Dear friends,

WALKING BY HIS GRACE
   Yes, it has been quite a while since we sent out a general communication to our friends and supporters, though we have been in touch with a number of you on an individual basis.
   Since the Summer of 2003 Mary and I, due to personal struggles and issues, have found it difficult to write newsletters about ourselves. This has not been easy since our ongoing need for prayer and financial support did not cease. While we have continued with Youth With A Mission’s International Communications office, our biggest attention had to focus on addressing personal issues. In that process we had to face a lot of subjects and pain that for years had gone unattended; forgiveness and understanding had to be sought and extended.
   As you can probably imagine, this kind of thing takes a lot of time and can be painful; our need for grace was great. The understanding and encouragement from close friends, colleagues, a pastor and even distant YWAM leaders, as well as a good counselor, have been greatly appreciated during times when hope was in short supply. To make room for the needed process, I had resigned from primary leadership here, and also refrained from all travel.

A SECOND GENERATION YWAMER
   We are doing much better now, and have seen God's provision not only in our lives, but also, and particularly, in our son's life. Sean has found his way back to the Lord! It is so much fun to vicariously experience his journey toward understanding and embracing Christ. We are so thankful for His answer to prayers. Thank you to those of you who prayed for him as well!
   Sean attended a YWAM Discipleship Training School (DTS) in Perth, Australia, in 2004, and an outreach to South Africa; it all proved life changing for him. In 2005 he has also completed a second six-month YWAM school (that included another memorable outreach phase to Africa).
   He has been home for a few months trying to raise support and applying for a longer term visa from the Australian government. He has been invited to be on staff in Perth, and will go through a Leadership Training program there (starting in April) that will also involve staffing schools and outreaches over the next two years (including returns to Africa). Right now he is volunteering for a few weeks at the International House of Prayer (IHOP... no, not Pancakes) in Kansas City (a ministry that centers around 24/7 prayer for the nations).
   Read more about Sean’s journey of faith on his website: www.seanfilidis.com.

   Mary and I celebrated an anniversary milestone last November. 30 years ago we were married in the historic English Reformed church in Amsterdam, the Netherlands (where English Pilgrims on their way to America had worshiped). It was a bit far to go and celebrate there, so instead we took a few days in central California, drinking in some of the gorgeous coastal (and vineyard) vistas.

MINISTRY NEWS
   Our YWAM office continues to grow, in both stature and number of staff, which also continues to stretch us with more work and responsibilities coming our way, and the need for yet more staff (and a larger building), and time in each day to serve YWAM's continuing worldwide growth.... Just to mention a couple projects: over the last year our office has been involved in two international YWAM communications gatherings, and in much of the coordination of a 50-day YWAM-wide prayer initiative calling YWAM back to its God-given roots.

  Mary designed again the cover for last year's Muslim Prayer Focus booklets (over 50,000 were mailed from here). Because her illustration was well received, we have it available also as a set of boxed greeting cards. It is hard to believe but this has been the 14th time that we have published a booklet for distribution among North American Christians to be used primarily during the Muslim month of fasting, Ramadan.
   Giving away money is a great privilege and blessing; it has caused many tears of joy reading through the reports that come in as a result. However, it also takes much work to administer and distribute funds in a responsible manner to YWAM staff, students and projects.

  Our gorgeous 18-year-old Noelle, who is pictured here as a Starbucks barista (working after school and on weekends) will graduate from high school in May.

We covet your understanding and support... and prayers.

Paul, Mary, Sean and Noelle

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