Hello Friends and family!
I apologize for not being able to update you guys during the last few months. I've been beyond busy the last 4 months of my life!
As many of you know, last year I went to Youth With a Mission ( a missions organization that trains young adults to go out into the world as missionaries and followers of Christ). During my Discipleship training school we went to Nahong Thailand for a two month outreach. Once there I felt called to do the second school that YWAM northwoods had to offer, the School of Biblical Foundations (SBF) and that's where I'll start! My latest adventures!
SBF was an extremely intense course that taught me how to study the bible in depth, understand the truths of God's word and teach others from the bible. I feel deeply grounded and firm in what I believe and have a desire to share the word of God and the life it brings to the people around me. At the end of SBF I made the decision to make an outward statement of my faith, by being baptized! I'm very excited for what lies ahead!
In the school we had an intense homework load where I was hardly sleeping in order to finish the projects. Through it I feel much stronger in my faith then I ever have before. I know without God I would not have made it through this intense school and I praise Him and give Him all the glory.
Thank you all so much for your prayers and support while I was in SBF!!
I have recently come home and I will be home for a month before going back to Wisconsin. I've been accepted as Discipleship Training School (DTS) staff! I will be staffing the schools and I will also be leading the outreach to Nahong Thailand this winter! I have had a strong calling to the ministry in Nahong ever since I went there last winter.
As of now I am signed on for the next two years! I will be moving back to Chetek Wisconsin in early August.
Reasons for going:
When I was a little kid, all I wanted to be was my dad. I wanted to be just like him! So I would imitate \ him as best I could. Walk like him, talk like him, listen to his music and anything else that was something my dad would do. I had no reason to walk around with a toothpick in my mouth! I never used the thing. But dad did it so I had to do it. It felt so cool. When people would see me with the toothpick they'd always say “He looks just like his dad”. I love my dad and because I loved him I wanted to be like him and make him proud.
In the last year I've gone through many life changing experiences and my life vision has completely changed. The way I imitated my dad when was a child is how I now want to imitate Christ. I've learned much about what's important in life and I've come to the conclusion that everything points back to God and the gospel. I feel called to bring the gospel to Nahong Thailand and the people around me today. I want to bring young Christians the real Jesus and the true life giving gospel so that they can truly live!
In DTS I will be working with young adults for a 3 month classroom phase and a 2 month outreach phase. Doing one-on-ones with the young men and leading some local outreaches as well. I will be one of the people who set up our team transportation, translators and ministry in Thailand. I will be overseeing the English teaching ministry at the school in Nahong as well. It will be a lot of work but I am called to serve at the school in Wisconsin and in Nahong Thailand. It will be a great deal of responsibility but I am ready for the challenge.
Ways you can help:
Prayer: I value all of your prayers greatly. I have felt the power of prayer in my life so please pray. This will be the most challenging thing I've ever done so I greatly appreciate prayers.
Financial Support: I am taking a great step of faith being a missionary with no form of income other then the support of others. It does give me more reliance on God for provision however.
I will be living a normal life with living expenses, basic essentials and gas, plus a trip to Thailand this winter. If it is laid on your heart to give either a one time donation or even monthly support I can not express my thanks enough for that.
I consider you all a MAJOR part of my ministry. Your by my side here and in Thailand, working with me.
If you would like to help me in my mission, have questions or just wanna talk, please contact me! I'm on Facebook: Search Lucas Neraasen, Email: lukieneraasen@yahoo.com, Mailing Address: YWAM Northwoods W14580 County Highway D, Weyerhaeuser, WI 54895
Thank you so much. And God bless
Luke
