Hello! We wanted to send out a short update and let you in on a couple things.
I just realized that I have not sent out one update this year. With 2020 statring off so fast with the SEND stadium gatherings in Brazil and then the whole world shutting down and trying to help run large campus in the midst of it all, it just did not happen.
I am sure 2020 has been the craziest year of all of our lives. In the midst of it all the Lord has been faithful and we have seen and experienced His goodness in so many ways.
On a ministry level we spent a lot of year on "alignment". Having to cancel schools which caused financial crisis, and everyone having to just STOP it made us ask a lot of questions and press into the Lord on many fronts. I can say that for us in YWAM Kona the Lord did a deep work, and brought repentance and alignment in areas where they where needed. There has been a greater Unity and ownership. It cleaned off our "white boards" and allowed the Lord to speak new things and new ways of walking those out. We are still in the season of asking God for the wineskin needed to lead in this coming season. We saw the Lords faithfulness in keeping us healthy, and we where even able to run fall schools. We have learned to teach over "zoom" and many of us taught in more places than we could have traveled. We surely know that this global pandemic is the work of the enemy but we can testify to Gods faithfulness and redeeming ways in the midst of it.
On a personal level it was actually good to have a time of not traveling as much. We where able to visit our families in Alaska for month this summer. Phillip had a much needed shoulder surgery and has had time for recovery and rehab. I have been really focusing on my personal weight loss journey and was able to hit some goals there. Our cooking game went to another level, and we where able to bless a lot of people. We faced many challenges and still have so many questions about what is ahead of us. Many people communicate that they can't wait for 2020 to be over, but I do believe that as we head into 2021 there will be even greater challenges. Something I often say is "the greatest thing about getting older is your have another year of the testimony of the faithfulness of God".
I know that one of the great challenges many have faced this year is in the area of finances. Praise the Lord we have been able to pay all of our bills so far. To let you in on what's going on now, I can say our bank account is the lowest it's ever been since we have been married, and as I paid rent today I told the Lord "okay we need a miracle now". We also found out yesterday that $2000 in Phillips physical therapy bills will not be reimbursed by our christian health care program. We have an immediate need of $2000 as well as we just need some larger one time donations right now as well as an increase in committed monthly supporters for 2021. I know year-end giving is important and helpful to some as well as people praying into where they will give their support this following year. Please pray and consider us. For those that can't give we would really appreciate your prayers for a breakthrough in provision right now!
TAX DEDUCTIBLE DONATIONS & WAYS TO GIVE
A couple main areas of prayer:
1. The week before Thanksgiving we both found out within one day of each other that both of our fathers have cancer. We need healing for our fathers. Phillip's dad (also Phillip) is doing pretty well and the Cancer has not spread and he should have surgery to remove it hopefully very soon. My dad (Barton) is not doing so well. My parents flew from Alaska to Arizona to get treatment at the Mayo Clinic there and its been so hard to just get doctors appointments. His cancer has spread and we are still waiting to hear the prognosis and recommended plan from the doctors. He needs a miracle and he needs it now.
2. We need a new living situation. We have been believing God for a breakthrough in provision so that we can buy land and build here in Kona as we know we are called here long term, and building is the way to go. A number of our closest friends that we lead with in YWAM are building next to each other and we had hoped to be able to do the same. In the natural things have gone in the opposite direction of what looks like breakthrough, but we still have faith! Regardless we are looking for a new home that meets our current needs as we have had a very challenging land lord situation and feel the Grace to be here has lifted.
Whats Ahead:
I will be flying to Arizona in a couple weeks to see my parents (need provision for this as well). Then back in Kona and teaching a lot in our schools here this quarter, as well as bringing leadership to several different areas of our campus. I will be teaching for week in California in February. I am on stand by as well for my parents and what they might need in this time. I am scheduled to teach in South Africa in April.
One of the more exciting things is that Phillip is scheduled to be in Nigera, Africa in April for a few weeks with launch of the first Trade School plant. When we are able to share more, I will send out an update just on that.
Thanks for taking the time to read our little update and share with you our current needs. We really value and appreciate your prayers, support and friendships, it means so much to us!
Blessings,
Amy & Phillip Ward
