At YWAM Tyler, we are hearing amazing stories of God working in unforeseen ways. The Currey Family recently had such experiences with the Lord while on their Crossroads Discipleship Training School (CDTS) outreach to New Orleans. As a family, they obediently came to YWAM Tyler to get to know God, and it's exciting to see how He  has expanded their horizons and worked in and through their family.

A few years ago, I went to the regularly scheduled Monday morning prayer meeting at the YWAM Tyler campus my husband and I are a part of. This particular meeting was to focus on prayer for the newest School of Strategic Missions (SOSM) on their first day of class. As we prayed, I felt the Lord leading me to Luke 15, which is where Jesus is speaking about: The Lost Sheep, The Lost Coin and The Lost Son.  As I pondered this and prayed, I sensed God speaking to me that He wanted to restore what was lost in for these missionary students attending the SOSM. 

What do families entering missions need?

What must a training program provide in order to adequately prepare a whole family for a life of missions?

Reflecting on my own family's experience, I can now sum up these needs in two words: Partnership and Participation.

Last summer our family of four embarked on a new chapter in our lives as we arrived with great anticipation at YWAM Tyler, ready to begin family missions training. We came with no expectations - just a willingness to learn and grow in our faith. Now, I can look back and say we made the best decision for our family by taking that leap of faith. During our five months of training we grew closer to God and to one another, as our marriage and family relationships were strengthened. We now have God in the center of our family’s life, where He belongs!

When I first started traveling as a YWAM missionary, I was in my early 20's and had no children. I remember more than one well-meaning person telling me it was good I was "getting it out of my system" while I was young because once I had kids, I would no longer be able to travel in missions but would instead need to settle down. I guess God had other plans though because I now have five children under the age of twelve and I am involved in traveling on outreaches as much or more than I ever have been. I am amazed at what God has enabled me to do with five children in tow! Here are some examples: