Peter and Luba Iliyn have lived on the base here since….1978 I think. Pete led the first DTS, Luba attended. They were married a few years later. Anyway, they were base directors during the 80′s, while YWAM Salem lead outreaches to the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, as well as many other countries around the world. During the 90′s Pete handed over leadership of the base, and rose to North American Director for YWAM. Unlike many who have risen in the ranks, they did not move their home. Luba has remained active in base operations, serving on the leadership team, and serving in the kitchen. They have raised four children here. Three are either in college, or graduated. David, the youngest is a Sophemore in HIgh School.  The college children have worked through their college years, have had scholastic scholarships and are debt free. Great kids, great family.
 
This week the Iliyn’s are moving off campus. For the past few years the Lord has been speaking to them about moving into a home. Yesterday, I helped move a load of boxes to their new (to them) home. Pete was busy painting, and Luba was saying “I keep pinching myself, is it really ours?!!” The three bedroom home lies on 1.6 acres, has an office, a walkout basement game room. a detached garage/shop, and a modest view of the valley to the south. It is a fabulous house! It is a gift from God to a wonderful family who have sacrificed much for the Kingdom of God. Well done, good and faithful servants.
 
Tuesday evenings here are our community night. Tonight the speaker talked about his transition from the work place to full time missions. He struggled for his sense of accomplishment. In the work place he could see what he had done for the day, and feel good about himself. Then, in the mission, he looked over the end of a day, and wondered where was the accomplishment? He then related how while he was in China, he felt frustrated over the lack of visible progress, God reminded him that He didn’t want him for his linguistic skills, or what he could do for God, but rather He wanted him for fellowship, for himself, to be a recepticle of His Holy Spirit. I can relate.
 
This past week I fininshed the Teacher Training School. Thank you for your prayers! I discovered that there are at least 7 intelligences. First among them are Language and Science. Those are not the area of my gifting. My “intelligence” lies in music and physical ability. It was a very difficult six weeks.  I can’t say that I am fully prepared to teach a full week’s DTS, in some ways I am less confident than before the school. However, I understand much better the need to teach to the learners understanding. To reach out with all of my abilities to share God’s truth in a manner than can be grasped. Being raised in the church, it seemed that it was my responsibility to grasp the truth. The preacher dished it out, and it was up to me to understand it. By understanding the audience, holding their attention, sharing relevant subject matter, I will have a better chance of imparting truth. Sounds like a reasonable goal!
 
The next step is the outreach phase. In order to complete the school, I need to teach for a week in a DTS. There are many schools around the world that use local pastors and resident staff to fill their teaching needs. Good teaching, but not always YWAM dna. We need to fill over 400 weeks per year with YWAM teachers. More on that in a minute.
 
Our CDTS starts June 11th. Just two and a half weeks away!  We have 12 adults and 14 children in our Children of Destiny program. A few more couples are in the application process. I would really appreciate your prayers for these people. Many are leaving good jobs to follow the Lord’s leading. Some will come for 5 months and go back to their jobs, some will stay on full time. Many people experience difficult circumstances when they commit to our schools, satan attacks full force. So, please, pray for the Lord’s will and provision in each of their lives.
 
Along with the Crossroads school, there is the English as a second language (ESL) school, and the Introduction to Biblical Counseling, (IBC) school all starting June 11th. As a result, we are shuffling to make sure we have housing for the additional students and staff. Pray for Carol, she is responsible for getting all the students housed. I’ve been commissioned to do some remodeling on two base houses. It is good to realize that all of our efforts are going toward sending the Good News of God’s love to the Nations!
 
Speaking of going, Carol and I are praying about leading the outreach from this CDTS. We don’t know yet which country we’ll be sending our team to, but with Carol leading the Children of Destiny (COD) and my staffing the CDTS, we’ll have built good relationships with the families, and I believe we’ll have a productive outreach which will fully involve the children in ministry. Also, the outreach phase of my Teacher Training school must be completed in 24 months in order to “officially complete” the school. There is a possiblity I could teach in a DTS during our outreach as well. So, pray with us that we would hear and obey!
 
Carol’s planning for the COD is paying off. Many people have stepped forward to help and to teach for a one week commitment. The COD will mirror the teaching of the CDTS, so as to add to the effectiveness of the children in outreach ministry as well. She still has need for 2 more FULL TIME helpers, so she requests your prayers as well, that those whom He has chosen and called would desire to serve the children.