December 2006 Youth With A Mission / Restenäs 239 / 459 93 Ljungskile / Sweden *Tel +46 522 210 20 *Fax +46 522 202 45 *http://www.ywamrestenas.se *[email protected] *Plusgiro 89 61 56-7 *Organisation 858500 5633 Himalaya Region The Himalayan region, according to our definition, is: Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet Autonomous Region and parts of northern India. This area covers a vast population of 283 million people. The Himalayan region is the home of Buddhism and Hinduism. Many Sikhs and Muslims live there too. The Himalayas and some of it’s places are religiously significant. In Hinduism, the Himalayas have been personified as the god Himavat, ”father- in-law” of Shiva. A number of Tibetan Buddhist sites are also situated in this region, including the residence of the Dalai Lama. He lives in Dharamsala, a town of approximately 20,000 people. Several of our outreach teams have visited Dharamsala over the past few years. More information of our focus areas will be coming to our website soon. (About and News pages) Oskar & Madelene Agernäs When I interviewed Oskar and Madelene Agernäs, their clothes were marked with fresh paint. They had been busy decorating the classroom for the upcoming India Focus Discipleship Training School (IFDTS) which begins in January 2007. The young couple from Sweden have committed to staffing at least two IFDTS’s here at Restenäs. The new school will run like a typical DTS, but some of the staff plan to stay in north India, after the three-month outreach, in order to pioneer a new work there. Listening to Oskar and Madelene’s heart for God and for missions was like watching an exciting television action/ drama. I hope you feel the same after reading this interview. Q: What is it that attracts you to missions? Oskar: Living an exciting life of dependence on God and working for Him. That attracts me to missions. I can’t be an effective missionary on my own. I need to depend on God. Madelene: I like that God can do amazing things through a regular person like me. The fact that I don’t have to be a “Billy Graham” before I can begin; that excites me! Q: How did you get involved in mission work? Oskar: We did a summer Mission Trip to Romania in 2001. Then, after we were married, we felt a desire to work with the DTS. We later discovered that Restenäs would be starting the India Focus DTS. So it all clearly fitted together for us. Q: How would you respond to a person who said, “I could never be a missionary and do what you are doing.” Oskar: I would simply ask them “Why not?” Then I would tell them, “You should at least try it before you say no.” We can all be involved in missions, but it’s a choice we must make on our own. Madelene: I would encourage them to start with something small, like a summer mission trip. They just need to get a taste of missions before ‘throwing in the towel’. I read a quote recently. It said, “I believe every man is either a missionary or a mission field.” I think that’s true. >>> Dear Friends, As this year comes to a close and a New Year is begin- ning, I reflect on the events of the past couple of years and anticipate 2007. November 2005, we chiseled out our purpose and goals for YWAM Restenäs, explored our history, discovered the successes of the past and the times of blessing. Two themes emerged, a focus on Sweden and a focus on the un-reached. A vision statement was born! To mobilize, train and send missionaries in order to build God’s kingdom among the un-reached. From the hearts of our staff came our 7 focus areas: Cambodia, Thailand, North Korea, Turkey, Cauca- sus, Himalayan Region and Ethiopia/Somalia. The vision and focus areas ignited an excitement in our hearts, and we have seen a growth in the number of staff from 65 to 93. 2006 has been a year of clarity, unity of purpose, focus, release and growth! 2007 will be a year of implementation of the vision. Our Mobile Teams, Equip, India Focus DTS and other new initiatives promise to make 2007 a year of accomplishment. The dreams for YWAM Restenäs are larger than we can accomplish alone. With our combined efforts of prayer and support, and with God’s blessing, we can accomplish what He desires. Thank you for your prayers, gifts and for partnering with us. Philip McCurley Base Leader SPOTLIGHT RESTENÄS FOCUS Oskar and Madelene enjoy God, missions and life. Here they are in the IFDTS classroom having fun. by Rob Darby photo by Rob Darby by Lisa Svensson SEASON’S GREETINGS! photo by DTS student