Pressing Onward...Without a Presspot

     Just about 15 weeks ago we arrived in England, July 2^nd, it seems so long ago. At the end of this week our team of 13 heads out for the Outreach phase of DTS; 8 weeks of serving and practical application of all we have learned during the Lecture phase. I want to report some of the amazing things God has been doing in the lives of all of us here at Holmsted Manor. As you know YWAM is a non-profit organization, and all YWAMers rely on the support of prayer and relationship, whether its through friends and family or the church. We place faith that God will provide all we need. Some students literally sold everything they had to come. Still, as a whole the students needed about $18,000 to pay for the remaining costs at the start of the Lecture phase (which included Outreach fees). At this point we have raised enough for Lecture and for our whole team to go on Outreach; just this past week a student received $2,000. God has been supremely faithful, and on some occasions we had no idea where the money came from. We still need just a bit more, although we are more than confident God will provide, and we know that others want to partner with us. That being said I want to thank all those who have given, may our Heavenly Father richly bless you.

     Additionally, we have witnessed God restore and ignite the hearts of the students here. One student came with only one goal, that was to stay through the whole Lecture phase without going home. Just this morning he stood in front of a church and gave a testimony of all God has been doing in his life, and how the strength of the Lord is our refuge and comfort. Not only did he make it to the end of Lecture, but he is boldly going forth as a student-leader on Outreach. Many others have explained how, for the first time in their life they have come to know and hear the voice of God and are now enjoying true, life-giving fellowship with Him. We have been on an incredible journey so far; Autumn and I are so blessed to have been apart of all the amazing things God has been doing.

     So, what exactly are we doing in Moldova? What is YWAM? What is the mission? Basically, to “Know God and Make Him Known.” Lecture phase is all about the 'Knowing God' part (plus weekly local outreach), we are now moving into the “Making Him Known” part. There are three locations we plan to go to in Moldova; two cities, Chisinau (the capital), Cahul, and a small village called Dancu. This time will include, working with the severely poor and destitute, people who have been trafficked (basically sold into slavery), the homeless, orphans, recovering drug addicts, men and women transitioning from prostitution, disabled elderly, local churches, and prison ministries just to name a few. Needless to say we will be very, very, busy. And, we absolutely need all the prayer support we can get.

So to give you some direction, here are some things you can pray for:

Divine appointments with the Moldovan people

Safety and protection during traveling (plane and train)

Health; that sickness will be minimal and manageable (or non-existent)

Spiritual well-being and unity within the team

That God will lead us to steward our time and finances well &

For the remaining money needed plus some to bless the ministries and churches we work with

     Lately I have been reading a book titled “The Science of God” by Gerald L. Schroeder, and in it he talks about the power of God. He explains how God created all things through the simple act of speaking them out. Essentially the Word of God realigned and swirled molecules around, that His very words commanded energy and matter into creation. John 5:25-29 is just one of the many passages that talk about the power of the Son of God, Jesus. Then further on in John 14:12-14, Jesus explains that whoever believes in Him will do greater things. There is power in the prayers of those who love Him and believe in Him; and we truly believe that you are realigning molecules and changing the chemistry and environments of our situations and of our needs; all for His glory please pray.

     If you would like to give specifically to Autumn and I, or to the students, or to Human Trafficking Organizations in Moldova or Moldovan churches please make a note. Alison will email me, and let us know where to give and how much. 

Please make checks out to “Rural Family Ministries” 

and mark in the Memo: “ATTN: Alison Slicker”.

Mail to:

P.O. Box 380129

Grandin, FL 32138

Learning to Drive on the Left Side of the Road

Three weeks have past and I am feeling quite guilty for not providing any updates since, please forgive me. The first two weeks here Autumn and I were in staff training; reviewing the YWAM core values, having lots of prayer and Bible study, and discussing the mission and tools we would use for this [Sailing] Discipleship Training School (DTS). Our focus is God and sailing is only a tool. This last week was an orientation for our students who have just arrived. We have nine students ages 18 – 23; one from Canada, one from South Africa, one from Australia and the rest from the US. Not all DTS's use sailing, this idea came from the hearts of the school leaders who worked onboard the YWAM sailing vessel, Next Wave for two years. They discovered how much unity and teamwork is required and the success is immediate, i.e. catching wind in the sails and moving forward. It is such an incredible tool for discipleship, just think of how many times we find Jesus giving instruction and teaching by the sea. Also there is nothing quite like being in the powerful ocean and realizing how little control you have over your circumstances. It is a humbling experience and an incredible place to find God.

Now, a brief description of YWAM. The founder of Youth With A Mission, Loren Cunningham had a vision (which is more finely outlined in the book “Is That Really You God?”), a vision of young people going into all nations, and sharing the love of God through their actions and words and teaching others about His nature and Character. YWAM is now operating in more than 1000 locations in over 180 nations, with a staff of over 18,000; and each year thousands more ages 18 to 50 and up, go through a DTS. (See: ywam.org/About-YWAM for more info).

So, how are Autumn and I doing? Well, very well; although, we have yet to find any decent coffee. A few days ago I drove for my very first time in England. Driving on the opposite side of the road wasn't all that hard of an adjustment, however, the incredibly narrow roads was a bit maddening. It was a five mile adventure that became a ten mile: “Uh, this can't be the right way.” Now, we did get directions, but we hesitated to follow the last little bit, a sense of doubt crept in. It was a funny event, the turn we were supposed to make we kept doubting, and we couldn't see that our destination was no more than 100 ft down that road. So we kept driving around (quite annoyed, while I kept making illegal turnarounds in the middle of the street) heading down all other roads except the one we were told. Our logic and reasoning seemed to make sense, the road said to the motorway, to London, and we definitely didn't want to end up on the highway. Our destination though was a service station just before you entered the motorway, oh jeez. It turned out to be some good driving practice for me and an opportunity to exercise patience in our marriage, which we failed to do. But, in the end we had a good laugh, kissed and made-up, and got to have a great Skype conversation with our nephew Israel. More to come (I would say soon but, I don't want to get your hopes up, I am terrible at this blog thing), much love, Autumn and Adam LeGuerre.

Post Script: The students had their first sail yesterday afternoon, it went quite well. More to come on the next post.

Our New Journey

Welcome to Presspot Theology. For those of you who know, Autumn and I are some serious coffee drinkers, and over the years we have become quite particular. At home we have an espresso maker and a press pot (French press, or Freedom press if you like), call it snobbish, but we like coffee from a press pot. Perhaps theres nothing magical about it, but it certainly does seem to taste better. Anyway, we tend to work out our thoughts about God and scripture, theology, worship or anything really; all over coffee, with good friends and our favorite passionate people. It just so happened this morning as we were sipping away and listening to Matt Chandler, I was reminded of a truth that God is not waiting for some future version of me to love, but, that He loves me now, He has found me where I am and is calling me further along with Him. Sometimes it seems that we continually seek for answers with only a half-effort, and we place our hope on some future version of ourselves that seems to have it 'altogether'. I tend to see that version of me -that is the future version of me- as less sinful, and somehow more righteous and holy. Before I finished my cup of joe I realized, so long as I extract myself from the present I am unable to see what God wants for my life now, I eclipse His good, acceptable and perfect will, with a dreamed-up version of what life could be. I then miss the point entirely, as Rick Warren rightly put it, life is not about me, it's not about us; it's about Him, His glory, His honor, His praise. We are excited to share our thoughts and dreams with you, and to bring you along in our hearts and prayers. Amor y paz, Adam & Autumn LeGuerre.

Post Script:

We are now in a small town called Cuckfield in West Sussex, England. We are working with Youth With A Mission (YWAM), as staff of a Discipleship Training School (DTS). The second day on base, during a prayer session for the school, a new sort of poem was crafted; here it is:

I am the rip curl of beauty you seek,

A depth more vast than any can reach.

Within the vortex of my grace, none are permitted to drift along my swell of mercy.

Legends and myths have crashed like waves upon the shore,

But I am God Almighty, the colossal tide, and not only lore.

Behold, I have found you, called you and drawn you here.

Fear the Lord your God, and embrace me, and know that I am for you and not against you.