LATEST NEWS FROM THE ROMAN FAMILY
Dear family and friends,
Aloha, from the University of the Nations in Kona, Hawaii. We are going on our third week of classes at our Fire and Fragrance D.T.S. We are adapting to the early mornings and busy schedule created primarily for 18-25 year olds without children. Erica is older than me anyways so it’s all good : ). Our children, specifically the younger two, were having a hard time transitioning to new schools and new nannies but they are fine now. It’s amazing how far a little bribe can go with a child.: ) It probably wouldn’t have been so hard if the boys didn’t have such amazing teachers at their last school East Linn Christian back in Oregon.
Life in YWAM is pretty incredible, the stories of missionaries who have risked their lives to preach the gospel are endless. I am amazed daily at this modern day Antioch( training and sending center). Our teachers are also our very close friends and that has made the experience even more incredible. The first week Andy shared the vision of Fire and Fragrance and I was left with mixed emotions. Many of the initiatives that Andy shared and that they are pioneering world- wide I had vision for and even made attempts toward without any success. We even share the same language and similar God encounters that led to birthing schools. I feel as though it may have been a timing thing but also realize dreams have fertilizer to grow in this environment like none other I have ever experienced. People are encouraged to hear the voice of God, make long- lasting relationships and pioneer together and it’s happening all around us. Most of the pioneers are in their 20′s fully released and empowered. The initiatives are global and reach as far spanning as professional athletes with More than Sport with professional triathlete Chris Liato to rescuing those involved in child trafficking. The wineskin is created as such that those who lead are leading from a desire to serve the Lord and go to the nations. There are no salaries,or positions. Everyone is a missionary and is required to pray and believe God for provision. All 500 or so people on this base in 3 months time will be sent all over the world to the hardest and darkest places in the world. Our school alone people are being sent to Turkey, China, N. Korea, Cambodia, Japan,Nepal, Berlin,Poland, Mozambique, S. Korea, Amsterdam, East Coast of the U.S and Honolulu. I am constantly being challenged that the dreams in my heart are two small and my perspective needs to be changed.
Erica and I asked the Lord where He wanted us to go for our outreach. Before they listed the countries I heard “Hawaii”. I responded, “we are in Hawaii Lord”. As soon as I shared with Erica we heard on the microphone,”Honolulu”. Erica was given number 3 by the Lord which was Honolulu as well.
Honolulu is on the island of Oahu and is extremely over populated. Being one of the Hawaiian Islands it’s beautiful but also shares in being one of the leading places for drug addictions, high drop out rates, suicide, domestic abuse, lowest schools scores and prostitution. Many locals feel as though they where kicked out of their island and have lost their culture and identity.
Erica,I and the boys will all be going together as a family and staying in a community house with a local ministry that is involved in house of prayer, outreach to prostitutes as well as a martial arts outreach that reaches street kids. For those who know me well know how happy this makes me since I have been studying and teaching martial arts for a long time. Within the last 3 years I have been using it as a discipleship tool, seeing awesome fruit.
I probably get asked daily,” what are you guys doing next”? I stopped asking the Lord because He keeps telling me He’s not revealing it yet and for the first time probably ever I have peace that my future will be good because Jesus is my future. In the mean time we are spending more time as a family worshipping , praying and dreaming together more then we ever have. The joy in my children is worth this whole experience. I want to thank everyone for your prayers and financial support. Thanks to God and those who have given to us. We have completely paid our school fees. We will shortly be told our outreach fees but in the mean time we are also living life here making Costco and Walmart runs to feed our picky boys. We appreciate any gift and any size to help us continue in this journey as a family. My sense is regardless of where we go or what we do for the Lord in 6 months but we will be closer as a family and all more in love with Jesus. If you would like to sow into this journey please go to www.afriendofgod.org and click donate on the home page.
Sincerely yours,
The Roman Family
Ivan, Erica,Isaiah, Aren and Ezra
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Other info: YWAM website: www.uofnkona.edu or www.fireandfragrance.com
