Amazing Footage

I am currently at a seminar in Tijuana, Mexico with Grassroots News International and I want to share with you the amazing news they are sharing from around the world, including a highlight from a rescue that was made in Japan nine days after the earthquake and tsunami. Feel free to browse around their website (I'm sure you could spend hours watching amazing videos):  http://www.grassrootsnews.tv
Enjoy....

UPDATE: RescueNet Deployment Information for Japan

Greetings,

Where do I start…? It’s been a crazy past few days for me and the RescueNet team. We at RescueNet have been tracking a number of global situations around the clock with Libya & Japan being the highest profile cases. Libya is still too dangerous for RescueNet to deploy but we have not stopped monitoring the events that are happening there. When the fighting dwindles down, the needs will be enormous. The United Nations estimates 1,000,000 people will need aid in the days following the end of fighting there. We may be able to serve then. For now, it is far too unsafe to enter.

Japan, however, is a much more stable situation. News coverage is ubiquitous so I am sure you have seen some already. www.bbcnews.com has some of the best. The images and videos are staggering and surreal. It looks like a movie only more intense. The latest reports put the number of fatalities around 10,000. It is very tragic.

RescueNet has 10 team members on standby but NOT on active deployment as of yet. We are in the process of communicating with the Japanese embassy to get an official invitation to help. RescueNet team members want to be there to help save lives and stabilize people’s emotional health. At this point the country of Japan has not issued an open call for aid, but rather accepted a few specific offers from international groups. Without an invitation any aid group, including RescueNet, is unable to render assistance within another country. The same would hold true for any foreign entity wanting to help in the US, Canada or any western nation. You can’t just drop in because you want to help. You have to go through official channels. So we wait.

We are not at a standstill though. We have two individuals on the ground in Japan to team up with some colleagues. Through these preexisting relationships we may be able to get better information of exactly what the damage is and where the help is most needed. The news is not the most reliable source. We can also possibly receive an invitation for our team to come and assist.

Please be in prayer for us as we seek information, relationship and a clear sense of where our resources can best be used. The damage is great, but that does not mean it is the place for us to be. Many of you know the mandate for RescueNet is the developing world; places that don’t have the availability of resources that the US and other first-world nations have access to. While Japan was hard hit, they were also very prepared and capable of responding. If this had happened almost anywhere else, the damage would have been magnitudes worse. Japan is arguably the most prepared nation in the world to handle quakes and tsunamis. After all, tsunami is a Japanese word.

You may be asking, “What does this mean for you? Are you going?” The answer is NO, I am NOT going but I have been and will continue to help with details of the deployment. I still have to complete one more training phase before I can deploy to a disaster. Please click here to read my last post about RescueNet and what my next steps are.

If you are able to help financially to send our RescueNet team to Japan if we do deploy, that would be a huge blessing to the team since we are an all-volunteer team and we have to pay our own way and purchase our own gear. If you would like to donate, click here.

If you have ANY questions at all, please do not hesitate to email me back or call me. I will update you as more information comes in. Also, be sure to read my previous update on my involvement with RescueNet(click here to read).

In Christ,

Tyler E. Dean

Back To Mexico I Go

Next week, I will be going to Mexico for about six days. I will be attending a training course with Grassroots News International on journalism, field skills, camera work, mobile video editing and more at the YWAM base in Tijuana. Grassroots News International is a ministry within YWAM. It is a network of news gatherers around the world, who are committed to reporting the news as it happens, from where it happens. Content comes from the people on the ground where the news is happening. The course is designed to equip participants to gather news, and share it with the world. If you want to know more about Grassroots News International, click here!

 

I want to ask you to be praying for me throughout my time in Tijuana. Please pray that I can retain everything that is taught, for new friendships to be built, for the Lord to be glorified in all that we do and for save travels. Thank you in advanced for your prayers!

In Christ,



-Tyler Dean

I've been accepted to....

I am very excited to tell you that I have been accepted onto the RescueNet team (an International All-Volunteer Emergency Disaster Rapid Response Team), which is a ministry of Youth With A Mission. You may remember that I took a RescueNet training course in October of 2010 at YWAM San Francisco.

A badly damaged intersection in Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Photo taken from a member of the RescueNet
team during their deployment to Haiti in January of 2010.
http://www.rescuenetus.org

What is RescueNet? 
RescueNet is a rapid-deployment disaster response team made up of trained volunteers within YWAM. We aim to be on a disaster site within 24-48 hours of it's outbreak. We take medics, trauma counselors, childcare workers, logicsticians. technicians and more to meet the need of those impacted by some of the worst situations imaginable.







What does this mean for me?
Since I have just been accepted onto the RescueNet team, I am not able to go on a deployment to a disaster zone -- yet! I have to complete a probationary period (since I'm new to the team - to make sure I know my stuff), which means that I have to staff the upcoming RescueNet training course, which will be in Salem, Oregon, in mid-October. So if a disaster hits anytime from now until October and RescueNet is called on to deploy for the relief efforts, I will not be deploying with the RescueNet team. After I complete my probationary period (after October), I will be "deployable".

Are you still a missionary with YWAM?
Yes, I am still a full-time missionary with YWAM Pismo Beach. RescueNet does not replace my role here at YWAM Pismo Beach but it will be an addition to the ministry I am already involved with.

What I Need for RescueNet
I need to raise additional finances on top of my monthly financial support for RescueNet since I have to purchase my own personal protective equipment (which is VERY important), training courses and deployments to disaster zones. I am currently in the process of raising $2,200 (If you want to see the breakdown of that amount to see exactly where the money will go, please let me know) for my initial personal protective equipment I need along with the cost of going to Salem, Oregon to complete my probationary period in October. There is information below on how to partner with me financially to help me start up with RescueNet.

My Heart Behind The Ministry

Patient in St. Marc, Haiti

I have always had a heart to do outreaches geared towards disaster relief and I now have the chance. When I went to Haiti in January right after the earthquake, it opened my eyes so much! It is such a special thing to share Jesus and to help people when they've literally lost everything. Now I will be able to help these people and share Christ's love with them through serving with RescueNet.

I want to help financially. How do I do that?
There are a few different ways that you can help me financially to raise the $2,200 that I need. 

OPTION #1 - DONATE ONLINE WITH YOUR CREDIT/DEBIT CARD
Go to:  http://www.ywampismobeach.org/donate.html
Follow the simple steps to safely and securely complete your donation using Paypal.
**You do not need a PayPal account to donate. After you click donate, you will see "Don't Have a PayPal Account?" Under that, it says continue and you can fill out your information.

Option #2 - DONATE BY CHECK
Write a check made out to YWAM. (Attach a note indicating its for Tyler Dean for RescueNet).
Mail the check to:
YWAM Pismo Beach
791 Price Street #119
Pismo Beach, CA 93449

Thank you in advanced for your prayer and financial support. I am so excited about the adventures to come with RescueNet and am excited to share that with you!

Blessings To You,



Tyler E. Dean



**Every year there are over 350 disasters around the world. 80% of the victims are left without first aid, medicine, child care, shelter and help finding loved ones. They need you like they never thought they could. Learn how to meet a crisis with the Love of Christ."

"Because you can send us we can go; because we go they can live."

A daughter and mother reunited!
Photo taken from a member of the RescueNet team
during their deployment to Haiti in January of 2010.
http://www.rescuenetus.org

RescueNet Website:  http://www.rescuenetus.org

What Is A "DTS"?

Since some of you may not know what a "DTS" is, I wanted to explain it to you!

A DTS is also known as a Discipleship Training School, which is Youth With A Mission's (YWAM's) main training school they offer. A DTS is a requirement for applying as YWAM staff, and serves as a prerequisite to all other training programs within YWAM. The DTS is offered at YWAM locations ALL over the world. Some schools have a special focus on particular areas of ministry or nations.

Similar to the DTS is the Crossroads Discipleship Training School (CDTS) that focuses on the needs and concerns of students over age 30, such as second-career people and families with children.

The Discipleship Training School (DTS) is designed to help you understand God more deeply, live more like Jesus and identify your unique gifts and purpose to use in missions. DTS is an intensive, residential training course which begins with an 11 or 12 week classroom/lecture phase, followed by an 8-12 week outreach phase. DTS emphasizes cross-cultural exposure and global awareness, preparing students to answer the call to "Go into all the world and make disciples of all nations" Matthew 28:19.

You may be asking, "Where can I do a DTS?"

There are 300+ locations around the world (in over 150 countries) where you could potentially do your DTS. That does not include the bases that don't run training schools. YWAM has over 1,600 bases around the world with over 22,000 full-time missionaries (I think those numbers are correct...?).

I suggest that if you are interested in doing a Discipleship Training School (DTS), that you check out YWAM's main website at: http://www.ywam.org. Here you can search by regions or specific countries in the world as well as the time of year you'd like to do yours at.

My DTS Experience

In January of 2008, I took a leap of faith and did my DTS here at YWAM Pismo Beach, where I am now a full-time missionary with YWAM.

I arrived in California on January 4, 2008, not knowing what the Lord had in store for me. I went to college for one semester in Minnesota but did not like it and didn't know what I wanted to do and I knew that there was something better for me to do. The first week of my DTS, I knew that I was in the right place!

Throughout my DTS, I got grounded in the Word and my relationship with Jesus absolutely exploded. I went to southeast Asia for my two month outreach, which was absolutely incredible.

I recommend a DTS to anyone who isn't sure what he/she wants to do or is called to do. My DTS helped me figure out what I was passionate about, what my strengths were and helped me get rooted in the Word of God.

Once again..."Go into all the world and make disciples of all nations" Matthew 28:19.

God Created You With A Purpose

Throughout the day today, I felt the need to write another post. And again, I had no idea what to write about so I wrote three different rough drafts for posts but none of those seemed right. Let's hope this one does.

This afternoon, a friend stopped by our office and we talked for a while. I asked my friend, "If you could do anything, what would you do? What are you passionate about?" She replied with something like, "Well, I love what I do (she is a hairstylist), but I also love doing women's ministry."

Immediately, the missionary in me came out. I told her of a few ministries that do women's ministry here in the States and around the world.

Then I thought, you can do women's ministry as a hair stylist. You can share about Jesus to your co-workers and clients.

I often remind myself that wherever and whatever you're doing, you are a missionary, even if that's not your official job title.

Now I am NOT saying to not go if you feel like the Lord is calling you to give up everything and move to a third world country. If that is the case though, you better go! Have you ever given it thought? Have you ever prayed and asked the Lord if you are supposed to go?

If He hasn't called you to live in a hut, that is OK! He can and wants to use you with whatever you do, whether you're a hair stylist, a business man, a mechanic, a teacher, a carpenter, a chef, a secretary, a doctor... you get the point.

There is one thing I do know for a fact: God has created you with a purpose and I am truly excited to see how He uses you!

A Man Of God

Last week, I felt like the Lord was nudging me to write a few blog posts this week. My first thought was, "a few posts in ONE week?!" I thought that was crazy. It's hard enough for me to write a few posts in a months time. So this morning, I still had no idea what to write about but then the Lord put something on my heart to share. I want to tell you about a man of God, how he's shaped my life and how you can pray for him!

Tim Ramey is the father of one of my best friends. In October of 1998, he received a call as a first responder and volunteer firefighter to a house fire. Just as the crew was finishing up and getting ready to leave, the chimney of the house collapsed. It fell on Tim. He should have died that night, and multiple times in the following weeks.

I remember waking up from the sound of an ambulance late that night, or should I say, early that morning. This was weird for me because I rarely woke up during the night and I am still like that to this day. I remember laying in my bed that night, at 10 years old, praying for whoever was in that ambulance. I later fell back asleep and woke up later that morning around 8:00. I walked downstairs to see my father sitting on the couch. I knew something wasn't right. My dad told me what had happened. Tim was the person in that ambulance who I was praying for. I was devastated. I couldn't imagine what my best friend, Jonathan, and his family was going through.

Tim was in the hospital for roughly the next two years.

Ti has had to battle a lot since the accident but the Lord has used him to impact so many peoples lives. He has most definitely impacted mine.

I'm sure Tim began to impact my life before I can even remember. All I know is that it started at a young age, whether it was him paying Nerf Basketball with Jonathan and I in the living room at age seven or teaching us how to be kind to others. As I got older, I could see more and more of a person striving to be Christ-like.

During Tim's recovery from his horrific accident, I could even see it then. That is amazing!

When Tim was finally able to leave the hospital after about two years, his brother-in-law (also known as Uncle Joe to Jonathan and I) drove him from Minneapolis to our hometown of Grand Marais, Minnesota, in an ambulance with Nancy (Tim's amazing wife) in the back with Tim. When they arrived to Grand Marais, hundreds of people were lining the street, clapping, cheering and holding signs, welcoming Tim, Nancy and the rest of the Ramey family home. How cool! Do you think Tim is an inspirational man of God? I think so!

I remember the first time Tim went to Sierra Leone, Africa. All I can say is wow! Tim, a paraplegic, going to one of the poorest, if not the poorest countries in the entire world! He didn't just go to Sierra Leone once either. He went multiple times. That truly inspired me. Even though I was young, I really wanted to go. I wanted to be like that...sold out for Heavenly Father!

Tim has and continues to play a big role in my life. When I was younger, I believe Tim was one of the people who planted that seed in me to be a missionary, even if I didn't realize it at that time. I thank you, Tim, for planing that seed then later watering it and encouraging me to be a full-time missionary. I wouldn't trade what I do for anything!

Currently, Tim is in the hospital. He had to go in for a few surgeries to try to take out an infection that is basically trying to take over his body. There have been a few complications with blood clots, which isn't good but overall, I think it's going alright. He's hoping to be home in a weeks time.

Here is where you and I come into play. Here is our role in this situation. We pray! We can pray for a quick and safe recover and that all of the infection would be gone. We can be praying that Tim would be encouraged and to find joy in this difficult situation. We can also be praying for Nancy and the rest of the family. The power of prayer is incredible - I have seen it first hand in my own life. Let's partner in prayer together and pray for this man of God and our brother in Christ.

Thank you, Tim, for planting those seeds in me and watering them. Thank you!

Coffee & Dessert Night Info

I just wanted to remind you that the Coffee & Dessert Night is on this Sunday, January 9th at 6:30 PM at the Grand Marais Evangelical Free Church (120 East 5th Street). I will be sharing about what I've done this past year with YWAM as well as what next year holds. We will finish off the evening with good ole' fellowship, having coffee/tea and tasty desserts.

 I hope to see you there!

Tyler Dean

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

Hello Friends,

Thanks for stopping by my website. I just wanted to say that I hope you had a great Christmas and have a wonderful New Year! If you'd like one of my Christmas Newsletters, give me a call, send me an email or stop me on the streets and let me know!  :-)

I also wanted to just give a reminder to you!

I am having that Coffee & Dessert Night coming up on the 9th of January at the Grand Marais Evangelical Free Church. It starts at 6:30 PM and I will be sharing about what's been going on in the past year and we'll have some coffee and nice desserts along with fellowship. I hope to see you there!

Blessings,



Tyler Dean

Do you like coffee & dessert?

Hey Friends!

How are you? It’s been busy over here on the west coast but things are going quite well. I just wanted to write you a quick update of what’s been going on with me.

I’m excited that I am able to go to my hometown in northern Minnesota for the holidays to spend time with my family and friends. While I’m home, I will be hosting a Coffee & Dessert Night on January 9^th at 6:30 PM. I would love for you to come! During the evening, I will be sharing about what I’ve done in the past year with YWAM, what next year holds, as well as what the Lord has been teaching me. We will finish off the evening with good ole’ fashion fellowship, having coffee or tea and a yummy dessert together! Look for information on the evening below.

In my last update, I briefly explained about the disaster relief training school I did called RescueNet. I’ve received my certificate of achievement, meaning I’ve passed the course, which I am thrilled about! I am now in the process of applying to be on the RescueNet team. I will be sure to update you after the application process is complete.

Currently, I am in the process of setting up a few outreaches for next spring. We are taking a youth group to San Francisco to do homeless and human trafficking ministry. I’m excited because this is the same youth group that we took to San Francisco last year so it’ll be fun to see how they’ve grown in the past year. I recently had the opportunity to go and visit the youth group a few weeks ago and the students seem excited for the upcoming outreach. I will also be leading a team back to Haiti with a church in our local area. I’m really excited for this outreach because we’re going to be doing a house build for a few families and also because I felt like I learned so much the last time I went to Haiti and how to lead a team better. It will also be so much fun to see my friends from Haiti again!

COFFEE & DESSERT NIGHT INFORMATION:

WHO’S INVITED: You! Feel free to invite anyone!

WHAT WILL HAPPEN: An evening of fellowship & yummy desserts.

WHEN IS IT: Sunday, January 9, 2011 at 6:30 PM

WHERE IS IT: Grand Marais Evangelical Free Church (120 East 5^th Street, Grand Marais, MN 55604)


I hope to see you there!
Blessings,


Tyler Dean

HEEELLLLOOOOOOOOO!

Hey Friends,

So - Just in case you haven't heard or have maybe forgotten, our YWAM base here in Pismo Beach is selling 2011 calendars as a fundraiser. The calendars have amazing photography from many different countries from around the world taken by our staff here at our YWAM base.

We are selling them for $15 and we are only taking orders for the next 24 hours. If you'd like to help us in this fundraiser and order a calendar, it would be GREATLY appreciated. Here's how to order securely online:

http://www.ywampismo.missionsconnex.com/calendar

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

-Tyler

RescueNet Training School Completed

~ TREATING A PATIENT DURING A SCENARIO ~

After 14 days of intense training at YWAM San Francisco, I completed the RescueNet disaster relief training school. The course was amazing and I learned so much! I'm so thankful that I was able to do this. During the two week course, we covered various different topics such as, remote emergency medicine, trauma counciling, search & rescue, radio communications, fire suppression and much more.

Throughout the whole course, the Lord kept reminding me of Philippians 4:13, "For I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength." I was definitely a little nervous going into the training because a lot of students were already EMT's, Wilderness First Responders or had some other experience. Looking back though, I can totally see the Lord's hand in everything, helping me along the way, and giving me strength. A few days before the course ended, I was laying in my bed before falling asleep thinking to myself, "It's incredible how much I've learned thus far and it isn't even finished!"

In a few weeks, I will find out if I passed the course and if I do, I can apply to be on the RescueNet team. If I get accepted, there is two probationary periods. PP1 (Probationary Period #1) requires that I have to staff another RescueNet training course and for the PP2 I have to go on a deployment with the team. After I've completed the probationary period(s), I would be officially on the RescueNet team.

The Lord has also stirred a passion in me to get further training in these areas. I am planning on doing a WFR (Wilderness First Responder) course next year and I've also thought about doing an EMT school in the future.

When I find out if I'm accepted, I will update you on more of what RescueNet is and what this would mean for me, my next steps, etc. Please be praying that the Lord would open doors to this amazing ministry if it's His will.

I want to say thank you to those who prayed for me during the training course and also to those who helped me do this course financially.

In Christ,



Tyler E. Dean

~ Greetings from California ~

Greetings from California,

I know I just wrote an update a few days ago, but I wanted to write again to share something cool that the Lord has been doing, to give you a little medical update on the skin cancer I had, and also to let you know of a need that I have.

One afternoon awhile back, myself and a few others were praying and asking the Lord to open a door for us to get involved in the community more, whether that was with the local government or helping someone with handyman work. Well, the next day, a lady named Ernestine called the office, asking if we had anyone that would be willing to help her do yard work and a little maintenance because she can no longer do it on her own. How cool is that? Since then, the city council has also been calling me about once a week to see if I can round up people to help them out with different projects around the city. Praise the Lord for the favor He’s giving us and for opening doors to share the gospel. Through this, the Lord has really been teaching me how to serve and bless others.

You may be wondering how my skin cancer is doing that I had on my finger. Well, it’s completely gone! The doctors gave me these drops that I put on twice a day for 6 weeks and it slowly killed the cancerous cells. My finger is back to normal. Praise God! Thank you for your continued prayers for this. It means a lot to me. Everything else has been going really well for me and the Lord is continuing to teach me so much in this season. It’s been really exciting for me.

In regards to my need, my car (1996 Honda Civic) is completely falling apart. The suspension is shot, it need new breaks, the AC is gone, it needs new tires, the window motors are broke so they won’t roll down, my clutch is going out, and the list keeps going on and on.

Honestly, I cannot afford to fix any of these problems right now and I’ve come to realize that fixing these problems will cost more than the vehicle is even worth.

Now, I know that this is a lot to ask for, but I would like to make it known that I need a newer and more reliable vehicle. Since YWAM is a non-profit organization, you can donate a vehicle and receive a tax deductible receipt for the value of the vehicle.

My need for a vehicle with the work I do is vitally important. I use it daily for many different things, such as going to meetings, airport pick-ups and drop offs to Los Angeles/San Francisco, driving students around, going to different work sites and much more. If my car happens to break down in the near future, I cannot afford to either pay for the fix or purchase a new vehicle.

Again, I know this is a lot to ask for, but I thought I should just ask to make my needs known to you. Feel free to spread the word to other people that would possibly like to donate a vehicle as well. If you have any questions at all about this, please don’t hesitate to email or call me. I would appreciate your prayers that the Lord provides a vehicle for me. Thank you for all the prayer support you already give me. It’s such a huge blessing.

In Christ,

Tyler Dean

Mexico Outreach & Conference Update and What God Is Teaching Me

Dear Friends & Family,

    As you know, I was recently in Ensenada and Tijuana, Mexico for about two weeks. The first week we were there, we stayed at YWAM Ensenada, catching up with old friends, meeting new friends and sharing the love of Christ to the locals. The last couple days we were there, we were at YWAM Tijuana for YWAM’s 50^th Year Celebration. The founders of YWAM, Loren & Darlene Cunningham, spoke throughout the four day event about how God started this mission, how He’s been so faithful to us as a mission the past 50 years and also asking God how He wants to use this mission in the next 50 years. It was a marvelous time!

    I need to be honest though. Before we left to Mexico, I had a really bad attitude and did not want to go - at all. One of the reasons I didn’t want to go was because I didn’t have money to pay for it. Well, God took care of that quite easily. The day before we left, I still didn’t have my money, but that afternoon, the exact amount showed up anonymously for my trip. That started everything. I knew even though I didn’t want to go, I was supposed to.

    While in Mexico, God addressed my bad attitude and I realized that it was more than about this trip. I had a bad attitude towards a lot of things going on and I wasn’t even admitting it to myself. Some of them were relating to my pride, dying to myself, and serving others even if I didn’t feel like it.

    I hated the attitude I was having, thinking that my ideas were the right ones and the other ideas were wrong or that I didn’t need to help this person because I just didn’t want to. It was so silly. I wanted so badly to get over it. What I felt like wasn’t the real Tyler.

    Finally, a light bulb went off in my head. I asked God to change my heart. I prayed – a lot! I prayed that He would soften my heart, to work in my heart and to take away my negative attitude and replace it with a willing heart, a loving heart, a servant’s heart. He has and is continuing to!

    Since giving this up to the Lord, things have been amazing these past few weeks. It’s amazing what God can do when we see our faults, are willing to admit our faults and ask God to change our hearts. It’s hard to be humbled, to admit that we’re wrong, but I believe that is when you see the most growth. I pray that I continue to let God mold my heart how He wants it to be, that I would be vulnerable and that He would continue to humble me. Would you pray for me in this area as well?

Thank You & God Bless,

-Tyler Dean

A Quick Update -- Mexico Outreach

Hello!

I just wanted to let you all know that I'll be heading down to Mexico on Saturday for a 7 day outreach to Ensenada, Mexico, then going up north to Tijuana, Mexico for a conference with YWAM. This year, YWAM is celebrating it's 50th year of being a Christian missionary organization, so the southwest district of North America is meeting in Tijuana for a little conference. I want to invite you to be praying for our outreach, that we could be the hands and feet of Christ and share His great love to these people in need

With that being said, I'm excited to share what the Lord does while I'm in Mexico. Thank you in advanced for your prayer support. It's always such a blessings, so thank you!

In Christ,

-Tyler E. Dean

- An Encouragement & Thank You -

Hello Friends,

I just wanted to encourage you and say thank you today.

As brothers and sisters in Christ, we are called to love and care for one another. So, how does this look. Here are a few ways.

*LOVE ONE ANOTHER
"Dear friends. since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another."  -1 John 4:11

*ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER
"Let us not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another."  -Hebrews 10:25

*SERVE ONE ANOTHER
"Serve one another in love."  -Galatians 5:13

*PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER
"Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other."  -James 5:16

"You should be like one big family, full of sympathy towards each other, loving one another with tender hearts and humble minds." -1 Peter 3:8 (LB)

When you feel down or discouraged, remember that you're not alone. God has a family to support you and encourage you. Reach out to your brothers and sisters in Christ for support.

Thank you for your encouragement and support to me. Thank you for being amazing brothers and sisters in Christ.

Be blessed today!



-Tyler Dean

My Medical Update and More

I have no idea where to start this update. A lot has happened. Good stuff. Not such good stuff. If I’m being completely honest with you, I’ve been having a difficult time lately. I’ve been trying to write this update for about a month and a half now but every time I finish it, I delete it because I don’t like it. I wrote about awesome things that the Lord did while I was in Haiti and other cool stories the Lord is doing in my life and the lives around me.

A lot of times as a full-time missionary, there is a big pressure to always act like everything is ok – like we have everything together. I’m going to let you in on a little secret. We don’t. We are normal people and we aren’t always perfect.
A lot has happened lately. I led a team back to Haiti to partner with YWAM St. Marc in their earthquake relief efforts. I visited my family & friends in Minnesota and I also found out I had skin cancer. Most recently, I broke up with my girlfriend, Jacque. It’s definitely been an interesting ride lately.

So, what do I talk about from here…?

Food Distribution in the Refugee Tent Cities in Port-au-Prince, Haiti

Haiti was good. It was a difficult outreach but an amazing one at the same time. We did various different things, including: food distribution, tent city/refugee camp ministry, English lessons with refugees, a house build and more. Most importantly though, we saw the Lord transform lives around us. One of the students that went with us is now planning to go into full-time missions to Haiti. It’s so cool to see the Lord grab someone’s heart and also so encouraging when that person is willing to go and follow the Lord!

I also recently had the opportunity to go back to my hometown. It’s always fun to go back to Grand Marais to spend time with my amazing family and friends. While I was in Grand Marais, I had a doctor appointment to check out a dark spot on my finger that I’ve had for about a year. The doctor did a biopsy of it and the pathology report came back saying that it is a piece of skin cancer (don’t worry, it isn’t serious). The hardest part about this isn’t having the skin cancer. That can easily be treated. I could care less about that. The difficult part is that I want health insurance but am not able to get it. Even though it’s been a burden, the Lord has connected me to a few doctors willing to help so it will be taken care of sooner than later. Praise the Lord!

A few days ago, I broke up with my girlfriend, Jacque. It has been a very rough time since then but the Lord is teaching me a lot. I’m not going to go into a two page detailed reason of why we broke up but I will briefly explain it. Basically, I felt the Lord was saying to me that I was going to her for comfort, healing, acceptance, etc. It was almost like I was replacing God with Jacque. God was telling me that I needed to come to Him for healing and for comfort, etc. He wanted me to fully surrender to Him. I fought with this for a few days and tried to do this on my own and make our relationship work even better under my own strength. After the Lord convicted me again of it, I had to talk to her about it. It was one of the most difficult things I’ve ever had to do in my life, but I wanted to be obedient to the Lord. We’ll see what happens in the future. Even though it has been extremely difficult and I didn’t want to do it, the Lord has been teaching me a lot. One of the things He is teaching me is to simply cling to Him and rely on Him for everything. He has been giving me such a desire and hunger to search after Him at every chance I can get, whether I have 15 minutes before a meeting to dig into the Word or waking up earlier than I would like to, to spend time with Him in the morning. I’m not saying that this is always easy though. He is teaching me a lot about discipline, which has been challenging but awesome at the same time.

Isn’t it interesting that when we are at a low point in our lives, also known as “in the valley”, we get to know the Lord more than when we’re “on the top of the mountain”? It’s in those hard times when we encounter Him the most. I think that is because we need comfort and the only place we can turn is to God.

I would really appreciate if you continued to pray for me through this season, that the Lord would continue to reveal Himself in such a strong way. Thank you for your continual prayers and financial support. Without people like you, I could not do what I am able to do. You are such an encouragement to me so, thank you!

God Bless,



Tyler E. Dean
tyleredean@yahoo.com

Medical Need

Hello!

While I was in Minnesota visiting family and friends recently, I had a biopsy on this weird thing that's been on my finger for about a year and it's been getting bigger. The doctor called me a few days ago to tell me the test results and they found some cancer. DON'T WORRY! It won't kill me and cannot spread throughout my whole body. It can just spread more on my finger if I don't take care of it. Anyways, I just wanted to share that with you and I also want to share my next predicament.

I don't have health insurance but I NEED to get the skin removed somewhat soon so it doesn't get worse. This will require a minor surgery with a dermatologist specialist. Insurance companies will not accept me since now my records says that I had a biopsy and they found the cancer.

So basically, I need to find a dermatologist surgeon that could bless me and do it for free (or very cheap). I am going to call and ask around to various different places and just ask...it's worth a try! That's my biggest prayer request right now that all of the logistics get worked out with finding a way to get it removed.

So...I am looking for a dermatologist that can do surgeries pro bono or for a very cheap rate. I would be willing to fly to a different state (than California) because it would be cheaper than paying the full rate for the surgery. So if you know anyone who would be willing to do this, please let me know.

I will keep you up to date as things unfold. Thank you in advance for your prayer support. I appreciate it.

Blessings,

Tyler Dean
(218).370.2078
tyleredean@yahoo.com

Disaster Relief Training School

Hi!
I just wanted to write a quick update and let you all in on my latest news! I have recently been accepted into a disaster relief training school called RescueNet.

What is RescueNet?
RescueNet works within the Youth With A Mission network as a disaster response team. It is an international organization recognized by the United Nations as a disaster relief agency. They specialize in treating the victims of natural and man-made disasters in the critical early days following these incidents.

When is the school and where is it?
The dates of the training school are from October 9 - October 23, 2010 and it will be held at YWAM San Francisco.

How much does the school cost?
The RescueNet school will cost roughly $1,000 for everything (training, material, food, lodging, transportation, etc.)

My Heart
I am very excited to participate in this school and get further training. I have always had a heart to do outreaches geared towards disaster relief. It is such a special thing to share Christ and to help people when they've literally lost everything. When I went to Haiti in January right after the earthquake, it opened my eyes even more. Shortly after I returned home, I heard about this school so I immediately applied.

What is my next step?
I will need to raise $1,000 to do this school. If you are interested in partnering with me financially to help me do this school, look under "How To Donate" on the right side of my website. You can also email or call me. I am also looking for people to partner with me in prayer for this school. I am excited to see what God has in store for this school.

God Bless,

Tyler Dean

---------------A blurb from RescueNet's website!---------------

"Every year there are over 350 disasters around the world. 80% of the victims are left without first aid, medicine, child care, shelter and help finding loved ones. They need you like they never thought they could. Learn how to meet a crisis with the Love of Christ."

UPDATE: Fruits of the Spirit

Hey!

How are you? I just wanted to get you up to date on what I’m learning, what I’m doing and where I’m going and all of that good stuff.
God has been smacking me in the face lately, teaching me a lot of different things. It’s great!

One of the fruits of the spirit is self control. We always focus on the love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and faithfulness, but in this day in age, we often overlook self control. In a culture where self control is almost looked down upon, it’s hard to go against the grain to have self control. God has been teaching me a lot about this lately. I have been working hard at being a good steward of what He has given me and entrusted me with. This has been hard to learn. Basically, it’s easier to buy a latte at Starbucks than to save money. It’s easier to buy a sandwich at Subway than it is to make your own peanut butter and jelly. I don’t want to be taking the easy way out. If I’m being completely honest with myself right now, I haven’t been giving money away or tithing. I feel like the Lord is saying to me that even if I don’t have the money to give, I should still give. Through this, the Lord is teaching me to trust in Him, that He will continue to provide. I want to ask you to partner with me in prayer as the Lord continues to teach me about this. Also, feel free to ask me how I’m doing with this.

I’ve been super busy recently, planning a handful of Project Sixty-One (the ministry I work with here at YWAM Pismo Beach) outreaches for the summer and fall of 2010. As you may already know, I am going back to Haiti in just over a week from May 16 – June 3. We will be working with YWAM Port-au-Prince and YWAM St. Marc (located 60 miles north of Port-au-Prince). During our time in Haiti, we will be ministering in the refugee camps along with helping on a sanitation project in the camps. We will also be working at YWAM’s orphanage and possibly doing a construction project. I’m really excited to go back to Haiti to share Christ’s love and to see my friends that I made while I was down there in January.

We are currently planning two more trips to Haiti in September and November. On those outreaches, we will be doing most of the same ministry and will be doing building projects. If you’re interested in going with me in September, let me know and I can get you more information on the outreach.

I hope to be writing updates while I am in Haiti but I’m unsure of the internet connection in the country.

I also want to say thank you for your encouragement, continued prayer support and financial help. I literally could not do what I do without people like you.

Take Care & God Bless,

Tyler Dean
http://www.tylerdeanmissions.com