From the Directors of YWAM Lebanon, PA
To all the faithful supporters of the Colker Family:
It was 2005 when Miriam & I first met the Colker Family. Jeff had arrived in Lebanon Pa. to study in our CDTS (Crossroads Discipleship Training School) in order to do what he and his family believed God had directed them to do. That was, to serve in Ukraine. Since YWAM Lebanon focused our ministry on Ukraine the Colker's felt this is the place for them to receive training and spiritual support for their mission to Ukraine.
God miraculously undertook on their behalf and the Colker's moved to Ukraine and served faithfully in areas of accounting, serving the base in Kiev and developing the Mercy Truck dental ministry. I just returned from Ukraine September 29, 2007 after taking a team there once again and saw firsthand how successful the ministry of the dental truck has become.
As you may know, Steven has contacted a disease which is better treated in the USA and so the Colker's made a most difficult decision to return to the States and continue their ministry with YWAM Lebanon, PA. I have invited Jeff to be my assistant in our mission serving in administration and generally helping oversee the entire ministry of YWAM Lebanon, PA. In addition to these responsibilities, Jeff will continue working with the Mercy Truck dental ministry in Ukraine by sending dentists and raising awareness of the ministry as well as raising funds. I believe this will be as great a benefit to Mercy Trucks and YWAM Kiev as living in Ukraine.
I have asked Jeff to lead missions teams to Ukraine on occasion because Ukraine is the focus of YWAM Lebanon outreaches. Since 1995 YWAM Lebanon has adopted an unreached people group in Ukraine, the Tatar people, a Muslim group who is our focus to reach for Christ.
Certainly the Colker's have made great impact on the people of Ukraine the past two years. I believe they will continue to impact the nation and lives of people in the future, perhaps more so, only this time from State side.
Thank you for you kind and gracious support to the Colker's in the past. I trust your heart will continue to be knit to them in the future as God directs.
David & Miriam Bauman
Directors
YWAM Lebanon, PA
Our next steps... as He leads
This verse is ALWAYS true, but we don't always recognize or remember it. I know that we have had trouble seeing the good in our present circumstances and that we've had to make difficult decisions that affect our future. But God has been merciful and has worked for our good in providing a temporary rental house and now also a van we can borrow while we are in Florida. Steven's latent TB diagnosis changed the course that was before us and now that we've gotten over the initial hurdles of temporary housing and transportation, we continue to ask, "What now, Lord?" Clearly he has worked for our good in this situation, but what purpose does he have for us in America?
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you; plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
True to His Word, God has plotted out a new course for our family and our ministry. Our desire to serve Ukraine has not diminished, nor apparently has the Lord's need for us to serve that country. The outreach team Jeff worked with for the past few weeks began planning their mission trip last February, long before Steven's latent TB was detected. Jeff has worked with many teams and this one appeared the same as the rest with the exception that it was led by the director of the YWAM base in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, where Jeff took his Discipleship Training School. YWAM Lebanon has had a heart for Ukraine since the country gained its independence and has sent many DTS outreach teams to Ukraine in the past 13 years. Jeff told David, the YWAM Lebanon base director, of the recent events in our family and of his belief that our calling was not in vain. Soon David revealed his need for help at the Lebanon base and that it is the perfect place for Jeff to continue to grow the Mercy Trucks Ukraine ministry since the base is partnered with Ukraine in spirit and prayer. Their discussions revealed a hope and a future that includes Jeff assisting in the administration of the YWAM base and allows us to continue ministry to Ukraine. Jeff has long recognized the need to develop awareness of the Mercy Truck ministry to draw financial support, dentists, medical professionals and other volunteers to short-term service in Ukraine. This is a task that he could not adequately undertake from Ukraine, but that must be done from the US. Jeff and David presented the idea to the leaders of the YWAM Kyiv base who approved of the idea. So with the support of the Pennsylvania and Kyiv YWAM bases, God has confirmed that only our location has changed…not our calling.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6
It seems God had this course plotted for us and we had to seek him to find it. We don't know how long this new course is, and we've learned that the Lord can change our direction again in the blink of an eye. Many have blessed us with prayer and support during our service in Ukraine and we are confident that God will continue to provide for us through others while we continue to serve in America. As the details of Jeff's return to the family in Florida and our re-location to Pennsylvania are revealed, we will share them with you. In the meantime, we would appreciate if you would be praying for wisdom and discernment for and for adequate financial support for our ministry as we transition to serving Ukraine from the U.S.