I heard a knock on our door just now. I expected it to be a resident who either needed to have something fixed in their room, to return a key or to have a cleaning inspection before outreach. Instead, I was met by a crowd of smiling faces looking for Jeff. It was his work duty crew coming to thank him for all that he poured into them this quarter. They’re all dispersing to different parts of the world now: Cambodia, Fiji, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Argentina and Paraguay. It’s very possible that we will not see these young people again – a reality of YWAM that you have to get used to, but it is hard.

Jeff has been discipling these 13 young adults who are the ones he got because we manage dorm rooms on campus like a Resident Director would on a college campus. Everyone on campus is a volunteer, and everyone does work duty to steward the campus. On their last day here, they asked if they could pray for Jeff because, in the words of one young man, they were “really going to miss work duty and are praying that someday they will be able to disciple as well as Jeff does.” These young people LOVE him (I don’t blame them!).

They had a celebration dinner with their entire school and Jeff’s crew rallied together to take a picture for Jeff.

It’s probably no surprise to anyone that Jeff also took his crew on an adventure!

He managed to sneak in a beloved daughter and niece (also a welcomed surprise visit) on the cliff-jumping field trip.

A few of his crew got baptized right on campus. I love the joy on Aiden’s face here. It’s been a really exciting season of leading young adults into a close relationship with the Lord that they can’t help but share with everyone they meet. 

With everything that has been happening, we haven’t been able to write for a few months, but we are happy to report that this last quarter with Family DTS has been SO GOOD! Jeff and I were immersed in training for leadership and revamping some elements of our school so that we can be even more effective when students arrive in January! We’ve had speakers come to inspire and equip us, we have taught one another in areas where God has moved in our lives, we taught on the Father’s heart in the current Foundation School class, we’ve served our community, and we have taken a deep look at every aspect of our school and outreaches. We are now about to enter our busiest (and most exciting) season with twenty families arriving on January 10. 

Jeff making our Foundation School class exercise their muscles to illustrate that all things require endurance, even spending time with God. It was a LONG wall sit! Can you spot the one boy who is still sitting?

Carlos, one of our instructors, taught us about how to operate in our “Working Genius” giftings. There were so many great instructors who gave us insights about leadership and serving.

Loy and Jamie – We get the privilege of leading families with this great couple and a few others!

Let me also share about some things that have taken place over the last three months. First of all, while we were training, we had many family members come to visit. What a joy it has been to share what we do with those we love so much!! Several of them got to join our class time.

Jeff’s parents, his cousin David, Daniel, Rachel, Ryder and Ashlyn (Eleah’s close friend) came to visit! 

My sister Tamii and her husband Dave came to see us! That was a huge surprise and treat!!

Did I mention how INCREDIBLY SPECIAL it was that my niece, Josii, came to stay? We wanted to keep her forever!

Right up there with family visits, my (Tori’s) favorite thing this quarter has been sharing some of the tools of freedom God has given me over the years. I’ve had the opportunity to teach on the Armor of God again and also walked some individuals through intensive counseling that will hopefully lead to greater freedom. What a joy it is to encourage others in their walk with him! 

We’ve also had many ask why we do what we do. Why are we still here in Kona training missionaries and being trained to lead others? WHY DO WE STAY? Why do we continue to step into messes that we did not create? (You’d be surprised by how many of our youth and even adults are really, seriously struggling.) Why do we move forward in difficult situations that pull us from home, family, comfortable living, security and steady routines? It would be so much easier to walk away, so why don’t we?

We do it because we have been seen and valued by God, and we have been deeply loved and championed by a father who has never given up on us, no matter how messy our own messes have been. Jesus has rescued us. The Holy Spirit has stuck with us in every situation. 

We do it because every individual matters. There is not one person on campus, in our community or in other countries who does not deserve to be given the possibility of a redeemed, restored, purposeful and beautiful life. We simply can’t walk away when a life is at stake.

We do it because so many are hurting and need someone to see them, value them, love them and champion them. We do it because there is absolute joy in encouraging others.

We do it because it’s been done for us, and this happens to be a really great way to give to others what we’ve received.

For those who support us and allow us to do what we do, THANK YOU!!!!!!!! We are so encouraged by those who believe in being all-in to bring others into a redeemed and restored life in Christ!

I remember before we came to live here as full-time missionaries, I wondered if our own kids would just be miserable missionary kids, void of their own purpose and lacking opportunities to do what they love. As you will see, God has more than provided for our kids! The community here really promotes young people becoming all they are meant to become. We feel incredibly blessed that our kids have so many pouring into them. As a mom, that means more than I can even describe.

All of the kids have been enjoying school so much. Each one does something totally different than the rest, and our six kids attend four different schools, but everyone has a great fit right now.

Stage one of Zech helping Caleb build a boat for science class. Some of Zech’s extracurriculars are choir, Spanish, art and science labs. Below is some of his artwork.

Final stage – will it sink or float? (It floated!) Caleb has amazing teachers and is LOVING learning. He is actually enjoying reading now too! We are so glad!!!!

Areana chose to learn the bass in worship class. We’re proud of her dedication to practicing! She is also taking art, Spanish and science lab.

Here, Natalie is giving a tour of her outdoor school that is not on campus. There’s actually a shark at her school because they do a lot of research in marine biology as well as other fields.

Can you spot the kid who can float in this class? Eli was jumping for joy and has genuinely enjoyed his group and all that he is learning. This was their Christmas showcase. Just this week, his classmates came to invite him to go into town with them to hang out. Those of you who know Eli know how special it was that they came AND how amazing it was that he wanted to go! One of his classmates treated him to a delicious Kona Mud Pie!!!

Even though Eleah has been doing online public school, she did join the West Hawaii County Band and thoroughly enjoys playing with very experienced musicians. She learns anywhere from 10-15 new songs a month! She’s also been teaching herself Hebrew for the last couple of years.

In the midst of a lot of living that is full of purpose and joy, we also managed to set up a Christmas tree that was left where we currently are living. We feel so blessed to have a tree!!! We will be spending Christmas in Hawaii for the first time, and it isn’t easy for snowbirds to feel like it’s winter while living on this island. For some, that sounds like a dream come true. We aren’t complaining, but there’s something really special about the chill in the air and snow on the ground while celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas. We feel so thankful to be able to decorate this year and bring a bit of that Holiday feel!

Making ornaments.

The problem-solving team trying to fix the lights.

The creativity is through the roof, but I vetoed the “snow” she took out of the couch cushions. 

Zech is never, ever funny. 

Neither is Caleb.

Their special ornaments are hung on the Christmas tree with care.

Feeling a bit more like Christmas time!

Silent Night….

Although we will not be home for the holidays, we do wish you all a very Merry Christmas and pray that you also are feeling seen, valued and championed by a God who loves you and gave up everything for you. We pray that you are enjoying celebrating how a long time ago Jesus humbly came to be one of us because of his immense love. We love you too. 

Stay tuned for an update soon when we reveal the ministry that lies ahead. 

Jeff, Tori and the kids

https://ywamkona.my.site.com/staff/s/donate?id=6938

Why not end with a fun picture. You’ve got to wonder what was going through Caleb’s head…

Also, if you’ve made it this far and want to be added to our email group, please send me an email at tswanywam@gmail.com We’d love to share our journey with you!