Bansenblog

Fall at YWAM-Chico

2009-11-01T11:38:00.001-08:00

Hello Everyone!
Greetings! Much has happened since we wrote our Spring / Summer Update (which is part of why it took so long to post that update to the blog). Some have been the normal day-to-day things of ministry here, others have felt like testing in one form or another. Here’s a quick update on what’s going on currently…

Shawn's surgery went well--thanks for your prayers!
Shawn had the surgery to correct bilateral hernias late in September. We are thankful for the many prayers and words of encouragement we received through phone calls and email during that time. And we thank God for those who have sent special gifts to help out. God’s favor has also been with us in finding a caring doctors who understand the challenges of not having health insurance in today's economy. Here at the end of October, Shawn is almost back to full speed, after about 3 weeks of "light duty" work as Head of Maintenance. We appreciate your continued prayers for complete healing.

Teaching for the DTS and Crossroads classes
In this time of needing physical rest, Shawn was called upon to teach in the DTS (Discipleship Training School) and CDTS (Crossroads DTS) for the 1st two weeks of October. This perfect timing gave him a break from Maintenance responsibilities and a fresh chance to pour into the students. He taught in the mornings on "Our Identity in Christ" as believers. He enjoyed seeing the students really come alive as they discovered God’s heart towards them and better understood their authority and position as children of God. Let us know if you want to here more about this powerful message.

Mission Builder Work Team
In mid-October, a work group from Lacy, Washington, joined us to assist with some major renovations in the Conference Center, including carpet removal in two floors of dormitory housing. It’s so exciting to have this extra help for this huge project. We are all thankful for all their hard work and expertise! Some even spent the weekend moving bunk beds back into the rooms. God bless them all!

K-2nd Grade at the International Christian School
Ginger is loving teaching the Primary Class again this fall. It was a tough decision to move classrooms again, but God provided a wonderful new staff member to teach the Jr-Sr High class, and Ginger began to feel drawn back to her "roots" in early childhood education. She also continues as the Lead Teacher / Principal, so she gets to keep using all the things she's learned about running a private school over the past 3 years.

This year, Ginger has a class of eight — seven of whom are energetic and animated boys, ranging from 4 ½ to 8 years old. Thankfully, for this multi-grade level classroom, Ginger was able to get an aid for ½ of each day… She’s really enjoying all of her students; each have bright young minds, and the heart for Jesus that her challenging students have is especially beautiful. One particularly difficult day, in the middle of dealing with computer network issues, she got blessed by a precious impromptu prayer from one of her most challenging boys.

The Crossroads DTS is almost over, when most of her students will go on Outreach with their parents. As we approached this fall, we felt God wanted us to accept the various challenges with love and patience, relying on HIS power, wisdom and grace to help these beautiful families grow and receive spiritual and emotional healing during their 12-week Crossroads DTS. Every week we see how God is blessing them, and us, as we must rely – sometimes moment by moment – on the direction of the Holy Spirit. It's such a pleasure to be able to serve in this way.

Check out our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/shawnNginger.bansen, to see more photos of the Maintenance Men, Crossroads class, and International Christian School!

Spring / Summer News 2009

2009-11-01T09:41:00.000-08:00

The Chronicles of Bansania

The Newsletter of the Bansens serving with

Youth With A Mission

in Chico, CA

Spring / Summer 2009 ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ Vol. III, Issue 2

Hello and greetings to all of our friends and families!

We trust that you are all doing well and are growing in God’s grace. This summer God has been teaching us more about how to live a balanced life, as we submit ourselves to following and knowing Him.

“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say ‘No’…and to live self controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.” Titus 2:11-13.

We are discovering that God is a God of balance. He doesn’t lead us into one extreme or another. Often it’s easy to pour ourselves out, giving our all in our service to the Lord. Yet there is the risk of being too busy, and therein can lie the enemy’s trap. In Ministry, and in Life, there are busy seasons and there are times when it is healthy to withdraw and just “be” His, waiting on the Lord..

A recent song from Lincoln Brewster reminds us that “strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord!” It must be the waiting upon Him that is the key to finding His strength and that balance. God desires to be worshipped in every aspect of our lives; in the working, in the playing, in the waiting, in the running, in the quiet, and in the busy times. The bottom line is that He wants us all to wait on Him and to trust Him in every way. We pray that this will be a season of God’s grace poured out upon you as well, no matter how hectic life seems. God is not surprised by life’s circumstances! Rest in His grace… He brings us the strength and perspective that we need when we wait upon Him.

Shawn’s Year in Administration

Last August Shawn was put into the Administration Office as Personnel and Assistant to the base director, after serving as the Maintenance supervisor for a year. As many of you know, Shawn (by his own admission) is not a details kind of guy. But our base director really wanted someone in the personnel office with a pastor’s heart. (And that he has!) This was a stretching and growing time for him as he learned how to use all the applications of Microsoft. J Fortunately he has had a wonderful and capable assistant who helped keep him up on the administrative details of the office.

Mostly, however, he enjoyed coming alongside different staff members as they serve at YWAM-Chico, and being a catalyst for their growth in the Lord.

Like all good things, however, this season has come

to an end. Early in July, Shawn returned to lead the Maintenace Department. His first task was to rewire and lead the guys to finish renovating a house for a new staff family – “Back in the saddle again!” :) This is in addition to still leading worship, and overseeing the sound department here.

X-Ten Extreme Leadership Training Adventures

This summer Shawn once again took thirteen young people into the mountains of northern California for three days of teambuilding and outdoor challenge. This was the beginning of the summer intern program, called 24Seven, in which teens spend 7-8 weeks of their summer serving, learning and playing together here at YWAM Chico. They are part of the core that make Summer Camps possible for 1500+ kids and youth each summer.

(If you are interested in more information about this awesome summer discipleship program for 15-18 year olds, check it out at www.ywamchico.com ...Copy into your browser -- this is not a link..)

Ginger’s Jr-Sr High Class at ICS

In addition to continuing with her responsibilities as the Lead Teacher at the International Christian School here, Ginger had the joy of teaching an all-girl Jr-Sr High class this past year. (Aren’t they beautiful?)

During the year, Ginger watched “her girls” each grow spiritually as well as academically. As she shepparded them through some struggles with their identity, she’s found herself recognizing more how to function in her own identity in Christ. Praise God for His presence, always teaching us as we grow!

One of Ginger’s favorite activities with ‘her girls’ was their weekly prayer and “intercession” times. This was a time in which we each spent 15-20 minutes waiting on the Lord and asking Him to reveal His heart for a particular person, then praying those things over that person. The girls would get scriptures, words of encouragement, and even visions and pictures. It was fun to see God work through the hearts of these wonderful young women!

During the Summer, while moms have no “official” work duties, Ginger has enjoyed just being Mom, while also taking turns watching other kids during Kitchen duties, Hotel Turn-Around, etc. (Ok, and she’s also looking a little at new students for ICS...J …She’s back to teaching K-2^nd grades again this fall!)

Kids Korner

Hannah finished 4^th grade and turned 10 years old in August. She’s growing into quite the young lady. A fellow staff member here has started teaching BALLET to some of the girls, and Hannah is in her element with dancing again. Her teacher has danced for years, and had worked with YWAM-Brazil’s Kings Kids. She’s teaching the girls discipline in practice and directing their focus towards worship of the Lord as they dance. Hannah loves it!

Elijah completed his 1^st grade year with 2 less baby teeth! He turned 7 in May, and has become quite the speedster on his bike. He is loving the summer – There are frogs and lizards to catch, a creek to explore, light-saber fights to be had with friends in the yard… Best of all, there are 3 new boys on staff, who are just as eager for battles!

1500 Teens Experience God at Summer Camps!

For over 30 years, the Springs of Living Water has hosted Kids’ and Youth camps during the summer. Now hosted by YWAM-Chico, our facility is a prime location for outdoor activities and character building experiences. Although YWAM no longer leads the camps, we continue serving in the same spirit of evangelism and discipleship, by working ‘behind the scenes’ as camp hosts, making the Springs’ camps flow smoothly. This is a great season for “plowing the ground” serving and interceding for the hundreds of Campers, their counselors and camp leaders. Summer Camp is a time where many young campers’ hearts are connected to God for the first time!

Now that the summer is over, please pray for the 1500+ campers whose lives were touched by God this summer, that their hearts will continue to seek and receive from the loving God they encountered while they were here.

Also keep the staff at YWAM-Chico in prayer as we now switch gears and prepare for the fall Discipleship Training Schools to begin. We desire God’s anointing to serve with His love.

The Support Report

We want to first say thank you to those of you who have supported us in ministry faithfully over the past 3 years. Your gifts are greatly appreciated!

As we begin our third year with YWAM-Chico, we, like many others, are feeling the effects of a struggling economy. As the cost of living is increasing, our monthly support that covered the basic essentials is no longer enough. Please keep us in your prayers as we seek to increase our support base.

All YWAM Missionaries must raise their own financial support through individual friends and contacts. We are seeking an additional 10-15 ministry partners, who would be willing to send $20-50 per month to help fund our ministry. This $500 increase would help us to cover our monthly essential expenses, as well as set aside funds for those periodic major expenses like auto maintenance, health, dental and eye care. We also need to make a trip soon to visit our supporters and family in the Midwest. Would you prayerfully consider joining our team?

In closing, we pray God’s hand be upon each of you friends and family. May His hand direct your paths, and may He bless you with His love and presence. Many hugs and love to you all!!

In His love,

ShawnGingerHannahElijah

Pressing In... Pressing On!

2008-08-10T16:30:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone from the Bansen clan in California. We are all doing good and are being stretched in our roles here on base as Ginger and I each lead our different departments. Our apologies for the length of time it has been now since our last blog post. We would like to catch you all up on what has been going on these past seven months since our last blog communication.

We are currently working on our newsletter, which will fill in all of the gaps. I do want to just share this praise report with you all. It does have a bit to do with why we have been so long in our communications and it really seems like it has been just one more thing in mix of busy-ness here.

At the beginning of the year, we began to have operational difficulties with our older laptop. So, upon great need we then proceeded to wipe out the hard drive of the computer, reformat the hard drive and begin again from square one. Only after we had done this did we discover how difficult it really is to recover anything from this backup unit. I tried for a long time to do it (months...don't ask me why it took so long), I could only find a plethera of folders marked with numbers which meant nothing to me.

The more I tried to find our precious documents folder the more desperate I became and the more I tried to decipher the instructions which came with the back-up software of the external drive. It was almost despair, I'm not trying to be dramatic, there was so much to lose in that folder. Finally, during a conversation with a buddy here on base, I mentioned this situation to him. He wanted to try something different on the software. We got into it and discovered that a critical peice of information was missing...the catalog file! (I know - this is the long drawn out version, but hey, you haven't heard from us in awhile). The information is stored in the backup drive like you could store the furniture of your house in a storage unit and the catalog file is the map and list of where each item is located in that storage unit. Well now imagine a full storage unit with no map or list. We did manage to recreate the catalog list and 'vuola' our things unfolded and identified themselves! Can you tell this was a huge hurdle for us...I'm not very computer literate. We prayed and God opened this up to us! And a huge thank you to my buddy James who figured out the hierogliphics of the software!

And thanks for your prayers and interest in this blog and in what we are doing! Watch for our newsletter in the mail soon! (And if you're reading this, but don't yet receive our newsletters, send us a note with your address--email or snailmail...)
Shawn

Fall Semester ICS News from Ginger

2007-12-09T16:32:00.000-08:00

Greetings from ICS (International Christian School) at YWAM-Chico! Several friends have asked to see pictures of my students, so here they are!

This first one is of me and 'my boys' at the Book Family Farm in October. The whole school learned about pumpkin growing, enjoyed a corn maze and got practice lasso-ing a haybale 'bull' on a fieldtrip this fall. It was a blustery day, but much fun was had by all!

This year I started out with 4 second grade boys and a 1st grade girl in my class (right). Hannah was excited to move up to Miss Dayna's 3-6th grade class (left).

We trained two new teachers for the start of school this fall--Elijah's new Kindergarten teacher, Miss Jemma Green (left), and Mrs. Cheryl Grigg-the new Jr-Sr High teacher (pictured with her class and Miss Dayna's, below).

Since our principal retired in May, we are all learning to balance the administrative details, along with our regular class instruction and preparations. I think God stretches us and we grow the most when we’re left with no other options. We make do, we get creative, we figure it out. And we do a lot of praying! James 1:5 has probably been my most quoted and prayed scripture since about June! :} But God IS FAITHFUL – His wisdom often comes at just the right time….

Next Semester I’ll be calling on that wisdom further as my duties at the ICS (International Christian School) of YWAM-Chico will shift again. With just 14 YWAM Staff children attending, another teacher and I will be combining our classes. Our 3rd – 6th grade teacher is being called to other areas of service, and I will take her place, along with absorbing my 2-3 returning 2nd graders into that classroom (two are on CDTS Outreach with their parents). I’m excited for the new challenges ahead!

These are our 4 classes from this fall.

Almost half of these students are now on Outreach with their parents. Thanks for your continued prayers for these precious Missionary Kids who, like their parents, have given up home and family to serve the Lord. They are all precious children, with giftings of their own to be developed and treasured. It's such a joy to work with them here!

Thanks for your support and prayers!
:) Ginger

Pictures from Mom & Dad's Visit

2007-11-24T18:13:00.001-08:00

When they came West for her uncle and aunt's 50th wedding anniversary, Ginger's Mom and Dad also visited us in California this summer over the 4th of July. Here's just a few photos of a great time together...

After the reunion with family in Oregon, we took Mom and Dad to see the west coast. The kids got soaking wet in the cold waves, but loved every minute of it!

Back at the YWAM base, Dad put on his work clothes and was a huge blessing helping Shawn finish wiring a cabin just in time for one of our largest camps.

We also took Mom and Dad on a hike above the YWAM base to see some more of the beauty here.

Update for July...Shawn helps lead X-Ten!

2007-11-11T22:10:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone,

Sorry to be so out of touch. It's been a very busy Summer and Fall. It’s been hard to get to email at all right now... not b/c of internet this time - just our schedule. We are doing well. Just staying really busy with our duties, children, and trying to still connect with each other, too. Shawn has been in charge of the Maintenance dept. since August, and Ginger has been doing a lot more administrative stuff at the elementary school, since our Principal/administrator retired last year. (More about those major changes forthcoming.) Another newsletter is (finally) in process.... We wanted to at least get some quick notes and pictures out here for you to see on the blog. We’re trying to do better at sending short updates more frequently. Here’s the beef on Shawn’s leading Extreme Encouters this summer….

This summer I got to help lead the X-TEN program, which stands for Extreme Encounter. It’s a weekend (or 3 day) venture taking teams into the mountains, using games and exercises designed to push and challenge participants to work as a team and to excel personally beyond their own expectations. The week is strenuous and emotionally demanding as campers get a glimpse of what is truly possible when they believe in their team and learn that they are able to accomplish what they previously thought was impossible.

Many kids and youth come from difficult home situations, and a trip like this can be a positive shock to them. One of the greatest blessings is to be able to see kids who have a poor self image, or they’ve been told that they “can’t do it”, come out on top and conquer their fear or that wrong belief about themselves. We took long hard hikes, did a lot of team building exercises, ate some pretty rough food (just nourishment), learned some very important life lessons, and found in the end that God has gifted us with one another for strength and support.

One guy in particular, Roger, experienced a personal victory right in front of us. The entire group one-by-one had done a backwards fall from a three-foot height and then a seven-foot height to then be caught by their teammates. It was finally Roger’s turn, and he wanted so badly to accomplish this just like the rest of his team. He stood at the seven foot platform for almost a half hour while his team spoke words of encouragement. He was just too afraid to commit himself to his friends. He finally made us proud…with a deep breath he turned around and fell into the waiting arms of his teammates. Yeah!!! After that, there wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do the rest of the time.

I got to lead two X-Ten’s this summer, both of which were very fruitful. The X-Ten teaches principals of leadership, servanthood, outdoor skills and teamwork. Together, all work, rest, and pay consequences for breaking team rules—as a team-- including the leaders. (I haven’t done so many “crunches” or “tree sits” since college!) Though the experience was physically and emotionally challenging, I would do it again in a heartbeat. Hopefully next summer, we will have more groups scheduled to come. Check out YWAM-Chico’s website, www.ywamchico.com if you’re interested in knowing more about these Extreme Encounters.

Our leadership team atop Pilot's Peak: Bruce, Me, Rebecca, and Evan.

The entire group made it after a grueling three hour hike/climb of Pilot's Peak.

We Are Missionaries Sending Missionaries

2007-05-15T21:46:00.000-07:00

Hi Family & Friends! Ginger here. I'm just learning how to do the blogging, and I think I'm hooked! Below is something I wrote after the DTS and Crossroads teams left for Outreach in late April... With being new to this web stuff, plus the busyness of the end of school, it's taken me a few weeks to get it posted. Next one will come faster! :) --Ginger

MISSIONARIES SENDING MISSIONARIES - More of what we're doing here:
The week before the Outreach Teams left, the Crossroads families and students had their final dinner together. Because we have such an impact on the lives of their children, and also enable the parents to attend the training, we teachers and our spouses are always included in this special celebration. It was a moving time of testimonies and stories of God’s work in their lives, as well as samplings of songs prepared for the various countries.

This photo is of the Grigg family, whose two youngest were some of Ginger’s students.

Cheyrl, previously a home-schooling mom, expressed deep gratitude for the care and education we gave their children at the International Christian School (ICS), enabling them to focus on growing closer to God and preparing to share His love abroad. (By the way, after returning from Outreach, the Griggs have applied to come on staff here! I may get to have Thomas & Barbara in school next fall!)

During this same dinner last semester, the team heading for Guatemala sang the 2 Spanish choruses I had taught them. My teacher’s heart melted as the presence of God filled the room while we worshipped together in Spanish.

Again during the program this spring, I was reminded that THIS is WHY we are here at YWAM-Chico serving in the areas we do.

Due to the remoteness of our location, the International Christian School is essential for the continuing education of Crossroads children. In addition, having the school on the base here enables them to have family time at lunch. This is a great help and comfort for these kids who, like their parents, have left everything familiar to obey God’s call. YWAM-Chico really has a high priority for families, to minister to them and foster growth in service as a whole unit, not just Mom and Dad with “missionary kids” in tow.

Finally, without all the men and women who serve full-time in the Maintenance Department, there would be no suitable housing for these Crossroads DTS families and adults. YWAM-Chico has owned these facilities for nearly 20 years, but most of the housing dates back to the 1960s and some even earlier than that. There are over 50 small homes here on the base, many with very complex electrical and general maintenance issues, and a few are simply unusable until they can be totally redone (like the Before and After

photos below). For these reasons, there are always several repair and remodeling projects going on.

(Above) The men prep for the addition to House #23 last Fall - the one Shawn was framing in our Christmas newsletter. (Right) House #23 finally finished and occupied by a new missionary family.

Danny and Shawn running wire in House #24 last Fall

Shawn shows off the finished Kitchen!

I hope this gives you a bit of a better picture of our purpose in serving at YWAM-Chico. Every week we see God move and differences made in the lives of people around us.

We are fast approaching the Summer Youth Camps that begin the 2nd week of June. Youth from all over the state and country will come for a week or more at a time. Shawn will get a short break from his Maintenance dutes to help staff "X-Ten" a radical, discipling Youth Camp that prepares teens for extreme service and devotion to God. The first crop of students will stay for the summer, serving on the base here and helping in turn to run and disciple many other kids' camps that are scheduled. Check out YWAM-Chico's web site to learn more about Summer programs here! (I haven't learned how to do 'links' yet, so you'll have to just type in www.ywamchico.com to go there.)

Many blessings and much love to you all! -- Ginger

Taxes are done, and spring is here!

2007-04-15T22:04:00.000-07:00

This has been a busy season for us. We're glad for your prayers and support at this time. God just keeps showing us how much He cares for us as we hear from each of you and we also see Him provide for each of our needs. My dad (Peter) has been here visiting and working, refinishing some old furniture and painting different projects that we've working on. The weather here has been been wonderful, which was a big transition for dad from Michigan where it was snowing when he left. Last weekend we took dad to Yosemite National park and it was...amazing! God's handiwork on display! So now taxes are due and it's good to done with them. Ginger has been busy and I've held the tide of other work back and away while it's being done. This has been a good growth time for us. Anyway, I wanted to get back into the swing of posting to keep in touch. Bless you all...more soon!

Shawn

The Fall '06 Newletter Finally Hits the Blog!

2006-11-21T21:36:00.000-08:00

Greetings to Everyone, from Chico, California! Thank you all for your prayers for our journey west again. The truck pulled the U-haul faithfully across the mountain ranges, even though we prayed our way up more than one steep grade.  At times, we wondered how the pioneers ever did it with horse and wagon! God’s hand was definitely on us!
At our first Monday Morning Meeting, all the staff laid hands on us in prayer and received us as part of the YWAM Staff family. We felt we had come full circle, having been sent out by so many back home, and now received into the work God has for us here. Thank you again to you who have sent us! We miss all of you back home, and at the same time, it is good to once join our YWAM teammates.

Our First Few Weeks
On our arrival we realized that August was a very busy time here. It’s a month of continued summer camps, in addition to preparations for the fall terms of the different YWAM schools. I (Shawn) spent my first three weeks working in the kitchen because of a personnel shortage and a lot of campers to feed. Then, because it is this YWAM base’s practice to run everyone through an orientation in all departments before placing them in their work-duty, I spent a week working in each of the main departments, including Conference, Housekeeping, Maintenance, and Grounds. (Much of the time I’ve been abducted by the maintenance dept. to troubleshoot electrical problems…the base has plenty.)
The talk is that I will probably be put into the Maintenance Department for awhile. With most of the buildings here over 50 or 60 years old, there is much to be done. I’m so glad Ginger’s dad taught me to (had the patience to…more like) wire houses and troubleshoot electrical problems! In addition to the practical stuff of Maintenance, I’ve been leading worship for some of the Discipleship Training Schools, as well as help in some of the base corporate meetings. We love how there’s such a blend of practical and spiritual life in our service here.

Teaching School! by Ginger (Mrs. Bansen  )
I have been growing thru the challenges of teaching early elementary and preschool for the first time. Keep the prayers coming! It was just 3 weeks prior to the start of school that we learned that I and another mom would be co-teachers of 11 pre-K to 3rd graders in YWAM Chico’s International Christian School. (The main teacher had to leave just before our arrival.) In that short time before school started, we transformed the small Base Library into a second classroom and dug our way thru mirads of teaching supplies and curriculum. We teach some parts together, and then I take the 2 pre-K boys and a kindergartener to the Library for my class, while Jana works with the 1st & 2nd grades. Now into our 4th week of school, the kids are learning and responding well, and teaching me things in the process, too! Their joy and love for learning and play brings joy to my day. Here’s some of their adorable faces:
Hannah (far L) and Elijah (4th from R) with friends from their new school
– most are our students!

The Homestead
We were placed in one of the older staff cottages here on the side of the canyon. (Some of the buildings here date to the 1900s…) Like most of these cottages, it had needed some serious attention. One of the main workers told us that as he and the other staff from maintenance re-wired, re-plumbed and generally overhauled the house, he had spent hours praying for our family. Knowing that made it all the more special!
We’re also blessed by our mountain-side view of the canyon, and the kids are enjoying having their own rooms for the first time!

Ministry this Fall at YWAM-Chico
YWAM-Chico is looking ahead to a busy and fruitful semester training up new leaders for the Kingdom. TESOL (Teaching English as a Second Language) was in full swing when we arrived. We have 14 foreign ESL (English as a Second Language) students here, mostly from Korea, but some from Brazil and Guatemala. The beginning of September, the college age DTS (Discipleship Training School) and 30+ singles and families (Crossroads DTS) arrived, bringing a fresh crop of willing learners to pour into. Even though we’ll be officially functioning mostly in service and teaching jobs, every day we have opportunities to rub elbows with the students: at meals, when they join us for work duties, and in the evenings. It’s whole-life discipleship… learning to follow Christ in all areas of life, even the mundane. We’re excited to be a part of it!

The Support Report
This is the part that is harder to share with everyone, but essential to communicate in the grand scope of ministry here. First, Thank You very much for your prayers and financial gifts to get us out here. The many one-time donations we received helped us to get established and have brought us thus far. Our budget is taking shape as we determine what we will need and what we can do without. We’re grateful for those who have already committed to partner with us on a monthly basis. However, we currently do not yet have the sustained monthly support that we need to cover our living expenses. I say “yet” because we know that God always provides when we ‘step out’ in obedience to His will. In light of this, please prayerfully consider joining us as a part of our monthly support team as the Lord directs you. It is regular supporters who make up the financial foundation for missionaries on the field. We each have a vital part in carrying out the Great Commission, and together we can partner in that assignment.
Again, we are so grateful to all who have already given and prayed for us, as well as those who have sent one-time gifts since our arrival. We are here as an extension of the Body of Christ (you!). We truly could not have answered this call without your involvement. May you and your family be blessed.

Serving Christ and You,

ShawnGingerHannahElijah

Pictures: Arriving At the YWAM Base

2006-08-17T15:48:00.000-07:00

A welcoming sign greets us at the entrance to the base and we are reminded of the two "hats" that the base wears.

Hannah and Eli enjoy a new livingroom view as we unload our things and start the work of settling in to our new abode.

The outside of our house up on Hummingbird hill with a view of the north canyon wall behind it.

Some Pictures of the Kids with Family During Our Trip

2006-08-17T14:44:00.000-07:00

Hannah with more cousins in Denver.

Hannah and Eli with Kaitlyn and Christopher in Chicago while we visited the Carlson's on way out west.

Hannah and her cousin Anika takin' a swim, smiling for a picture. We also visited the Riani's while were in Chicago.

What The Immediate Future Holds

2006-08-11T13:54:00.000-07:00

It looks like this fall Ginger will be helping in the International Christian School here on the base with the kids, and I’ll get back into the Maintenance Department as soon as I’m done with orientation. With most of the buildings over 50 or 60 years old, there is much to be done. Thanks, Dad, for teaching me to re-wire in some tricky spots!
YWAM-Chico is looking ahead to a busy and fruitful year training up new leaders for the Kingdom. TESOL (Teaching English as a Second Language) is in full swing already. The foreign ESL (English as a Second Language) students arrive next week. The end of the month the college age DTS (Discipleship Training School) and 30+ singles and families (CrossroadsDTS) will be arriving, bringing a fresh crop of willing learners to pour into. Even though we’ll be officially functioning in service and teaching jobs, every day we have opportunities to rub elbows with the students: at meals, when they join us for work duties, and in the evenings. It’s whole-life discipleship… learning to follow Christ in all areas of life, even the mundane. We’re excited to be a part of it!
Thank you very much for your prayers and financial support. We are here as an extension of the Body of Christ (you!). We’re grateful that you’re partnering with us. We are blessed and pray you will be also as you have lifted us up.

Settling Into Home and Ministry

2006-08-10T14:24:00.000-07:00

Our first Monday Morning Meeting here at YWAM-Chico was momentous as all the staff laid hands on us in prayer and received us as part of the YWAM Staff family. We felt we had come full circle, having been sent out by so many back home, and now received into the work God has for us here. Thank you again to you who have sent us. Know that we are feeling anointed and empowered to serve already. Praise God!
Also during the meeting, we saw first hand just how real the Body ministry is in this place. Testimonies were given from two 15-16 year olds who had just completed intense two months as part of “24/7”, which is basically a youth “summer of service” program here. They shared how God had done healing and life-changing works in their lives while they served with their group. Some of the previous DTS (Discipleship Training School) students we knew had returned to help lead the 24/7 summer youth program, and they were experiencing God doing awesome deeper works in their hearts as well. Ginger was in tears to see right away that effective youth ministry is core here. More on all that another time.

We discovered on arrival that August is a very busy time at YWAM-Chico. It’s a month of continued summer camps, in addition to preparations for the fall terms of the different YWAM schools. Last week, the base hosted 450 campers for a hard-core Youth Camp. (A group that size maxes our staff in service areas alone, but we do it willingly, because of the ministry and changed lives that emerge every year from this group.) This week a church group brought in 100 for kids camp (much easier size). Not too long from now and all of the West Coast YWAM Leadership land here for a conference. (We’ll be swamped again.)
All this extra activity brings increased needs in the service areas of meal prep and housekeeping, so for the next 3 weeks, I’m doing dishes and learning the ropes with kitchen meal prep and clean-up. After that I’ll get to actually start my Orientation. As a mother, Ginger gets to stay home until school starts, so she is elated to have time to minister to our kids and be a homemaker as we are figuring how to arrange things in our house and get ourselves settled in.
Our house here is a blessing. It is one of the older staff cottages from before YWAM came to own the property. Like most of these cottages, it had needed some serious attention. Before we arrived they had done quite a bit of work on it to make it ready us. One of the main workers told us he had spent hours praying for us as he re-wired, re-plumbed and generally overhauled the house. (Don’t ask about the vermin traces they found in the attic…) It is a small 3 bedroom cottage with a walk-through kitchen which kind of shares the same living space as the living room… you know, the “open concept”. Helps make it seem larger, but created an interesting challenge for the dining area. The kids are adjusting to each having their own bedroom for the first time. There are still boxes everywhere, but it’s home, and we love it… what a wonderful little place; God is good!

The Bansen Brigade Has Landed!

2006-08-09T13:29:00.000-07:00

Greetings Everyone, from Chico, California! We have made it here after 7 long days on the road, and it feels so good to finally arrive! We’ve had a few days to start settling into our new abode, and are finally getting our computer to jive with internet access here. We miss all of you back home and at the same time, it is good to once again be with our YWAM family. One of our teammate families also recently joined YWAM-Chico’s team, as well as the missionary family home on furlough from Fiji. There was much hugging when we rolled in—especially among the children!
Our trip went well, though not without its stresses. We used a U-haul trailer to transport our things out west, which is why we found a more capable vehicle (’98 Nissan Pathfinder) to replace our minivan. After we had loaded the trailer on Friday evening, I began to think that we should have bought a larger truck. Dad (Ulery) reassured me that it would do well as long as we didn’t get in a hurry… yeah, I’m thinking, SLOW. It was a lot of weight, and we could certainly feel the load on the truck as we drove. This the first time we’ve ever pulled a load that heavy, I really didn’t want to drive it faster than 50-55 mph.
We visited family and friends in Chicago on our first stop. (Thank you Chad and Michelle for having us overnight; it was good to see the whole family!) Sunday after lunch we headed west again toward Iowa, where we spent the night at a campground. The rolling hills of Iowa gave me a lesson in keeping my momentum going down a hill in order to make it up the next one.  Nebraska was flatter and the kids were wondering—again—“How long until we get there?” …yeah, you can only imagine… We drove about 9 hours and stayed the second night in Nebraska.
The next day we made it to Denver and got to visit Rick and Becky and family (Ginger’s cousins…thanks again for letting us crash at your pad, and Rick, for the driving advice!) and we saw Duane and Kristyne, Ginger’s brother and sister-in-law, who were packing for an exciting move themselves (God bless you guys!). Our kids all had a ball reuniting with cousins. I think we finally crashed about midnight—kids included. But it was fun.
From Denver we made our way north to get back on I-80. The hills weren’t too bad, but the traffic was tight. Then we stayed the next night in Wyoming, near the Utah state line at a campground…can you say COLD night. Yes, Wyoming is farther north! That was unexpected after all the heat waves, but it was good sleeping weather. There were a few serious hills to climb before we made it to Salt Lake City, and the truck proved it could climb long hills—even if slowly. The kids got to see the Great Salt Lake, but a coming lightning storm prevented us from touching it.
We spent our final night out in the middle of Nevada, leaving us about 9 hours to drive our final day. After crossing one last mountain chain, praying our way up—and then down—the hills, we made it to the YWAM base in Chico, California. Since it was evening, many of our friends were available with a warm welcome and plenty of help to unload the trailer. This truly is a family here. Wow, what a trip! Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement.

And Here It Is: A Summary Of DTS and Fiji

2006-05-30T14:13:00.000-07:00

Hello and Greetings, Friends and Family!

Wow, these past weeks of being home in Indiana have been filled with unpacking and finding things, meeting and catching up with people we haven’t seen in 6 months, in addition to just getting back into the routines of work and school and daily life. We’ve also spent more time seeking God’s face for the next steps in this journey. We have a lot of stories to share about what God has done with us, in us, and through us this past half year… First, we want to again express our deepest Thank You to all of you for supporting us in love, interest, prayers, and financial contributions. Simply said, it was God who put missions in our hearts and pointed us in the direction to go, but all would not have been possible without your love and willingness to partner with us in the Lord! Thank you.
When we moved our family to Chico, California to begin the Crossroads Discipleship Training School (CDTS) with Youth With A Mission (YWAM), we held an expectation of transformation for our lives. Well, God surprised us by taking us beyond ourselves and into areas of total trust in Him alone. He opened up a world of personal healing, better understanding of our gifts and the dynamics of Body Ministry and Evangelism, and fresh vision for helping others realize the plans He has for them. Through this season, God has drawn us closer to Him and to give us clearer direction for the calling He has for our family.
After the lecture phase of our Crossroads Discipleship Training School in Chico, our YWAM team of 14 adults and 10 children flew the 11 hours across the Pacific Ocean to the tiny island nation of Fiji, off the coast of New Zealand. There we partnered with three churches in the cities of Nadi (pronounced NAN-dee), and Lautoka (lah-TOH-kah). With each church, God had a specific purpose for our being there…a task for us to accomplish. A brief summary of each work follows here.

Emmanuel Worship Center and Navakai Settlement

Partnering with Emmanuel Worship Center, an independent church in Nadi, we had the joy of Harvesting in the poor Indian community of Navakai, located on the outskirts of Nadi. Part of Emmanuel’s goal was to bring unity between Fijians and Indians. (Fiji is about 48% Indo-Fijians, who came as indentured servants to work the sugar cane fields for the British long ago. Though they are now free and many prosper, racial prejudice has prevailed.) A couple of months prior to our arrival, the Evangelism Team at Emmanuel had passed out copies of The Jesus Film* to all the families in Navakai. A response card had been included in the DVD package for them to fill out, indicating their interest in the movie or in knowing more about Jesus. Our job was to collect those response cards and build relationships with the families. This was an open door to discuss the Truth of the Gospel, as well as give testimony of what Jesus Christ had done in our own lives.

*The Jesus Film is a full-length movie based on the book of Luke, which has been used with enormous effect by missionaries around the world for the past 25 years. It has been translated into more than 800 languages (the most of any film in history) and has been shown in 236 different countries.

Fijians, whether of Indian or native Fijian decent, are very hospitable people, and quite enjoy spontaneous visitors. We were frequently invited to sit down for tea or juice and just talk. Having at least one of Emmanuel’s team members with us helped with any cultural or language barriers, however, most Indians also spoke English. If someone did seem closed to talking about Jesus, we just offered to pray for anyone in the house in need, before going on our way. I don’t think we were ever refused. Often that prayer time became the open door for further ministry.
In the end, several home Bible studies were started with new converts and also those still curious about this Jesus. As a result of the groundwork laid by Emmanuel Worship Center, the relationships we built, and the faithful prayers of many like you, over a hundred made a decision to follow Christ during our time there. These individuals’ and families’ lives are forever changed because they received the good news of Jesus Christ, making Him Lord and Savior. Praise God!

The other work in Navakai was Discipling. Benjamin and Bobbi Lal had been nominal Christians, struggling in their faith in the midst of the Hindu and Muslim community around them. Benjamin drove a taxi-van, earning a meager living for his wife and five kids. The hours of his job usually kept him from attending the church where they had first come to know Christ. The first time we visited them, Benjamin said he had actually been praying for a way to study and discuss the Word with someone. We became instant friends and spent many hours, talking and studying the Bible together. Hannah and Elijah got to play with their children, learning just how much fun one can have in a small dirt yard with just a little imagination. Each time we visited, it seemed as though they had a specific concern at hand, and we were able to agree with them in prayer and encourage them with truths of God’s Word. Everything that we prayed about with them, God answered in some way. Benjamin told me later that he could really see God’s hand in leading us to their home for visits. He said it was as if God had sent us as His personal agents to them…go figure.  Praise God! Remember the Lal’s in prayer, as they are a family with a special calling in the development of a body of believers in Navakai.
Our time visiting in Navakai culminated with the first “Jesus Meeting,” a weekly Sunday afternoon gathering in the settlement, orchestrated by Emmanuel Worship Center for new believers and those curious to learn more about this Jesus fellow. It continues as a church-plant in which new believers and area Christians meet, learn, and continue to reach out to their community with the freedom and deliverance of the Gospel.

Lautoka Full Gospel Tabernacle and Street Evangelism

Working with Lautoka Full Gospel Tabernacle involved seed-sowing, in the form of evangelism in the streets, parks, prison, hospital, and a small village called Vinátu on the edge of the town’s refuse area. We met a lot of people…people just like us, who have needs, hopes, and dreams like we do. They were people going about their lives not knowing Jesus… just looking for ‘life’ in other places. Some heard the truth and were changed, some were challenged, some were set free, and others simply were not ready to make a decision, but valuable seeds were sown.
At a nearby park, we met Rote (ROH-tay), a young woman who had come there with her infant son & niece to avoid her drunken husband. One of our team members had been married to a heavy drinker, and she was able to share much wisdom and compassion with Rote. We all talked with her for awhile, giving her promises from the Word and then prayed with her. While we encouraged her some more, her husband approached, a little surprised at the group of us foreigners sitting and talking with his wife. Being still drunk and out of sorts, he sat down and joined the conversation in a loud and raucous fashion. But as we all shared about the love and grace of God and His plan for our lives, this man’s demeanor changed. He softened and began to admit his own short-comings and faults. He eventually told us that he had been searching for his wife in order to beat her, because he was upset that she wasn’t home, but now his anger was gone “because of our love and kindness”. (We knew it was the Holy Spirit.) We were able to speak the Word over them, pray with them, and then invited them to the local church on Sunday.
On another day shortly before Christmas we returned to the village of Vinátu. We passed out toys to village children and our team kids shared the Christmas Play. Afterward a couple of our team members prayed for a baby with a bad cold and wheezing. As they prayed, the baby’s breathing cleared up immediately. All of us experienced a strengthening in our faith because of that! It was amazing to see God use us in this miracle of healing. Praise God!
We also got an opportunity to work with the youth of Full Gospel Tabernacle – an amazing bunch of young people! Their pastor has a vision for redeeming the city by reviving its youth and training them in discipleship through hands-on experiences – much like Jesus did with His twelve. They accompanied us as we went doing ministry in the prison and on the street.

Nadi Brethren Assembly and Freedom in Christ

For the last phase of our time in Fiji we worked with Nadi Brethren Assembly, a rather progressive body who gave us permission to “do as the Holy Spirit leads…” They have a heart to reach their more affluent community for Christ, and invited us to minister in whatever fashion we felt necessary. So, we planned Men’s and Women’s Meetings where members of the church came and invited others, and we were able to minister as we had experienced healing and discipleship in YWAM’s Discipleship Training School. We all had something to impart and share, because God had done a specific and powerful work in each us specifically. Some of our group led a Vacation Bible School for the children. For three days we sang, taught Bible stories, did skits, and loved on these community kids to see them come to know Jesus in a closer way.
We also had a Couple’s Night with our version of “The Newlywed Game.” It was not only loads of fun, but also encouraged some interaction and expression of emotions between spouses that is not always common in their culture. God even sparked some long-lost fire for several couples who needed it… Praise God!
Our last story really shows the power of God to change a life… I mean POWER! A man in the church had been saved for about a year from a homosexual lifestyle. After our Men’s Meeting with the topic of “Finding Personal Freedom in Christ,” this guy asked for prayer. As soon as the name of Jesus was prayed over him, this dear man had a demonic manifestation that none of us will soon forget. Apparently, there were some strongholds from his previous life that still needed to be cleared out. All said and done, he was minus a lot of spiritual oppression when we finished praying and leading him through deliverance. That night I saw first hand what God can do to free someone when we simply come to Him in faith. Jesus Christ IS freedom! By his own vibrant testimony before the church the next day, this man is truly free!

In Closing:

God used our missions experience in Fiji in order to reach people with the Gospel, set them free from spiritual strongholds, and help to plant a church in a spiritually dark place. In us personally, God used it to stretch us, train us, further disciple us and give us a clearer vision for the calling that He has placed on Ginger and I. Thank you again for the vital parts you played in this mission! Because of your prayers and support, there will be many more souls in Heaven on that Day.
Now, for the many of you who have been wondering, “So what is this further vision and calling?” Here’s the answer… Yes, we are feeling led to continue serving with Youth With A Mission as full-time, state-side missionaries. We have been accepted to serve on YWAM’s Chico, California training base, where we started. Details of that service will follow in another newsletter soon. We are currently in the midst of preparations to leave late July to begin our two year term. We have prayed long and hard about this decision, and know this is where God wants us to be. We ask for your continued prayers and support as we move in this direction. We know this summer will be a busy one, but we would love to talk with you personally as you have questions about our continuing service as missionaries with Youth With A Mission. Please feel free to give us a call or email us at the address below. Thank you again for everything. We hold you each in our hearts and our prayers as well.
Much love and God’s blessings to you all!

In His Service,
Shawn & Ginger, Hannah & Elijah

In the Thick of Preparation

2006-04-26T18:38:00.000-07:00

Hello friends and family,
We've been at home here in Indiana for the last almost 3 months. Life gets busy and moves by and before you know it time is short. Well in just 3 short months from now we will be headed back out west to staff the YWAM base in Chico, CA, where we schooled last fall and then went on to do a 2 month missions trip to Fiji. Yes, I am still working to finish the newsletter, and it will be posted here soon. I just wanted to give a quick prayer update:
1. We are looking for a new(to us) vehicle that can pull a trailer and has relatively good gas mileage.
2. We will be sharing our testimony of the previous trip to Fiji and our future plans with YWAM at our home church this Sunday.
3. We will be raising financial/monthly support for our soon to start work with YWAM.
4. Among those things are all of the transitional and preparatory tasks that need to be done.
This is certainly exciting to look ahead and anticipate what God will do! Keep us in your prayers!

I'll post again soon,

contending for the faith,

Shawn Bansen

We've Been Back...!?!

2006-03-13T18:56:00.000-08:00

Well we've been home for about a month and a half and I'm only now really getting a chance to post a new message, my apologies. We came back and busied ourselves and it seems like there are always things to take up our time. In Fiji, even though we were busy, there was always time to sit back and get to know people. Being home is like being in another world again and it's one that seems to take up a lot of time with a lot of 'important things', more than what there is in a day. I am working on the final newsletter of the mission trip to Fiji...to be posted soon. Then we'll also be sharing more info with you about our plans beyond the here and now. (Yes it is with YWAM). We've lots to tell and lots to do before we're ready to go back out to California and staff the YWAM base in Chico. As soon as the newsletter is done, I'll post it. Check back again within the week. By the way, our trip home was wonderful. We were able to visit friends and family whom we haven't seen in awhile! We were (and are) blessed!!!

Love,

the Bansens

Finish Strong!

2006-01-06T19:10:00.000-08:00

Greetings and blessings to everyone!
This is the message communicated to out team about a week ago. Don't lose sight of the prize and don't be distracted with going-home-soon thoughts. Finish this outreach strong. Please keep us in your prayers as we are spending our final week working with a third church body, encouraging, strengthening, and coming alongside them in their efforts to win their community for the Lord. In any case we are excited about coming home and seeing everyone soon! Thank you for your love and support!

Love In Christ,

the Bansens

Christmas greetings and pictures from Fiji

2005-12-18T16:48:00.000-08:00

Bula and Merry Christmas to everyone! We just wanted to send a Christmas greeting, some news and some pictures to keep everyone updated.

We've been in Lautoka for a little more than a week and we'll be here for four more days ministering with Lautoka Fullgospel Tabernacle (AOG). The church has a pretty strong evangelistic thrust into the community here. We have simply come along side and shared our lives and testimonies in each different avenue that has opened up for us while we've been here. Talatala (pastor) Mikali has had us in the local prison, ministering to the men there...wow those guys, 30 men in that fellowship every wednesday, really love the Lord. We've been in the hospital singing to and praying with kids who are sick. We went to a village situated at the city dump to witness to those who need Jesus there. We'll be returning on tuesday to do a Christmas play...that the kids are putting on for the children of the village. Pray for us that the village will see Jesus in our children. We've also met many people on the streets of Lautoka who are hurting and they have heard the good news of Jesus and are finding Him as Lord and Savior.

We'll be here in Lautoka for 4 more days and then we'll be spending Christmas in Nadi (pronounced nandi) with the church which we worked with first, Immanuel Worship Center.

The kids are decorating a palm tree since we do not have a pine tree. They made snowflakes and some of us had brought lights and garland...a little something to remind us of Christmas and home.

This is our team on the way into the village near the dump outside of Lautoka (I'm sorry I do not recall the name of the village).

This is the drama which we have been using to convey the gospel. It's called 'masks', showing that Jesus sees through our pain and the 'games' we play and he calls us to himself to be healed and forgiven.

Ginger and I in 'Masks'.

Eli and Hannah in their sulus after church looking very cute!

Our group on the side of the road awaiting a bus to take us to Lautoka from Nadi.

We would like to just express to you all a heartfelt thank you (vinaka vaka levu!) and warm Fijian 'Merry Christmas'! May the warmth, blessing, and joy of our Lord be in each of your homes and hearts this Christmas as we all remember that Jesus humbled Himself and came to earth from Heaven as a man that we could each know Him and have eternal life. Praise God! We miss and love you all!

Love in Christ,

the Bansens

3 Weeks In Fiji

2005-12-04T13:17:00.000-08:00

Ni Sa Bula!... (A warm Fijian greeting to everyone)

It doesn’t feel like the Christmas season has come here, partially because we're used to the change in seasons and we’re used to having family around (we miss you all very much!). Well, it feels here like a humid summer does back home…strange for the holidays, although there are Christmas decorations up in all of the shops. But it’ll be a new experience and we’re sure, a lot of fun. You’re all in our hearts as December has come and the holidays are approaching. Keep us in your thoughts and prayers because God has been at work in Fiji and He is continuing to use this team to His glory.
We’ve been here for two and half weeks, partnering primarily with Emmanuel Worship Center Church in Nadi to evangelize an Indo-Fijian settlement called Navakai.
Two months ago the church had distributed DVDs of the Jesus Movie to everyone possible in the settlement. Inside the DVD cases was a follow-up card and information about the church. Our task when we came was to go in groups from house to house and inquire after the follow-up card in each DVD. The card has given us information about people’s interest in the movie and their interest in Jesus. In many instances it was an open door to share the Gospel and people who were ready, came to know the Lord. People will invite us into their homes whether they are interested in Jesus or not. This becomes an open door to share our testimonies, and more about Jesus, and to even ask if we can simply pray for them right there. Usually we are invited back because we’ve formed a relationship with them, and we have returned and continued to talk about Jesus. Many have already received Jesus as a result of this outreach to Navakai, and there are more who are taking to heart and weighing carefully the Truth that we present to them. Most of the Indian peoples with whom we have come into contact are Hindu or Muslim. They have pictures of their gods on the walls of their house or even have a little temple to their family gods out in the back yard. There is a lot of bondage and spiritual oppression in Hinduism, but usually they are open to hearing more about Jesus. Those who are Muslim usually tell us that they go to pray at the mosque and aren’t necessarily interested in receiving Jesus personally, although they still welcome our visits and often invite us to return to share more.
So when you pray:
· pray that God would continue to go before us and prepare hearts and lives for His truth;
· pray against spiritual authorities and strongholds that would hinder us from sharing and them from receiving;
· pray that we can speak and address people’s needs so that they can see past religion and into the true heart of Jesus.
This Sunday we will hold a large “Jesus Meeting” in Navakai for all of those new believers who need to get connected to a church. Emmanuel Worship Center will continue holding services there every Sunday afternoon. This will be a new ‘churchplant’, but with no building or real agenda yet, just to connect believers together and establish them into local Bible studies. Please pray that God draws many into fellowship and that He seals the work that He has done in their hearts.
As God is working there in that settlement, He is also working in our team and we are being stretched too. We will be moving soon to another city called Lautoka to work with another church and will be staying at the YWAM base there for two weeks. Our accomodations there will be much more difficult because it's more like a dormatory than a lodge. God is going to further disciple us as a team and stretch us in our ability to love each other during our time there. Please pray for us in the next weeks (fyi...5 weeks remaining).
Vinaka! ...(Thank you) for your interest, your prayers, and support. God is good and He's constantly showing His goodness to those here in Fiji and to this team. Thank you for your partnership. Just in case there isn't a newer blog posted before Christmas (I do intend to do one though)...Merry Christmas to all with much love!

Sincerely in Christ,

the Bansens

Pictures top to bottom: our family (Shawn and Eli are in traditional Fijian sulus), Shawn and Eli with Benjamin Lal and family (new Christian friends from Navakai), Hannah learning to make Indian roti bread with Bobi and Michelle Lal, Eli in his sulu dangling for a picture after church.

Pictures From YWAM-Chico

2005-10-19T20:25:00.000-07:00

We're out hiking to Mushroom rock, on base.

Shawn at the crosses on the canyon rim at dark. The main building on base houses a conference center, class- rooms, dining hall, offices, and guest sleeping rooms. Other buildings on campus are dormitories, cabins, cottages, maintainance buildings, a larger fellowship hall and the school. All of these are nestled in the canyon here at Richardson Springs above Chico.

Family picture at Bidwell Park, here in Chico.

Great things happenning at YWAM in Chico!

2005-09-21T23:17:00.000-07:00

Greetings Friends, Family and innocent bystanders,
I'm glad to get a chance again to write another post to share with you what's going on with us here with Youth With A Mission in Chico, CA. The passage of time since my last post to you is kind of testimony that they are keeping us very busy with school, work duties and a fairly tight schedule in which to accomplish all of this. This experience so far has really been a challenge for us, as many of you know us to be a chase-life-from-behind-the-eightball family. But the routine of our daily school schedule has been good for us.
Well, I'd like to share a bit about what we're doing right now and who we're doing this with. The YWAM base here is designed to disciple individuals in their walk with the Lord Jesus and prepare them for their calling whether they go on to be missionaries, ministers, helpers, workers, leaders or whatever, here in the states or overseas working with the local church, or with a missions organization like YWAM, or in whatever arena God leads them to minister. The school we are a part of (Crossroads Discipleship Training School) is strongly based upon refocusing individuals on a strong, personal and ongoing relationship with Jesus as well as learning to reflect His character and communicate His love for the world. (Wow... that was a mouthful, but that described it well.) These past 4 weeks we've had weeklong lectures and an emphasis on living a lifestyle of worship, intercession, hearing from God/knowing His voice. We've had our understanding of “who God is” questioned and challenged and we learned about the father-heart of God and are correcting our human misconceptions of God's nature. This, so far, has been a powerful classroom/lecture time ordained by God.
The team of students who are here at the Crossroads Discipleship Training School, and who will also be going with us to minister in the Fijian Islands during outreach, are a mixture of different backgrounds and walks of life from around the world. Here is our demographic makeup: We have 15 adults, some of whom have brought their children (there are 12 children in all on our team). There are 4 single moms with their kids, and 2 husband/wife families with their kids. The rest are single adults. Rohillah is from Uzbekistan, Debbie is from Scotland, Hope is from Vietnam, Myung Wha is from South Korea and the rest of us are from the States: Florida, Virginia, Texas, Ohio, California, Hawaii, Minnesota, and Indiana (us). Everyone has come to the school hungry and eager for more from God and anxious to see what He can do with us and through us on the mission field.
We have all been gelling together wonderfully, and it is amazing to see how much we all have in common, even for some of us being from such different cultures; it is evident that God has put us all together. God has given us a beautiful sense of family in our teammates. Even our kids all seem to get along well and really like each other. We all have a great expectation that God is only just starting to a work in us all. Keep us in prayer as God prepares us for outreach.
The weeks ahead will be difficult for all of us as God further purifies and strengthens us as a team. We’ve been told that it is pivotal and momentous for many people in this school as they submit themselves fully to God. That’s why, it seems, they call this a ‘crossroad.’ Some of the classes and speakers ahead will be helping us to deal specifically with the broken parts of our lives in which we need to allow God to do His surgery. God wants to send whole people into His work, ministering to others the healing and fulfillment of God’s love for each of us. Not that we will be perfect and God will suddenly be “done” working in us after this experience – just closer to His plan for completion in all our lives.
Well, that’s a bit of what is going here. I apologize for taking so long to finish this post. Time here just flies. We are blessed to do this and to have so many of you praying for us and supporting us as we dive into this crazy, life-changing, life-giving thing in obedience to God’s calling. Please continue to pray for us that God will change and shape Ginger’s and my attitudes toward daily time issues, our time with the kids, and that we can accomplish everything that we need to do. Pray that we can complete our assignments with time to reflect on them (so that they aren’t purely academic, but rather heart-changing). Pray that God will heal and strengthen our bodies, and pray for God’s financial provision for us. (Praise God with us that the lecture phase of the school is covered. And please continue to stand in faith with us as we wait to see God provide for the outreach phase). God has been meeting our needs in awesome ways, and we know that He will continue to do that. Thank you for partnering and believing with us in this great adventure. More news to share soon. We love you all!

Contending 4 the faith,

shawngingerhannahelijah

Horray!!!! We've Made It To YWAM!

2005-09-01T16:05:00.000-07:00

Greetings Friends, Family, and curious onlookers,
We are now at the YWAM base in Chico, CA. We are moved in, in classes, getting to know our teammates, and preparing for the rest of our lives.
I first have to apologize to all of you as you've probably been checking the blog for a new post from me, wonder if we've made it safely and what might be going on. Well, we've been having technical problems with our server for the base internet connection which probably due to heightened internet traffic and damage resulting from the disaster area chaos in Louisiana. So I'm trying again to make this work and it seems to be functioning fine. Praise God!
We arrived on Sunday the 28th and moved our things into the Cooper House (a community house...not a chicken coop, although there are times). Got to know our house mates and the kids are in heaven because there are so many other children on base.
I must share with you our praise report. This has been a big deal for us and it seems that God has tested us in this. Everyone knows that we have been looking for a nanny for Eli. The time was getting short before we left to come out here and we seemed to be feeling desparate. The day we were planning to leave we met with one last person hoping and praying that God was calling her to come with us. But it wasn't to be. It seemed like our time had run out and we cried out to God. I then needed to get in touch with our YWAM leadership to let them know of our situation and we were affirmed by them that God was in control. They sensed that it was God's plan that we be a part of the school and outreach and just to trust Him as we came. So, in faith we left home without a nanny, trusting that God was going to supply for our need. We continued to contact some individuals that we had not heard back from yet, but still no one was able to come with us. We arrived here and everyone on base had been praying for us and seeking God for His will. After a couple of days settling in, starting class, and getting into things, God revealed His plan. Early, after hearing about our need previously, a young lady on base volunteered to watch Eli. But the leadership here wanted to make sure that no one had more work than they could handle, since this is a very tightly run YWAM base. They managed to make the adjustments and we now have a wonderful nanny! God IS good! God IS in control! Praise Him! We could not have found a better nanny!
I wanted to publish some pictures to this post but it seems that the server is continuing to give us trouble. Thank God I can send this!
Like I said, we have started classes and God is doing something awesome...already! Lots of you have asked us about the Crossroads Discipleship Training School, which is what we are doing before we go overseas. I was even a little hesitant about the idea of further discipleship, because I've been discipled, but this is totally different. Still we were lead of God to come (2 years prep) and we're so glad that we did because it is part of His plan to send us out into the world with His fire and it evident already! Classes deal directly with our relationship with God. Our group time has been drawing us closer together with purpose and transparency, and this only day 4!
When we are finished with our lecture phase, YWAM will then send us overseas to the south Pacific Island Nation of Fiji for 2 months, where the Spirit of God is doing an awesome work there as we speak and we are expecting that God is going to do a mighty work through us all.
The base here in Chico is out away from town, about 15 minutes up in the middle of a box-canyon. This is some rugged country...a beautiful place. Hot days and cool nights are the climate so far. These people are part of God's family...loving and passionate about the things of God, just like at home. The culture of the area kind of reminds me of Florida and the midwest because there are so many people from other places on the continent. This is an agricultural area too. The aroma of fruit trees was strong as we drove here from Sacramento. That's my climate report.
Some last thoughts here as I blog to a close.
I want to thank everyone from the bottom of our hearts for your prayers and support. We can strongly sense God's hand on us as we are here. This has been in the works for awhile and we are now just getting a glimpse of what He wants to do in the days, and months ahead. Thank You and Praise God!
Also we want to ask for your continued prayer support and covering as we move ahead here with YWAM in the Crossroads Discipleship Training School. God is certainly at work. We are going to be going through an intense growing and stretching time as we prepare for outreach and also get a vision of God's plan for us.
Also keep our finances in prayer before the Lord. We have not yet raised everything we need for lecture and outreach. Please pray that all the money that we need will come in. God has never left Ginger and I without provision when we've stepped out in faith to serve Him. Although this is the biggest and most expensive missions endevour we have done, ever, we know that God will provide for our every need. He is faithful! We are excited!

More news soon to come. We love you all!

Contending 4 the faith,

Shawngingerhannahelijah

We're almost there!

2005-08-27T10:16:00.000-07:00

Greetings friends and family,
I'm writing this on a hotel lobby computer, so I'll have to make this one brief. Just want to let everyone know that we are almost to California. We stayed last night in a hotel in Reno, Nevada. Today we will make it to Chico, and tomorrow we will start our orientation at the YWAM base. This is just amazing...we've been looking forward to this for a long time, as many of you know. We are continuing to trust that God will provide a nanny for us, for Eli. He doesn't call us into something in which He won't provide for our every need. So we are remaining in His hands. Thank you all for your continual, faithful prayers...He is faithful, we will see Him do it.
On our trip this far we have been able to visit family and see some beautiful sights. Arches national park and Great Basin national park have been awesome to see. They are such a testimony to God's glory and splendor and a reminder to us that if He can create and maintain those wonders, He certainly can make a way for us in our need, Praise God!
A quick praise report...as we were camping. The kids are quickly learning about the wilderness and camping and about how to be safe outside in that setting. To not go running through the camp was a tough lesson for Eli as he had tripped on a rock and landed his left hand into the hot fire pit. I was quite panicked as I ran him fast to the stream thinking he had burned himself and put his hand into the cold water. In the end the only owee that he complained of was...the cold water. Thank God, no burns!!! But a good lesson. The kids have learned to walk now. I did check the spot where his hand landed in the fire pit and there were hot coals there. God simply protected his little hand, thank you Lord!
One more praise of note...the van. It is older, higher mileage and really loaded. Even so, it has driven and performed like a dream...again thank you Lord!
Thank you all for your continued prayers and support! God is doing great things...expect them!
We love you all! More news later as we get to Chico.

Contending 4 the faith,

Shawngingerhannahelijah

Visiting family in Denver

2005-08-20T09:33:00.000-07:00

Greetings friends, family and curious onlookers,
No, the arch has not been moved to Denver. This is us visiting the 'Gateway to the West' while we were visiting Ginger's cousin Kirstin, her husband Orie and little Ella in the heart of the country, St. Louis, Missouri. Big thanks to them for their warm hospitality and good food (Orie's an awesome cook!).
We headed west again from there travelling for about 8 hours and camped in the plains of Kansas. Another day of travel has brought us to the 'Mile High City' of Denver. One word...beautifullybreathtakingawesome! We love the mountains and just the sight of them gets us excited, especially remembering that those mighty hills were God's idea. He made all of them by hand. Heaven will have mountains!
We are going to be visiting Ginger's brother and sister-in-law, Duane and Kristyne and two babies...Andrea and London. It will also be a day to celebrate birthdays today as we are all together (Andrea and Hannah...close dates, not exactly today). We'll be travelling west again on Monday or Tuesday.
This has been such an adventure and a step of faith for all of us. God is getting ready to do a new thing here in the Bansen family. We know many of you have been holding us up in prayer and we can honestly sense it. Thank you!!!! The nanny need has not been answered yet, but this is God's plan and He will provide our nanny to us at the right time. Please keep the van in prayer too. It has been travelling very well. For its age and mileage and the insane load that we have burdened it with, its simply God's hand on us as we travel! No, I'm not nervous...just continually amazed. Thank you for your love, prayers, support in encouragement and finances, and in your feedback here on this webpage. We'll do our best relaying news, entries and pictures for everybody every chance we get.
Much love, many hugs,

Contending 4 the faith,

Shawngingerhannahelijah

We're finally on our way!

2005-08-16T07:20:00.000-07:00

So this is it! The time is now and we are nearly ready to get into the van and head west for 6 months. We have not found a nanny as of yet, but after talking with the YWAM school leadership, they advised us to come and remain open to anyone who may yet contact us. They are making our need known on base and are confident that someone will be available to nanny Elijah for us while we're in class. They also suggested that we could make the need known to the area churches if we need to. In some way God will provide and we are trusting Him to do this. Please hold this up with us in prayer. We know that God is opening this door and He will prove Himself faithful, amen!
So then, we will be in California by the 27th of this month and starting a whole new thing...an absolute God thing...trusting Him for open doors and provision and all that. Wow!!!!!!
We love you all!
We'll keep you posted...expect God's faithfulness.

Contending 4 the faith,
Shawn

P.S. feel free to give feedback in the 'comments' area, we love hearing from you all!

3 days to go...

2005-08-12T19:11:00.000-07:00

Well, we're gearing up to go on our great adventure out west to do a CDTS with YWAM in Chico, Ca. No telling where God will send us afterward, but we are confident that He is solidly in control of this endevour. Good thing too because we are still without a nanny (for Elijah) and we are trusting God to provide for all of our financial needs in order to do this. We are currently talking to someone who sounds interested in the nanny job. Please pray! We'll keep you posted.
We are excited to be able to share our experiences with you as we go on this missionary journey. I'm wanting to make this forum into an (approx)daily journal and also be able to get feedback from you who are following along with us via the feedback option available on this blogsite.
More to come as we pack and prepare to finally leave on Monday, August 15.
I'll do my best to stay connected...you pray. Sounds like a good arangement.

Contending 4 the faith,
Shawn

photo test

2005-08-10T11:06:00.000-07:00

so did it work? Hope so.

Late nite blogging, our genesis.

2005-02-01T19:37:00.000-08:00

I'm up late having just put my son to bed and I had some time so I decided to get back here and send out a little more info about our family and plans etc. This blogsite is really kind of my idea to be a living newsletter of sorts. Ginger would rather e-mail. I seem to do better with little bits at a time, like a journal.
Well, I'm thirty years old, the husband of a wonderful woman, and the father of two very spirited (and fun) young kids. Ginger and I were married in May of '98 and started our family a year later. We always purposed and dreamed of being used by God in some huge, adventurous way. Such as leading a youth group at church, leading worship, being missionaries in a foreign land and being part of a community that really lives what the body of Jesus Christ should be. That's what we're into. This is our life, our goal. In His own time, God will use all of this to further His kingdom with our lives. He's work that in us even as we speak.
I envision this journal as being a chronicle of the nuts and bolts of what God is doing with us and in us. We want to share it with you our friends, family, and blogbrowsers. Read these things and pray for us. I hope that we are somehow an encouragement to you. Please blog me things to pray for you about also, we will pray.
As a prayer request, I want to ask that you would all keep our friends Steve and Katrina and their new baby Caleb in your prayers. Caleb was born with some complications and seems to be doing progressively better. Pray for his complete health (and for the sanity and strength of his mommy and daddy too)!
Love to all, more later.

Home again with Elijah

2005-01-28T07:40:00.000-08:00

This is certainly not a typical week for us. My work seems to have slowed down and since I still have a chest cold it is a blessing to be home a bit. I like my chances to stay home with the kids when I can get them. This also gives me greater times of reflection and Bible study. I want to let everyone know that I will be preaching on sunday morning, Feb. 6 at our church. Please keep me us your prayers, God is at work in the life of our family and in the growth of our church. We are also going to try to finish getting the rest of our things moved from Rochester this weekend- a seemingly on-going project.

I will very soon share more about my family and I and our plans this coming fall. We are very excited to do this! Love you all, more soon.

Need prayer, not feeling great today

2005-01-26T06:52:00.000-08:00

Just want to drop a quick spot to ask that you would all keep us in prayer. Elijah was up most of the night, sick. Ginger and I are also sick and dragging, both of us were up with up Elijah frequently during the night. I should say though that there is a blessing in this. My boss (and father-in-law) let me out of going to work today so I get to stay home with my son and he and I can be sick and get better together. Ginger did go to work today, she's pretty tough. Please keep our health in your prayers. We love you all, and let's remember God's faithfulness today!

First blog for the Bansens.

2005-01-25T19:25:00.000-08:00

Well, this is a new way for us to share our hearts and lives with friends and family since we don't have time to email that much, visit or spend lots of time on the phone. Hopefully this will be a resourceful avenue for me to share our lives with you. Keep us in your prayers as we are a growing family that is seeking more purpose and structure in our lives in order to serve God better. More soon, love the Bansens.

2005-01-25T19:15:00.000-08:00