Change [by Amanda]

Abi loves going outdoors. Lately, our walks have been a reminder of changes the Lord is doing. We walk past trees with hundreds of colors revealed in the leaves, while only a few weeks ago, there would have been nothing but green.

Over the past few months, I have had the privilege of seeing a lot of changes in the lives of the students involved in YMI (Youthfront Mission Institute). One of my favorite times happened around the dinner table last week. Someone began, “I know this might not be the best time, but I don’t know what to do.” This student began to share about a sensitive situation in which he was looking for advice from the YMI family.

It was amazing to see how the other students responded. They began to open up about their own experiences and describe how the Lord was transforming them more into His likeness through these difficult trials.

I have also enjoyed watching mental light bulbs turn on in our evening discussions when we discuss topics they are learning about for the first time.

As we enter the last part of the program, I am so excited to observe the changes that will occur when the students immerse themselves in a new culture and live out the things they have been learning for the past several weeks.

I know that the Lord will be faithful to transform their lives to radiate His glory to the watching world.

Travel– We leave for Asia on the 7th of November. Pray for safety, weather, plane schedules, luggage arriving, and the conversations we will be having with the people God places in our paths.

Time Zones- For the next six weeks, we will be 12 hours ahead of all of you. Pray that jet lag will be minimal, so we can do what the Lord has in store for us (pray specifically that Abi would adjust quickly).

Expectations- Whenever we do different things, our expectations often determine our attitudes. Pray that everyone would be willing to let go of their expectations and trust God for the working He is doing in and through their lives.

Relationships—Pray that relationships would be formed very quickly with the people the students meet. Also, pray for Jonathan and I, that we would build close relationships faster than we anticipate.

To Mexico and Back [by Jonathan]

Our last night in Mexico, we sat on the roof of Youthfront’s dorms in Croc around a small fire pit (don’t worry, the roof was made of concrete). The fire was blazing and there was some meat cooking in a large skillet. Since we were about 30 feet up and the weather was perfect, we could see all the way to saddle mountain, the landmark of Monterrey.

All this provided a vivid contrast to the town below us, where we saw half built concrete homes, wood pallet fences, and trash laden dirt streets. We could hear dogs barking and people talking in Spanish. It was the perfect place to discuss our experiences in Mexcio.

As we discussed our weeks, what started out as revelations about poverty became very quickly a conversation about living an incarnational life. An incarnational life is one that patterns itself after what Jesus did. Jesus left all his rights and privileges and became like the ones he sought to save.

This is what Youthfront Croc staff are doing. They live next door to the people they are reaching. They are going to great lengths, leaving opportunities for good jobs with high salaries to become like the poor and reach the poor.

Pray for the YMI students as they continue to reflect on what it means for them personally to live an incarnational life; laying down their lives for the sake of God’s glory in all the world.

Grace and peace,

Illness — Pray that God would keep us healthy. Recently several of us have been sick with cold symptoms. It has made it difficult to be completely engaged in the program and in each other’s lives.

Family — Continue to pray for our family. We want to be good examples to the YMI students of a Godly, loving family. Pray that I (Jonathan) will know how to lovingly serve, lead, and provide for my family. Pray Amanda will demonstrate what it means to be Godly wife willing to daily sacrifice for the sake of her family.

YMI — (Youthfront Mission Institute) We are leaving for East Asia in 4 weeks. Pray that God would walk ahead of us in our traveling, preparing situations in which we enter into continual blessing. Pray we would experience the great love an joy of God so abundantly that it overflows to the people we meet. Pray for soft hearts, patience, and determination.

Croc

Here at the customs office, we spent several hours working through paperwork, getting visas, etc. Though it was one of the longest amounts of time I've ever spent getting into a country, we made it.44


A view of Croc from the top of one of the main staff buildings.


Abi loves Coca-cola!! Just kidding. We don't really let her have that stuff yet, but she sure liked sucking on the bottle


Peter, one of our YMI students, with a Mexican boy in a nearby park.


Ally loved hanging out with all the little girls. Language barriers were difficult, but sometimes a smile is enough.

We're off [by Amanda]

“This is going to be the best semester of my life!” David exclaimed on the first day of YMI (YouthFront Mission Institute). Most of you would imagine that this statement took place after Jonathan gave the details of our trip to Central Asia or after he announced that every Wednesday night would be movie night, but it was spoken after Jonathan informed the students of YMI that they were going to be part of our family, and that included helping feed Abi during our meals together throughout the semester.

After just 12 days of YMI, I think David has already fed Abi 3 or 4 times. Not only are the students feeding her, but they, play, change diapers, and carry her. Several of them even carried her in our Baby Bjorn while we were serving at Rock the Light (an area Christian festival that YouthFront helps sponsor). Today, some of the students had a dance party with Abi while I packed all of her things for Mexcio.

It has been so much fun for to see the “family” that has developed through the last few days. One of the main goals of YMI is to create a community where people can discover what their role is in God’s plan for the universe. We believe that creating a welcoming, honest, and committed family atmosphere will help them discover what that is.

Tomorrow, we leave for Mexico. Pray that our YMI family will continue to grow closer to one-another and closer to Christ as we serve in a different culture.

Septmeber Prayer Requests

Family — Pray that we would be an example in how we respond and love one another. Also, pray that we would find rest in the Lord and not in our circumstances. Pray that I (Amanda) would be able to laugh at the days to come and not be focused on the overwhelming details of each day.

YMI — (Youthfront Mission Institute) we are heading for Mexico tomorrow. Pray the Lord would protect us as we travel. Pray that we would be able to encourage and serve the fulltime YouthFront Staff in Mexico as well as the people the Lord puts in our paths. Continue to pray that the hearts of the students would become fully God’s, and that they would be obedient to the Lord as He directs their path. Finally, pray that the students would continue to be unified