When it became time to book tickets I wasn’t overly concerned with the cost as God has always provided the means to go. By the time it was time to do so, I was convinced that it was His will. Then the possibility to include a stop in Krasnodar and Kurganinsk, where I had led an outreach in 1993,  caught my attention. It is not close to Kamchatka. I’m not sure the miles, but it is 8 time zones. That is not close! But since all flights to Russia go through Moscow, it was only 700 miles south to Krasnodar. A two hour flight. $200. Why not go?

I had not had any contact with Sasha and Nadia, the couple who hosted our outreach team in ’93 in 17 years. I thought they might be still there, but had no assurance. The only person I had contact with still in Krasnodar was Andrei Durenkov. Andrei was 18 when we came to Russia. He “adopted” our family as he wanted to learn English. We didn’t see him everyday, but it seemed like most days he was in our home, or taking us to town on the bus system. Our children were 11 and 8 during our time there, younger than Andrei, but he took a liking to them anyway. They became good friends, and when we left, he stayed in communication as much as possible. With the advent of Facebook, we can chat regularly

My friend Natasha Shure attended the first DTS I staffed in Krasnodar, then came on staff. She has worked for YWAM Kiev, Ukraine for many years now. Because Vicki Hoffman from Salem worked with Natasha in Kiev, Natasha came to Salem last year. How wonderful to meet up with her again after all the years, and now she spoke English, so we could chat without a translator. Natasha had Sasha and Nadia’s phone number. Because she still spoke Russian, she  contacted them for me in October, to see if they would like to host me for a visit. When she contacted them,  and found they were interested in my visit, I became ecstatic. The visit to Krasnodar and Kurganinsk was going to happen!

But first, Kamchatka. The YWAM base near Petropavlosk, on the Kamchatka peninsula used to be an “pioneer camp.” With the demise of the Soviet Union, these (indoctrination) camps were abandoned. The base is about 10 acres with two 3 story hotel type buildings. One finished and one not. There are also 4 buildings that have been remodeled as 4 plexes for married staff, as well as several other buildings in various stages of disrepair.

I had a room on the third floor with an attached bath. The hot water no longer worked in the room, so I used the community shower on the first floor. My room had a space heater, so it was usually 68 degrees. The dining room was 57, and the classroom about 64. I wore longjohns and layered shirts all week.

The 12 students were primarily from the Inuit people group. (think Eskimo)  The average age was about 35. There we also about 5 staff members who attended the lectures. I woke at 3 am each morning. That was good, as the Father wanted to tweak my teaching. All in all I thought it went pretty well. My objective was to show that worship was not just singing songs, (that’s pre-worship) but the presentation of our lives to God on a daily basis. I shared my testimony on the first day, and on the second day heard the students testimonies. I asked them how they came to Christ, and if or when they were filled with the Holy Spirit. (Acts 19: 1-7)  Most knew Christ, but three did not relate to being “filled with the Spirit.” They had been taught about the baptism weeks earlier, but for some reason, there was no connection. My heart was grieved. It’s my understanding that we are not to leave our Jerusalem, until we are filled. They were soon to leave on outreach, and they needed to know that they were not to go in their own strength, but in the power of the Holy Spirit. When I asked the school leader if I could take a day to teach again on the Holy Spirit’s Baptism, he said yes.

After teaching on worship for four days, on Friday I taught on “The Condition of the Great Commission.” I  like to review the “great commission” as taught by Jesus in the four gospels, and Acts. After pointing out Luke’s “condition,” I visit each account of “filling” in Acts. Since there are many different accounts, and varied experiences it gives a good overview of what we can expect when we ask to be filled. After the teaching and some singing, we prayed to be filled. The three agreed to be prayed for. Each one said that God was speaking words of encouragement to them. I was hoping for “fire,”

but then you don’t always get what you want. Later as I revisited Paul’s conversion experience in Acts 9, I saw that scales fell from his eyes, and he was baptised in water, and the Sprit, but there is no mention of exuberant praise or tongues. So, if these kids manifested like Paul, who was I to belittle that?

Aside from the time with the students, there was a couple Pasha and Anya, who lived in the married student apartments. Pasha leads the ropes course there. They had me over for dinner, and took it upon themselves to take me for a sled-dog ride, and a trip to the hot springs. I especially enjoyed wrestling with their 4 year old son, Timothy. When Pasha heard that I had chipped my tooth on the way, he arranged for me to meet a dentist friend, Genia on Sunday evening after church. In less than an hour, he rebuilt my tooth, for no charge! He was delighted to be able to bless a fellow believer. I was delighted to have my tooth restored! God is good!

Some unfinished business in Kamchatka is their desire to have an English school there. Please join me in praying for this to become a reality. Most of YWAM’s secondary schools are taught in English. There are about 40 people in the church and the base who desire to learn English. We have tentatively set March and April for this school.  Are Carol and I to lead it, or someone else? Please pray!

Flying from Kamchatka to Moscow takes 9 hours. When I arrived in Moscow, I was late for my connecting flight to Krasnodar. I had no phone, but I was able to send Andrei a Facebook note telling him of my rescheduled flight two hours later than originally planned. I asked him to please contact Sasha and Nadia, and tell them to wait for me. I was not able to verify that he got the message, but it was all I could think to do at that point.

When I got to Krasnodar and waited for my suitcase, it didn’t materialize. Now what? Another traveler didn’t get his either, so I followed him to the baggage area. As I waited my turn in line, I saw Andrei walking toward me. It was like a visit from an angel. We hugged, and I told him of my plight. As he had worked for Aeroflot in the past, he knew what to do. He filled out the paper work,, and took the phone number of the clerk so he could stay in contact until they found the lost suitcase. He also told me that he had been in contact with Sasha and Nadia, and they had agreed that Andrei would pick me up, and take me home for the night, then drive me three hours to Kurganinsk the next day, Sunday.

I met Andrei’s wife, Vikka, and was welcomed in their 11th story apartment. Vikka works as a psychologist with the local police force. They have a four year old daughter, Paulina, who happened to be visiting grandparents for the week. I slept in her room, while Andrei and Vikka’s room doubles as the living room.

Andrei called the airport again in the morning, and verified that the suitcase was still missing. He then gave me a 4 day supply of clean clothes, and drove me to Kurganinsk. Sasha and Nadia postponed the start of their home-church meeting so that we could eat when we got there, and then address the congregation.. Since Andrei was the only one there who could translate for me, he stayed for the service, and was my Aaron. After the service he drove back to Krasnodar.

Before leaving Sasha and Nadia asked Andrei what I wanted to do in Kurganinsk. I told them I would like to speak with the priest of the Russian Orthodox church there if we could find a translator.  They called the priest and he told them that he had an English teacher on staff in the church school who could translate for me, and we could come from 1-3 the next day.

We had a wonderful visit, reminiscing about the time we had together in ’93 and ’94. We had bought 500 children’s bibles in his bookstore and distributed them to the children of the city. We had also distributed “The Book o f Life” and 100 five gallon buckets of dried nectarines from Gleanings for the Hungry, in Dinuba, CA. We also worked together to stop the visit of a shaman in his city. Russian Orthodox do NOT work with western missionaries, but this man did. I knew that God had given me favor with him, and was very excited to connect with him again.

When I asked him what fruit was born from the 500 children’s bibles, he thought for a moment, then told me, “The church is 15-20 times larger than when your were last there, and we have a church school with 125 students.” That’s some good fruit! He then gave me a tour of the chapel and school. As we walked through the school, we would enter a class room, and he would introduce me as his American friend, and invite the children to practice their English. We exchanged email addresses, and planned another meeting for Wednesday morning, (which he was unable to keep) before I was to leave.

Sasha and Nadia invited the church over on Monday evening for a time of worship. We sang together, and watched some video of the previous visit. How wonderful to see my son Alan at age 8, as well as the rest of the outreach team, and church from 1993. Sasha and Nadia don’t have internet, or email, but their domestic helper (Natasha) does. We exchanged emails and Facebook pages, so we can stay in touch, and I can continue to have contact with Sasha and Nadia through her.

Tuesday morning 9 of us went to a old Monastery outside of Mykop. It was a 2 hour drive, and they found a woman who taught English in the local college, who was willing to come with us. Larissa spoke English very well, and was a delight to talk with. Her mother was suffering from dementia, so we had some common ground to connect on. The monastery was old. It had been destroyed by the Soviets in the 20′s but rebuilt in the 90′s. It was like touring a museum. We sang “Sing Alleluia to the Lord” in one of the chapels. The tour guide was impressed and asked if we were professionals. I told her “No, we just like to sing to God.”

On Wednesday, after hugs, blessings and tears, I boarded a bus for Krasnodar, where I was met by Andrei. He told me that my luggage was found, it had not left Kamchatka when I did, and we could pick it up at the airport. After our reunion, we went bowling with his father and brother-in-law, Mikail. I won the first game, but Andrei’s dad won the highest score for the evening. We got home around midnight, caught a little sleep, and rose at 3:30 for my trip to the airport, and departure at 6a.m.

Thirty hours later I was met by Carol. What a long day! What a fantastic journey. What a wonderful God who would allow me to visit again with friends from around the globe. Thank you for your prayers and financial support. You have given me a dream come true.

Pictures

Thank you for your prayers for the teaching time on the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. I believe that the teaching went well, and that God was pleased. I didn’t see any great manifestations during the prayer time. As I was reflecting on this, I realized that while in the book of Acts some prophesied, some spoke in tongues, some had no immediate signs. Paul for example. He had his sight restored, but there was not a mention of the charismatic gifts….. yet. So, just as we receive Christ by faith, we receive His Spirit by faith too. I pray that as the students head for outreach they’ll find that as they open their mouths to share, He will fill it.

It’s been a wonderful reunion here in Kurganinsk, Russia. 18 years ago I brought a DTS outreach team from Krasnodar. It was the first outreach that I had been on with YWAM, and leading it I had more than a few doubts. We prayed hard! I think God honored our hearts at the time, and we saw His hand at work.

This week I met with the couple who hosted our team in ’93, Nadia and Sasha. They are still in ministry, and were excited to see me. They have a church in their home, kind of a Messianic Christian flavor, as Sasha has Jewish roots. We had three evenings of praise and worship plus some outing time to a near by monastery. Beautiful people, beautiful scenery.

I was able to meet with the Orthodox Priest on Monday for a couple hours. He has a school at the church with an English teacher who was willing to translate for us. We chatted for a bit, then he gave me a tour of the church building, and new school. When I asked if the literature distribution from 18 years ago bore fruit, he told me there are 125 students in the school, and his church is 15-20 times larger than when we were here last. Typically the Orthodox church persecutes the Baptist and Pentecostal “sects,” so I continue to pray that this priest would be the exception, and would embrace other denominations as fellow workers in the vineyard. He introduced me several times to groups of students as “my friend from America.” May the Lord continue to build this friendship.

I’ll take the bus to Krasnodar this afternoon, then fly out in the morning to Moscow, New York and Portland. It will be a long day…. elongated by chasing the sun. I think Carol is ready for me to be home. I know I’m ready to see her!

We’ll be flying to Arkansas next week for my Mom’s memorial service. So we are not ready to settle down quite yet. Please continue to pray for our safe travels. Andrei said that Aeroflot found my bag, so I’m looking forward to being reunited with some clean clothes later today! Praise His name!

Thank you for your prayers, and for your financial support. I haven’t seen December’s giving statement, but I think we are all paid for on this trip! God is good!

Grace to you!
Fred and Carol

We live by faith, supported by gifts from friends and family. If you’d like to join our financial support team, gifts can be sent by check to:
Living Faith Fellowship
4549 Homedale Rd
Klamath Falls, OR
97603
For a tax receipt, please make the check out to Living Faith, and attach a note designating :”For: Lykins” Thank you!

Photos

Just a quick note from Kamchatka, Russia. The teaching on Worship is going well. Tuesday I asked the students to give a brief testimony, and several are new believers, and know nothing of the Holy Spirit’s baptism.

I was grieved when I heard their stories. I asked and got permission to teach on the baptism of the Holy Spirit this Friday morning. (Thursday afternoon Pacific standard time) Like the American Express commercial “Don’t leave home without it.” Jesus told the disciples “Don’t leave Jerusalem with out him… the Holy Spirit.” Anyway, I’d appreciate your prayers for clear teaching, and for His anointing.

I was able to contact a friend from our time in Krasnodar, 1993, Andrei, and he is going to meet me in Kurganinsk where I’m staying with a couple that I met there on outreach. What a blessing! He did a lot of translating for us back then, and will translate for me for at least a few hours. Please pray that I would be able to find another translator for my visit there. It would really help!

Blessings!
Fred

I received a text last night after midnight, “She’s with Jesus.”
Thank you for your prayers for my Mom and our family. God’s grace has been so evident as we have walked through this “valley of the shadow of death.’
The memorial service is being planned for Sunday, December 18th. Last week I told my Dad that I was concerned that she might die when I was in Russia, November 28- December 10th, but he said they would wait several weeks in order for folks who want to come to be able to make travel plans.

Her body was given to the University of Arkansas Science department.

We have shared a ton of videos and pictures on Facebook from the past month. I’ll arrange for some of them to be shared on our website, www.welykins.com in case you don’t have a Facebook account. Thank you Justin!

Please continue to pray for our family as they make the final arrangements, and Dad prepares to sell his home in Russellville. He will require special grace as he has been in love with Mom since he was 17. They had 57 years of marriage.

We had a quick trip to our home church in Klamath Falls, Oregon this weekend. The Cascades had a foot of snow in spots, so we had difficult driving at times. But the fellowship was sweet, the Thanksgiving dinner was wonderful, and we got to share a little of our hearts too. We also got to hug lots of people who have shared a large portion of our lives. “Thank you Father for our strong support in Klamath Falls! ”

I’m leaving this Thursday for Kamchatka, Russia. I’ll teach on worship for the first week there in their YWAM DTS. (Discipleship Training School.) The second week will be in Kurganinsk. This is the outreach location of the first DTS that I staffed in Russia, summer of 1993. We gave away 500 Russian children’s Bibles, and worked closely with the local evangelical church, as well as the Orthodox church, which was a definite “God thing.” Please pray that I will be able to find a good translator there. “Lord, I want to see some fruit!”

Carol has been working with Sue Bruce in YWAM Salem’s accounting department for the past year of so. Sue and her husband Howard are retiring from active YWAM duties after 22 years of service. So… Carol has extra work to do, and needs to train an assistant. Please pray God’s grace for her in this time of transition. Also grace while I’m in Russia. Thank you Howard and Sue for your input to our lives! You were so loving and welcoming when we came to Salem in 2006.

I too request prayer as I’ll be traveling alone internationally for the first time. I have leaned heavily on Carol for her administrative giftings in the past, and now I need to know where all that “stuff” is, and which line to stand in next, and what did they say? I hope you get the picture, I need prayer! I think “Travel Mercies” is how it’s usually termed.

Prayer requests:
For my dad and family as we grieve my mom’s passing
My brother Tom as he continues to heal from lung disease
Carol, for transition in accounting
Fred, for travel mercies, anointing in teaching, meetings with friends and Orthodox priest, and a translator in Kurganinsk.
May all that God desires for this trip be accomplished! “Lord, keep my eyes focused on you!”

I pray that you have a wonderful Thanksgiving. We are so grateful for the opportunity to share His love and the reason for our gratitude in this season of our lives.

Grace and peace to you!

Fred and Carol

If you would like to have a part in giving for the Russia trip, please send your check addressed to
Living Faith Fellowship
4549 Homedale Rd
Klamath Falls, OR 97603
For tax purposes, do not write our name on the check, but attach a note indicating for “Lykins.’

Photos & Video

We’ve had a whirl-wind month so far… a down payment on things to come.

Carol and I went to Galveston, TX, for our 15th anniversary celebration. We had a wonderful time relaxing on that beachfront island for a few days. We then drove to Tyler for the 70th birthday party of our good friends Denny and Twink Dewitt. We stayed with other YWAM friends (Monica Eastburn and her children Asher and Annabella) in Tyler. Wonderful reunions all around. The birthday party was attended by about 150 friends from the Dewitts life in the military (he was an Air Force Colonel) YWAM, and friends and family. What a lovely tribute to a great couple!

I got news from my family that my (Fred) mom’s cancer was progressing rapidly, so decided to send Carol back to Houston with our friend Candy Palella, (CDTS 2009), to fly back home yesterday. Her duties in accounting were calling.

I drove to Russellville, Arkansas, on Sunday to visit my family there. I will drive to Houston on Thursday, and fly to Portland on Friday, so we can be in Klamath Falls, for the weekend.

We are looking forward to our visit in Klamath Falls with our home church, Living Faith Fellowship. We have a Sunday Thanksgiving dinner with them each year.

On Thursday, Thanksgiving day, I fly to Russia to speak in a DTS (Discipleship Training School) for YWAM, Kamchatka. I am excited to be able to return to Russia for the first time since 2004. In addition to Kamchatka, I’ll be spending a few days in Kurganinsk, the city we visited on outreach in 1993. I am looking forward to renewing relationship there with Nadia and Sasha, the couple that hosted our 1993 team.

I am also looking forward to seeing some fruit from our outreach time there in ’93. We distributed 500 children’s bibles to the preschools and kindergartens through the Orthodox church. This was a historical event, as the Russian Orthodox church and western missionaries have a historical animosity toward one another. But God did a wonderful work there, and I am looking forward to seeing what He’s up to next!

I have already purchased the air tickets to Russia so as to receive a good rate on the travel. As of November 1st we had raised about $400 toward that $2.000 cost. Please join us in praying in the remaining amount!

I too request prayer for my family as we say our “good byes” to mom. She is a passionate worshiper of Jesus, and we are confident in her next assignment. We know she will be crocheting at the feet of Jesus for the next millennium. My brother Tom is still recovering from a lung infection, but the other four siblings are here.

Thank you for your prayers, they are especially comforting at this time.

Grace to you!
Fred and Carol

If you would like to have a part in giving for my Russia trip, please send your check addressed to
Living Faith Fellowship
4549 Homedale Rd
Klamath Falls, OR 97603
For tax purposes, do not write our name on the check, but attach a note indicating for “Lykins.’

We had a staff conference here at YWAM Salem last week. One of the jewels was “Are you a loving worker, or a working lover?” “Father, make me a working lover!” Intimacy with Christ is the fuel that keeps us on track. I pray that your time alone with Him is sweet, constructive, and growing!

My brother Tom remains in critical condition. His weight has slipped to 114 despite many extra calories, nutrition, mid-night feedings etc… His physical condition seems better as he is tending to personal needs, shaving, getting out of bed unassisted, etc… He got a machine for sleep apnea which has helped tremendously. He was sleep tested in July and they found that he woke up every 90 seconds to breathe. No restorative sleep for months! His Facebook page is “Thoughts and prayers for Tommy Lykins” if you’d like to pray with knowledge and consistent input.

We went again to Grass Valley in August. My parents and their 5 children were all there. What a wonderful reunion! Thank you Jesus for a wonderful family. We had an impromptu recording session, (also recorded on Facebook) that included “O Happy Day,” and “It is well.” I was able to see progress in Tommy from my July visit, and was encouraged.

Our ropes season is coming to a close in another month. It has been a good season with nearly 3,000 people coming to us to learn team-building skills. I love to point out that the trinity is the original team, and God does nothing except in team. We are all called to work with him in team, no “lone rangers!” Last week I had the privilege of working with a youth group from a synagogue in Portland. When confronted with fear on our giant swing I usually use the scripture, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength,” or “God has not given you a spirit of fear, but of love, power and a sound mind.” But with this group He led me to use Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you ‘be strong and courageous! Be not afraid nor dismayed for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.’ ” Their adult leader confided in me afterwards that they were very concerned about coming to a “Christian camp” with their youth. But she felt that they had a wonderful time and were encouraged by my acceptance of them, and desired to return. Praise God, the love of Jesus is tangible!

Carol returned Sunday from her parents near Jackson, CA. Her father had back surgery to remove arthritus buildup at the base of his spine. He celebrated his 90th birthday on Sept. 7th. Praise God for a successful surgery, and please pray for him as he recovers from the trauma of surgery. Please pray too for wisdom as they plan to downsize their home in the near future.

I will be staffing TESOL with Carol in October. She has staffed several, but now is taking the next step, leading one. We are looking forward to working with our students who desire to use English teaching as a tool to share Christ with others in otherwise hostile environments. Please pray for a good size school, grace for the staff, and committed students!

In November we are planning a trip to Texas to celebrate our friends 70th birthday. Denny and Twink have staffed many CDTS (Crossroads Discipleship Training school) schools here in Salem as well as Kona and have worked with Mercy Ships too. We are excited about the opportunity to bless them on their turf!

In addition Carol and I are celebrating 15 years of marriage, and are planning on going on from Texas to Nicaragua for a second honeymoon! Our son, Alan visited Nicaragua last January and came back with rave reviews. Quiet beaches, no crowds, sounds like my kind of rest!

At the end of November I am planning a trip to Kamchatka, Russia! My visa was approved last week, so it’s official. Nicolai, the base director there, invited me to speak in their DTS (Discipleship Training School) there on the subject of “Worship as a Lifestyle.” It is the second time that I’ve been asked to speak in a DTS for a full week. Myanmar, 2010 was the first. I am excited about returning to Russia for the first time since my year’s stay in 1993.

Please pray with us as we plan our next season here at YWAM Salem. It’s good to be desired in different departments, but, I can’t be two places at once!

Pray too for funds for my trip to Russia. I’ll need about $2,000 for this trip. Also, should I try to visit the Krasnodar region while I am in country? I have several folks I’d love to renew contact with from my previous visit.

Bloom where you’re planted!

Grace to you!
Fred and Carol

If you’d like to help financially with the ministry trip to Russia, donations can be sent to:

Living Faith Fellowship
4549 Homedale Rd
Klamath Falls, OR 97603

For IRS purposes please address your check to Living Faith, and include a note “For Lykins”

Also, we sent out two young ladies long-term. Nadia is going to Thailand to work with prostitutes, praying with them, and encouraging them to plug in to ministries that will give them training for another profession. She is also trained in teaching English, as well as working as a mid-wife. The other girl, Kristina is going to Yangon, Myanmar (where Carol and I went last year) to teach English, and to pursue ministry in Mandolay. Mandolay is a long time target of YWAM Salem.

We’ve had both of these young ladies in our home, we’ve prayed with them and encouraged them to follow Jesus no matter the obstacles. We are so excited to see God at work through them.

Two weeks ago Carol and I went to the Sacramento area to visit my brother, Tom, and her parents. After a few days at Tom’s I realized that his need was dire, and decided to stay there while Carol went to her parents, two hours southeast.

Tom has been sick and unable to work since February. When we got there he weighed 117 lbs, was weak in his speech, and unable to get out of bed unassisted. He was on pain medication which was causing hallucinations. Just prior to our arrival the Doctor that had diagnosed his lung infection said that he was too weak to undergo the antibiotic regime, and said that he had 1-4 weeks left to live.

Sharon, Tom’s wife refused to give up. She pursued another doctor who recommended I.V. nutrition. She also got him a “sleep test” to confirm Sleep Apnea. (He stopped breathing every 90 seconds while trying to sleep! This hindered him from falling into a deep, healing sleep.)

Tom told me that Laura, our sister, had given him foot massages that helped with the pain in his legs. I realized that his muscles were atrophying as he was not using them. So, I “laid hands on him” all over, and prayed! For many hours a day I gave massage, prayed and sang worship songs. We had wonderful talks, talks that we’ve never had the opportunity to have since we were kids. It also gave Sharon some much needed help, and allowed her to go shopping, and get some personal time.

I stayed for 8 days while Carol tended to her parents needs. They are 89 and 86, living alone in their home of 30+ years. However, it is time for them to downsize, sell, and move closer to town. Carol returned this past week to help them with the many decisions as well as practical needs including a visit to a specialist in San Francisco. Carol realized that they need extra help at this time, and YWAM Salem encouraged her to go and give that help.

Praise God for Tom is doing better, gaining weight, and gaining clarity! Also, Carol helped her father to balance out his meds, and he is also doing much better.

Ministry, it comes in all shapes and sizes. Thank you for your part in allowing us to give in this way!

Please continue to pray Tom into health. We’ve witnessed the raising of the dead, but he still has weak lungs, and has a long road to go.

Also, Carol’s parents need plenty of assistance as they prepare to sell their home.

Praise God for the funds to buy a “new car.” We bought a 2006 Chrysler Sebring that has made driving extended distances much more comfortable, and less costly! 27 mpg is so much better than the 19 that our truck gets.

Praise God too for the remodeling job that I was able to help with in Carol’s absence. It has helped to pass the time in her absence, and cover a short giving month. God provides, no matter our circumstances!

May our Father grant you many opportunities to serve and share his love with those in need. This dark world needs His light, and YOU are the lamp He desires to shine through.

Blessed to be a blessing,
Fred and Carol

We celebrate Liberty in Christ, and freedom from sin and it’s bondage!

Carol and I met with Nikolai last week, and are planning to go to Kamchatka, Russia in November, and March. November is for me to teach in a Discipleship Training School there, and March is for Carol to lead an English school for the staff of Youth with a Mission, Kamchatka. I’ll go along to help with the teaching as well.

Nikolai lives in Salem, and spends several months a year in Kamchatka helping with the local church, and YWAM base. The church there is involved with a huge building project, and unfortunately the local government has begun to resist the new church. Please pray for the church to be able to complete their building before the building permits expire. Also, pray for wisdom as they deal with government officials.

We continue to have productive lives working at YWAM Salem. Carol has overseen the computer transition in accounting, sewn curtains for the children’s school, and worked long hours accomplishing these things.

I’ve been working with our Ropes Challenge Course, leading the pre-worship at church once a month, and leading a 2 hour worship/prayer meeting at the Salem House of Prayer weekly. The House of Prayer involvement is something I’ve been contemplating for several years. I wasn’t sure I could commit there, as I have other commitments including outreaches, but, I am so glad I took the plunge. God has blessed me for this commitment. His presence is more “near” to me as I go throughout the week. It’s hard to explain, but He is so faithful, and He rewards those who diligently seek Him!

My brother Tom has improved somewhat. He was down to 115 lbs, and has gained to 124 lbs. thanks in part to IV nutrition. He is still very weak, gets up to take a bath, and use the toilet. Praise God for the weight gain! Please continue to pray for him. We got here (Penn Valley, CA) Saturday night, and will stay through the week to help out Sharon (his wife) with his care. Carol will take a few days and visit her parents as they are close by.

I’ve been praying for “His Kingdom to come and His will to be done in Tom’s life.” Also, we have been binding the spirit of death, and loosing Kingdom LIFE!

Partly because of our upcoming drive to California, we bought a “new” car on Thursday. It’s a 2006, Chrysler Sebring. It had only 43,000 miles, so was just “broken in.” We now have a vehicle that sits four adults comfortably, has a CD player and cruise control. Yeah, yeah I know, these things have been available for years, but NOT in my garage! We got 27 mpg on our first tank of gas, so we are thrilled at the improvement over our pickup.

Thank you for your partnership! We appreciate your prayers and support.
In Christ,
Fred and Carol

Thank you for your prayers for my TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) school. You may not realize it, but I dropped out of my college English class several times to avoid a failing grade. I finally passed it when I convinced the teacher to accept a song I had written in lieu of a term paper.

During the second week of this school (mid April) I decided that it was time to drop this class as well. I didn’t understand the material, and Carol was working long hours in accounting, so I cried out, “Lord, I can’t do this. I am not wired this way!” I figured that I would sit in the back of the class, and glean what I could in order to help Carol with her future classes.

I told Carol the next day that I had reconciled myself to quitting, and besides that, God didn’t tell me to take that class, it was my idea. She told me that she would not accept my withdrawal, and that Lynn, the teacher, would not accept it either. She said that they would give me any extra attention that I needed. “Lord, you didn’t tell me to take this class… it’s too difficult!” I wouldn’t say that He speaks to me often, but I heard Him clearly say, “Yes, I didn’t ask you to take this course, but I am asking you to complete it.”

In retrospect, week two was the most difficult week. Beside the meltdown, I had a couple assignments that required me to use the opposite side of my brain, you know, the one that lies dormant most of the time.

April 29, I graduated with a 90% grade. So…. I am now TESOL certified to teach English to speakers of other languages. The importance of this certification is two fold: Now Carol and I can work side by side (to be able to work together has been a long term goal) and secondly, many countries don’t want Christian missionaries, but desperately desire English teachers. So, we can use this tool to enter the most Gospel hardened places. The love of God happens to come along with the package….all the better!

Our other big news is that we have moved off campus to a 3 bedroom 1 1/2 bath house here in Salem. After living on the base property for four years, we saw the need to make space for new staff. We didn’t think we could afford to pay Salem’s rent prices, but our friend bought a house for a rental, and told us he would make us a good deal if we would rent from him. We are still living in community as we rented out a bedroom to a co-worker. The house is just 3.5 miles from the base and close to shopping and our home group! AND there is a possibility that we would be able to purchase this home for a fraction of what it would have sold for just a couple of years ago. We’ll live in it for a month or so before we decide whether to pursue that option. Please pray with us about this, we would love to hear God’s word and wisdom through you!

We had a wonderful visit from my mom and dad last week and they confirmed that the house is certified “guest friendly” so please stop by when you are in the area! We have a guest room!

Carol’s blurb:

Last week I accompanied 10 other staff members to a Leadership Enrichment Seminar in Lakeside, Montana. We took an 11 hour van ride, and all survived! One girl was sick on the way home, so it took a little longer. I was able to gain some much needed refreshing away from the base and focused on being the kind of leader that God calls us to and can support. We all had opportunity to reflect on our understanding of our identity. We lead from our identity and it must be in Christ or we can only lead from position. My identity is not in what I do, what others think or say about me or what I have. Eph. 4: 1-16 gives God’s heart for leadership, humility above all else, from humility comes obedience and from there we can impart vision, purpose, our gifts and ability to speak the truth in love.

Fred again: I have returned to staffing the Ropes challenge course. Saturday we had a birthday party as a group. It was fun to share with them God’s desire that we pursue adventure with Him, overcome fear, and build trust with our team mates. We cannot openly share with our city school kids, but there is no law against sharing with birthday parties!

Also, for the past month, I’ve been leading a 2 hour prayer meeting on Sunday evenings from 6-8 at the Salem House of Prayer. This has taken me a long time to finally submit to this call. It has been good! The Salem house of prayer is dedicated to 24/7 prayer and worship for the city of Salem, and the Kingdom of God. You can check out their web page at www.salemhouseofprayer.org

Thank you for your prayers for my brother Tom. He has had some improvement, and was able to go outside for some sun recently.

Please continue to pray for us, that we would bloom where we are planted, and take advantage of the opportunities that we have to share our faith with others. We’ll pray the same for you!

Grace and peace to you!

Fred and Carol

Photos

Now, please pray for my mind! I am a 55 year old student this month, and my brain hurts after only one day of class! TESOL is such a powerful tool as the training opens the door to otherwise closed countries.

Also, my brother Tom is having difficulty breathing. He was admitted to Mather’s hospital last month, and released a few days later. But he is still having difficulty breathing and is in some pain. He is also not able to work, so if you know the Lykins male, that is not a good sign! Please pray for him and his wife Sharon to know how to proceed, grace for the journey, and healing! Our God is able!

Thank you again for your prayers and support! You are awesome!
Fred and Carol