This was actually our original letter to friends and family telling about our new journey. I decided to add it to my blog so that others could have some background. Enjoy!

Our family seems to have big news regularly, so I am thankful that we have very loving people in our corner. It’s a joy to share and trust that you will see that our desire is to include you in what God is doing with us. Thank you for the many ways you have loved and supported us in the past. If you’re willing to read on, sit back and enjoy our family news.

So, what’s the news this time?! 

• We are headed back to be full-time missionaries with YWAM for the next two years (September 2022-2024). It came about very recently and we are preparing very quickly. All eight of us will be going, of course, so we have some super excited kids in our home! 🎉💃🏼

Why are we going back?

• God started something in our family in 2019, and He’s inviting us to go back and go deeper into the plans He has for us.
• We saw the positive effect that Foundation School in 2019 had on Eleah’s and Natalie’s faith and overall lives, and we really believe that God is opening the door for our four adopted children to also be grounded in the Word and to receive from the Lord truths about how He created them and what the future holds for them.
• The Family DTS leaders, Brad and Shantel Plett, have a heart for people that aligns with the heart God has given us for families. In the course of two years, we will help lead two Discipleship Training Schools (DTS) – one in September 2022 and one in January 2024. These include two outreaches to other countries that we will help lead. 
• In between those five-month-long Family DTS sessions, there will be several possibilities to serve depending on the needs of the YWAM base. One opportunity we might have is to help develop support systems for marriages on and off the base. We may also be given the opportunity to teach Foundation School or to teach at the K-8 Learning Center.
• We also desire to be available for any needs that come up on the base. We are simply going to serve and to be shaped by God.
• We feel called to continue leading mission trips.
• We want to be further trained in family, youth and marriage ministries so that we can eventually bring practical help to our local community in Idaho. Our desire is to see families, couples and children love the Lord, love others and have healthy relationships that produce other healthy relationships that lead to loving the Lord and others.

What will our children be doing?

• Eleah and Natalie will continue their high school education through online schooling. They are very familiar with and have had much success with the online platform they are going to be using. Although they will be giving up some obvious benefits of being in a school setting, they are both thrilled about some of the opportunities this route will afford, especially with music and language learning. What has blessed Jeff and me the most are Eleah’s own words: “What matters to me most is seeing my siblings grow in their faith.” Eleah is sacrificing her last two years of high school because she cares so much about her siblings’ futures. But she also shared with me that she in no way believes that she will be only sacrificing. She is super excited about what lies ahead for her as well.
• Eli, Areana, Zech and Caleb will start their time with YWAM in Foundation School. This school is a Biblically-based school that weaves in memorizing the Bible, prayer, quiet time, hearing God’s voice and evaluating how God is changing their hearts. It also teaches on the following topics:
  • Teamwork
  • Connecting with God
  • Jesus Through the Bible
  • God’s Father Heart
  • Identity
  • Journey to Freedom (Here is where they will be able to directly deal with some of the trauma of their past)
  • An Overview of the Bible
  • Healthy Relationships
  • The Holy Spirit
  • The Life of Jesus
• All of them will go on two outreaches to other countries, one on each end of our time with YWAM. Each mission trip will last 2-3 months. In the recent past, families have gone to the following countries: Uganda, the Philippines, the USA and Mexico. There are other possible locations, but these are the most common because of the relationships the families have built in those countries. We have already been asked to lead a trip to Mexico (a dream come true for me), so we have begun to plan for that.
• Once Foundation School is complete, Eli and Areana will continue their high school studies online, and Zech and Caleb will apply to attend the K-8 school on campus.

Why do we feel the need to leave home and go to be missionaries? Why not stay at home?

• God has invited us on a journey of trusting him. He keeps asking us to step out in faith to reach others throughout the world with his love. We know there are people who live in our neighborhood who also need God’s love, and we really enjoy reaching out while we are home, but God is inviting us to go to other parts of the world for now. There are still so many who haven’t learned of the good news of Jesus. God has impressed on our hearts how much He blesses our efforts when we step out of our comfort zones and share the thing that has brought us so much freedom and joy.
• He is also inviting us to minister to those who are missionaries, especially married couples. It’s easy to get really involved with missionary work and have very little support in one’s family and marriage. Our heart is to be part of learning how to help others have healthy marriages and families.

You just adopted four kids and have a family of eight. How are you going to be able to afford this?!

• This is where God is stretching us the most. Jeff and I have striven to work hard, be responsible and live independently. Until now, we have not asked others to support us monetarily. God has been faithful to lead us gently and has been breaking down our pride that says not to ask for help. God is stretching us in EVERY way. We have learned that mission work is the job of the entire body of Christ, and we need to invite people to journey with us. We’ve been invited to go, and some might go with us. Others may feel called to send us through financial help. We hope many will pray with us and for us. 
• We trust that you will have grace on us and realize that we are not looking for handouts, we are looking for partners who are like-minded and want to see the good news shared. We are looking for people to help us bring freedom in Christ to those with whom we come into contact.

So, what kind of financial support do you need?

• We are looking for those who would partner with us on a monthly basis from September 2022 – August 2024. The amount we’d need to sustain us is $2500 per month for the entire two years. This would help cover housing, food, transportation costs, insurance and the basics of living (toiletries, drugstore items etc.). Our understanding from other missionary friends is that raising consistent monthly support reduces strain on families and also brings the comfort of knowing we are doing what God has called us to WITH those we love. We are thankful for any monthly support, no matter how small.
• We will also need to raise enough for our family of eight to go on two outreaches. The first one, which includes flights, lodging and in-country transportation, will cost about $30,000 and that will be due mid-December of 2022. We’ll share details about the second one as it comes up (around mid-March of 2024).
• The total cost of Foundation School for our kids is $3000.

• Select the “Support” button above to find out the logistics of supporting us.

How do we keep in touch with you and share about what you are doing?

• If you think you know of someone who would like to receive updates, please send us (or have them send to us) their name and email address. Use: tswanywam@gmail.com
• Our mailing address is:
  • 75-5851 Kuakini Hwy #189, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740

What are your prayer needs?

• For financial provision and that we would remain in a place of trust and peace
• For healing and breakthrough for everyone in our family
• That we would be able to be exactly who God asks us to be as we minister to others
• While we are excited to say yes, we also know that this means saying goodbye to those we love (for now, anyway). It’s really hard for us even though we feel so confirmed that this is the right move.

What are some praises?

• God immediately provided someone to rent our house!! This is HUGE. It literally happened the same week we were invited to go to YWAM, and the family that will be staying here is wonderful! We couldn’t be more thankful.
• We were not guaranteed housing on campus, but they accommodated us very quickly! We are so thankful!
• The family renting our home will be taking care of our dog Milo…so hard to not take him with us, but it is what is best for him, and they are wonderful people!
• Our kids are incredibly excited about this. For all six to be on board is a huge blessing.

Lesson #1 (part B): Sometimes you have to jump into the unknown!