called Solarium, an evangelism tool that CRU designed and uses. Solarium is a set of 50 cards with pictures on them that spark a spiritual conversation. We have found this to be an effective way to reach the University of Pittsburgh.

We are excited about what God is doing and will be doing on Pittsburgh campus’ and we will continue to keep you undated as we continue to minister to the University of Pittsburgh. Please keep the university in your prayers.

Goodnight and Good luck,

-Mari Bauman

The Hill District Weekly Outreach

2011-10-17T14:03:00.003-04:00

In my last update I divulged some information on the Hill District, a neighborhood in Pittsburgh where the DTS along with some staff do outreach.

The land of The Hill District first belonged to the grandson of William Penn until he sold it to General Adamson Tannerhill for $2 0 a plot. Thomas Mellon then bought an expanse of the land and sold it for quite a profit. This began The Hill’s development as a community. Nowadays the Hill is predominantly an African-American community.

Twice a week YWAM Staff members Bill Kuncher, Doug Tunney, and myself, along with DTS students Alexa Short and Ethan Cieply. Ethan works primarily with the middle school students. Here is what he has to say about his time at The Hill thus far.

“On every Tuesday and Thursday, myself and a few others go to The Hill District as tutors in the Josh Gibson program. At first I was overwhelmed with all the wild kids, but since I have been begun to get to know them, and they got to know me, things have been going smoothly.

It’s truly rewarding to be able to spend time with the kids and help them with their homework. The children really became attracted to us because for 2 hours everyday we show them love and attention, whereas many of them feel neglected at home. Just by the way we carry ourselves when we go there I know that God is shining through us for all the kids to see. One man that works with us there asked me if we were Christians and I told him that we were, and he said he could tell just by the way we carry ourselves. This truly encouraged me and showed me just how important our presence is there.

My hope is that as we continue to go there and build relationships, that the children would see something different in us, and the way we carry ourselves and be drawn to us, and ultimately accept Christ into their hearts.”

We are truly excited to see what how God works through us as we continue to pour into these kids. We would truly appreciate your prayers.

Anyway, that’s all for now!

Goodnight and Good Luck,

-Mari Bauman

We've moved!

2011-09-22T14:43:00.005-04:00

We are now located at: 40 Pius St, Pittsburgh, PA 15203

We have officially moved to the city! May all the glory go to God! It really is quite an incredible story, though unfortunately, it is a bit long. But take my word for it, this building is a miracle. “What building?” you ask? Let me tell you!

A massive monastery was built in 1897. The care of the monastery, now known as the Burning Bush House of Prayer (BBHOP), was passed down for over a century, and is now in the hands of two incredible servants of the Lord, Mike and Tina W. For months, YWAM Pittsburgh and BBHOP sought after the Lord until He brought us to a conclusion: YWAM Pittsburgh and BBHOP were to merge together to form two separate, but whole, communities. Soon after, many of the YWAM Pittsburgh staff members moved to the 3rd floor of the BBHOP. We are very excited and blessed beyond measure by our new building and our new friends.

We are also two weeks into our Fall 2011 DTS! The DTS is focused on sports ministry. Many times a week, some staff and students go play basketball at the same court. Relationships have already been formed, and we look forward to watching God work in the lives of our new friends.

Our view of the city

The DTS along with some staff are volunteering at the Hill District of Pittsburgh. There, we tutor elementary and middle school aged children, eat with them, and then play a game. The children are very open and are in desperate need of Christ’s love. Will you please pray for us as we build relationships with these children?

Some of the other areas of ministry we are going to be working in are fashion, college and universities, refugees, and South Side of Pittsburgh. We are so blessed to be in the location that we are. Not only do we have a beautiful view of the city, but this location makes many doors available to us we share the love of Christ.

Be blessed! 

Goodnight and Good Luck,

- Mari Bauman

2011-06-23T13:41:00.003-04:00

Neighborhoods,

Nations
& the Next Generation

“What is the city
but the people?”
William Shakespeare

View of Pittsburgh from the West End Overlook

Since YWAM Pittsburgh was founded in 2001, we have seen God do many incredible things. We can share story after story of how God has brought thousands to himself. Stories of the man in Africa who was blind and now can see, or the woman in Peru who was lame and now walks. From Israel to Fiji, Mongolia to Liberia its been humbling to see him provide for each group with the words to say, the locals to work alongside and the money to get there. The sights have been amazing to see ...we've been to the Taj Mahal, Christ the Redeemer, The Great Wall, and Machu Pichu just to name a few. However, the sights, food, and all the souvenirs aren't really why we go. We go because these distant lands hold the ultimate creation... people.

Over the past year God has been calling us to move into the city limits of Pittsburgh. For years we have been so blessed to be in a beautiful, serene environment in Belle Vernon that easily makes prayer and worship inspiring. However, we were challenged to not just go on outreach but to live on outreach in our city. So, a small team moved into the west-end of the city in March. We rehabbed a house that had seen better days with hopes that it would be a foretelling of a spiritual rebirth of many of our neighbors and city dwellers. In just a few months God has already been providing opportunities for us to engage with people and represent Christ. No one would accuse the west-end of Pittsburgh of being picturesque ….as one lady from a Suburban church put it, “I've never been over there but I've heard of it on the news.” However, God shows us the beauty everyday in the redeemable heart of a fatherless child, lonely addict, and lost socialite. He is rebuilding our city heart by heart. We are so excited to be a part of it.

Doug Tunney
YWAM Pittsburgh
Base Director

Go here for more information on our city team.

all photos copyright by Sophia R. Haynes

DTS UNITED in Peru: Update 3

2011-06-17T11:10:00.002-04:00

New Believers are Becoming Disciples!

Watch a new "on the street" video update here!

We are in Jesus Maria [a district just south of center Lima] for our second week in a row working with the same church that God has so beautifully connected us with.

Last week as the pastors were asking me about YWAM and Joshua Generation they asked me if I could do any evangelism teaching with them. Last night, I taught them the wordless book for about 3 hours. 25 people were trained (almost the whole church) and of course I invited them to come and do evangelism with us.

Our days have been consisting of intercession for the day outside of the university just around the corner. At 12:30 the school lets out for an hour and a half where we have been leading people to Jesus... and making disciples. My goal for the team is to do a bible study of at least one chapter in the bible with the students that they have connected with. Everyday we are bringing more students back to the house for lunch and to spend more time with them and share about Jesus. In the afternoon we go to a market near a park and return to the school around 5:30 when the second set of students is finishing for the day. We normally share until about 8pm. For the 3rd day in a row, one of the students, Jhon, has had lunch with us and he also has been helping us share with us to others about Jesus. He brought a friend with him today... not just for the food. The DTSers are challenging him to read the Bible and to grow.

Yesterday a girl named Jennifer came with us as well. She is Catholic and believes in the Virgin of Carmen. That has led to interesting conversations but she is very open... she still helped us translate though. She is close to actually having a relationship with Jesus. Another guy, named Brian, is still exploring about God but we talk with him every time we are at the school. He came to the church Bible study on Monday, and last night he was here with a friend of his for the wordless book training. I believe that he is already making his decision and is really doing what he can to go deeper in God.

The students have become our friends and have also connected with us via Facebook. We have been doing followup with them in person and through Facebook.

Yesterday, God was speaking to me personally to follow up on a young man that I led to Jesus on Sunday at the park. His big issue that was keeping him from giving his life to Jesus was that he didn't think that he could put God above his girlfriend. I explained that Jesus needs to be first in our lives. I felt strongly that he was relying on his girlfriend and but he needed to rely on Jesus... the only one who will never leave him or forsake him.

After an hour and a half, he was ready to give his life to Jesus!

I had his email address so I wrote to him that I was praying for him. About 20 minutes later he responded to my letter telling me, "thank you for praying with me and for me". His girlfriend had just broke up with him and he needed the encouragement. I wrote him back with Psalms 121 and told him to keep trusting in Jesus.

Also some of the students from the University have been asking us if they can hang out with us other times as well... we always say YES.

I really feel that God has opened the door to make disciples here in Jesus Maria!

JMat
DTS Director

DTS UNITED in Peru: Update 2

2011-06-15T13:10:00.004-04:00

More Great Stories from Peru!

DTS UNITED | Spring 2011

On June 9th:

"God is so good! Seriously... how great is our God...

1931 people talked to.

926 decisions for Christ.

559 people prayed for.

8 healings!"

From this past Monday, June 13th:

Dear Family and Friends,

Hello from Peru! We are doing great! God has blessed this trip in so many ways. Currently we are working in Lima with a great church. This church is really a house church/bible institute. They train pastors in bible study and I have since found out that they are pretty well known. They have a small congregation and they really have a heart to reach their area for Jesus but they have been lacking tools to use. So far we have been a real spark for them and many of them have come with us to help.

We are so excited because just around the corner from the church is a Journalism University where we have been doing a lot of evangelism and making friends. Two days ago there were 3 girls from the school... that can speak english... that decided to spend the whole day after their classes with us. They even helped translate for Shannon and Gloria (I think...). The 3 girls with our students witnessed to a friend of theirs and He got saved too. Then then all came with us for an evening outreach. Pretty much every time we go to the school those 3 girls get to learn more about Jesus!

Today and tomorrow are big days of evangelism for us and follow up. The MundoBus is having us come with them for their big event today and this evening we have a meeting at the church that we have been inviting people to. Tomorrow we have another event that is town wide... the mayor is busing in people from all around... and we get to be a part of it, there is also another service that we have been inviting people to.

The expectation for our remaining time is very high here because we will be able to really help the church with follow up and discipleship. Last night when we made the arrangements to stay here the pastor said that we should open up the house for the university students to hang out at during their break. Many of the students come from more than an hour away so they just hang out on the street... this could be a great opportunity to start and foster the discipleship here!!!

The church wants us to teach them all that we can...witnessing, discipleship, apologetics, follow up, ect...so we are really excited!

I hope that you like the short testimony videos I have been posting. (See them HERE). I really love getting them and posting them. I need to go and get ready for the next part of the day but please keep us in your prayers! God is working.

Blessings from Peru!

JMat

DTS Director

Our hearts are full as we hear what God is doing through our faithful team down south in Peru! Please continue to pray for them as they finish up their time in the country. They will be returning to Pittsburgh this coming Monday, June 20th. Keep watch for more updates on their adventures in the next couple of days.

Over and Out,
Tara

Christian praying with a group in a marketplace to receive Jesus!

In high spirits from the joys of outreach!

We love this school!

Heading up to the outskirts of Lima to share the Good News of Jesus Christ

Prospect Park Outreach

2011-06-10T13:27:00.002-04:00

On June 7th, 2011, our team with YWAM Pittsburgh continued in our series of outreaches to a local refugee community in Pittsburgh.

Prospect Park is a housing complex that is located near Baldwin and Whitehall. It houses people from all over the world; people from Liberia, Nepal, Nigeria, Ghana, Bataan, Thailand, Kenya, Turkey Russia, Bosnia, Myanmar, and India. We are grateful to be so involved in the lives of these precious people and are continuing to invest in their lives. This is just one of the events we have done as we connect more with the nations in our own backyard.

Special thank you to Bill Kuncher III and Mari Bauman for planning this wonderful event, our staff and friends for assisting and Ryan Dutra for documenting it. Please enjoy!

Over & Out,

Tara

DTS UNITED in Peru: Update 1

2011-06-07T11:11:00.003-04:00

Loving God's Peruvian people!!

Off to a Great Start in Peru!

The team of 19 , comprised of 10 students and 9 staff from YWAM Pittsburgh and YWAM Boston, departed from Pittsburgh on May 23rd, headed south to Lima, Peru, South America to go share the light of Christ with this wonderful nation. After a short stint in the capitol of Lima, the team is now in Huaycan, working with Iglesia Filadelfia. We have worked with Pastor Immanuel there for years now and have developed a deep love and partnership with him, his family and his congregation.

Gathering bags of food & Bibles for the people
living in the mountainous region of Huaycan

John Matarazzo, the team leader, reports that the unity of the team has been awesome. A few team members joined up with everyone about a week later and it was a real boost. The faithful Peruvian translators have also integrated well into the team dynamic.

The following is a short account from John about what God is up to in Peru:

"During our first show in Huaycan, we performed in the main plaza. The chief security officer in the city came and was asking me a lot of questions. After talking with us for a while he decided that he was going to give us an escort around the city. He told us that he was also a Christian and gave us his personal cell phone number. He told us that whatever we needed, just give him a call. So we have been riding police vehicles with escorts where ever we want to go in Huaycan... even way up in the hills. God's favor is great!

The most gracious Huaycan police escorts

Staff & students playing soccer with the locals while
others finish sharing the Gospel with those still seated.

"For our first week we had 447 decisions for Christ! [this includes up to about last Wednesday, June 1st]. There were also over 100 salvations in the two days following. This morning we went into a school of 285 students, did the show [a couple dances and a Gospel-based drama], gave an alter call and went into the classrooms to share more. This afternoon we went way up the mountain to share with people up there. I bought a map of Huaycan... we went off the map. It was awesome! The team loved it!"

We're so happy to see God continuing to move in this nation! In 2004, we took our first trip there and have been back countless time since. See our website for more info on our past work in Peru.

Please continue to pray for our team. We will keep you updated in their work, stories and adventures. Stay tuned!

Ove & Out,
Tara

National Day of Prayer Pittsburgh: Market Square

2011-05-18T15:46:00.002-04:00

April praying for a local man at the National Day of Prayer in Pittsburgh, May 5th.

Each year, on the first Thursday of every May, the day is recognized as National Prayer Day. This day has been a part of our country since 1952, when President Henry Truman declared it so. YWAM Pittsburgh honored this tradition this year on May 5th by going out to Market Square in Pittsburgh to hand out Bibles and to pray for those we saw. We saw God move mightily that day, and one of our staff members was privileged enough to see the Holy Spirit fall on the young man he was praying for.

Our staff member saw a young man and felt God tell him to go talk to him. During the conversation, it was quickly realized that this man believed it God, but did not know much about Him. Using the many pamphlets and Bibles we had for the day, our team member led him through the “Steps to Peace with God” tract and asked him if he would like to receive Jesus at that moment. The young man made a decision and said, “Yes.” As our staff member began to pray for this young man, the Holy Spirit began to settle on him. His face lit up and it was clear that he had had an sincere, deep encounter with our God. All the glory to Him!

Brittany praying for a young woman.

All in all, it was a very encouraging day for all. We thank our Lord for giving us the opportunity to share His love with His beloved children. May the glory be His forever and ever!

Goodnight & Goodluck,

Mari Bauman

(Read more here about the history behind the National Day of Prayer)

JG T-Shirt Design Contest 2011!

2011-05-04T11:21:00.007-04:00

DEADLINE EXTENDED to June 1st

You are heading out to the park with your friends on a sunny, summer day. As you enter the park you hear some music playing far off in the distance. You and your buddies head over to see what could possibly be happening in your neighborhood today. As you round the corner you catch a glimpse of apple green. Is that a performing arts group? You’re not sure you’d heard this song before but the beat is fresh. As you approach these mysterious dancing strangers, you strain to see what’s written and designed on their matching shirts...

What do you want to see on those dancing green shirts?!

Introducing our first annual JG T-Shirt Design Contest 2011. You design the shirt! Get your art printed! This design will go on the Green Apple shirt that you voted in in our "Pick the Color-JG Shirt Facebook Contest."

GRAND PRIZE:

$50 off your Joshua Generation costs for 2011 and your art for all to see!

This year's theme is "Rebuild the Walls" and our verse is "And they shall rebuild the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former desolations and renew the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations," found in Isaiah 61:4.

Requirements:

No more than 2 colors in design (the green apple color can act as your 3rd color)
Designer must be a JG Pittsburgh applicant
Artwork must be sent in by June 1st
"DESIGN RELEASE FORM" must be sent with design (form available below).

Please note: Designs will be viewed as anonymous and chosen by our design team. Slight changes may be made if needed, such as addition or subtraction of words. Alteration to artwork may be necessary for it to be put into production.

Send designs or artwork to jg@ywampittsburgh.org along with your name and phone number. If your file size is too large to email, go to yousendit.com which is a free file sending website. You must also return DESIGN RELEASE FORM (you need Acrobat Reader to open this file. Download it for free here) by fax, email or mail.

Questions?: Send any questions to jg@ywampittsburgh.org or call Diego at 724.930.6133.

Additional info that will help you create the best design:

Theme: This year God has been speaking to us about rebuilding the cities and re-rooting the foundation of the cities in God’s Biblical Truth. We want our theme to reflect this. You do not necessarily need to include these words in the design but try to have your overall design reflect this theme.

File Size: The larger you can create the image, the clearer it will look when printed. We suggest creating the image at 300 dpi or if hand drawing, the larger the better.

File Format: If making it as a PSD (Photoshop Format) or AI (Illustrator) format, try to keep the color layers separated. Do not flatten the image or save as a PDF if at all possible.

Colors: You can use up to 2 colors. Remember, you can use the background color (the green apple t-shirt color) as a 3rd color in your design.

Placement: Your design will be placed on the FRONT of the shirt. Please note if you have a preference for where you think it should be placed. Mid-chest? Vertical down the side? Starting in front and wrapping down around the side?

No plagiarism: Make sure the artwork is your own and not copied from something/someone else. The “DESIGN RELEASE FORM” is required for all submissions. By signing it, you are claiming the artwork is your own and releasing us to reproduce it.

Voting: The design team will vote for the best design based on the following: creativity, clarity of the text or image message, integration of the theme and overall impression of design.

And of course...BE CREATIVE! Think outside the box. Do something that hasn’t been done. Create what you’d want to wear on the streets.

GOOD LUCK, HAVE FUN AND BE CREATIVE!

Deadline: Submissions must be sent in by 11:59pm on Wednesday, June 1st.

(more info on Facebook)

DTS: UNITED Well Underway!

2011-03-30T12:04:00.002-04:00

This season we are running a very unique school. For the first time ever since YWAM Boston's inception in 2006, we have joined forces and combined both of our Spring schools into one extra awesome, mega-cool DTS! We are so happy to have partnered with our brothers and sisters in Boston. This school, student-named the "DTS: UNITED", will be splitting their lecture phase between our location here in Pittsburgh and YWAM Boston's location up in, well, Boston!

The school began on March 2nd, much like previous schools with the students filtering in throughout the day and the foreign students vehemently fighting jet lag. But there has been something special about this school. There is quite a spirit of unity among them. We've united not just two YWAM bases and their staff but 16 students with unique stories and backgrounds from 6 wonderful cultures: American, South Korean, South African, Indian, British and there's even a Korean student from Boston who spent much of her life growing up in the Philippines. We just love the nations here!

Get to know our Spring students and their staff: Photos & Bios!

On April 9th, they will all move up to Boston for the following 5 weeks to continue their lecture phase and then head back down here to complete it. The outreach nation(s) are yet to be determined but we will keep you posted.

Please pray for the 16 students as our faithful God continually works deep in their hearts. We are excited for what is to come for each of them.

Over & Out,

Tara

LIBERIA Update: A Final Note

2011-02-23T10:49:00.002-05:00

LIBERIA: News from the Front Lines

Back in 2002, YWAM Pittsburgh sent a team to Liberia for 5 weeks. They saw God work in incredible ways. So as our team prepared to leave last fall, we heard stories from 3 of the people we work with who were on that team 8 years ago. Remarkable stories of miracles and thousands upon thousands of salvations. Our expectations were high, and God did not disappoint.

One of our favorite stories happened in Buchanan, a city of around 20,000 people (it is the 4th largest city in Liberia!). Our first day there, we were supposed to do an outreach in a busy market, but for follow-up purposes, we prefer to do outreaches in neighborhoods. So we went to a large community behind the market. We did our dances, drama, shared the Gospel, and had over 100 salvations!! Over the next few days, we went back to that neighborhood 3 more times. Twice, we showed a movie ("The Jesus Film" and "Passion of the Christ") and gave the Gospel message.

Showing a film at night.

After showing "The Passion", a man who lived right in the hub of the community approached our leaders. He is a Christian who owns an empty lot of land behind his house that he wanted to give to Victory Outreach Church (the church we were working with) to build a building for a church. We had a pastor who lives in Buchanan whose church was shut down during the war ready and excited to start a church in that community!

Pastor Morris was overjoyed for the opportunity! We came back on our last day in Buchanan and went house to house in the community, sharing about Jesus, praying for people, and inviting them to the first Bible Study that Tuesday at 4 pm. Unfortunately, we weren't able to be there for the study, but got a report that 25 adults had showed up and around the same number of children! Having a church start with its first meeting being that large is a work of God and actually a very good sign.

Over the course of the trip, we each ministered to so many hundreds of people and saw God work in so many of their lives that looking back, it can have a kind of surreal sense. Actually while we were there it seemed surreal. From the individual healings to the sheer magnitude of people who met God, it can be a bit overwhelming. But we want to remember that everything that God did through us was unique and impacted the Liberians' lives in crazy ways. So if you would, please pray that we keep that awe of what we saw. That we remember that the God who worked so mightily in Liberia can do just as mighty things here in America. Here in our lives.

Handing out toys to Liberian orphans. We gave out over 1200 toys!
Thank you to everyone who gave generously!

A crowd watching a Gospel presentation.

We are happy to report we saw 262 healings and 6624 salvations in our time in Liberia!

Thank you for your prayers. We felt them and they are the reason we were able to make it through the 6.5 weeks, fighting every day for the Kingdom of God.

Lindsey sharing with a large group.

Lindsey Erin Berg

(For more photos, please visit Brittany's Facebook page HERE.)

LIBERIA Update: Part 4

2011-01-31T12:05:00.002-05:00

LIBERIA: News from the Front Lines

The long-awaited day finally arrived! 2 weeks ago, our DTS staff and students returned from their 6 week long outreach to Liberia, West Africa! As usual, they have returned with stories of amazing ways in which God has moved in their lives and the lives of those they met. With over 6,000 salvations and more than 200 healings, our team definitely saw God move in the people of Liberia.

The DTS Students and Staff with their Hosts in Liberia.

After such an intense experience of God and His love and power, our students are now making a rather anti-climactic transition back to another couple weeks of lecture phase. They are not just sitting around, twiddling their thumbs however. When not in class, they are busy going on local outreaches to the city of Pittsburgh and continuing to perform dramas they did overseas, in nearby churches. Thursday, February 10th is the day of graduation for our students, when they will finally reach their point of completion. More importantly, they will be able to share with family and friends, the many, incredible ways they experienced God and step into the next phase of God's plan for their lives.

-Paul Reed

LIBERIA Update: Part 3

2011-01-12T11:27:00.001-05:00

LIBERIA: News from the Front Lines

We're hearing awesome things from our team still on outreach in Liberia, West Africa! Just the other day we received word that they had already seen over 6,000 people come into a saving relationship with Jesus. These 6,000 have turned their backs on Islam, on witchcraft, on following false gods and given their lives totally to the one true God. What victory!

They have also counted around 250 healings! God still works miracles today and finds mercy on his people with physical ailments so that they may know that He is real, alive and all powerful. This doesn't just happen in places like Africa but has been witnessed around the world, even in our own backyards: Boston, Pittsburgh, other US cities and towns. What have you believed God for lately?...

The team has been showing the film "End of the Spear" as a follow up video the day after doing outright evangelism in specific villages. At the end of the film, the team has been sharing the need and biblical application for forgiveness. Countless droves of people are finding themselves on their knees forgiving others. And these aren't always simple wrongs they must forgive. I'm not just talking about forgiving someone who spoke badly against one's family. I'm talking about the heart wrenching, painful release of finally giving forgiveness to those who have murdered their entire families. Who have taken everything away from them. Who have brought war, destruction, death and poverty to them. The burdens the Liberians have carried for so long are being lifted in Jesus name...and it's a beautiful thing. Pray for continued freedom for these people, the ones the good Lord came to save, came to liberate, came to set free and see fly once again!

"End of the Spear" Poster

Four of our staff are returning from Liberia today. They have spent the last 2 weeks with the DTS students and staff on outreach. Once they are rested and back on their feet, hopefully I can get one of them to write to you, sharing some of their firsthand experiences. Please check back in a few days.

The rest of the team returns back to Pittsburgh on Sunday. Pray for the remainder of their ministry, that they will finish strong! God's not done quite yet...

(Pictures coming soon!!)

Over & Out,
Tara

LIBERIA Update: Part 2

2010-12-15T11:19:00.003-05:00

LIBERIA: News from the Front Lines

Our team in West Africa is having an awesome time! In just their short time there (it's been 12 days), they have already led over 1760 people to the Lord! God has been showing up in many ways, making His presence known. 88 healings have taken place! From blurred vision to headaches to major body problems, these people have seen Jesus bring healing to them.

There is one particular story I am compelled to share. The mother of a mute boy had taken him to various witch doctors (who are very prevalent in Liberia) to cure him. None of which could. That's when they met our team. They explained all about Jesus, who he is, what's he's done and what he can do. While sharing with the boy, they noticed he had beads tied around his neck. These necklaces are worn with the belief that they carry power from the witch doctors to protect them. Often they believe if they are removed, they will die instantly. After sharing, he agreed to cut it off which he then did. The team members began to pray for God to heal this boy, to bring speach back to his tongue. At the end of the prayer, he opened his mouth and said aloud, "Amen!" GOD HAD HEALED THE MUTE BOY!

The following day, the boy's mother joined the team at church and stood up to share all that Jesus had done for their family. What a powerful testimony. What a powerful God we have. What lives are being transformed through the power of the Holy Spirit!

There are so many more stories. We will share more in the upcoming entries!

Also next week, my husband, Mark, and another staff member that are have been with the team since the 2nd will return home and on the 28th, 5 additional team members will join up with the team for the duration of their outreach. The entire team will return to the States on January 16th.

Please continue to pray for our team. Here are a few points of prayer:

Travel for the staff returning home and staff flying out.
Good and affordable transportation as they have been traveling quite a bit and have experienced a few "bumps on the road", speaking figuratively and also quite literally!
Sustained good health. There always runs the risk of Malaria, so please pray!
Scheduling mercies. That scheduled events would go as planned without interference from rain, flat tires, other people, etc.
Pray for more salvations, more healings, more defeat over witchcraft, more abundance of Jesus in this impoverished and spiritual oppressed nation!

We will keep you updated with news and stories. Check back again soon!

Over & Out,

Tara

LIBERIA Update: Part 1

2010-12-06T11:50:00.001-05:00

LIBERIA: News from the Front Lines

Hello friends! We are excited to hear from our team in Africa. They arrived in the capital city of Monrovia Friday evening after 28 hours of travel and were in high spirits. They enthusiastically fellowshipped with their hosts, set up some schedule details and settled in for the night. Saturday was full of logistics and planning and the outreach that was planned was unfortunetely postponed for the following day. Sunday they helped with a local church service and afterwards briefly met with YWAM Liberia. That night they finally got to do what they were made to do, evangelism! They setup the Jesus Film and about 400 people showed up for the viewing. At the end of the night, about 300 of those gave their lives to Jesus. Hallelujah!

Today they headed outside of the city and will travel to various locations for the next 11 days.

Thank you for all of your prayers. I'm sure the team not only feels them but sees your prayers in action on the front lines of forefront evangelism. Please continue to cover them in prayer. It makes a difference. Expect great things with us for the people of Liberia! More news to come soon.

Over & Out,

Tara

Off to Africa...

2010-12-02T11:35:00.000-05:00

The day has finally come! The hallways are lined with luggage and rides to the airport will soon commence, as the DTS students are at the long-awaited day. For the next month and a half, they will be thrown into a whirlwind of culture shock and jet-lag, bringing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a country that many seem to have forgotten. Through the scorching heat and barren lands, our staff and students will travel by foot, bus and possibly the occasional elephant or camel, to those who have never heard the name of Jesus. Aside from performing dances and dramas and speaking to large crowds each and every day, they will also be serving in orphanages, spending time with children, witnessing and ministering to them.

While they will no doubt experience God in many ways and see Him work in peoples' lives, there is still the inevitable battle of the flesh; the struggle against intense heat, humidity, jet-lag and sleep deprivation. Like many of us, there will also be the longing for home, especially during the holiday season. Please keep our staff and students in prayer as they battle these desires daily, in order to further God's Kingdom.

-Paul Reed

DTS Wrapping up Lecture

2010-11-18T11:09:00.001-05:00

It's that time of year again! The time of year when our DTS students are finishing up their lecture phase and getting ready to pack their bags and hop a plane to the country God has called them to. Their last few weeks have been spent doing local outreach with Doug Tunney Senior (YWAM Boston) whose specialty is evangelism. After several days with Doug, the students' hearts were rekindled with a love and passion for the lost, the likes of which they had never experienced before. Things were only intensified after that, as Pastor Tim Burgan came the following week to speak to the students about spiritual warfare, as he does for each DTS. It is no coincidence that anytime Pastor Tim comes to speak about such things, the students are attacked all the more on a spiritual level. God is still God, however, and never fails to bring them through and strengthen them at the same time. As one of their final speakers, Mark Britt is currently speaking them about the fear of the Lord and what it really means to walk in fear and reverence of our Creator.

Please keep our students and staff in prayer as they are still in the process of raising a great deal of funds in such a short amount of time. With only a week or so left before they leave on December 2nd, there is still a significant amount of preparation to be done.

-Paul Reed

DTS Heading to Liberia, West Africa!

2010-10-25T14:52:00.003-04:00

We have certainly been busy here lately, at YWAM Pittsburgh! Our newest group of DTS students are now half-way through their lecture phase. Every week, they have not just learned about God on an intellectual level, but are growing closer and closer to Him, as they allow Him to tear down the walls of their heart and reveal Himself to them in mighty and powerful ways. In doing so, He is also revealing who they really are in Him, as false identities they have clung to are broken down.

Just recently, a legendary favorite of YWAM Pittsburgh, Sam Dharam, came to speak to our DTS, specifically about integrity, pride, intimacy with God, etc. As usual, God spoke through Sam in many ways to each of the students, going far beyond mere intellectual, lecture material and straight through to their hearts and souls. Sam ended his week with us by literally spending his entire Friday night praying and prophesying over the twenty or so of us who stayed to hear from God that night, after he finished teaching his final two hour lecture. While we are blessed with others who pray over us, Sam often sees far deeper into peoples' hearts and lives and speaks truth to us in the areas we need it the most.

A DTS Student giving an "Altar Call" in Liberia during the last outreach there. December 2002.

Each DTS, the staff and students alike, spend a great deal of time praying over which country God is calling them to for their two month outreach phase. This class is no different; after much prayer and intercession, it is clear God has called this group of staff and students to Liberia, West Africa. Those on our staff who have been on past outreaches to Liberia, tell of more miraculous healings, salvations, and other movements of God than any other outreaches on which they have been. We have no doubt God will do even more on this upcoming journey, in and through the DTS students and staff.

-Paul Reed

Just Getting Warmed Up!

2010-09-29T16:54:00.002-04:00

The leaves have begun changing. The wind's blowing a bit colder but we're just getting warmed up here at YWAM Pittsburgh. Today marks 3 weeks from the start of DTS and what a good 3 weeks it has been. The YWAM50 conference up north in Quebec was great! The stories that were shared by Loren and Darlene Cunningham, the founders of our mission, were seriously inspiring. We've been challenged to keep running forward with the flame. What will these next 50 years for YWAM hold? We are excited to see...and to be a part of it. Click here to read more about the event from the YWAM50 website (celebration # 31 for the Cunninghams). What a special way for our students to begin their DTS!

YWAM Pittsburgh & YWAM Boston with Loren & Darlene Cunningham- YWAM50 Conference

Last week two of our dear friends from YWAM Boston, Mrs. Debi Tunney and Ms. Jessi Welsh, blessed us with their wisdom. They taught about the need for forgiveness and addressed the common distortions we can have about God's character. Providing an opportunity for the students to understand themselves and one another much better, they covered "Soul Prints", tests and exercises to discover if they are introverted or extroverted, step by step thinkers or visionaries, etc. Some of the students were surprised to find they were more gifted in an area than previously believed! This week Pastor Rick Paladin from Word of Worship Church is here sharing on the "Father Heart of God".

DTS visitation days are set. Want to see what a couple days of DTS look, feel and sound like? Join us October 14 for a couple free days of DTS. Are you a junior or Senior in high school? Your school most likely offers you days for college visitation that count as an excused absence. Let us know if you're coming!

The Black & Gold Flag Football Tournament is only a week and a half away (October 9th) so don't pack those running shorts away quite yet. Signups are still being accepted. Go to ywampittsburgh.org for complete information.

We hope to see your beautiful happy faces at one of our upcoming events or one of the many church services our staff are sharing at. Thanks again for all your support and interest. Isn't God so cool? The answer to that is YES!

Over & Out,
Tara

The Fun has Officially Begun

2010-09-14T15:29:00.002-04:00

There's a change in the air and I don't just mean the weather. Yes, Fall has arrived and with it, a brand new DTS. Six students have joined us from around the US for a time of God centered refocussing, rejuvenation and relationship. Twice a year a DTS begins here and with it, lively anticipation for the Spirit to move in new ways. You could say we absolutely love it...

Now in their second week, they have accompanied most of our staff up to Quebec, Canada, near Montreal, for YWAM50. This year marks 50 years since the birth of YWAM in 1960. Loren & Darlene Cunningham, our founding parents, have been traveling around to the many regions of YWAM around the world, celebrating all that God has done in just half a century. We look forward to the future of our mission and expect God to take us to higher heights than we could ever dream up ourselves.

Follow their travels around the globe as they dream with the nations for the next 50.

YWAM - where we are, where we will GO from YWAM Kona on Vimeo.

Also in YWAM Pittsburgh news, JG trips have come to an end and we owe you a good review! After the training portion of Joshua Generation (teen missions), we trekked on as two teams to the City of Brotherly Love, also known as Philadelphia. For the following 10 days we hit the streets hard. Using dance, drama, sports, and pretty much anything that will allow another to hear the Gospel message, we ministered God's fatherly love to people all over the city. We are excited to announce that 631 of those that heard accepted Christ into their lives. Along with a followup phone call or visit (we tried to do both as much as possible), we handed out a free 30 day devotional on DVD that also includes 6 powerful testimonies from friends of ours.

Watch URBANdevotions online.

After a short stint back in the states, we joined up with our good friends in YWAM Boston (we just can't get enough of them!) and flew northeast to the magnificent country of Iceland. Why Iceland you might ask? Well, cause God said go and when we asked where, he took us there.

Our journey took us to the small town of Stykkishólmur, the fish festival village of Dalvík and the great capital Reykjavík. Although the vast majority referred to themselves as atheists, the entire country is still registered as Lutheran. The Icelandic people (and many tourists as well) were surprisingly very willing to discuss spiritual matters. Almost every conversation involved our staff and students having to use apologetics to answer their many questions. In the end, Truth prevailed and we were still able to see 328 people make decisions to follow Christ. Hallelujah! God is just so cool.

Please pray for the people of Philly, the people of Iceland and the many other new believers we've encountered upon the way. Pray they will seek hard after the face of God and continue to be moved in their lives by His great love.

Pray for our DTS students to dive deeper into His arms and be transformed from the inside out. As in YWAM fashion, expect more nation-shaking news soon.

Over & Out,

Tara

Wild Hearts DTS Coming soon!

2010-08-16T16:12:00.000-04:00

Here is the video from last fall's DTS. We went to Colombia and Peru.

This coming school we are feeling led to preach the Gospel in the Amazon!

This semester starts September 8th!

We are still accepting applications!
If you are interested please contact us SOON!

724-930-6133
info@ywampittsburgh.org

Join the Fun!

2010-07-06T14:17:00.000-04:00

Come one! Come all! Join in the fun for the new Winter DTS!!

Join us this September for an amazing 5 month excursion with God! For three months, you will be stretched and challenged, as you learn how to hear God's voice, how to listen to Him, how to realize your own identity in Christ, how to share the love of Christ with people on the street, etc.

After several months, your last two will be spent on an overseas missions trip, where you will be able to put into practice what you have learned about sharing Christ with others, as well as opening yourself up for the Holy Spirit to move in you and use you in ways you have never expected.

"God taught me a lot about patience." says current DTS student, Abigale Iverson, after just returning from her outreach in Mexico City. "Being in one room with other girls was a patience builder by itself. I was really surprised at how much God taught me about not caring so much about others but just caring about my own actions and living by example."

Iverson continues by saying "God really used me to witness. My spanish kicked in pretty quick and so I was able to evangelize without a translator. It was so awesome! Also, I learned about the importance of Holiness and how much God desires for us to be Holy."

This is just one of many testimonies given by DTS students throughout the years. God is continually working and stretching in the lives of our students and those they witness to.

So come and join us! The adventure begins this September!

~Paul Reed

JG Bootcamp Underway!

2010-07-05T13:58:00.000-04:00

Greetings all!

There has been a great deal happening lately, as our DTS has just returned from a month of outreach in Mexico City and also, our summer teen missions trip has begun. The DTS have so many outrageous stories of awesome things God did and they saw over 1,500 people give their lives to Christ! After returning to the base in Belle Vernon, their traveling continued as they made their way up to Worcester, MA the next day to assist with JG.

We are currently in the second week of our Joshua Generation (JG: Teen Missions) boot camp, preparing the students for a 10 day outreach to Philadelphia. So far, we have had a number of well-renowned speakers grace us with their presence, to spend time with us and teach us how to interact with people on the streets, during outreach. Paul Vheet (AKA Dino-Pastor) spent a day with us, demonstrating his rather impressive knowledge, research and background in the realm of archealogy, creation science, etc. With years of experience in presenting, historical and scientific evidence for creation, Pastor Vheet prepared the students and the rest of us for encountering people on the street in this age-old debate.

A JG student spending time hearing from Jesus

Guest speaker Trent Shepherd engages the audience while explaining why God brought us into the picture, allowing us to join in the dance of creation.

Artwork done as expression of praise during worship time

Can't have JG without lots of fun! Gotta love water games!!

Otherwise, the students have been spending a great deal of time learning various dances and dramas to perform on the streets of Philly. More importantly however, they have truly been experiencing God at a greater depth and intensity. Through lectures and divinely inspired worship services, we have all seen and experienced God move in our lives in mighty ways.

~Paul Reed

The Drama of Life

2010-05-16T11:33:00.000-04:00

I’m not accustomed to commentaries but I’ll make an attempt to give you a vague description of my past few days as a student here at YWAM Pittsburgh.

One of the fun things we’ve been doing a lot lately is practicing the drama “Doors.” It’s about a girl who opens the door to sin in her life, getting involved in drugs, materialism, sex, and eventually, suicide. The drama avoids being graphic while remaining very effective and the practices are amusing to say the least! We’re preparing several dramas and dances to use as evangelism tools while on outreach in Mexico City.

God has spoken to us each individually, and to our group as a whole, preparing us for a move of His spirit. I think we’re all getting the feeling that we’re headed for something big as God uses us to reach the lost. I’m incredibly grateful for my experiences here and wish that each and every Christian had the same opportunity to have their hearts set on fire.

In Christ,

Sarah Quinn

YWAM Boston's Encounter Tour

2010-05-13T11:34:00.000-04:00

My name is Jacob Haakinson. I came out to Pittsburgh from Denver to do my DTS. I am having a lot of fun here with my new friends learning so much about who I am in Christ Jesus. It is less than three weeks away for us DTS students to go to Mexico City for our outreach phase. We are all so excited, we all work so well with each other and know that God is going to do some powerful things through us. We continue to practice the dramas and dances we will be performing for the people. I have learned the "boyfriend" part and also Jesus for the drama.

One exciting thing that is going on this week is our friends over at YWAM Boston have come here to Pittsburgh to perform their drama called Encounter. It is a very powerful display of who God is as a trinity in our lives, how much God loves you and me, and what God did for us.

the Serpent & Eve

Adam & the Trinity

If you could pray for the DTS to have safe travels to Mexico City and to have unity as a group, we would be so grateful for that.

God bless you,

Jacob

Mexico City Outreach Next Month!

2010-05-07T16:59:00.000-04:00

This week has been pretty busy! We've been doing a lot since it's only one month before outreach! :) If you haven't heard yet, we're heading to Mexico City for our outreach! We've been spending a lot of time learning dramas, dances, and evangelism tools.

God's been stretching my flesh so much lately! He's been teaching me and speaking to me everyday! I never knew before I came to DTS that God could speak to me so often! We have quiet times everyday from 8-9am and during that time I find God's voice so powerful! Lately He's been teaching me about patience, discipline, and self control. He's been showing me the power
of prayer as well! I've also been searching for more wisdom. Which God has answered my prayers for wisdom. I've been reading a section of Proverbs everyday. I meditate on it and then I search through to see the things that stand out to me and I look for any type of wisdom that I can pull out of that passage. I then write them down and try to practice them with the help of God. I feel like this week God's already spoken to me so often! I sometimes feel like I can' t process it all but I know that I can.

This week's teaching has been on spiritual warfare. It has been a tough week for many of us! I feel as though many people have been pushed spiritually this week!

Some prayer requests that we have as a group are for unity, strength to finish DTS strong, focus that we're here to serve Jesus and to win people to Christ!

Here's a couple photos as well. The one at the top I did just for fun during my free time! God's giving me some new graphic ideas to put into practice so I had some fun! I hope you enjoy!

Thanks!

Love & Blessings,

Abi Iverson

Fathers of the Faith

2010-05-02T11:51:00.000-04:00

Hello there,
These past few days have been busy for us, this week we’ve probably had the most amount of teachers. On Monday we had the Pastor from Word and Worship church whose name is Rick. Then we had our dear Mark Britt teach us again from the first week on fearing God, we felt like it was our first week again but still not because God has done so much work in each and every one of us since then.

Olof with Dr. John Perkins [on left] and Dr. Henry Blackaby [on right].

The DTS with guest speaker Dave Buehring in April

On Thursday we were so lucky to be invited to come to a conference that a former teacher of ours was holding in Pittsburgh. The conference was for Pastors and leaders, and the speakers were two of the fathers of the faith; their names are Henry Blackaby and John Perkins. It was such an honor to listen to these two men share their stories with us, and we got to talk to them for a bit afterwards. So this week has been very interesting and fun.

God Bless you!

ÓLÖF ANNA RÚDÓLFSDÓTTIR
[student from Iceland]

DTS Opens Eyes to Worldview

2010-04-28T16:53:00.000-04:00

Its been almost 2 months that we have been together now. I cant believe how much God is doing in our lives here at DTS. Last week the base staff was at a conference in Atlanta, so it was just the DTS and DTS leaders. We learned about Worldview from Bill Jack and Michael Ramsden. God was speaking through these men a lot. We learned how to ask intelligent questions to get intelligent answers when we are talking to people. It is amazing how people cling to ideas and let it govern them even if it is not based in truth. Simple questions like "What do you mean by... ?" "How do you know what you are saying is true?" "What difference does it make?" "What happens if you are wrong?". It will be interesting to use in real conversations. I can't wait for outreach!

-Jmat

DTS, Step 2, and Outreach to Peru!

2010-03-26T10:57:00.000-04:00

New things are happening at the base! Three weeks ago our Spring Wild Hearts Discipleship Training School started, this week our new staff joined us and are training in Step 2, and we just had six staff members come back from a trip to Peru.

Our new DTS has 8 students who originate from areas as close as Pittsburgh (of course) to places as far away as Iceland! All of them are passionate to learn more about the Lord and they all love to worship. Summer Steele, a student from Cecil, PA, says that she came "for God to help me develop spiritual disciplines." Summer knows that she is called to ministry, so she is also looking to be radically changed. From what I have been able to tell, they all are excited for God's change in their lives.

New staff came on Monday from the last DTS. They will be spending their first 2 months here learning more about leadership, discipleship and God's heart for the lost. Also during this time, they will have the opportunity to plan and go on their own outreach and learn all the steps that go into it.

We just had a team come back from Lima, Peru! Last week, 6 of our staff members went down with a group of people from two local churches for about 8 days. We did street evangelism, ministry in an orphanage, food distribution, and a pastor's conference on evangelism.

One of the most impactful stories came from a night in Comas, a district of Lima. We about to do a show in a park, to draw a crowd, and then go out and tell them about Jesus. A man named Jorge walked up and started talking to Mark (the team leader) and Emanuel (a translator) about what we were doing there. Mark started to share, but we had to start the show, so he asked Jorge to stay, so he could be talked with after. Jorge asked the Lord into his life that night, and then began to share his story as we took him out for dinner. When he was 17, he got his girlfriend pregnant, so they were married and had the baby. But over the course of their marriage, his wife was unfaithful to him and found out that she had HIV. She had Jorge and their daughter get tested, too, and both were positive. Soon after that, his wife left him to, as he later found out, become a prostitute. This broke him, and combined with the fact that his daughter is hospitalized with HIV, he felt his life was over. That there is no hope. He told Mark and Emanuel that night, that if it weren't for his little daughter, he'd have committed suicide. But that night, he was brought hope. Mark was able to share with him about God's unfailing love and power to heal his heart. They told him that walking in forgiveness, as excruciatingly difficult as it is, will help him be free from his path.

We continually pray for Jorge and all the others we talked to in Peru, and ask that you do to. We know that God is doing powerful things in their lives.

Until next time!

Lindsey

Haiti Trip: Reflection

2010-03-05T13:49:00.000-05:00

I asked Brittany and Melanie to share something about Haiti, because all you have heard from is me. So, the following is what impacted each of us the most in Haiti.

BRITTANY:

The thing that impacted me the most was seeing the devastaion and suffering the Haitians were going through. It was such a blessing to be there. The last night we were there, we did a worship time with one of the tent cities and the people were just worshiping God and praising Him. When you looked into these Haitians eyes you see hunger. Hunger to know more about God. That just made me smile so much. I know that God is going to do so much more in that nation. One thing that was hard for me to leave was this little 2 year old boy who I fell in love with for the 2 weeks. He was the funniest kid, he would laugh at everything. I taught him some english words and he would say them so good! The last 2 days came around and he looked sad and lonely. He wouldnt even come to anyone anymore. He didn't laugh at anything, and I found out that he realized that his family is no longer with him. It broke my heart to see that. I thank God for giving me such a great oppurtunity to go there and serve Him.

MELANIE:

My favorite part about Haiti, is seeing Haitians already saved, and rejoicing in the Lord. Even after losing loved ones they still trust, honor and love Him. I loved seeing the kids being so happy and joyful, even when they have so little and lost parents,siblings, other family members and friends.

I am extremely excited to say I do believe God has plan for Haiti, to really change it. I was blessed to see the need in a third world country, and to continue in prayer that some Haitians will some day become world changers and start improving their their country for the Lord.

LINDSEY:

As I look back, I would say what I love the most is when I got to see the Haitians helping out their own people. Taking initiative. Obviously, we were working with a YWAM base of Haitians, so I got to see them working for God. But even beyond that, when we went out to build tent cities, there were more Haitians than foreigners setting up the tents. Some of whom didn't have homes of their own. I think I told you about Nadash, who still has no tent, but is out every day, helping set up hundreds for other families. I think a lot of people did not get to see that. I was talking to a man in the US Navy down there, and his unit had seen so much of the Haitians taking, taking, taking, and it was wearing on him. But I thank God that I got to see the other side of things.

I encourage you to keep praying for Haiti for the next couple years. There is a ton of rebuilding to do and people who need the Lord.

Well, for the final time, bon swa!

Lindsey

Haiti Trip: Last Day

2010-03-01T19:24:00.000-05:00

I have a lot of catch-up to do! Sorry for not posting anything in a few days. Between unreliable internet, exhaustion, and a bit of sickness in the team, I just haven't been able to.

Probably the highlight of the past few days for all of us was last night. We all went to a tent city (the first one we had been to two weeks ago) and had worship with them. The base director and outreach leader both led the worship on a platform while the rest of us and most of the community were on the ground below.

You should see the Haitians worship! They pour out their love for God at the top of their lungs. At the same time, their hands are raised as they jump and dance around. They are so hungry for God!

Two years ago, we had a team go down for a couple of weeks for an evangelism outreach From what I hear, it was hard going. The Haitians weren't very receptive to the Gospel. But from what I've seen these past 14 or 15 days, I really believe the heart of the people has changed.

I guess that when tragedy hits, people realize that unless there is Someone greater to lean on and live for, this life thing isn't worth it. That's what we experienced last night. The awakening of people's souls to Truth.

So we worshiped with them and played with the kids. The base is working rather closely with that tent city, cleaning it up and trying to get some plumbing in. I am so excited for the ministry that will continue to happen through the Port Au Prince base!

So now, the three of us are in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, at the YWAM base, spending the night and going home tomorrow. All of us wish we could stay longer. All of us had people we absolutely fell head-over-heels in love with. Given the opportunity, all of us would jump at going back, so we will see....

This whole trip has been a really good learning experience, besides all of the ministry experiences. This is the first time for all of us to go on a trip without someone leading us. We learned a lot about communication and expectations, and (probably the biggest!) patience.

When I get home, I will post some more pictures because the internet here is too slow to upload. I'll have each of the girls tell their highlights from the trip--so stay tuned and check back in a day or two!

Bon Swa!!

Lindsey

Haiti Trip Day Nine: Repetition of Yesterday

2010-02-23T20:15:00.000-05:00

This morning at 1:30 (ish), I was awakened by an after shock. It woke me up and I remember whispering, "Oh my gosh, really?" in kind of an exasperated tone, because I honestly couldn't believe it was happening. Two days in a row? After half a second, though, it sank in and I sat straight up, grabbing at both Brittany and Melanie (neither felt it). Unfortunately, the night before, I had had an intense dream and woke both of them up in the exact same manner, so neither of them believed there was an earthquake at first. But then we heard everyone unzipping their tents and running out into the courtyard, and we sprang into action, leaping out of ours as well.

As we were all standing there, the fear hit us. What if this was just a foretaste of something bigger coming? Our tent is safe, because it is near the middle of the courtyeard, but everyone else's is almost directly under the eaves of two buildings. We stood out there for maybe 3 to 5 minutes and then I went back to bed, followed by Mel and Britt. I think a few others also went to bed, but most were standing outside.

Five minutes later, in the middle of praying for safety, another one hit! It was only for a second or two, and was not as hard, but we all shot out of our tents like lightning. We stood around, scared and feeling utterly helpless. Peterson, the base director, called us into a circle and we prayed passionately for safety, wisdom, and peace.

Those who were sleeping in the house moved outside for the night and most people went to bed, although I don't think most of us got much sleep. I just prayed and prayed and prayed.

Because of the earthquake yesterday morning, our neighbors were sleeping outside in the courtyard. There is still such an overwhelming fear for the Haitians. Today I worked with a girl named Nadash while setting up tents, and got to talk with her about just about everything under the sun. She told me that she doesn't yet have a tent to sleep in. She sleeps outside in her yard, even though I believe her house is still standing. I asked her what she does when it rains at night, and she gave me a kind of helpless smile. She said, "I run into my house, but it scares me to be inside buildings."

What do you say to that? I couldn't say it would be all right. It's not all right because A) she has no shelter at night, B) her fear of the unsuspecting earthquakes grips her all the time and C) there isn't a way to change her circumstances. Nadash is sweet and fun and eager to improve her English, but she is haunted by fear. Just the same as every other Haitian.

But, of course, there is always hope. I have seen this so much especially in the past couple days. As we build the tent cities, there are around 20 Haitians who come to do it with us. It's amazing to see them helping out their own people. There are many who have giving hearts.

As promised, below is a picture of what a tent city looks like. However, this one isn't finished. In your imagination, but a white tarp on the ground below the covering and close up one end with some of the shrink-wrap plastic material.

Please pray for no more earthquakes and personal healing from fear for the Haitians.

Bon swa!

Lindsey

Haiti Trip Day Eight: Construction

2010-02-22T19:15:00.000-05:00

Those of you who know us may not believe this, so prepare yourselves by sitting down. Today, we three girls, with willing hearts and attitudes, did MANUAL LABOR!!! I know, I know, hard to believe, but we do have pictures...unfortunately, we left the camera at the orphanage so I will post pics tomorrow.

Anyway, back to the beginning: our day started at the lovely hour of 4:30 am. Brittany and I got up and went into the house for showers/breakfast when the earth shook! Britt said it was for around 5 seconds, and another guy we work with said he could hear the neighbor's house creaking. I, however, had just walked into the bathroom and didn't feel it but apparently thousands of people around PAP did.

Kind of on that note, I was talking to the base director, Peterson, a bit after the quake and he said that many Haitians don't like being indoors because of all the tragedy they have experienced. Can you even imagine the flash backs they must have to that terrible day 5 weeks ago? I shudder right now, just thinking about it.

Moving on...At 5:30 we loaded up to go build tent-like structures for a new tent city. The three of us, along with five other people and a bunch of equipment sat in the back of a truck, in the open air and all. We drove for about an hour into a mountainous area.

On the drive, we passed a couple mass graves. As much as it makes me sick, and as much as I don't want to think about it, there were 250,000 people lost that day. People with families, stories, legacies, pains, joys. Souls that either went to Heaven or Hell. I don't usually stop to think about people that way, because it's so sobering. It's not fun to be that sobered--but it is necessary. That's why I share more than just the light-hearted stories on this blog. It isn't worth it just to hear the silly things. What transforms our lives is hearing the hard news and wanting to change it.

Our little part in that change today is to make temporary housing for people who don't have any. The tents are made out of pvc pipes, tarp, and some kind of plastic material. It was mega windy because we were in the mountains, so we couldn't finish. But have no fear--we are going back tomorrow!

Once again, we are satisfyingly exhausted at an early hour (8 pm). Melanie is already in bed, asleep and Britt and I are on our way.

Bon swa!

Lindsey

Haiti Trip Day Six: Orphanage

2010-02-19T19:20:00.000-05:00

Yesterday we spent most of the day at an orphanage that YWAM seems to work closely with--at least since the earthquake. It was sweet! First we had worship and then played Simon Says, Red Rover (do you all remember that one?), Duck, Duck, Goose, and then just dispersed to play without structure. Obviously, that was a major picture day, and since they say a picture is worth a thousand words, here are several to show us and the kids.
Natali and I--soon after this picture was taken, she fell asleep and I got to pretend for awhile that she was my little girl.

Brittany and two of the girls playing on the monkey bars. They loved it when she tickled their tummies and they dropped to the ground.

Melanie and Joel. He was just the cutest little thing--but so in need of love. He always wanted to be held and played with. Brittany taught him how to say "what's up," "just chillin," and "funny guys." He was so proud of himself when we applauded after he pronounced the words right!

We led them in a bit of worship.

Please pray for the children of Haiti. Not just the orphans, but also those who are now living in tent cities. The change in their lives is so drastic that it will without a doubt affect the way they veiw themselves. Oh-and especially pray because the rainy season is coming up soon and they have virtually no protection against it. Their little structures are no match for weather.

Bon Swa! (Good afternoon/evening/night in Creole)

Lindsey

Haiti Trip Day Four: Ministry Begins

2010-02-18T18:47:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was our first full day here and first day of ministry. What a day it was! We start life at 6:00 with quiet time with God, then breakfast and worship/devotions at 7:30. Worship was indescribable. How do you put into words harmonies blessed by the strength of God or how it feels to have the Spirit weaving your heart and His together?

After worship, we went to a tent city and gathered all the children around us and had worship with them. Because it was during the work day, most adults were not around, but those who were came and watched and laughed along with us.

Worshiping with the kids at our first tent city

We then went to the downtown area, where such devestation had taken place. They showed us around medical clinic accross from the palace where people were in line to be checked out. The palace's destruction was incredible. Below is a picture from the street.

My favorite part of the day came after lunch, when we went to another tent city and did the same thing with the kids. Again, adults gathered around, and there was one woman in particular I just seemed drawn to. I grabbed Steve (a Haitian who speaks a bit of English) to interpret and went over to sit next to her. I started out by asking her name (Jacqueline) if I could pray for her, and she said yes, but didn't have anything particularly pressing that needed prayer. Interesting, considering her situation. So I prayed a blessing over her and Steve interpreted and I shared a bit of my testimnoy with her. How I know what it is like to have to lean on God every moment in the midst of tragedy. It was a good time, but I didn't realize how much it must have affected her until she came up to me awhile later and told me, with tears in her eyes, that she loved me and wishes she could come with us. My heart just broke for her and her situation and I told her that I would be back to visit. Which I will, hopefully tomorrow.

It is interesting being a foreigner here, as you might imagine. Today I went to the market twice, and both times, people would stop and stare as we walked through. Some would come up to me, stroke my arm or touch my hand and say "blanc" (white) over and over again. But none of the others were touched! Probably because I am the whitest of the group--my tans come very slowly.

Today at a tent city, a little boy, Isaiah, came up to me, held my hand, and wouldn't let go! He swung it back and forth, to his chin then away, to his chin then away. I live for those precious moments.

Well, my days end early. It is 7:45 right now and I was ready for bed and hour ago.

Bon swa!

Lindsey

Haiti Trip Day Two: Opened Eyes

2010-02-16T14:29:00.000-05:00

Today didn't start. It didn't have a beginning. It was more of a continuation of endless time. Of delays and waiting and sitting for hours in buses. As of this moment, I have not slept for 33 hours, and the time just keeps drifting on.

And as a Continuation, there was no set time for reflection of what today would hold. There was no laying in bed in the morning, before the world begins, and dreaming about what I would see or hear or touch. Time simply happened and was wasted on my selfish thoughts of tiredness and boredness.

But as we were driving through Haiti and towards Port Au Prince, I saw my first glimpse of a community of shelters made by hanging sheets. My heart broke. I realized that today isn't about me and how I feel. This trip isn't about me and how I can grow in God.

It is about recovery. Not of a nation, but of individuals. Recovery of hope and peace in every soul I come into contact with. Its about pouring the love of God into the hearts of every newfound friend I make.

Many Haitians who have lost everything have to live in areas like this.

I have just settled into my new home: a pioneer base in PAP. Peterson Georges, a Haitian YWAMer has been working at the St. Mark base, but this past weekend, has made dream of a base in PAP become reality. While here, I will be helping to pioneer this base--to get it up and running, do outreaches, and prepare for hosting missions teams.

God's magnificent hands have seriously been on this entire trip every step of the way. He is just so beautiful, isn't He? I can't wait to start working and being able to share miracles that God works in people's lives. But for now, I will sleep and probably go to a worship service tonight at a tenty community like in the picture above.

Lindsey

Haiti Trip Day One: Anticipation

2010-02-15T14:10:00.000-05:00

I (Lindsey) am going down to Haiti today with two other girls, Brittany and Melanie to work with YWAM St Marc. All three of us work at YWAM Pittsburgh and we all felt a tug on our hearts to go down as soon as the earthquake hit. Now, a month later, we are finally making the trek. Britt and Mel are staying for two weeks while I will be staying for a month!

Me, Britt and Mel back at home, anticipating our trip

Today we will be arriving in Santo Domingo and staying the night there before getting on an early (4 am!) bus to the border tomorrow. Then we will be picked up by a taxi and taken to Port Au Prince. According to information at the moment, it sounds like we will be in PAP for quite a chunk of time, sleeping in tents, helping to get ready for bigger teams who are coming later.

To be entirely honest, I don't really have a clue what is going to happen. We will be assigned duties and such when we arrive, but everything is subject to change. I always love going into situations where I can’t have any expectations. Leaving everything up to God for these things is quite exciting, because you never know what He is going to do or how He is going to stretch you. It is in moments like these that we are forced to rely entirely on God to direct everything in our paths.

Well, my next post ought to be coming to you from a few thousand miles south. See ya then!

Lindsey

YWAM Pgh on WORD-FM 101.5!

2010-01-26T17:13:00.000-05:00

Warm winter greetings! This coming Saturday we will be on Pittsburgh’s WORD-FM. Tune into 101.5 FM from 9am till noon for the “Let’s Talk” program hosted by Stacy & Hutch, professional counselors from North Way Counseling Services. Their guest speaker Scott Munro, one of our YWAM Pittsburgh staff from South Africa, will be on air to share his testimony and his heart for missions.

Be a part of the discussion! Call 1-800-320-TALK (8255) to ask the hosts or Scott a question during that time.

Not in Pittsburgh? Tune in online. Go here to wordfm.com. On the top of the page in the “On Air Now” box, there will be a “Listen Live” button. Click it and the streaming should begin!

Also this week, the Fall 2009 Wild Heart’s DTS will be returning from their 8 week outreach to South America. After laboring in the spiritual fields of Colombia and Peru, they have seen a great harvest! Over 2,000 people have given their lives to Jesus through this team and we couldn’t be more thankful to the Lord for his great work in those people’s hearts. They return Thursday and we can’t wait to hear more stories of people they met, places they went and lives that were changed for eternity! Stories will be posted soon.

While this DTS is wrapping up, our March Wild Heart’s school is on the horizon. Do you know anyone who is looking to know God more intimately? Who could use 5 months to delve into the abundant arms of our beloved Father? Who has a heart for missions but just doesn’t know how to get involved? If anyone you know may be interested in our upcoming school beginning March 3rd, please have them give us a call at 724.930.6133, email us at info@ywampittsburgh.org or send them here. Visit ywampittsburgh.org for more information. Applications are still being accepted.

That’s all for now. Check back soon for details about the team’s adventure in S. America!

Over & Out,

Tara

South American DTS Adventures!

2010-01-12T16:40:00.000-05:00

The 11 students and their 3 staff have been busy shaking up South America! From December 10th to the 31st, they ministered throughout Bogota, Colombia, where they then moved onto neighboring Lima, Peru. Each day they fit in about 4 outreaches, ministering in plazas, parks and the city center. At night, their crowds have regularly risen to over 300 people. Each individual is hearing the Gospel and many have responded by giving God their lives for the first time. They have even openly presented the Gospel inside the police station, after being invited by the policemen themselves! The Peruvians are so hungry for a deep relationship with their creator! It’s been great having the members, from the church the team is partnering with, accompany them on all their outreaches. Our hearts desire has always been to see the churches undertaking the task of evangelism and discipleship and it’s exciting to see if being fulfilled.

In the photo below on the left DTS student, Sophia, shares with a young man In Colombia. In the middle, the team and their translators take a moment out of their busy day to pose for the camera.

In the photo on the right, the 3 young men who are sitting with Sarah, one the DTS students, had just received Jesus. The team reports that they have since been coming to church and going out with the team to translate for them. Their lives have been so transformed by God already! Anything is possible with the Lord.

Yesterday, the team arrived in Huaycan, just outside of Lima, and will be there for a week. Before leaving Colombia, they had seen about 500 people make decisions for Christ, and in Peru an average of about 100 people are come to the Lord daily.

Please pray for an abundance of salvations and good health for the team as they continue their adventures, working hand in hand with God. The team will be returning to Pittsburgh on the 25th of this month.

In other news, most of our staff are leaving tomorrow for 6 (nonconsecutive) weeks on a JG and DTS recruitment trip. They will be heading to Baltimore, Philadelphia and Lancaster, PA for the first 3 weeks and will also be visiting Ohio, Detroit and Chicago after a short stop back at home. We hope to find many young people excited to join us for our life-changing programs and willing to be used by God in big ways. Please pray for the work they are doing as they seek to expand the mission field and ultimately, God's heavenly kingdom.

More updates from the teams coming soon!

Over & Out,

Tara

Schenley Lydia Tunney has arrived!

2009-12-02T16:06:00.000-05:00

On Monday, November 30th, Douglas and Amanda welcomed their beautiful daughter Schenley Lydia Tunney into the world! Schenley was born a healthy 8 lbs. 11 oz. and both mom and baby are doing very well! We are so full of joy for our dear friends and this most wonderful miracle of new life. We’re praying blessings for the Tunney family as they transition into parenthood and bring their sweet baby girl home.

Looks like God is enjoying the expansion of our YWAM Pittsburgh family...and so are we!

In other exciting news, the Fall 2009 Wild Hearts DTS departs on Wednesday, Dec. 9th for South America! Their two month outreach will take them to Brazil and Colombia as they take the message of Christ to the ones He misses most. Please pray for favor, open doors, safe travel and an outpouring of the Holy Spirit wherever they go. As we work alongside the Lord, we expect to see thousands come into a relationship with God during this time. We’ll keep you updated as we hear from them on their venture. Stay tuned for more!

Over and Out,

Tara

Step 2 Graduates & 2 SOE's Conclude!

2009-11-17T13:48:00.000-05:00

Some team members manning the prayer station in Phila.

Nick Hough sharing with 4 young men on the streets

Greeting friends! Our “Step 2” class just returned from a successful weeklong outreach to Philadelphia, PA. This two month course is designed to train and equip oncoming staff and is following up with an outreach. From November first to seventh, all six students and their course leader, Courtney, ministered to those in nursing homes and those seeking free hot cocoa, music and prayer on the city streets. Many received prayer at these stations. Many found encouragement in the words of our team. Many had seeds sown into their heart. And in all, four people’s lives were eternally changed as they gave their lives to the Lord. We thank God for this wonderful opportunity to minister his grace in the “City of Brotherly Love” and we look forward to returning to her streets for Joshua Generation this coming summer!

JG in Philadelphia in 2006 and we're going back summer 2010!

Also recently completed were two simultaneous Schools of Evangelism. The first was with the elementary school at Greater Works Outreach in Monroeville, PA, and the second with a Pittsburgh area homeschool co-op for middle and high schoolers that regularly gathers together. It was a blessing to teach these many bright youth how they can impact their generation and their world with the light of Christ!

This past weekend, we ran an appreciation service for the Christian Center Church here in Belle Vernon. This generous church not only allows us to share their property but has aided us in countless ways to see students come, teams go and the nations be transformed. From cooking during our JG bootcamp, to financially giving to our many trips, to bailing us out when we were in dire need of a last minute host church. They have done so much for us and the work God is doing here. Sunday service was our way of saying, “Thank you for all you’ve done and who you are. Your lives has blessed the nations.” We love you guys!!

This week our Fall Wild Hearts DTS, their staff and some Step 2 graduates are away at the 2009 DTS Conference in North Carolina receiving teaching and being filled with the word of God with many other DTS’s from the East Coast. Please pray for their gathering and for their relationships with God to grow to greater depths during this time.

In other exciting news, our base director Doug and his wife Amanda are expecting their first child any day now! We are so thrilled for them and are praying for a safe delivery and a healthy little bundle of joy. Boy or girl? We’ll see!

Thanks for tuning in!

Over and Out,

Tara

Trainings, Outreaches & 45 Salvations!

2009-10-27T14:22:00.000-04:00

Hello again friends! We have had quite an eventful last couple of weekends. The Ministry Bridge School trip to New York was a great success. Our team of 12, including the youngest team member at 6 months of age, my daughter Grace, joined a ministry called “Children of the City” in Brooklyn, aiding them in home visits to the many youth involved in their program. The following day we served the physical and spiritual needs of the homeless at “Father’s Heart of God”, another wonderful ministry in NYC. After sharing with people in a park in the Bronx (see photos below), we headed over to Essex County Juvenile Center in New Jersey to share the hope of Christ with the many young men and women in the center. The youth were so incredibly receptive and open to a life with Jesus! When the time the center gave us was over, it was as if we had to pry the team away from them; they had such a powerful time of ministry, they didn’t want to leave! In all, 20 people came to the Lord on this trip! And also dear to our hearts, was the response of each team member, whose hearts have been forever changed by God’s desire to use them in seeing people come to know Him as Lord. These members of Walnut Grove are currently involved in planning more ministry to areas throughout Pittsburgh. It’s so good to see the local church equipped, excited and active in their communities.

First photo is of the Children's Pastor, Alicia Doratio, sharing with a family and the second of Linda Paterni (on left) leading a boy to the Lord and Kelsea Pribila (on right) sharing for her first time.

Going on at the same time, our Step 2 program (a training program designed for oncoming staff), hosted the youth group of New Hope A.G. for a time of worship, encouragement, evangelism and drama training. Included was a day of outreach into areas of Clairton and Braddock where they ministered to people going door to door and through an open air media performance. In all, 64 people were talked to, 25 people made decisions to follow Jesus Christ, 20 individuals rededicated their life to Him and most of the youth group members got to lead someone to Christ!! The youth were overheard saying, “We can’t wait to do more!” and for all of them, it was their first time doing evangelism. Although initially nervous, they were profoundly motivated and blessed to have done it and seen incredible results from their labor of love. Afterwards, we appropriately celebrated with a bonfire and worship back at our base. Yay for all God did through these wonderful youth!!

But that’s not all we did that weekend. Apparently, we just can’t shake the thrill of training others to be used by the Lord and nor would we ever want to! That same Saturday and Sunday, Doug was a key speaker for the youth group at West Ridge Christian Community Church’s fall retreat. He shared on “Destiny” and the “Heart of Evangelism”. At the end of those two days, their youth pastor commented that the youth had recently started witnessing at their workplaces and this was “just what they needed...” We pray they are challenged to continue being moved by God’s heart to share the love of God with others.

Thanks for checking in on all the cool things God lets us do in partnership with Him to advance His kingdom. More updates to come soon!

Over and Out,

Tara

Fall Adventures Underway!

2009-10-08T15:18:00.000-04:00

Fall is now officially upon us but the coming of cold hasn’t slowed us down one bit. The 12 DTS students (including students from Finland and Colombia) are heading into week 5 and already their lives are being radically transformed by our Almighty God. Stay tuned for testimonies (coming soon)!

Doug and Lima just returned home from their 10 day dental mission trip to Lima, Peru with Doug’s brother-in-law, Dr. Aaron Horsley. They gave free care to over 500 people, extracted more than 400 teeth and brought 100 plus people, including the team’s taxi driver who was later baptized in the ocean (see first picture above), into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ! Yay God! One village they visited right outside of the city perimeter hadn’t even seen a dentist in over 2 years! They had an amazing time sharing the Gospel with the many who were in dire need of not only physical attention but spiritual as well. Thank you so much for your prayers as well as supplies given in order for this successful trip!

This weekend will see teams coming and teams going. Tomorrow, Friday the 9th, Mark and I will be taking the Ministry Bridge School (aka: School of Evangelism) from our home church, Walnut Grove A.G. to NYC for a three day outreach (Mark is teaching in the class in the second picture). Our ministry will included prayer stations, door to door, a clothing/food relief bus and a youth detention facility in New Jersey. Also this weekend, our Step 2 program will be hosting the youth group from New Hope A.G. in an evangelism training and outreach to the city. And on Sunday, Doug will be running a two-day Evangelism Seminar at West Ridge Christian Community Church in Coraopolis. We’re knee deep in trainings and outreaches and we love it!!

We also want to congratulate Ryan and Crystal Dutra on their September wedding! They had a beautiful ceremony in Crystal’s home state of Washington (please see third picture...and yes, that's the Rev. Doug Tunney officiating his first wedding). Congratulations! We love you guys!

As we head into this next season, we’re making a commitment to you, our dear friends, to keep more updated on the exciting things God is doing in and through us! Please check back regularly for the latest news. Thanks for tuning in!

Over and out,

Tara

Discipleship, Medical Missions, Weddings and More.

2009-08-27T11:53:00.000-04:00

Ok guys..so it has been awhile!! We have been traveling and planning and now it is time to launch into the fall. Our DTS begins September 9th and we will welcome 12 students to join this 5 month adventure! Their first month will be packed with speakers and activities as they learn to follow God in a fresh and deep way. First they will have Sam Dharam here teaching on integrity, honesty, purity, holiness.

We also have Doug and Lima traveling with a Dental Medical Team to Peru from September 17th-26th. We are excited to hear about how God will use them. But, lets not forget to go over the high points from this summer as we took teams to Baltimore City, England and Scotland. We saw 734 people make commitments to Christ through these teams! Thanks to everyone who helped us this summer in so many ways, we could not have done it without you.

Also this month, Mark is running a School of Evangelism with Walnut Grove Assembly of God and Douglas is in Minneapolis training and teaching a YWAM school in Evangelism. Congratulations are soon in store for staff members, Crystal and Ryan, who will be married September 6th! Our staff are pumped for all that God has and we hope to check in with you again soon.

Blessings, Amanda

just challenging the ordinary!

2009-07-23T11:53:00.000-04:00

Joshua Generation Baltimore just finished and when we look back, we can easily see all that God has done through our teams. Our theme this year was to "Challenge the Ordinary" because it is time for our lives to become radical under the influence of Christ in us. There were 60 of us, hitting the streets with the message of Christ. We would like to thank all of our students who came, they truly love God and made this trip a true highlight for our summer! During the ten days of outreach in Baltimore, our teams saw 628 people commit their lives to Christ! There was testimony after testimony of God's faithfulness during ministry times. Our team was talented and confident because they knew that God was using them as answers to prayer. All over the city today their are changed families because of the reality of Christ that was spoken to them. Thank you Father for another successful year of training these young leaders to shine light in dark places. We look forward to 2010, when we will again grasp all that God has for us and take his light to yet another city.
Blessings, Amanda

Lots to talk about...

2009-07-04T14:48:00.000-04:00

Hey guys! We are in full throttle here at YWAM Pittsburgh. Our Spring DTS just arrived home from Romania. They had an amazing time and saw over 180 people make decisions for Christ! We sat with them and heard story after story of how God worked through them to touch lives. Now, our ministry has started Joshua Generation for the summer (on last Thursday) and our goal is to train these young people on how to challenge the ordinary. God is doing so much here at camp as we talk about forgiveness, hearing God's voice, the Father heart of God, and much much more. They are learning how to share their faith and we will hit Baltimore next week with the good news. Pray for us as we continue to see great things unfold for God this summer. We also have a team leaving for outreach in Scotland at the end of July. It is fun living for God!!! Tonight at Joshua Generation, Doug will be talking about how to conquer sin in our lives. And..in true July 4th spirit today we had cheeseburgers, hot dogs and of course..WATERMELON for lunch!!! Blessings you guys. Amanda

really, we've only just begun!

2009-06-22T08:33:00.000-04:00

Hey guys! Our DTS team in Romania has one week of outreach left and things are great in Constanta, Romania. It has been awesome for them; on Monday there were 25 decisions for Christ! That is a total of around 110 decisions for Christ! We are so proud of our team and all of their hard work for God. When they return, we will be jumping into Joshua Generation for 17 days! Our staff are excited because we know that God is bringing young people together for this time specifically to hear God and serve God in a fierce way! These young leaders are amazing and we know that God will be with us during our time with them. Please pray for us as we take them into the city of Baltimore for a missions trip for much of their time with us. God always works in great ways with our teams, something we do not take lightly because we desire God's grace and annointing in our midst! That about wraps it up today. We hope that all of you will join us tonight for our live comunity worship night in Pittsburgh at Connections Cafe. Come ready to receive from God! Amanda

SOE Outreach to New York City

2009-06-10T14:11:00.000-04:00

I just got back from a great outreach with our School of Evangelism. We were blessed to take 14 members of Covenant Evangelical Methodist Church in Morgantown, WV to the city. It was so much fun for me to see members of the church boldly talking to people about Jesus. We all had a great time, as 40 individuals made first time decisions to give their lives to Christ. Praise the Lord!

One of my highlights came on Saturday, when we were working with a ministry called the NYC Relief Bus, which gives out free soup as an avenue to reach out. I started talking to a woman and her daughter as they were leaving, and I asked if I could pray for them for anything. As I was praying for them, I felt the Lord leading me to talk to them about their worth to Him. I shared Psalm 139:17-18 where the Bible says God's thoughts towards us are precious and if we could count them they would outnumber the grains of sand. When the mom heard this she started crying and didn't stop until well after she repented and they both asked Jesus to be her Lord and Savior. It was so cool to see the Holy Spirit get a hold of her heart and bring them both into His Kingdom. -Mark

DTS Update from Romania!

2009-06-05T17:44:00.000-04:00

Our DTS team has been on outreach in Targu Mures, Romania for 8 days! Here is an update from the team leader Aaron......."God is great! 8 people committed their lives to Christ today! It's not easy here but we are seeing the fruit of our labor and it is amazing. I'm really loving it, we are going to the same park in the city and each day there are different people to talk to. Tonight we were with the youth group for the coffee house hang out they do here in the basement of their ministry. God is moving, praise God, we have talked to 228 people and 52 have committed their lives to Christ. One lady was healed too and a bunch of carbohydrates have been consumed..with very little protein! Haha..Praise God, do it! God is awesome, be encouraged. Next week, we head over to Constanta, Romania for more ministry. Thank you for all of your prayers!"

hello friday.

2009-05-29T18:25:00.000-04:00

I love times together with friends and real times of prayer and seeking. This afternoon, some of our staff took time to pray for our team in Romania. We also began to get verse after verse of encouragement for our ministry. It is incredible to me how God is able to adjust our frame of reference as we take on life's obstacles. We imagine giants along the way and feel that we are at times forgotten or lost. Let these words speak to your heart just as they did for us!
"Be strong all you people of the land..For I am with you..My Spirit remains among you. Do not fear." Haggai 2.
"But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me. Don not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light." Micah 7.
Those of us in that room today can ascertain that God is working for every life that is surrendered and broken before Him. Take this encouragement as fuel for your weekend! Updates from our Romania team coming soon!!!! Amanda

love your neighbor

2009-05-26T15:52:00.000-04:00

So, I have practically been living at my friend’s apartment in Oakland every day, and I realized about two weeks ago that I still don’t know anyone in the neighborhood. God put it on my heart to just go door to door and meet the people, taking the verse “love your neighbors” as literal as possible. I simply introduced myself, asked if they had any needs I could meet, and if possible invited them to my weekly Bible study.
After about ten doors I was getting pretty sweaty, so I decided to go back home and call it a day, until the Lord asked me to do one more door. I knocked on the door and a very large, tattooed man came to the door. I invited him to the Bible study and he got really excited! He said, “I haven’t been to church in six years! And just yesterday my girlfriend and I were talking about how we randomly wanted to start going to a Bible study! This is pretty perfect timing man.” So I gave him a Bible and invited him to the group. Hopefully, this will turn out to be a very fruitful relationship! -Ryan Dutra (YWAM Staff)