25 Years in Missions!
Remember. Rejoice. Realize.
Even before you begin something, you can imagine what it might be like as you look into the future – just as we did back in 1997 when we were brand new missionaries. And when you have been doing that thing for a long time, you can take the opportunity to remember as we are now doing 25 years later. Early on, we adopted three words that we still believe mark our mindset, disposition, hopes and dreams: Faith. Life. Adventure. As we remember the truly amazing adventure we have lived by faith, we are acutely aware that it is a combination of our own choices and obedience and the love and prayers of so many who have walked alongside us, that have opened so many doors and continue to bless and encourage us. Remember with us as we share some of our memories of the past 25 years throughout this coming year.
Joy is not dependent on context like happiness is. The joy that is ingrained in us is deep and rich. Considering the past quarter century, sometimes the stormy seas were immensely rough and life was hard, other times smooth sailing and sunny skies allowed us to breath deeply without straining or striving. Rejoice with us as we recount some of the ups and downs of the past 25 years over this next year.
Think about the feeling you get when you finally see something clearly, below the surface, like the moral of an Aesop’s Fable, the punchline of a joke or the resolution of the convoluted plot-line of a movie. The revelation is as refreshing as it is exciting isn’t it? As we think about the many experiences we have had all over the world, the depth and meaning of the time we have spent with people from many backgrounds, languages and worldviews, is something that we rarely realize until some time has passed and the deeper meaning sets in. Perhaps, over this next year, the messages we will be sending you with highlights of our missions experience will be a catalyst for you to realize some of the deeper meaning in your relationships and experiences with others as well.
Chris and Lynn
Here is a snap shot of some of the events that shaped our last 25 years.
Be on the lookout for stories coming your way soon.
Prior to April 1997
We lived in Kirkland, WA, had three little kiddos (ages 4,2,1), Chris had a good job as the captain on a large yacht, Lynn was a stay at home mom with her own photography business and we were very active in church; life was great.
April -August 1997
Discipleship Training School with Mercy Ships in Texas and outreach in Trinidad.
October-November 1997
Chris aboard the Caribbean Mercy as a deck officer for a trip through the Panama Canal.
January – December 1998
Family aboard the Island Mercy in the Pacific from New Zealand to the Philippines and many island nations in between. Chris as a deck officer and Lynn as photographer and mom.
1999-2003
Family aboard the Anastasis- South Africa, West Africa, Europe. Chris as deck officer and Lynn in the International school, DTS staff, photographer and mom. 2003-2006
Transition from Mercy Ships to the founding of YWAM Destination Paradise. Chris served as the Technical Training Director for Mercy Ships in Texas for 15 months while Chris and Lynn worked on Destination Paradise off the ground. Then the family moved to Washington State to continue building the foundation for Destination Paradise.
2006-2016
YWAM DP throughout the Caribbean aboard sailing catamarans. Added a training campus on land in Belize.
2010
Chris’ head injury in Belize on a family excursion.
2016
Transition away from YWAM DP to University of the Nations, Kona, Hawaii.
2016-2022…
In Kona Hawaii where Lynn is a Biblical Counselor, Hospital Chaplain, Postpartum Doula and several other ministries. Chris is involved with Biblical Innovations. Lynn and Chris continue to teach with YWAM.Copyright © 2022 Chris and Lynn Toney, All rights reserved.
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