Larsen Log - February 2011

Larsen Log: February 2, 2011

Ready…Set…Go! 2011 is well underway! Can you believe we are in February already!?

Shock to the System

The hardest transition most MKs make, is when they return to their passport culture (for most MTW missionaries, that’s the U.S.). Imagine growing up in another country—speaking a language other than English—your values, perspective and behavior shaped by a culture deeply different than the U.S. But your passport says you are an American. You look like an American—when you speak English you can pass as an American. Everyone assumes you are just like him or her, but you feel like an outsider. Your home, your friends, your life is on the other side of the world. But for any number of reasons you find yourself a hidden immigrant within the borders of your own citizenship: Your family has had to be evacuated from a dangerous situation… Your family’s support account is low and you must raise more funds… It’s time to report to your sending churches and partners all that God’s been doing on the field… Your parents are dropping you off at University before leaving you and returning to the field—worlds away. Are you feeling alone? Are you sad? Are you anxious? Feeling confused? Maybe excited? Maybe angry? Maybe even angry with God? It’s into that mix that GYFM tries to be an agent for healing and hope and help during the reentry transition for mission teens and their parents. During the month of January we provide a three-day Re-entry program for MKs in this very situation. Our team-mate, Ruthanne Burch, led this time with several girl TCKs: counseling and caring for them, debriefing and unpacking their stories and experiences, and encouraging them and offering some tools for navigating transition, not to mention just having fun and loving on the girls. Please pray for Madison, Caroline, Chloe, Ryan and Evan and for our team as we minister to them.

Recruiting, Training, Sending and Sustaining

Praise God with us for the 20 leaders who went through our GYFI (Global Youth and Family Institute) training last month in partnership with Covenant Seminary in St. Louis (our prime U.S. site). During 5 long days we helped participants develop a biblical & practical theology of next generation ministry—equipping them to lead the global church in engaging tweens, teens and twenty something’s with the gospel. This is the first of three successive courses in our GYFI certificate program. Through this partnership with Covenant Seminary, we are seeing God raise-up men & women with a heart for the emerging generation. In fact, we’ve identified and are actively recruiting 4 couples now at various stages in the process of joining our team as missionaries with GYFM! Also, thanks to you, we are developing international GYFI sites like this around the world where we are able to get this training to national leaders and indigenous churches desperately in need of resources. By God’s grace, we’ve already established sites in the U.S., Europe and Asia, and Lord willing, are on track to open our flagship site in Latin America this year!

Here are some of things participants are saying:

“The meta-model you presented us gave us an excellent framework”

“In this class I feel like God has been trying to get at my heart and get my attention”

“I gained a richer, fuller understanding of the biblical grounds and goals for youth and family ministry”

Getting the Word Out

We also hosted a booth and offered three seminars at the PCA’s 2020 Vision Conference in January. God blessed this opportunity to share our vision, offer some of our training to local church leaders and youth pastors here in the U.S., and to further our recruiting and fund raising efforts. In talking with many of the participants, we were reminded again of the great challenges facing the U.S. church in engaging the changing cultural landscape of North America. We try to impress on every leader the reality that youth ministry in any context is a cross-cultural enterprise: Adults must see themselves as cross-cultural missionaries to the kids and young adults in their own local communities!

A Family in Mission

We took a trip as a family in late December/ early January to visit with our dear friend and colleague, Ruth VanReken. Ruth co-wrote the book, ‘Third Culture Kids: Growing Up Among Worlds’, which is the seminal work on the subject. She has been a real encouragement and mentor to us as we develop our TCK ministry. Then we went to Chicago to visit with Naphali and Alyssa Marshall—dear friends and GYFM Associates (key volunteers). Naph and Lys continue to help us with our website and communications, and minister to MKs through various media and face-to-face at Area Retreats. Later in January we celebrated Rebecca’s 40th birthday… over 85 people packed into our home with hugs and expressions of love for her. Notes flooded in over email too. I was encouraged by the ways God uses Rebecca to touch the lives of so many. And I was reminded of the impact youth ministry makes in the lives of those we serve. Here is an excerpt from one of the many letters that poured in:

My husband, my mom and I were watching a movie a few months ago about a troubled teen. We got to talking about it afterwards and my mom asked me "How did you miss all of the bad things that a teenage girl can go through?" I never struggled with anorexia/bulimia, guys, partying, lack of friends, self-esteem... I thought for a really long time and my answer was "Rebecca Larsen." Rebecca invested in my life in ways that I don't know she'll ever realize. She exampled how to laugh at yourself and be ok with that. She taught me to be comfortable in my skin. Most of all she was my friend. When I think back to Middle School and early High School, it's true, I didn't have many school friends at all, but that was totally fine… Rebecca would pick me up and we'd simply hang out and share life. I can remember laughing for hours. I remember going over to your itty bitty house right next to the church and watching movies, sharing a meal, or just hanging out and talking. I remember countless Bible studies, praying, crying and singing with Rebecca. She taught me how to laugh, she encouraged me in my faith, and most of all, she was my friend when I had no friends. She gave me inspiration to reach out to people who also had no friends. She gave me courage to be a Christian.

Prayer Requests

1. Please pray for our College weekend coming up later this month (held at Covenant College). Pray for a fruitful time of ministry among our college age MKs.
2. Please pray for SLYnet (St. Louis Youth Network)—a network of over 30 area youth ministers we launched and lead. Pray God uses our monthly gatherings to encourage and equip those who pour out their lives in ministry to youth and families across the city.
3. Please pray for our Covenant Group of seminary students. We meet with these young leaders weekly to mentor them in life and ministry, as they pursue God’s call to next gen ministry across North America and around the world.
4. Please pray for our team. We praise God that he has fully funded Ruthanne’s support for one year, and we trust him to supply the ongoing funds needed for her support. Pray for the Chungs and Wilkins as they are raising their support to be fully deployed to join us. And pray for two other couples who are in the process of discerning a call to GYFM: that God will give clarity and direction.
5. Praise God with us for his faithfulness to our family. We rejoice in Rebecca’s 40th birthday, and celebrate Abby as she turns 13 and Meghan as she turns 11 this month!

Thank you for partnering with us in mission to reach the nations and the next generation!

In His Grip,

The Larsens

Mary's Prayer

from generation to generation

Mary sings in response to the news that she will bear the Messiah: "the mighty

one has done great things for me--holy is his name. His mercy extends to those

who fear him, from generation to generation." Luke 1:49-50

He is mighty!  He has done great things!  His mercy extends to the next

generation!  Thank you for partnering with us in reaching the nations and the

next generation with the good news of our Savior's birth, life, death and

resurrection.  Together we've seen him do great things this year...

great things he has done in 2010

     * he has touched the lives of more than 100 MKs & mission families:

       providing counseling, small group discussion, spiritual renewal and

       practical training through our programs and relational ministry

     * he has equipped more than 100 national leaders around the world:

       providing training for next generation ministry through our GYF

       Institute sites in Asia, Europe, and the USA

     * he has raised-up new missionaries: bringing Drew & Lindsey Wilkins to

       join our team

     * he has given many a heart for the work: raising-up brothers and sisters

       to join us in prayer, participation, and financial partnership

   We rejoice with you this Christmas: "the mighty one has done great

   things--holy is his name"!

   Thank you for faithfully partnering with us this year.  Your prayers and

   encouragement, love and support have fortified and sustained us as a family

   in mission.  We are humbled and blessed to be sent by you.

   May you find assurance and fresh hope this Christmas in Mary's song: "His

   mercy extends to those who fear him--from generation to generation."  His

   mercy extends.  His love cannot be thwarted.  He will fulfill his promise:

   to you, to me, and to all his people--our people--in every nation and each

   generation.

  Merry Christmas!

   

   Eric, Rebecca, Abby, Meghan, Natalie and Emma

Would you consider a year-end gift to the Larsen's work in Global Youth and Family Ministry?

• give online by clicking "donate" at www.gyfm.org

OR

• send checks to:

Mission to the World

P.O. Box 116284 

Atlanta, GA, 30368-6284

Attention: Larsen support #29256

Latin America Area Retreat NEWS!

We just got back from Mexico where we had the joy of leading a team of 26 youth pastors, ministering to 400 mission kids and their families from across Latin America.

There are too many stories to share and much to praise God for:

We saw kids connect with each other in the safety of small groups as fellow TCK's--sharing each other's burdens and celebrating joys... We saw redemptive relationships formed between youth leaders and MKs... We experienced sweet seasons of prayer and worship as believers connected across continents and countries... We saw kids grow through effective teaching and application of God's Word... We shared in the sorrows and struggles of those wounded in the line of fire... We saw God deliver his people from vehicle accidents, rip tides, and hurricanes... We counseled and encouraged many parents wrestling to love and lead their MKs through adolescence and the TCK experience... We saw new ministry avenues open up to speak into the lives of college and 20-something Mks and see them catch a kingdom vision...

Thanks for praying for us and partnering with us in this ministry! 

Click here for more: www.gyfm.org

With much love,

The Larsen family

One Crazy Summer!

It’s been a full Summer, to say the least!

At the tail end of May, Eric travelled to London where he spent time developing a partnership with a local church there. The church is seeking to reach out to the European youth and growing population of immigrant young people in London. He also spent time working with MTW missionaries on a strategy to better minister to our MKs across Europe.

After London, Eric traveled to Hungary to participate in the European Leadership Forum. The ELF is a grass-roots gathering of 500 conservative evangelical leaders from 50 countries across eastern and western Europe. The GYFM seeks to partner with the ELF in providing our Institute training to European leaders struggling to engage the emerging generation in their countries. Many participants expressed leaving encouraged and better equipped through what we had to offer.

In June, we travelled as a family to Harvey Cedars Bible Conference in NJ. Eric was invited to speak at Victory Jam summer camp, sharing the gospel with over 400 students from all walks of life. God also provided many opportunities for us to encourage youth pastors and their wives, and to share the vision of the GYFM. We saw the spirit work in many lives during the week and came away encouraged as a family in ministry.

In July, we travelled to Ridgehaven in NC to serve during MTW’s Re-entry conference, followed by MTW’s Summer Conference. During Re-entry, Eric and Rebecca lead the mission kids in a time of debriefing and processing through their time on the field—helping them to wrestle through cultural, emotional, and spiritual issues of transition and adjustment. Then, together with the Ridghaven staff, the GYFM lead a weeklong summer camp experience for TCK’s –involving hiking, rafting, ropes course, and swimming, as we spent time in Bible Study, singing, one-on-one counseling with the youth, and offering seminars and consulting with mission parents.

Later in July, Eric travelled to New York to serve during MTW’s Cross Cultural Mission Internship program. This time is focused on preparing new missionary families to serve cross culturally. Eric spent his time training, leading an event for new MKs, counseling mission parents, and building relationships with new missionary families in an effort to set them up for success as they go to the field.

Then in August, our Global Youth and Family Institute offered it’s third foundations training module in STL in partnership with Covenant Seminary. Through this course, leaders receive training in a variety of models and methods for engaging the emerging generation with the gospel. In fact, our GYFI is about to graduate it’s first class of 8 candidates in our certificate program. Some are headed to Africa and Europe, while others are serving in culturally diverse and unique ethnic groups within the US.

Support update: 81% Praise the Lord!

We still need $1,600 per month. It is our prayer that God would raise up…

• 25 people to partner with us at $25/month
• 10 people to partner with us at $50/ month
• 5 people to partner with us at $100/ month

Would you consider increasing your giving by one of these amounts and letting us know by email?

If you have not been able to give or give regularly, would you be willing to join us at one of these amounts?

How? Go to www.gyfm.org OR

Send checks to: Mission to the World, PO Box 116284, Atlanta, GA 30368 (MEMO: Larsen Support Account 29256)

Above all, your prayers are what we need most! There is no way we could sustain without the love and prayers of God’s people surrounding us and going with us. Thank you for sending us and partnering with us as together we work toward Reaching the Nations and the Next Generation!

Check-out my interview in InVision e-magazine

Why Next Generation Ministry Matters
by Melissa Kelley

“Reaching the nations and the next generation.” That’s the mission of Global Youth and Family Ministry (GYFM), led by MTW missionaries Eric and Rebecca Larsen. GYFM provides support and care for MTW missionaries and their children—often referred to as Third Culture Kids—and ongoing training for those seeking to influence global youth culture. Following is an interview with GYFM director Eric Larsen.

Your path to youth ministry is personal. Can you talk about your own experience as a Third Culture Kid (TCK)?

I was a military brat, missionary kid, and PCA pastor’s kid. And by eighth grade, I was on my 12th move, eighth school, and third continent.

I had a really difficult transition from Australia to the U.S. after graduating from high school and moving to Covenant College. I remember sealing up my Australian belongings in a box and shoving it in the back of my closet; I stopped reading letters from my Australian friends; I changed my accent. I remember thinking, “I can’t continue to straddle multiple worlds when others can’t do that with me.”

Many years later I finally learned to make peace with that part of who I was. God helped me unpack the box again, helped me become integrated in who I am. My father always said, “You minister out of who you are.” I think that getting in touch with our own stories, as well as spiritual gifts and temperament and giftedness ... all of those things are woven together, and God’s uses those to uniquely express Himself and reveal His gospel through us.

Why are you compelled to work with Third Culture Kids? Why is it a priority for MTW?

TCKs are uniquely equipped to impact a globalizing world. We hope that as the church invests in TCK ministry, we will see an emerging generation of missional leaders raised up. Also, we want to help them learn how God has hardwired them for crossing cultures—it may be that God is weaving this into His calling on their life.

But beyond that, we think it’s important to undergird mission families by surrounding them with a web of support. Adolescence is tough enough to navigate without the compounding effects of mission service: isolation, spiritual warfare, the intensity of frontline ministry, and the challenges of growing up cross-culturally.

You’ve said that ministry to youth is more critical now than at any other time in history. Why is that so?

Reaching the next generation is a must for the church—and the church should always have that orientation. We see in the Bible that God is always reconciling generations to one another, and that the burden is on the older to reach out to the younger—not the other way around.

But several things are unique at this point in history. More and more, the church is emptying of young people. There is an exploding global youth population (by the end of this year, 50 percent of the world’s population will be under the age of 25—that’s three billion people). Also, there’s the phenomenon of the extension of adolescence around the world. Kids are thrust into adolescence earlier and earlier and are extending it later and later. Now, it’s common for that period to stretch from 10 to 30 years old.

We’re also seeing a global youth culture where kids have more in common with one another than with the adults around them. Some of the key factors causing that include media, technology, and the common experience of abandonment.

How would you like to see the church engage with youth?

One big problem is the systemic adult abandonment of kids. Adults are not engaging young people. We have to raise up an army of folks who will engage young people together, as a church. We need a community of faith to rally around kids and care for them. It’s a great opportunity for the gospel, for a church to say, “We’re going to go after these kids.” We want to equip leaders to mobilize the adult community of faith to do that, to be catalysts, to become champions of the cause, to become a resource for their local area. And we want to ground them biblically and theologically to do that work.

How does your partnership with Covenant Seminary help accomplish your goal of training others to do youth ministry?

It’s important to see youth ministry movements as integral to our church-planting efforts around the world. So we’re involved in training cross-cultural youth ministers sent as missionaries with MTW, as well as equipping and encouraging field leadership, national leaders, and indigenous churches in engaging the emerging generations in their context.

Our Global Youth and Family Institute (GYFI) is based out of Covenant Theological Seminary, which has adopted GYFI’s training modules as its curriculum for a master of arts or master of divinity concentration in global youth ministry. So, training is a key piece of our vision. We also provide training all over the world—in Nagoya, Japan, several times a year, for example, and also at an annual European leadership forum.

It’s good to see Covenant Seminary and MTW—two PCA agencies—partnering together in this effort. It results in a theologically robust program where training is grounded in practice and kingdom mission.

---

To learn more about Global Youth and Family Ministry, visit www.gyfm.org

Go Global! New website for engaging the emerging generation in world mission

Missionaries know that in order to reach people with the gospel, we must be willing and able to speak their language.

The upcoming generation in our culture speaks a different “language” too, a language shaped by media sound bites, dynamic video, action-oriented extreme sports, and fast-moving technology like social networking, mobile web surfing, or texting.

We believe it is our responsibility to speak to this generation, to help them catch a vision for the world around them and begin to focus outside themselves.

In an effort to connect with them by speaking their language, MTW has created a new micro website, “Go Global,” showcasing young people who are engaging in missions. Read their comments about what God has taught them. Hear and see their stories in videos about missions and missionaries. You’ll even find a little humor if you look for it.

But, we need your help to spread the word: share it with leaders in your church’s youth ministry, post a link on Facebook, and mention it to your friends. Feel free to use your imagination.

Here's the link:http://GoGlobal.MTW.org

Voices from Hungary

Eric just recently returned from training a group of leaders at the European Leadership Forum in Hungary. Please take a minute to watch this short video of testimonies from participants.

The ELF brings together conservative evangelical leaders from 50 countries across Eastern and Western Europe who come together to pray and strategize in reaching their continent for Christ. Our Global Youth and Family Institute partners with the ELF by providing training, mentoring, and consulting as we seek to equip and encourage European leaders in reaching the youth in their communities. Thank you for partnering with us in reaching the nations and the next generation.

Launch! Global Youth and Family Institute: U.S. site

The Global Youth and Family Institute is the primary way we are equipping and encouraging ministers around the world to lead the church in engaging the emerging generation.

The goal is to equip missionaries, church planters, youth ministers, and lay leaders through strategic sites around the globe.

We have launched sites in Japan and Hungary, and are working on launching sites in India and Colombia. We have more invitations than we can accept!

This past month we launched our U.S. site in partnership with Covenant Theological Seminary (St. Louis, MO).

By God's grace, nearly 40 leaders participated in a 4 day intensive training module titled: 'Theology of Global Youth and Family Ministry'. This is the first of three "Foundations" training modules we offer through the Institute.

Students from Covenant Seminary were able to take this course through the GYFI and receive 3 credit hours toward a concentration in Global Youth and Family Ministry in the MA or MDiv degree programs. In turn, those who complete our three Foundations courses will earn a certificate from the Global Youth and Family Institute.

The three GYFI Foundations courses are:

1. Theology of Global Youth and Family Ministry

2. Global Youth Culture, Development, and Discipleship

3. Global Youth and Family Ministry Models and Methods

I was blessed and encouraged by the insights, questions and passion of those who participated. It was obvious that God was at work through the week, fueling a heart for Christ and kids.

Please pray for our second foundations training course which will be offered later this month. Ask God to use the work of the Global Youth and Family Institute to train and deploy an army of men and women who will lead the global church in reaching the nations and the next generation!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from the Larsen’s and the Global Youth and Family Ministry!

“The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood.” –John 1:14 (MSG)

Immanuel, God is with us! We rejoice with you in the ways God made his presence known to us this year—going with us and before us in life and ministry. We pray you know His presence in a close and personal way this Advent. May he fill all our hearts with hope as we trust in the One who came for us, is with us, and is coming again!

Here are some of the ways you enabled us to serve MKs in 2009:

1. The Families in Global Transition Conference--working with leaders across sectors to care for families living and serving cross-culturally

2. The Europe/ Africa Area Retreat--providing spiritual refreshment for missionary kids and families serving in Eastern and Western Europe, Africa, and Muslim States

3. Re-Entry Conference--helping mission kids in transition off the field as they deal with issues of identity, loss, and cultural confusion

4. Summer Conference--providing a summer camp experience for MKs during their Home Mission Assignment in the US

5. Pre-Field Training--offering seminars, consulting, and one-on-one counsel to youth and families preparing to go to the field as missionaries for the first time.

6. GYFM Associates program--working to recruit US youth pastors and churches to minister to specific mission teams and youth on the field

And here are some of the ways you enabled us to equip national leaders to reach youth around the globe:

1. The European Leadership Forum--invited to offer some of our GYFI (global youth and family institute) training to leaders from over Eastern and Western Europe

2. Korean Leadership Training--partnering with RTS to train Korean pastors and missionaries in engaging the next gen in their culture and context

3. Latin American Leadership Training--partnering with MINTS and local grass-roots church planting networks to train leaders in Colombia

4. Japan Church Planting Institute & Christ Bible Seminary--gave seminars, consulting and taught seminary course on reaching the emerging gen with leaders in Japan

5. Youth Ministry in India--led retreat for youth of lepers, training and consulting with local youth leaders, budding partnership with PTS as future GYFI site

6. Equipping U.S. leaders--leading SLYnet (St Louis Youth Network), partnering with Covenant Seminary to mentor and train church leaders in next generation ministry.

As it stands, we are at approx. 80% of our needed support (only 20% to go!). Please pray that God will see us to 100% as we enter 2010. Occasional gifts have kept us afloat. Would you prayerfully consider a year-end gift? Even better, would you consider making a monthly commitment, or increasing your current commitment?

You can donate online by going to www.mtw.org (click the image marked "donate online" and follow the prompts).

And check out our latest "blogumentary" video at www.larsenlog.blogspot.com

Thank you for praying for us, encouraging us and supporting us this past year. It is a joy and privilege being sent by you to extend the gospel to the nations and the next generation.

In His Grip,

the Larsen's

(Eric, Rebecca, Abby, Meghan, Natalie, Emma)

Global Youth & Family Ministry and Institute

"Reaching the Nations and the Next Generation"

www.larsenlog.blogspot.com

www.gyfm.org

www.mtw.org

Bullet Trains and Bhuddist Temples

Take a ride with me on the Bullet train... Visit some Bhuddist temples and Shinto shrines in Kyoto... See beauty veiling darkness... But the gospel is breaking through!

Japan 2009

India, October 09

December 2008

"Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." Luke 1:38

"Do you trust the Spirit enough to say: 'I am your slave; take me; use your omnipotent power to put me where you want me, when you want me there, doing what you want me to do'? Do you know why we can entrust ourselves to the Holy Spirit? Because he exists to exalt the glory of Jesus Christ. Therefore, if the heartbeat of your life is the glory of Jesus Christ, the Spirit will empower and help you with all his might. Let's live and speak so that men and women might know that Jesus Christ is a great Savior, the Son of the Most High, and the never-ending King of kings. That's the passion of the Holy Spirit. To be full of that is to be full of him." -- John Piper

God has used this year to stretch us and grow our trust in Him. From trying to raise support in a struggling economy; to seeing two new missionaries approved to join the Global Youth and Family team... From wrestling with how to do marriage, family and relationships while ministering around the globe; to watching God raise up national leaders in eleven different countries hungry to be equipped in reaching youth... From dealing with illness and injury abroad, to experiencing the strength of God and the power of prayer... From caring for missionary kids and families in crisis, to seeing third culture kids embracing their gifts and callings.

Thank you for standing with us through it all! We know God has used the prayers of our friends, family and support team to make all the difference. Piper asks (above): "Do you trust the Spirit enough to say: 'I am your slave; take me; use your omnipotent power to put me where you want me, when you want me there, doing what you want me to do'?" Apart from the work of the Spirit in response to your prayers and support, we would not even begin to be able to trust Him and abandon ourselves to this mission.

Please pray for...

1. The launch of the first two International GYFI (Global Youth and Family Institute) sites this coming year (2009): training national leaders and indigenous churches for youth ministry in their context. We need wisdom to know the most strategic location for these pilot sites.

2. John & Saras Chung (Karis and Jaron), and Ruthanne Burch--newly approved MTW missionaries for our team--as they raise their support in hopes of joining us this year.

3. The 400 missionary kids and families we're called to care for around the world as they face the challenges of adolescence and the compound stress of cross-cultural missions.

4. The upcoming Area Retreat (April 09) for our missionary families from across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. We will be recruiting and leading a team of 20 youth ministers and counselors to run a program and build relationships with MKs.

5. For the Larsen family as we continue to embrace our calling and look to the Lord to guide us through the stress and strain of cross-cultural ministry, heavy international travel and separations, and the demands of pioneering a new ministry.

6. For our financial support: we currently stand at approximately 70% of our total monthly commitment needed.

All of us have been hurt at some level by the economic downturn. Word just came that MTW will be cutting all staff and US based missionaries by 5% beginning January 2009. That will be tough for our family of 6, but we are grateful to be employed. And we are confident that God will supply all our needs according to his riches in Christ. Your financial giving continues to go to our support account, but the amount apportioned to us in salary will be 5% less, and the adjusted amount apportioned to our operational/ ministry budget. None of your giving is being redirected to other missionaries, ministries or to MTW as a whole, but continues to directly contribute to the Global Youth and Family Ministry. Thank you!

This Christmas may you and I be able to say with our whole hearts, "I am the Lord's servant, may it be to me as you have said." As John Piper writes, "Let's live and speak so that men and women might know that Jesus Christ is a great Savior, the Son of the Most High, and the never-ending King of kings. That's the passion of the Holy Spirit. To be full of that is to be full of him." May you be filled with the Spirit of Christ this Christmas as together we proclaim with passion the love of our Savior to the nations and the next generation.

Merry Christmas!

The Larsens

Prayer letter, October '08

October 17, 2008

Dear Support Team,

Rebecca and I want to say, “Thank you” for supporting us with your prayers and giving . And I want to apologize for not keeping you informed with regular updates.

It has been a crazy year and a half since we stepped out in faith to launch this new ministry. We knew the need to reach youth (both MKs and kids of all people groups) was huge, but we didn’t know how urgent and overwhelming this ministry would be. It’s been like opening Pandora’s box—the hurting missionary kids and families, and the cry of churches and pastors around the world to help them reach kids in their countries, cities and villages.

I (Eric) am not a strong administrator to begin with, and found myself quickly over-extended responding to needs and developing new ministries. Though I have felt more stretched than ever before, I have also been more fulfilled than ever. Our weaknesses and inadequacies have been revealed in new and painful ways, but God has met us with his grace and shown us his faithfulness to multiply what little we can offer to make an impact. Know that he has done the same with your gifts and prayers. We couldn’t do this without you! And we are humbled and grateful to be sent by you to reach the nations and the next generation with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

October has been the first month all year that I haven’t traveled internationally, so Rebecca and I have spent some needed time evaluating the ministry and our lives. One of the things we’ve been convicted of is our neglect in communicating with our support team… with you. Please forgive us. Your gifts have been so meaningful—especially during such an economically turbulent time. We have been really blessed by everyone’s consistency and feel so badly that we haven’t shared the “proceeds” of your “investments”.

You’re committed to us, and we want you to know we are committed to you, as together we are committed to Christ and his kingdom work. Our goal is to keep you updated by email or snail mail. We’re also working on creating a blog and website. We want to be a team together with you—sharing the highs and lows, celebrating triumphs and lifting up prayers. Please email us and let us know how we can pray for and encourage you (eric.larsen@mtw.org).

Please pray for God to supply administrative help to the Global Youth and Family Ministry. And in the mean time that he would make up for my deficits and help me grow in this area.

Here are some of the ways your investment has paid off this year:

Ø Through local contacts I was introduced to the VP of thelargest University and teaching hospital system in the Philippines. After spending some time with this man, he extended an open invitation for me to place campus ministers and hospital chaplains on every campus to reach-out to the students. Right now there are NO evangelical campus ministries at any of these schools!

Ø I have been in communication with an Iranian pastor of an underground church. He has asked us to come and bring training and encouragement to the persecuted church as they wrestle with how to reach the next generation who are questioning Islam and open to the gospel.

Ø I spent some time in Chile with church planters and national leaders from all over South America. Two Columbian pastors have been trying to train up the next generation of leaders. God has brought them 100 young men who want to study for the ministry. This group is meeting in secret weekly. They have asked me to come and provide teaching and training to help them reach the disenfranchised youth in a country torn by drug trafficking and corruption.

Ø I have been able to meet with missionary leadership in Asia, Europe, Latin America, Africa, and Muslim ministries—traveling to 11 countries this year. All have overwhelmingly embraced the vision and we have more opportunities than we can take now.

Ø This year we launched our first ever MK mission trip—bringing high school and college age missionary kids from around the world together to serve in ethnic communities in New York City. Many students remarked how the week changed their lives—helping them see God’s call on them as individuals, not just as extensions of their parents. It was so cool to see them minister to each other as no one can quite relate to an MK like a fellow MK. And we brought them together with new missionary families preparing to got to the field---giving them a chance to share out of their experiences and help new missionary parents and missionary kids. Get ready to live and serve in another culture.

Ø Rebecca and I brought our family to the other side of the world: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. There we enjoyed a sweet (though exhausting) time of ministering to missionary families from across the Asia-Pacific region—caring, counseling, leading a team of youth workers ministering to Mks, giving parenting seminars, etc…

Ø This year I’ve been called in to help with 2 suicide interventions of teenagers on the field, as well as helping missionary kids with eating disorders, depression, substance abuse, sexual addiction, and abusive relationships.

Ø God has given opportunities for counseling and corresponding with adult missionary kids who have come to me privately, sharing their ongoing pain and sense of abandonment, and their struggles with God and the church. Some say they’ve given up on the faith, but are thankful that we are doing what we are doing… wishing they’d had an advocate and safe place growing up.

And these are just a few examples of the work God is doing. Needless to say, you can imagine—with me as the only one leading this ministry right now—it’s been CRAZY! Pray for a team!!!