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FROM MIKE - Judy and I are on our journey back to the States after a very busy summer of ministry. I am writing to you from the ship, ms Veendam. (We travel one way by ship for the same price as flying round trip.) As I reflect back on the ministry projects we led in Moldova and Ukraine in August, I recognize that I received just as much as we were able to give. In this letter, I’d like to share with you what the YFC Moldova staff actually do and a couple of my journal entries during the beginning of August.
The first ministry project we led was with over 40 adults and children who make up the YFC staff of Moldova. They said that this was the first retreat they had ever had as a whole staff with their children included. This retreat was made possible by our supporters who send in monthly and special gifts to our support account. The staff of Moldova sent back a BIG THANK YOU for providing this special time with their families and with God! Judy and I led the adults through a spiritual refreshment retreat which is called “One Heart” in the mornings; giving time for the families to enjoy rest and time together or fellowship with coworkers in the afternoons. We worshipped as a group in the evenings.
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The Moldovan Family of God |
FROM JUDY - Relationships can grow rich and deep so quickly in the family of God…because that’s what we are – family. We had nearly a week with the YFC staff in Moldova – a precious time with people who sacrifice much for others. YFC’s largest ministry involvement in Ukraine and Moldova is helping churches to start Day Centers. DC’s are especially for children and youth who are neglected by their parents. The churches provide a meal, homework help, a Bible lesson…and a sense of family for these young people. Many young people have given their lives to Christ and have even become Day Center leaders themselves when they've grown up. YFC Moldova now has a few DC’s specifically for youth with disabilities, which is a nearly unmet need in some countries. Churches decide for themselves how many days a week to run their Day Centers. They open their doors 2 to 5 days a week. Many of our YFC volunteers are working AND volunteering a few days a week at these centers. They do it to share Christ’s love and hope with the kids and to provide a place where they can "belong."
This is why Mike and I feel so compelled to try and provide a spiritual refreshment retreat for the YFC staff and volunteers in a different country each year. We use support dollars that are given to us, so we really have our supporters to thank for blessing these saints. It was also a huge blessing to us. I wrote in my journal, “Tonight after the session, Elianora and Angela came to me and asked if they could pray for me (pictured below). I was deeply moved. Sitting on a bench in the darkness, a gentle breeze blowing on us, the stars shining above…I DON’T want to forget this moment. Listening to them pray in Russian, I was actually understanding every word…tucking into the warmth and security of their earnest prayers. They prayed for my health and for my grandson Nolan’s healing. I marveled at what we have been given since leaving our home and families to move to Ukraine so many years ago. My sisters in Moldova were praying for me. For my grandson. We were there to serve them, but they were caring for MY needs. This is the relationship we have in Christ. Family.”
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Reflections from Mike's Journal |
FROM MIKE - On the first day of our ONE HEART retreat, I wrote in my journal: My number one prayer for each person here is that they can spend time with God without distraction. “Lord, please help each of the staff and their spouses to do this. Even I am having a problem with this, so I cannot imagine how hard it is for each of them to leave their tasks behind.” Focusing on God instead of ministry and work tasks is so hard for me to do. When I spoke with one of the YFC staff members who is also a pastor of a local church, he said that this was the first family vacation they had ever taken with all 7 of their children (pictured below). He told me how much he valued this time to leave his ministry responsibilities behind and truly focus on his walk with God and spending time with his family. I was so glad to hear that one of the goals of our retreat was being met in his life. |
The next day in my journal, I wrote about what I would be sharing for my next “One Heart” session. (Judy and I take turn leading the sessions): “The next question that I am going to encourage everyone to ask themselves is this: ‘Am I willing to “pay the price” like Christ did for me?’” I will share about a time of burnout in my own life when we had a last-minute group of 24 American teenagers come to Ukraine on a missions trip. I originally did not want to receive them because of an already packed summer schedule. That week God taught me to depend on Him more fully through some deep personal trials. It was a difficult time in my life, but God brought me through it and an amazing week of ministry was had. I continued in my journal, “What is the next price which I must be willing to pay? What is around the next corner? Is it a willingness to spend large amounts of time away from home? Because that is a heavy price. Is it a struggle with finances? Because it looks like that could be coming. ‘Lord, keep my eyes open to your direction. Let me be your willing servant in the days ahead. Keep me sensitive to your calling. Help me see the price you want me to pay on others’ behalf. Lord, thank you for the price you paid for me!’” |
Opening Up ... Dependency on God |
As Judy and I were vulnerable with the Moldovan staff, these seasoned youth ministers opened their hearts as well. They evaluated their own spiritual journeys and shared honestly with the group during our discussions. Privately, a few adults and even teenage children of staff members came to ask personal questions. We tried to direct each person to God for the answers. Please pray with us that there will be lasting results for the YFC Moldova staff members as they seek greater dependence on the God whom they serve. Each of them are serving children and teenagers who have often been overlooked (several of their Day Centers are now reaching out to youth with disabilities) … and it is hard work! Yet God can fill them with his strength and power as they depend on His Spirit.
Following our time in Moldova, we returned to Ukraine to lead the Village Camp in Northern Ukraine (Katya’s sister Nadia’s village), and the English Camp in Southern Ukraine. We will wait to share more about those ministries in future letters. Thank you so much for your prayers and support, for none of this would be possible without a team of supporters.
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1. For the YFC Moldova staff and volunteers as they returned to busy ministries, leading over 50 Children and Teen Day Centers around the country
2. For the 20 teens who gave their lives to Christ at this year’s Ukraine English Camp
3. For safety in travel as we return back to the States
4. For Judy’s doctor’s appointments with her Lyme disease specialist in Beverly, Massachusetts from September 9-12. (Our ship’s final port is in Boston, which works perfectly as Beverly is only an hour away from Boston.)
5. For additional financial support: our account went into the “red” at the end of July.
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Fall Speaking Engagements |
We will be speaking at several churches and at the STEER, Inc Missions Conference during October and November. We plan to add additional services and visits as well. If we are in your area, please come and see us. We would love to see you and we are not just saying that!
Oct 4-5: Steer Missions Conference, Bismarck, ND
Oct 6, 10:30 am: New Hope Lutheran Church, Jamestown, ND
Oct 20, 11:10 am: St Lawrence Community Church Sunday School, Miller, SD
Oct 27, 9:00 am (MST): McIntosh Baptist Church, McIntosh, SD
Nov 3, 9:00 and 10:30 am: Connection Church, Belle Fourche, SD
Nov 10, 10:30 am: Grace Baptist Church, Bison, SD
Nov 17: To Be Announced
Nov 24, 9:45 and 11:00 am: Prairie Home Church Harvest Festival, Maurine, SD
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Contact & Support Information |
Our support account is low and we are in real need in order to do our summer ministry this year. If you can make a special gift at this time, we would really appreciate it. Please indicate your support with our account information: Manna - #95070. This is our account number since January of this year.
ONLINE CHECKING AND CREDIT CARD DONATIONS:
Through this secure website link - youthdiscipler.com/donate
SUPPORT ADDRESS:
Youth for Christ International, PO Box 4555, Englewood, CO 80155
(Write for Manna account #95070 on a slip of paper with the gift. Thanks.)
PERSONAL CONTACT INFO:
Home Mailing Address: 4709 Clairmont Drive, Columbus, IN 47203;
Email - mike.manna@yfci.org;
Website - youthdiscipler.com;
Mike's cell - 502-424-7939 ;
Judy's cell - 502-232-3251
The Manna family are global youth ministry trainers supported by individuals and churches on a monthly donation basis with Youth for Christ. YFCI is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization based in Englewood, CO. For more information on giving towards their ministry, please contact Renee Wilson at 303-486-1266 or visit their website at youthdiscipler.com/donate. Remember to mention the Manna's account number of 95070. Thank you.
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