Welcome to my First Blog ever! HAPPY NEW YEAR!
“Only one life, ’twill soon be past!
Only what’s done for Christ will last” CT Studd
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| I started in full-time ministry to teens with YWAM as a Youth Missionary in 1992 and I’m going back to it in 2020! (but maybe without the mullet shown here!) |
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Here is one little face I am going to miss! I will miss YOUR face too!
(My sweet nephew Sebastian just turned 6 years old!)
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A few of the HUNDREDS of teens I’ve ministered to over the decades (and hope to minister to hundreds more!)
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ButFirst - What have I been doing?
I’ve been working steadily since April, both with the US Census Bureau and my school district as a Substitute Teacher and Tutor. Although teaching in public-school environments is not my calling, on hard days all I have to do is show up at a school and start greeting bright, fresh, teen faces and before I know it I am enjoying engaging students with words of advice and support. Some teens now call out “FOSTERRRR!” in the hallways when they see me . . . what a joy to be their friend in this season of life!
A Vulnerable Moment . . .
Since writing my rough draft for this newsletter, I had a sense of “something missing”. I now know it was sharing my heart, not just the facts. The thought of leaving all those you love and the comforts of home to embark on a new journey has been a bit scary for me. My life here is very comfortable and I find peace and joy being close to my family, friends, and AMAZING church. But in the midst of big changes, God promises to be “home” to us. Corrie ten Boom constantly traveled and spoke as a missionary for many years, and grew to realize that “home” was wherever she opened her suitcase in the place God had called her to go. Jesus has created a home in our hearts for now and will soon call us to our ETERNAL home with Him. What a Day! So in this, as I move forward into God’s plan, I take comfort.
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| What a privilege to share the Gospel at Tyler’s Memorial in November. (Tyler gladly accepted Jesus when he was in our youth ministry and is now with Him in Heaven!) |
And Now - What WILL I be doing?
God has opened a door for me to serve with Youth With a Mission from February 4 to May 4 2020! (and maybe beyond?). I will be serving at the Kona Hawaii base, mostly in the Banyan Tree Cafe, as a barista/cashier to over 580 students (the Kona Base is also the main University of the Nations Campus), staff, and missionaries from literally all over the globe. I’m also going to meet with heads of ministry to see how I can commit to 2 years (or more) in youth-related mission work. Discipling teens and their families to go to the nations with the Gospel? Loving poor Native Islander teens in after school programs? Teaching English at Summer Camps in creative-access nations? Pioneering youth groups on YWAM bases? Those are some possibilities!
As an extra blessing, the Senior Associate Pastor (and former youth pastor of my Lead Pastor - what a church I have!) has championed me and promoted me to become a missionary from Vintage City Church. He is ALSO a regular speaker at the YWAM Kona base where I will be serving!!
On January 12 at both the 9am and 11am service, the entire congregation of Vintage City Church (over 700 believers strong) will pray for me and send me out to fulfill the Great Commission. I would love to see you there !
Visit www.vintagecitychurch.com for directions
In preparing for my mission, faith is required and I would not have it any other way. Tis SO SWEET to trust in Jesus! I just received news this week that my support needs for 3 months in YWAM just went DOWN by over $1,200! My airfare also came in very low, bringing my support goal to $2,031 by February 4. But God has given me complete peace about pushing the “go button” and the base is excited to welcome me in 4 weeks! Thanks for praying I will walk through every open door God provides to see His faithfulness manifest. If you would feel God’s joy in supporting me, no gift is too small, and ways to give are listed here.
If tax-deductions are not needed for you, I am accepting donations at:
www.cash.app/$Fostage
www.PayPal.Me/Fostage
www.venmo.com/Erin-Foster-71
A Missions Account for tax-deductible giving will be opened when I arrive at YWAM Kona in February! Let me know if this is how you want to give.
To learn more about the YWAM base I will serve, click:
I treasure each of you as valuable partners in ministry-Erin
“(Global) Missions Exists Because (Global) Worship Does Not” John Piper
