Category: Ministry

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Toneys Update November 2020

Chris and Lynn Toney


In one of the strangest years in memory, life and ministry goes on for us and we are thriving. Here’s a bit of a look into our lives for Fall 2020.  Blessings!  

Celebrating Life and Death 
Months and months before leaving Belize back in 2015 there was much in the way of preparations for handing over our mantel as base leaders, restructuring staff roles, rebuilding a new way of leadership as plans where underway for us personally. A couple things where really clear and that stood out to me within my quiet times in hearing God. One, I was to get more certifications for my role as counselor to YWAM staff. Second, was the feeling/sense that in addition to counseling, I would somehow work with the very young and the very old. The Lord has helped me orchestrate two beautiful and two very distinct ministry roles coming to pass during 2020. What was spoken many years ago, has finally come to pass.
 
Dou·la (do͞olə) Life. 
Defined in the ancient Greek, meaning “the women who serves”.
    
I have the joy to provide emotional, physical and informational support to women in the later part of their pregnancy and postpartum; once baby is born. With Covid and doors closing within ministry, a new door and ministry opportunity swung wide open. I have been able to be trained as a postpartum doula for the mamas in our community. This role intertwines not only counseling which I love but hands on practical support to women and their newborn babies during their most fragile, yet exciting time of life.
 ___________________________________________________________________ 
Hos·pice (häspəs) Celebration of life in death.

Hospice provides compassionate care for people in the last phases of incurable diseases and end of life care.. Patients at the Nakamaru Hale residency home have taught me so much about being present, to talk story, to pray with, to ease their suffering, support family members and to truly cherish a person in their final days. Words cannot convey how this role as volunteer has touched and impacted me personally. Christ was the example for us all to show… Care. Comfort. Compassion. Newness of life in a newborn and its mama and life celebrated as we pass onto into eternity. We have reassurance and can take great consolation in knowing God sees us in every moment, every season and every aspect of our lives. 
   
Isaiah 32:17: “The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever.”YWAM is 60!In December this year, Youth With a Mission is celebrating 60 years of listening to the Lord and doing what He says; transforming nations and individuals, serving, loving, teaching, equipping, proclaiming, and co-creating with God in every nation on the planet.  Our journey in missions has seen us intimately and enthusiastically involved with YWAM by land, sea and air in over 100 nations for nearly 25 of YWAM’s 60 years! We hope and pray that we are being a bright light in the darkness as we bring hope, comfort, peace and love around the world. Jesus said, “as the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” John 20:21. We invite you to take a moment and praise God with us for this wonderful global family and powerful, transformational ministry.
 


Counseling During a Pandemic
People often ask me if my role as counselor has changed much due to the COVID-19 crisis that has rocked all of us throughout the world.  The answer is, “let’s just say, it’s complicated in a simple sort of way”.  Let me explain. The biggest thing I am seeing is that so often, we go about life, on cruise control.  We have our routines, our schedules, what we like, how we pray, who we see, how we recreate, where we go to church… All of those represent our “normal”.  With stressors like COVID, we are forced to create a “new normal.” molasses brain and a fatigue we cannot shake are common, which is exhausting. Our cruise control isn’t on cruise anymore as there are new things on the road, having us to expend more energy, more thinking that effects the realms of mental, emotional and spiritual processes. Can I share something with you? It’s what I tell so many staff who are wrestling with the same things. What you’re feeling, what you’re going through, and how your body and mind are responding is normal. You are not alone. Give yourself permission to be ok with what is happening! God is at work in this season, more than you can ever imagine.

 
As we are all experiencing, COVID seeps into every aspect of our lives; bubbling just under the surface; sometimes very subtle, yet always in our faces. Much like spiritual warfare, we know it’s happening all around us, (like COVID) but we don’t always want to see, engage or know what to do…so we don’t do anything and we get stuck. COVID is out of our control, out of arms reach but we still have to engage it on an everyday basis. But I want to encourage you, like I do with those who I see in counseling. You can get through this season, by leaning on Gods strength, to come against weariness and see where the Lord, your circles of fellowship/friends and good old getting down to a “new normal” gets you back on track. We need an extra measure of strength in these unsettled times. 
The book of Ephesians, has three richly distinct sections, that we can use to bring definition to our fatigued minds. 
 
Who is God? (Eph 1: 17-21) We pray.  We remind ourselves that God is good, loving, just and kind We sit in His presence. We sit at His feet. Before we can walk or stand, we sitWe sit when we are tired, resting and giving our cares over to the LordWhat do I believe about God? (Eph 4:1, Eph 5:8,10)He will never leave me, nor forsake me.We gain strength (sit) so we can begin to walk8 times the word walk is in the book of EphesiansWe build our confidence in Him, with every step we takeThe Holy Spirit’s power enables us to walk worthyHow do I take the Theology of Truth? (Eph 6:10)Greek word for stand means to hold your groundJesus has done the fight for us, our job it to keep what is oursI will choose to trust God, no matter the battleSitting with Christ. Walking with Him. Standing for Him.
 
In any crisis including COVID, we can have a tendency to have fears and doubts. I truly believe that God is okay with all of our strong emotions.  It is our responsibility to avoid becoming “stuck” in the swirl of the mess we face and to rely on the Lord of Lords to usher in “newness” each and every day.  We are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed (Heb 10:39). Stand tall..


Engaging Conversations
Chris is hard at work with the SourceView Bible Project.  This fantastic YWAM work has brought the first significant format change to scripture in over 500 years!  We are all familiar with the “book, chapter, verse” format of God’s word, but the scriptures did not have chapters or verses until the 12th Century AD. 

When you spend time reading the bible and really getting into the stories, you will see that a great portion of what is written is dialogue – conversations between people.  The format the bible is currently found in, does not reveal these conversations vividly and much of the power, interesting takes, character development and overall storyline is lost amidst the dust that is collected as the bible sits on the shelf.  

The SourceView Bible brings a thrilling change to the way we read the bible – it comes alive!  We have not changed any of the words of scripture – they are God’s after all.  But we have changed the format into something very familiar to most of the world.  Also, color distinguishes the type of speaker:  Black is the Narrator; Red is God; Green is the lead character in that book; and Blue is everyone else.  Here’s a look at Luke 5:8-13.
Our team has enlisted the help of a great many dedicated folks from many nations and are diligently “Sourcifying” the scriptures into many languages and in many different versions.  Each language also has extensive introductions and a great deal of additional material available in it – but the main focus is scripture, not supporting material.  

With Chris’ background in the original languages of the bible, his focus has been on Hebrew and Greek. in addition to working to promote bible engagement, there are still over 1400 languages in the world that have no portion of scripture translated into it – meaning that there are still millions of people who cannot read or hear God’s work in their heart language.  The SourceView bible has become an invaluable tool in the translation of the Bible due to the high engagement of the narrative and ground breaking innovations in oral translation. Here is that same passage from above in Luke, done in Greek:
 
And Jonah chapter 3 in Hebrew:
Needless to say, Chris’ work with SourceView Bile is quite fulfilling and has a global and everlasting impact.  


Where is YWAM in the World: Mongolia (Update)

In our last newsletter update, we told you about a worldwide effort to give the Scriptures to every person in the country of Mongolia.  Scores of dedicated women, men, young and old scoured that beautiful nation bringing hope in the form of God’s word in many different formats.  Have a look at a short video that might inspire you, as it has thousands of others, to share God’s Word with everyone, everywhere.  
  
End Bible Poverty Now is a collaborative global ministry of YWAM, Wycliffe, SIL, SBC, CRU, Faith Comes by Hearing, United Bible Society, Tyndale, and thousands of ministries, bible translators, churches, bible societies, and others united with a mandate to enable every person on earth to be able to read or hear the Word of God in their mother tongue. Part of this task is to bring the bible to all people everywhere.  Another is to see that God’s Word is translated into every mother tongue on the planet. There are still a little over 1400 languages on earth that have no portion of scripture translated and End Bible Poverty Now will bring this number down to 0!
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What A Decade!

Chris & Lynn and the PandemicYou may be wondering how does one do missions work while there is pandemic going on? Now more than ever the work of full-time missions is critical for those struggling with the world wide pandemic. Everyone needs easy access to the Bible to brings comfort, answers and light. 

Chris is able to work from home, enabling his work with original biblical languages to be an immediate benefit to reach the lost and dramatically aid in translation work. 

For Lynn, counseling has moved from face to face, in person counseling to talking over FaceTime and Zoom with those who need a listening ear and prayer.

The beauty of technology provides much needed times of, encouragement and prayer for staff but also to the greater community we live in where people are fearful, stressed and need Gods love to see them through the days ahead as the pandemic continues to wreak havoc with our day to day lives.  

~ The bible transforms individual lives, but it can also change nations.~ 

New Life

They say that things change within your heart when your kid, has a kid. That has certainly been the case with the arrival of William Cylas Toney. Cylas was born on Valentines Day to our oldest son Will ( goes by his first name now) and his lovely wife Adrienne.  Lynn was able to fly right before things got tricky with the virus to help out with baby and help Will and Adrienne move We are so blessed with our first grandson and couldn’t be more proud of Will.  Can’t wait til the next time we can connect with these three.   

What a Decade!

10 years. So much has happened. 10 years – each and every one of you walking with us, praying for us and being side by side with us in missions. 10 years – you, our supporters, have journeyed with us through the tears and the joys. 10 years of ups and downs.  Let us look back over the last decade to some major highlights of Chris and Lynn in missions; serving those around the world and in their local community.

 Accidents Happen 

Having two accidents in the early months of 2010 was an experience we both would rather not repeat. Lynn’s boating accident, a collision between a water taxi on which she was riding and another boat, left bumps, bruises and a severe shoulder dislocation for Lynn, and a fatality on the other boat.  Months of doctor and PT visits while doing rehab exercises were left interrupted by the second accident of 2010. Chris was throw from an horse during a family day out celebrating our two oldest son’s 18th and 16th birthdays. Chris sustained major injuries to his brain resulting in a long stay in the hospital, medically induced coma and several medical tests to determine that a TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) has long lasting and irreversible damage. 

What we learned in those early months of the decade: That you can and will have strong support and will tangibly see the results of countless people praying and have the knowledge that you are never alone in God’s embrace and love. 

What we are still learning: That life can be lived to the fullest no matter the obstacles; and that a change in course, no matter the size or the event, can bring new things, great things if we only hear, obey and trust in the Lord.
God is our refuge and strength, our ever present help in trouble.  Psalm 46:1

Boat’s Goodbye

Living on boats and calling them home for almost 5 years while doing full time missions, while homeschooling your 3 kids, while running DTS schools, while living in VERY small quarters, while overseeing the day to day operations of two large Catamarans was an exhilarating experience to say the least. From hurricane seasons and sailing to safe harbors, to seeing God in nature, to watching students come to a deeper relationship with their Lord, to the perfect sunset, to breakdowns and missing parts, to down pours of rain, to dolphins frocking in the bow, to dark nights of long sails, to worshiping God on the water, saying goodbye to the boats in order to be full-time on land brought a mixture of emotions. 

What we learned: An experience of a lifetime. That God will meet you in the most unexpected ways. To hold fast to a dream created by Him. To never give up, even when everyone around you says otherwise. 
 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in touch with the Spirit. Galatians 5:25

The Nest is Empty 

2013 marked the beginning for Chris and Lynn of what is affectionally called “Empty Nesting” in the U.S. It’s the season of when all of your kids are out of the house and on their own. Will (Cameron), Josh and Jessie were moving into adult living while Chris and Lynn where able to expand ministry focus to include travel and teaching abroad while still serving as base leaders in Belize. 

What we learned: That hard work, trusting the Lord with your kids, being consistent and showing Gods love to them, can pay off to be blessed with amazing adult kids. **If you’re in the season of child rearing, have hope your love and care will pay off.  
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it.  Proverbs 22:6

The Passing of the Baton

We don’t know about you, but often times the Lord moves through big events and/or changes, prayer, ideas, nudges, scripture or what the world would call a “coincidence”. Looking back now, there were signs; there were things already in motion (remember the comment about learning?) that started off slowly and built momentum as we handed off of our roles as base leaders of Destination Paradise, a Youth With a Mission training base originally founded on sailing boats, and eventually became a strong training campus with over a hundred students each year completing schools, outreaches and internships.  

What we learned: What you think you are going to do forever can change… be open to the possibility of bigger and better as the Lord guides and directs your path. Do you have the faith to step out into the unknown? Sure you do; just trust Him and He will show you the way.  
 For we walk by faith, not by sight.  2 Corinthians 5:7

New Beginnings (again)

Starting off in missions in 1997 left us with the exhilaration and excitement of what have we done?! sense of nervousness for what was next. Who would have known that the Lord would take us, teach us, train us, be with us, and guide us in so many different ways (Mercy Ships, Captain, homeschooler, teacher, trainer, counselor, bible scholar etc..), taking us all over the world and reaching countless people. Leaving Belize allowed for a widening the net, going deeper with new things. He landed us in Kona, but He paved the way for us to travel, to teach and to go.

What we learned: Anything is possible with the Lord. Hold on tight!  You might think you know what the ride will be like, but it turns out to be the ride of a lifetime complete with immeasurable faith and heart pounding experiences.  Given the choice, we wouldn’t change it for anything!
 With man, this is impossible, but with God, all things are possible.  Matt 19:26

Let Us Learn (more)

In hindsight, it is easy to see where the Lord was directing both Chris and Lynn from 2011 and onward to the later part of the decade.  Who would have known that both of us would continue  education beyond university in fields that we love and that we would engage that learning so extensively and internationally in the coming years, and now in, of all places, at the U of N campus in Kona Hawaii. Chris started in 2011 with the first of 2 masters degrees through Fuller Seminary. Our neurologist has said many times that Chris’s academic studies helped him in the early years of recovery by stimulating healing by learning. Lynn followed a few years later with the desire to glean more information in the field of counseling and coaching. Association of Christian Biblical Counselors certification was quite stretching with a steep earning curve. Both of our certifications and degrees are used every day for the greater progress of the kingdom. 

What we learned in the process of more education: That you’re never too old to learn. That there is so much out there to do, see and be a part of when education has been fostered, nurtured and grown. 
Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me- put into practice.  And the God of peace will be with you.  Philippians 4:9

No More

How do you explain the term gut wrenching? That pit in your stomach? That headache that comes from stress? That sinking feeling of dreams lost, vision blurred and plans that will cease to happen? Living and doing ministry in Belize was always tricky. Did we see things coming as they unfolded? No. Were there always challenges with the Belizean government from the first day we sailed into this beautiful nation? Yes. Could the base and its new leadership have done anything to stop the ways of a corrupt government? No. The base closure still has long term effects for us both, former YWAM DP staff and those Belizeans we loved and were blessed to be a part of their lives. We always trust that the Lord has hopes and dreams far beyond what we can imagine or understand. 

What we learned: That in the storm, you may not know, can’t see, or feel the reasons for what is happening- but can trust that this too shall pass. When you’re in the midst of the pain, God can and will bring clarity, love and care to his kids. 
See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?  I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.  Isaiah 43:19

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Summer 2019 Update

Chris and Lynn Toney

Both of our roles in YWAM continue to be personally gratifying, fruitful; extending the reach of the gospel. Chris is hard at work to bring the Bible to every person on earth in their native language and Lynn provides counseling and mentorship to those full time missionaries on and off the mission field. In addition to our primary ministry roles, we also are blessed to be involved in outreach to the community we live in. We often have opportunities to serve and connect outside of our Youth With a Mission family here in Kona and globally. In this newsletter we are excited to highlight some of these unique ministry connections.

Camp Erin   
 
Camp Erin is the largest national bereavement program for youth grieving the death of a significant person in their lives. Children and teens ages 6-17 attend a transformational weekend camp that combines traditional, fun camp activities with grief education and emotional support, free of charge for all families. For a couple of years now, Lynn has been able to bring her love of counseling to campers at Camp Erin. As part of the clinical team, her role is to connect with and make sure that all campers (as well as the 50+ volunteers) are emotionally healthy while processing their pain and loss. Grief workshops are held throughout the weekend long experience. As the main facilitator of what is called, “throw and let go”, Lynn helps grieving young people to let go and not bottle up extreme emotions. Campers are encouraged to connect with their emotional pain associated with their loss of a loved one. Writing out that “emotion or feeling word”, whether it is an emotion (anger or sadness) or the event in which someone died (car accident, cancer, suicide) onto a plate and then throwing and breaking that plate to help them release their pain due to the loss of a loved one. Campers come away having had a fun camp experience as well as tools they can use as they continue on the path of healing from the loss of a loved one.


                    

Where is YWAM in the World: Mongolia


We are including a new section in our newsletters that highlights where and what YWAM is doing in and around the world. YWAM is very diverse! The YWAM family is comprised of thousands of people from all over the world serving in every single country on earth. Our staff and students are a mixture of nationalities and people from  many nations who serve side by side. We come from numerous different Christian denominations and speak hundreds of languages. More than half of our staff come from “non-western” countries such as Brazil, Korea, Indonesia, India, and Nepal. In addition to our full-time staff, many YWAM locations host short-term outreach teams made up of individuals, youth groups, families, and churches who participate first-hand in “making God known”  both through word and action. We send out over 25,000 short-term missionaries each year. We love being a part of such a large, international missions movement! There is so much happening in the world of missions. Let us show you what is happening around the world.  

End Bible Poverty Now is a collaborative global ministry of YWAM, Wycliffe, SIL, SBC, CRU, Faith Comes by Hearing, United Bible Society, Tyndale, and thousands of ministries, bible translators, churches, bible societies, and others united with a mandate to enable every person on earth to be able to read or hear the Word of God in their mother tongue. There are still a little over 1500 languages on earth that have no portion of scripture translated and End Bible Poverty Now will bring this number down to 0!

Not only is it vital to have scripture translated into every language, every person needs to be able to have access to it.  Since there are so many oral cultures on earth, audio and video recordings of scripture must be available along with printed and digital bibles.  This summer, scores of committed, willing and able YWAMers from around the world are joining with Mongolian churches in a collaborative effort to successfully offer a bible to every family in the nation of Mongolia. This monumental task is not only about distribution of bibles but seeks to promote engagement with the Word of God, strengthening and growth of the church and the transformation of Mongolian people: individuals, communities, cities and the entire nation.  




 Snorkel Day, a ministry of Deep an Beyond, creates opportunities for the disadvantaged, handicapped and disabled person to explore nature in an adaptive community free event for people living with disabilities. Snorkel Day creates an inclusive atmosphere where everyone is treated equally, and a place for families and caregivers to rest while participants enjoy the water, and the sea life within;  free from the confines of their limited mobility.

Lynn has the awesome privilege of getting in the water with these amazing folks that live in the Kona community. By assisting them, those who can’t swim can be in the water, safe and able to connect with Gods beautiful creation and explore a world they would not normally get to explore.
           






The Book

What was to be a role for Lynn as prayer intercessor for a short film, turned into much more for the both of us.  In addition to prayer, Lynn assisted the AD (that’s movie talk for assistance to the director) prop gathering and set up for the various scenes of the film.  Chris was asked to take on a role (the church official who oversaw the martyrdom of William Tyndale) in the short firm. Here is a brief overview of the movie and the time
 
we all had to share how the gospel was brought to the masses so many years ago. We are looking forward to the release of this short film and the impact it will have on those who watch it.   

The Book, is a short film about the trials, tribulations, and sacrifices that people have made throughout history to get the Bible to where it is today. Covering 2000 years, The Book begins with the transcription of the Gospels, moving through history, and ending all the way in modern day. For six days during June, YWAM Ships Kona became something Every day we shot between one and three scenes to help bring this story to life. It was an incredible time where people from all different departments and schools lent a hand where they could. From set dressers, to PA’s, camera operators and prop designers, the base rallied together and offered their talents to pull off something incredible.

The film is officially in post production at this point. Ty, the director, is hopeful that it will be out late this summer, or early this fall, but there isn’t a determined release date yet. Check out some behind the scenes photos, and be on the lookout for an official release date . 


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 Newsletter Code Words

A friend from our Mercy Ships days and long term missionary Anisha Hopkinson wrote a brilliant blog post a few weeks ago. We cried, we laughed and felt strongly that this was literally so spot on for all of us who serve in missions long term we had to share it. Whether overseas, whether serving state side, missions work can be oh so amazingly crazy and joy-filled, but also challenging too. Thanks Anisha, you really shared well with how so many of us missionaries feel and go through. 
 
“Before moving overseas, I read newsletters of cross cultural workers and thought something along the lines of, Well, that’s interesting. Now that I live overseas, I realize newsletters are filled with code words. Or rather, ordinary words that take on a bit of ‘extra’ when used in the context of living overseas.
 
For example: It’s been a year of transitions and adjustments. Is actually a neat and tidy way of saying: I’ve spent the last 12 months living out of a suitcase and making a ton of mistakes everywhere I go. Ahh, now we understand what’s actually going on. There are many, many more. In the interest of moving past the that’s interesting thoughts that may accompany newsletter reading, this post is devoted to decoding a few of our common words and phrases.” 

Code: Visa application proces
Meaning: We’ve quit our jobs, given away our belongings, raised support, and are ready to go, but if this paperwork is denied all our plans are totally stuffed.

Code: Health issues
Meaning: This mainly means diarrhea.

Code: Prayerfully consider partnering with us.
Meaning: We really need people pray for us and donate money every month and are pretty sure if you just asked Jesus, he’d tell you to do it.
Note: No? It’s just me then.

Code: Rainy season
Meaning: Thank God for relief from raging tropical heat, but now there is mud everywhere and my laundry won’t dry.

Code: Graduating language school
Meaning: HALLELUJAH WE’VE BEEN SET FREE!!! 
Note: For some of us, language school is also known as “Language She’ol”. Yes, as in the dark and lonely realm of the dead.

Code: It’s been a difficult term
Meaning: We are so completely stressed out and yelling at each other all the time and quite frankly surprised to still be here.
Note: Respond to this newsletter and ask how you can help.

Code: Tired
Meaning: Utter exhaustion
Note: Gift this person a vacation.

Code: Multi-cultural team
Meaning: We’re all from different countries and the Dutch are rude, the Germans are inflexible, the Americans are too sensitive, and the Australians are very, well… Australian. Plus, it’s hard to tell jokes everyone understands.

Code: Thank you for praying!!!
Meaning: Don’t forget us. We might die if you don’t pray. 
Note: Ok, I exaggerated…or did I?

Code: We could not be here without you.
Meaning: We could not be here without you.
Note: Maybe it sounds a bit cheesy, but it’s totally the truth. So is this…
 
Originally posted on https://www.alifeoverseas.com/newsletter-code-words/ Prayer PointsThe extreme personal hardship we continue to face as a result of the shutdown of YWAM DP essentially by the government of Belize remains a top prayer point.  We have made a little bit of progress in repaying the debt but there is still a long way to go. For more information, if you have questions or would like to be part of the solution, please contact us.  Thank you.  Our sending church and the majority of the people who pray for and support us financially are in Washington State.  We’re praying about a trip to see friends, family and supporters at some point this year – Please pray with us as we consider when and how we might be able to come. We’ve shared a few of the things we’re involved in here in Kona.  Please keep these in your prayers along with our primary work with YWAM.  
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A Work in Progress

As we usher in the New Year, it is easy to look over your shoulder at 2018 as a time of reflection while looking forward to what lies ahead. As many of you know, we experienced the dichotomy of two worlds in 2018 bringing a mixture of emotions, challenges and joy. Our ministry here in Kona and globally through the University of Nations this past year has been fulfilling, settling, and a testimony to God’s goodness as well as being life giving for us both. Yet, opposing all that, last year has been one of the most difficult, painful and trying years (minus Chris’s accident in 2010) of our 22 years serving in full-time missions- with 2018 bearing what was essentially a governmental shut down of YWAM DP in Belize, Central America.  

The phrase “A Work in Progress” keeps rattling around in our minds of late. It is an interesting phrase to dissect as we process and debrief the whirlwind of activity that has taken place last year with these two ministry worlds colliding. On the one hand, the YWAM training center we founded in 2003, ran with much success for many years, transferred to great staff almost four years ago and agonizingly closed in 2018; and on the other hand, the awe inspiring season we have had since leaving Belize to follow God’s call to serve more globally within YWAM. The “Work in Progress” includes a challenging mixture of the closure of the base with the intense weight that falls so heavily upon our shoulders and the solid, kingdom calling, continuation of the far reaching work we are privileged to do.

 Scripturally, the phrase a “Work In Progress” is so fitting for the journey we are all on as Christians: Not complete and not perfected.  Romans 15:13 reminds us that hope, joy and peace come from Him. Whether in the midst of an arduous task, a painful season or when life is humming along with jump in your step; God is near. He can be trusted. We need only to rely on Him. 

 A “Work In Progress” we are. Sometimes we are battered and bruised, sometimes things are easy and not so hard- but we are always victorious- always looking to Him to sustain and to strengthen us giving us hope, peace and joy in times past, now and forever. 

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Summer 2018 Update

Chris and Lynn Toney

Summer 2018 Update

Dear Friends and Family, So far, 2018 sure has brought much challenge but also much joy.  We hope you find our Summer 2018 Update interesting and informative – It will be great to hear back from you!  All the very best, Chris and Lynn

Double Portion of Blessing

When is the last time you felt truly cared for? When was the last time you felt truly blessed? A few weeks ago, Chris and I felt and received both a sense of care and were blessed beyond measure. During our 22 years in full time missions our sending church in Bothell Washington, Canyon Hills Community Church have been right there, side by side with us, interceding for us, cheering us on and providing the much needed funds so that we can bring the gospel to the far corners of the globe. The first of two blessings is a video  produced by the CHCC communications team, highlighting our journey as a young family, the call on our lives and the many stories of Gods faithfulness. Pictures of us from so long ago reminded Chris and I that we are not getting any younger (lol) but more so of Gods amazing love, provision and grace that has been extended and bestowed to our family. Thank you Canyon Hills, for wanting to show that an ordinary family can do extra ordinary things for the Lord. May our call to serve in missions, bring forth many to be released into the amazing journey of full time faith based missions.

The second blessing came in the way of retreat. A retreat is a place to get away, to leave the world of missions for a brief moment and to commune with the Lord.  Canyon Hills blessed each of their supported missionaries with a 5 day retreat.  We were pampered, loved, cherished, loved on well in those 5 days. A time to renew, refresh and remind each of us, our mandate. The theme was “ The Grove”. The idea of how does one cultivate that place in our hearts, in our minds to do the work we are called to do.  How to nurture and protect what is precious to the Lord and to oneself so that we can go out again into this world and be at our best to bring Gods love, Gods peace and Gods light to those who do not know Him. A big thank you to our head pastor off CHCC, pastor Steve Walker and to our missions pastor Corey Mortimer who prayed and brought this retreat into being.  You two and the team that supported us during the retreat have no idea the impact you have made for us all that are blessed to be a part of CHCC.

Seasons

Ecc 3:8 states: “To everything there is a season.”  We have all been a part of seasons that provide revelation, clarity, unknown, character, hardship, joys and most of all growth. Seasons come and they go, much like the wind, sometimes swift and sometimes more in a calming way. YWAM DP the ministry and training base that Chris and I founded back in the early 2000’s and where we handed over the reigns 2 ½ years ago has had its fair share of seasons. The season of training and ushering in countless students and staff on a physical YWAM base has officially come to an end. Due to governmental issues, and other unique circumstances the doors of the base in Belize has closed.  We are sad to say goodbye (again) but also are trusting the Lord for the possibly of new season, new vision, to potentially blow in once more. Thank you to DP’s amazing staff and to all students who have been and are yet to be a part of the many seasons of DP.   A new season is beginning with the introduction of University of the Nations Online – a ministry of YWAM Destination Paradise.  Stay tuned…

What Is Chris Up To?

If you ask me to summarize what I do in one sentence, I would say that I am working hard with many people from many ministries to end bible poverty.  There are still over 1500 living languages that have no biblical witness at all and we are working hard to bring this number to zero.

I am currently hard at work in 4 primary areas: VerbView, Greek SourceView, Teaching Hebrew and Greek to students in the UofN Masters of Applied Linguistics in Bible Translation and putting the finishing touches on Biblical Hebrew Online course.  I typically travel, teaching and speaking a great deal, but since the demise of YWAM DP’s campus in Belize and the many unpaid ministry debts that were left on the table (meaning… we get to cover them ourselves), finances have severely limited travel so far this year.   In 2017, I was blessed to travel to, speak or teach in Nepal, India, Russia, Israel, China, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakstan, Turkey, Jordan, Cyprus, South Africa, The UK, Belize, and locations in the US.

VerbView is a soon to be added element to the SourceView Bible App which was produced by the Bible Innovation Team of which I am a part.  VerbView looks at every verb in the Bible (yes, every verb) and identifies whether the action is something God did, does or will do – or is it the action of someone other than God.  The idea is that if we want to know God, we look at what He has done and does.  This very exciting project has already revealed some amazing insights about God and is defined to be the source of great discoveries about the Lord!

Greek SourceView If you are not yet familiar with the SourceView format of scripture (the first format change in Scripture in 500 years) it is quite innovative. I have completed formatting the Greek Scriptures into SourceView and am currently working on Hebrew. A number of other gifted folks are working hard on this and additional languages and tools will be included the SourceView Bible App soon.

MALiBT is short for Masters of Applied Linguistics in Bible Translation, one of a number of Masters level programs offered by the University of the Nations.  I was asked to facilitate the teaching of both Hebrew and Greek to the students in this current program.  What a privilege and joy!

UofN Online is a new ministry of YWAM Destination Paradise. I am nearly finished with our first University of the Nations Extension (online) Studies course, Biblical Hebrew Online and will have Biblical Greek Online available next.  We plan to have many online course offerings in the future!

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What Are The Toneys Up To?

 

We have had many questions about what we’re up to and how we’re doing.  So we compiled some of those questions and did our best to give answers to each. If you have a question we left out, please don’t hesitate to let us know and we’ll get right back to you.  There is news out of Belize regarding YWAM Destination Paradise and we’ll fill you in on that soon.  Blessings to you and please read on!

What is the short version of your history in missions?

  • In 1992, we both felt a nudge from the Holy Spirit during a Missions Emphasis” Sunday at church.
  • In 1996, while Chris was working as a Mega Yacht Captain, we knew unmistakably that the timing for us in missions had come.
  •  in early 1997, we gave e a lot of our possessions away and with what was left, had the “Toney Liquidation Sale”.  The 5 of us including our three kids ages 4, 2 and 1 piled into our station wagon and headed off to do our DTS with Mercy Ships in Texas and Trinidad in the Caribbean.
  • In late 1997, Chris served as a deck officer on the Caribbean Mercy for a month as she was sailed through the Panama Canal.
  • For all of 1998, the 5 of us served aboard the Island Mercy in the Pacific visiting and ministering in all but one of the island nations between Tonga and The Philippines including New Zealand.
  • In 1999, we joined the Anastasis in South Africa and served throughout West Africa and Europe until March of 2003.
  • In 2003/04, we began a season of transition between Mercy Ships and the founding of YWAM Destination Paradise.
  • In 2004 we relocated to Whidbey Island, Washington to work full time on the new vision that YWAM DP would become
  • Between 2006 and 2011 we sailed aboard one, then two sailing cats throughout the Caribbean as the amazing and highly adventurous platform for a very dynamic edition of YWAM’s Discipleship Training Schools (DTS).
  • In 2010, while in Belize, Central America, we felt lead to lease a property ashore and begin running schools on land in addition to the sailing catamarans. We did this in Belize until we felt strongly lead to release the boats from the ministry in 2012 and move all schools ashore.
  • In 2013, we moved to a larger facility.
  • In 2016, we handed over the leadership of YWAM DP to a team we had been investing in for a number of years as we prepared to follow the call of the Lord to Kona, Hawaii and the largest YWAM – University of the Nations campus in the world.  And that brings us up to date – but there are more questions 🙂

How has the transition been, since leaving Belize? Is the transition now complete? 
The transition has been good, but harder than we expected it to be.  Leaving Belize was only difficult because of the relationships with amazing staff and with a number of friends in town, but we did not reluctantly leave Belize, it was the call of God after all!  Getting settled in Kona took much longer than we thought it would but it has has been good.  Yes, we would say that transition is complete!

Where are you serving now?
We are both serving in and from Kona, Hawaii – both on the University of the Nations Kona Campus and around the world.

When you say you travel globally for YWAM and the University of the Nations, what does that mean?
We both travel, teach and speak in various locations around the world.  Chris will have over 120,000 air miles in 2017 and Lynn is not far behind!

As full time missionaries what are your roles now that you are not leading a YWAM base any longer?
Lynn is a Biblical Counselor serving the staff and students of the University of the Nations Kona Campus. She also teaches on a variety of topics in YWAM schools here in Kona and abroad.  She is also quite involved in leadership training and coaching for leaders in various locations.

Chris is part of the Bible Innovation Team and very active in Biblical research related to the SourceView Bible App (Apple App Store and Google Play).  His knowledge of Hebrew and Greek is being put to use in significant ways to End Bible Poverty Now.  He is also part of the International DNA Infusion team with Loren and Darlene Cunningham (YWAM’s founders) and David Hamilton (UofN VP of Strategic Innovation) traveling to gatherings of leaders in various locations around the world.

What does End Bible Poverty mean? 
There are just about 7,100 living languages on Earth.  There are still just over 1,600 of them with no Biblical witness at all: no bibles, no bible stories, no recordings of Gospels of John or any other books, no missionaries to act out bible stories for those in purely oral cultures.  In addition to the millions of people who have never seen or heard the word of God, there are many who have the Bible in their heart languages but either don’t know what it means.  Ending Bible Poverty means to put at least portions of the Bible in every language on earth in a way that the people can understand (written and/or oral) and do all we can to help everyone comprehends the message of Jesus.

Where do you live? 
We sold our home on Whidbey Island and were blessed to be able to purchase our home here in Kona.  The guest room is available for you!

How is your support with all of the moving and in working more globally for YWAM?
When we think of missionary support, we always take that term very broadly, not just financially.  We are very blessed to have many people supporting us through their prayers, encouragement, and cheering us on.   The  level of our financial support has not dropped in over 20 years in missions.  However, the places and situations we have lived and served have required a lower level of financial support than living and serving from the USA.  We are praying that more people will find themselves lead to begin or increase financial support for us.

How can we pray for you two?

We consider prayer the backbone of our missions support and are very grateful for all who pray!  We’re doing very well but do feel the drain of working very hard and know we need to take more breaks and breathe more.  Please pray that our efforts may be multiplied.  For the workers the Lord has sent out into the harvest and are struggling, please pray that Lynn’s gifted council will aid in helping them bear much fruit. For the biblical language research and innovation that Chris is both teaching and working in, may it serve to help translations be accurate and the spiritual eyes of millions be opened to the Gospel.  Please do pray with us on in the area of financial support.  We praise God for you and thank you for joining us in missions.

 

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India:

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India awakens you to your senses. From the vivid colors of reds and yellows, to the smell of Chai tea and curry, to the richness of her beautiful people, to the clanging of the city to the stillness of her farmland, India is a burst of unbelievable sights and sounds. I had the honor and privilege to work alongside my good friend of many years, Brenda Lewis. Brenda is the founder of CRI, (Child Restoration International). CRI’s purpose: to rescue and restore women and children who are at risk of sexual exploitation and trafficking in India. I was able to connect with many of the children they have rescued off the streets. As well as to bring some encouragement through teaching in leadership and counseling tools and skills for those CRI’s staff in the field. Here are some photos of this amazing trip.

CRI’s main fundraising is achieved through handmade jewelry that is made in India and sold in America and overseas ( see link below to purchase). What an incredible full cycle way of providing necessary funding to the many orphanages that CRI’s supports. From the Indian artisans, to those who want to purchase beautiful Indian jewelry; all connected to the children and women at risk.

If you would like to purchase jewelry (goes directly to orphanages), hear stories of redemption, want to get involved with Child Restoration International or want more information about CRI’s amazing ministry in India please click the following links: http://www.childrestoration.com/ and : http://www.tri-socials.com

The stories of these amazing children being rescued off the streets are one of Gods love and protection. Be inspired by Amera’s story, which was made into a short (under 5 minutes) video. It can be seen here:

** May I ask, for the protection of the workers of CRI and the children they help, that this blog and any of its content not be shared through social media.

Thank you Brenda Lewis in all that you do for so many. What a privilege to be called your friend and to stand with you as you serve those in India.

Lynn

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Nepal – Discipling the Nations

I recently had a wonderful opportunity to teach in a bible school in Nepal.  This was my second trip to this spectacular and highly spiritual nation.  I taught the final two week module in a BSN (Bible School for the Nations) which is called Discipling the Nations.  We spent a lot of time on the spheres of influence in society and ending bible poverty.  We talked a lot about divine providence and walked through history from the perspective of the part God has played in history.  The 8 Nepalese students were particularly blessed when we came to 1950 and began to talk about the fact that in that year, the Nepalese government recorded zero Christians in their country (although we are aware that there were at least a few there at that time but that’s another story).  The reason this made the Nepalese students so excited is that today Nepal has the fasted growing Christian population of any country in the world with now around 2 Million Christians less than 70 years after the country was opened up to humanitarian assistance (medical and various other development) in 1951 by King Tribhuvan.  Many of those who came to the aid of this poor nation were Christians with big hearts and lots of love.  The Nepalese people began to be open to the God of the Christians and forsake their Hindu roots.  

It was so good to be back in Nepal with good friends and doing really great ministry. Nepal is still getting back on it’s feet after the devastating earthquake less than two years ago but making great progress.  The students in this bible school are smart, committed, energetic, enthusiastic and will continue on to work with many other Nepalese christians to see the message of Jesus come to every person in this beautiful country.  Please keep Nepal in your prayers!

Chris

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