4 years. Wow! It seems like it was just a few days ago that I was stepping out in faith into this new life in Peru. Four years ago I decided to do my DTS in Cartagena, Colombia, sold almost everything I had and walked into the unknown. Since then, I have helped lead a team of youth pastors and YWAMers to China in 2008, been staff in DTS Iquitos 2009, 2010 & 2011, did my PCYM YWAM school in 2009 in Bucaramanga, Colombia, and went on a construction mission trip to Haiti in 2011. So many things have happened since I took those first steps and left Tampa, FL. I knew I wanted to dedicate my life to this, but there is always a doubt in every human being when you set out to do something great. There is that doubt, that thought that bounces back and forth in your brain, “Can I really do this? Am I strong enough? Do you really want this life?” Well, I am here to say, “YES!” I want this life. I wouldn’t have it any other way. I don’t always know exactly what is next or what God has prepared for me. But I do know that my home is in Latin America and my life and ministry is here. So, please keep me in your prayers as I plan this to be a life-long commitment on the mission field.
I wrote in my last newsletter about my mom, her cancer and how the family has grown in all this. She is now done with her Chemotherapy and Radiation and is continuing with another therapy until summer of next year. My parents have an apartment in Lima and I come see them whenever I can. I am happy, no, ecstatic, to say that she is VERY healthy. Chemotherapy was hard, but God gave her more than she needed to come out on top. She is past the worse part. I could write a whole newsletter on how this has helped us grow as a family and how it has changed things in all of our lives.
Since the DTS 2011 graduation in August, I have been living with my parents, and Keith & Lu in Lima. After the New Year I will be flying back to Iquitos to lead the DTS 2012. I am so excited about this school. When we first started talking about the DTS, I was a little hesitant to take on this new responsibility of leading the school, but God has provided all I need and with an AMAZING staff. As my role with the school is changing, I am doing many things that I have never done before. I am a little scared, but at the same time confident that God will give me all I need. Those that know me well know that I do best when I am put in a new situation and learn with “hands-on” experiences. I am excited about the challenge and ready to take that new step in leadership!
While in Lima, I have been working on a hidden talent that I never developed before: I have been taking piano lessons! Though I’ve been leading worship for years now, not being able to pick up an instrument and play made me feel limited. I am not very advanced, but I am practicing everyday. It feels so awesome to just sit down in front of the piano and sing away! I can’t wait to actually lead worship while I play. I am not ready for that yet, but I will be soon.
God has faithfully provided for me all these years. On the other hand, many personal and ministry projects that God has placed on my heart have not been started for various reasons, mostly the lack of financial support. When I left Tampa, I had the goal of having an $854 monthly support base. I have been surviving on much less than that, but it limits what I can do. Please pray about this and let me know if you would like to partner with me here on the mission field. I know you can’t all be here physically, but you can help me continue to touch the lives of many, many teens and youth. If you would like a breakdown of my budget or an example of some personal and ministry projects I want to do, please write to me and I will send you more information. It is not about a few people giving a lot - it is about a lot of people giving a little! The price of a weekly visit to Starbucks could help support me for $25 a month. If you could commit to more, great, but if not, “invite” me to a Starbucks coffee that can result in changed lives! For those of you that are supporting me, THANK YOU SO MUCH! I am here because of you!
Prayer Requests:
1. Please pray for our DTS 2012 staff: Waldir and Maira, George, Brett, Ruby and Magly. They all have their own set of challenges to get ready for this new phase of their lives.
2. Please pray for all the students that will be arriving in Iquitos this coming March. They are getting ready to start a journey like I first did in 2008. I know what it feels like and it is not an easy step.
3. Please continue to pray for my mom and my family. Like I said, she is past the worse, but prayers for her and my family would be deeply appreciated.
4. Please pray about joining my financial support team.
Your sister-daughter-niece and friend,
Sylvia Barnard
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