March 2010

Pursuing A Dream

: Moraccon skier Samir greeting fellow skier at the Alpine event finish

"Moroccan skier Samir Azzimani stood at the finish of the Olympic giant slalom and took stock of where he was and what he had done.

"For Samir, passion is not constrained by age. Dreams and hope are enough for success. He has been dreaming about skiing for more than 16 years before realizing his dream to compete in the Winter Olympics.

“'I’m very proud to be here, to represent Morocco,” he told Reuters. “You can see that without money you can achieve a dream, that’s what I want to say. Don’t let anyone steal your dream.'

"He finished 74th out of the 103 athletes who competed in the Alpine Ski race.

"Around him, fans waved an array of flags while athletes from countries not normally associated with skiing celebrated their own extraordinary journeys.

"There was Pakistan’s first Winter Olympian Muhammad Abbas, who learned to ski by strapping carved wooden planks to his legs with nylon rope.

"Peruvian Manfred Oettl Reyes, a 16-year-old in a llama-decorated ski suit, was 67th and two places ahead of Cayman Islands’ debutant Dow Travers."

(Excerpted from article by Alan Baldwin entitled "Alpine skiing-Morocco, Pakistan enjoy moment in snow" February 23, 2010. Yahoo! Sports Click for complete article.)

These athletes are pursuing dreams despite challenging circumstances. With determination and hope, they overcame insurmountable odds and made it to Vancouver. For each of them, just to be able to compete in the Olympics is success.

You Dream - We Equip

EMI is all about helping everyday people like you realize your God-given dreams. It takes only one surrendered and Spirit-infused person to make a lasting impact on a culture, a community, or a family.

EMI's core-relationship series of classes, Listening for Heaven's Sake, Speaking the Truth in Love, and Renewing the Mind, will equip you to effectively minister God's grace in a hurting and lost world.

Leadership Series and Advanced Series classes will empower you to rise above the obstacles and become fruitful in God's kingdom.

Consider attending the upcoming Life Seminar weekend, March 19-20 in Cincinnati, where six of EMI's transformational courses will be offered. Meet people from various cultures gathered to experience the joy of healthy relationships. Take advantage of this opportunity to be equipped to pursue the dream God has instilled in you.

More Info on LIFE seminar

Download a new EMI brochure to share with a friend.

Homecoming for faithful friend of EMI

: Faithful EMI volunteer Lillian Rumford

EMI lost a dear friend when Lillian Rumford died on Sunday, February 28. Farther back than any of us can remember (somewhere in the mid-90s), Lillian and her husband, Bob, began dedicating every Tuesday to volunteer at EMI. When Bob passed away in 2004, Lillian continued coming to EMI right up to the final Tuesday of her life.

Her “titles” included quality control expert, mail collator, instructor kit stuffer, and seminar nametag manager. Some of you from other cities may remember Lillian as the first person to welcome you at the Life Seminar registration table.

Over the past few years, Lillian often wondered why the Lord was keeping her here for such a long time; she was ready to go Home. Tuesdays with Lillian were a blessing. We will miss her. We praise God for the gift of knowing her.

If you would like to volunteer, contact Karen Carter at 800-EMI-GROW (364-4769) or 513-742-1100 for information on how you can invest in the ministry at EMI.

International Spotlight on Gade Chew - India

: Gade (far left in white) with YWAM students

EMI has the privilege of meeting and encouraging some amazing faith warriors! It is a privilege to introduce you this month to Gade Chew (Americanized name).

Phuttharak Chewchengsanti (Gade) is the only Christian in her Chinese Buddhist family. Gade contacted EMI as she was approaching graduation from a Chicago seminary with a counseling psychology degree. “Before I came to EMI’s International School (July 2008), I felt I am wearing only the shirt and pant, I did not have enough training to equip others. Now after International School Of Service (SOS) I felt like God has put a suit on me!”

“God has laid on my heart to bring the teachings I have learned back to my own country to start counseling ministry with YWAM in Thailand. I have seen so many lives torn apart and unable to be repaired. The idea of counseling does not exist. I would like to take all I’ve learned to give my people hope and freedom in Christ.”

After graduation, Gade served as a leader for YWAM Discipleship Training School in Kona, Hawaii. By September 2009, she was leading a School for YWAM in India. Her team has been traveling throughout India teaching, ministering and reaching out to people hungry for God.

: Students practicing counseling skills

Here are a few excerpts from her updates:

“My outreach with 7 churches is completed; we have been working with a prostitute ministry for 3 weeks. How hungry they are in God to receive the healing. My students and I have taught Renewing the Mind after I taught about sexual abuse. They shared openly. The Holy Spirit was there.” ~ August 14, 2009

“We have spiritual attacks. A king cobra almost kill my friend -- but God protected him. This week we did not have power in the classroom. It's so hot. Some days we have no water. Please pray for protection for our students and staff.” ~ October 3, 2009

“We are leaving for outreach. 5 teams are going to north, east, north east and south of India. My Hindi language is getting better every day. I will co-lead outreach to the South: Goa, Chennai, Hyderabad. We’re working with Leprosy victims by counseling and training staff and leaders. Then we teach in other cities what my students learned. Counseling is not so acceptable. People feel shame to receive and to share their family problems. ~ November 18, 2009

“Last week, my team trained pastors, leaders and church members in Hyderabad. This week we counseled HIV/AIDs patients. We met many who were infected through their husbands who have died. I listened to women who are sad and angry. Society and family are rejecting them. I prayed, counseled and encouraged them. God has been so kind to me. He has given me a gift of discernment and wisdom to know what to speak today. Please pray for my students and me that as we continue to counsel patients and train counseling skills to the staff so they will know how to serve more effectively. ~ January 21, 2010

Join us in praying for the Lord to accomplish his purpose and blessings to Gade and her team, and through them to the people of India.

Your partnership enables EMI to equip third-world leaders like Gade Chew who are actively working to advance God's kingdom. Thank you for your generosity!

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