For anyone who didn't receive our support letter we have pasted a copy below:
Dear Friends and Family,
I hope this letter finds you all well and that you have had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Jen and I are writing to you for your support and prayers for the upcoming year in our lives. As many of you may or may not know we are about to embark on a new journey to Costa Rica and Asia for 6 months starting in January. In Psalms 37:7 it says “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him…” This has been in the making since before we were born, on our hearts for several years, and in the planning for about 6 months through prayer. God explains in Matthew 7:7-11 to ask the Lord for new things that He has in store for you. We have felt called to obey God as he has blessed us with gifts and a passion to reach out to the multitude of his children. He says in 1 Peter 4:10 “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” After being married for our first year, Jen and I began talking with each other and our families about our future plans. As we searched for answers, neither of us could deny our deep passion to serve people, to spread the gospel and to experience different cultures. We realized that this could be the perfect time and opportunity to try and follow this undeniable calling. In a surprisingly short time, God had flung the door wide open for the two of us to join Youth With A Mission. By joining Youth With A Mission (YWAM) we will be able to serve our brothers and sisters by learning to love each other as we were intended to do since the beginning of time. Providing medical aid, construction, and feeding the hungry are just a few areas in which we will be able to share and “administer” this love. “Blessed are the feet of those who bring good news…” YWAM is a nonprofit-nondenominational Christian ministry that provides these means of reaching regions of the globe that would unlikely hear of the “good news”. “To those to whom it was never proclaimed about Him, will see and those who have never heard will understand” The first step in becoming a part of this organization is to join a Discipleship Training School(DTS) team. The aim of the DTS is to prepare people like us to be messengers of the gospel, build character, and to seek a more intimate relationship with our creator through cross-cultural exposure and global awareness to current and future generations.
Each DTS consists of two parts. The first part consists of us being based at a stationary location for three months and the second part would involve all of us to travel for three months reaching a broad range of people and locations. Originally we intended on Costa Rica being our affordable option but have been placed in a position out of our comfort zone. Our team was scheduled to spend three months at the stationary base in San Jose, Costa Rica. Next we were going to travel in Costa Rica and nearby Latin nations for the remaining three months. After recent prayer and counsel, our leaders believe that there exists a large need for our team in Asia. Travel to Asia as our outreach portion of missions will require more money for transportation (i.e. plane tickets, bus rides, etc.) Fortunately if you can help, it will not only be able to support us as a couple but also for a cause that you might not be able to otherwise experience. We all have our places in this world but have different expectations of how God can really work. In Ephesians 4:11-13 it says, “It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” It is extremely humbling for us to ask for help but this is why God has set forth so much effort in the “church”, fellowship, and community.
Both of us have given up our jobs and home at this point in our lives to pursue our greater calling. Jesus said in 2 Corinthians 12:9 “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” This is incredible, it means so much more for us to rely on Him in our time of need. It also speaks to those of third world countries who have nothing, to know they are loved far greater than wealth or worldly possessions.
As January 12th 2007 quickly nears I urge you to pray for us. We just wanted to let you in on our plans and most of all wanted you to be a part of our lives. Whatever contribution you may have can be sent to our church for a tax-free gift. Or you may send money to us here at camp before Jan 12 or to the YWAM base after we arrive. All proceeds will go directly towards our trip. Remember prayer can be just as powerful as anything with monetary value, so please don’t feel obligated to give anything. We will be keeping in touch to show our progress so that you can indirectly track how God is working through us. Thank you so much for your love for us and the people of Costa Rica and Asia. Hope to see you soon.
Jason and Jen Haynes
P.S.S. We greatly appreciate those who have already contributed. For those of you who are commited to keeping up with us, reading our blogs, and praying for us, we are forever indebted.
