Renee getting ready to go to YWAM

Renee Dueck c/o Raymond & Martha Dueck
#2 Eagle Court East St Paul, MB, R2E 0L2 CANADA
Renee Dueck c/o Youth With A Mission Vancouver
Box 21507, Little Italy PO Vancouver, BC V5N 5T5 Phone: (604) 255-5262

Aug 14, 2002

Dear Friends and Family,

I graduated from Riverton Collegiate Institute in June. Many people asked me at different times throughout the year if I knew what I wanted to do next year and for most of the year, the only answer I could give was “absolutely no idea”. I really wanted to be involved in a short-term missions program, but with so many organizations to chose from, and so much need in the world, it was hard to know exactly where God wanted me.

One of my favorite verses this year has been Jeremiah 29:11—“ ‘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.’ ” I had this verse taped inside my locker door as a constant reminder to me that God has a special plan for me; that I shouldn’t run ahead of Him and try to do my own thing, but that I should wait patiently for His leading.

In May, I sent away my application to Youth With a Mission (YWAM) to attend a Discipleship Training School (DTS) in Vancouver. At the end of June I received a phone call from the registrar letting me know I was accepted. For those of you not familiar with YWAM or the DTS program, it consists of a 12-week lecture phase, which takes place in Vancouver, and an 8-week outreach phase. There will be outreach teams going to Morocco, Mexico City, and Central Asia.

During the lecture phase I will be living in dorm at the YWAM base in Vancouver. The days will consist of lectures, small group discussions, intercessory prayer groups, worship, and work duties. There will also be opportunities for outreach during the lecture phase. As for the outreach phase, I am not entirely sure what it will involve, as I am not sure which country I will be going to. However, in whatever country I go to, we will be involved in cross-cultural evangelism as well as service opportunities.

I would like to ask you to pray for me as I prepare to leave for Vancouver this fall. It will be a big adjustment for me to be so far away from my family and all my friends. Also pray for me that I will be able to discern God’s will as to which outreach team I should join. And of course, there is also a financial cost involved. The DTS costs anywhere from $6000-$7000 CDN depending on the location of the outreach. I spent three weeks this summer working at Beaver Creek Bible Camp , so I was not be able to earn very much of the needed amount. I would appreciate whatever financial support you are able to give. And I will definitely need your support through prayer.

I am in great anticipation of next year, and look forward to seeing how God will work in me and through me. Thank you to everyone who has encouraged and supported me in this decision. May God bless you in the year to come.

Sincerely,

Renee