We are enjoying a few weeks in Springfield, MO for Missionary Training & Renewal. We’ve reconnected with many old friends and made lots of new ones. Most of our team preparing to serve with The Bridge is here with us, and more will be coming next week. There is a special commissioning service for all the Missionary Associates (2 year assignment) on July 3. We will be here in Springfield until our own commissioning as new missionaries to France on July 10.
Amanda & I have both setup Facebook pages, which has been fun since it allows us to connect with so many people we don’t see very often. Here are the links:
Todd’s page
Amanda’s page
Also there is a photo album of pictures from the Luke’s first week:
Click Here
As our missions team continued to grow (see below) and our monthly support hit 55%, the highlight of our year finally arrived. Luke Isaiah Tyson was born on May 7 at 9 lbs, 7 oz and 21 1/2 inches. He is doing great and has already gained 3 pounds! He has big blue eyes and brownish strawberry-blond hair. Amanda is recovering well from the unexpected c-section. She thanks everyone for their prayers. Luke made his first road trip May 25 to Madison, IN (sign on right) and has been on the go ever since— he and mom are troopers! Thanks for the good wishes and hospitality from friends, family and churches.
The Growing Team: Two new missionaries have been appointed to work with us on The Bridge team in 
Paris. Katie Bailey (right) of Chandler, AZ is from our friend Tom Rakoczy’s church. She is a veteran of our team in Holland, so we are excited to be working with her again. Her website is katiebailey.wordpress.com.
Also from Arizona are J and Celeste Brown (left). J led a youth team to work with us last summer in Holland. Celeste has worked previously in both Paraguay and Bangladesh. Their website is www.lighttoeurope.com.
We had a “Bridge Builders” weekend over Memorial Day with 12 members of The Bridge team. God is knitting our hearts together and putting His plans in our minds. Please keep our team in your prayers. Fundraising is a big concern as the strong Euro increases everyone’s costs.
Why France? France is one of the least evangelized countries in the world, believe it or not— around 60 million people but less than 2,000 evangelical churches. Paris is less than 1% evangelical Christian. The countries projected to have the most Christians by 2050 are the US, Brazil, Mexico, Nigeria, the Congo, Ethiopia, the Philippines, and China. No country in Europe is even in the top 10. Today there are more registered occult workers in France than pastors!
How Can you help?
- Pray for our family’s health and travel safety, The Bridge team, and financial miracles (monthly support and for a lower Euro).
- Mail enclosed pledge form for new/increased commitments or to renew pledges from 2005. You can also do that on the “Contributions” page at www.tysontidings.com.
Download Printable Version Here: Tyson Tidings 4.2- Milestones in our Journey
Luke Isaiah Tyson was born at 6:47 pm. He was 9 lbs, 7 oz. 21 1/2 inches long. He’s a very healthy little guy (or big guy I guess!). Amanda is doing great. The Lord really protected them both, and gave us peace as we went through this process.
Thanks so much for your prayers! We did end up having to have a c-section, but everyone is healthy! We were shocked by a big baby! About 2 pounds bigger than his sisters.
The last month has been our busiest yet– traveling and sharing with individuals and churches. Many have made new commitments of support, or even increased current commitments. We wish to say a heartfelt THANK YOU to each of you who partner with us each month and pray for us! With your help we are now at 50% of our needed monthly budget before leaving for France in January! Monthly commitments can be recorded online (if you have simply never filled out a form, or are joining us for the first time). Just click here, or see our Support page for other options.
Well as some of you know, May 4 was the due date for our baby. We are expecting a boy, who we will name Luke. Still no baby though! Now the doctors have made an appointment to induce labor tomorrow (Wednesday) morning, so Luke will be born sometime on May 7, 2008! Please keep Amanda & the baby in your prayers, for a smooth and healthy delivery. We’ll post some pictures when possible at www.tysontidings.com.
Also pray for us in the weeks to come. Starting after Memorial Day, if all goes well with Amanda & Luke’s health is okay, we will be traveling as a family through five states for opportunities to share our heart for France. This summer we will be in Missouri, Texas, Colorado, Indiana & Florida (as far as we know now). We are still looking to fill certain dates on our calendar, especially Wednesday or Sunday nights, so please let us know of any opportunities at your church! It has been great seeing friends and family, making new friends, and telling stories of what God is doing in Europe.
Click here to read an article detailing the financial challenges that are facing missionaries in Europe. Please continue to keep this in your prayers. Europe is a needy continent and no one wants finances to limit the potential impact for Christ. Here’s an excerpt from the article:
“This has become one of the biggest financial challenges our missionaries have faced, probably since the times of the Great Depression. It’s also a time of incredible stress and an extreme testing of one’s calling - many are in desperate need of the Lord’s intervention.”
“The Bridge” will be a new church plant combined with a ministry center focusing on the international population of the city of Paris, France. We are asking God to bring together an amazing team of people, both from the US and abroad to make this dream a reality— building a bridge of hope to the city of Paris. Only 5 out of 1000 people claim a relationship with Jesus Christ in this city, which is home to 3 million Muslims as well as people representing every corner of the world. The Bridge will serve as a church planting engine for the Paris region, a center for mentoring of future pastors and missionaries, and launching point for outreach. We will be inviting dozens of short-term ministry teams to play significant roles in this endeavor. (See “The Bridge Project” link to the right for more information)
Forming a Team: In coordination with our partners, missionaries Robby & Tracy Bradford, we are inviting people to be a part of the Bridge team for two years. The goal is to “supercharge” the effort to launch a dynamic, lasting ministry in Paris. So far two families and one individual are now raising their own funds to join us in Paris beginning in late 2009. Please keep them in your prayers, and offer them support as you may be able. Mark and Tania Wolf are from Mayville, WI. They are active lay ministers in their local church, Christian Life Fellowship. Read more at markawolf.com. Next comes Mark Birch, who has a passion for music and youth. Mark hails from Calvary Temple in Springfield, IL. Read more at myspace.com/markrb23. Finally Josh and Sarah Isenhart are from our Indiana home church— Lakeview Church in Indianapolis. While Josh is a sound engineer, and Sarah is talented musically, both of them have a heart to train and build up the church. See their website at isenhartfamily.
wordpress.com.
There are others in the application process, along with some who live in Europe already. Please pray that God builds this team perfectly!
Finding a Home: We are working to find property in the target area we are focusing on in Paris. Due to the large team, the vision for internships and short term teams, and the difficulty of finding real estate in Paris, it is critical that we find property that will accommodate the Bridge sooner, rather than later. Please pray for property, for favor with owners and realtors, and for finances to be raised quickly.
Download Printable version here: Tyson Tidings 4.1– Building the Bridge
During the 40 days leading up to Easter Sunday, Christians around the world are being asked to pray for the spiritual renewal of France. David Broussard with the Christian Community Foundation of France, a partner with the international coalition of Evangelical groups called Pray for France, talks about the geopolitical and spiritual importance of France, the nation’s current state of spiritual darkness and the tiny yet vibrant community of Evangelical Christians there.
You may access an interview about the needs in France using the links below:
Listen | Download
(Click to download full size here>>Tyson Christmas Card)
Over the last month, we have had to privilege of sharing in churches in Indiana, Alabama, and Florida. If you would like to discuss an opportunity for us to come and share in your church, please contact us! We have been sharing about the miracles God did in Holland, establishing Hilversum International Christian Center, as well as casting the vision for “The Bridge”, the church plant and ministry center that we will work to establish in Paris.
The Bridge gained new team members last month! Mark and Tania Wolf (pictured right), of Mayville, Wisconsin have been approved to join the
church-planting team as Missionary Associates. Todd first met Tonia when he interned during college with Robby Bradford (our missionary partners) who was her youth pastor. Mark and Tania have been lay ministers in their church for some years, and will come to France with their children Isaac (6) and Hannah (almost 2) for 2 years beginning in the Fall of 2009. Please pray for them as they begin their fundraising process!
Our new budget is now being finalized, but will be over 50% higher than what was required for our Holland assignment. We appreciate each of you who support us monthly!!
(Click here to download full newsletter– PDF)
We are in the process of mailing a newsletter. If you don’t receive this by email or postal mail, please email update@tysontidings.com so we can add you to the list. If you need a printed copy send us your address. (We always have a PDF version that you can print as well)
Click here: Tyson Tidings 3.6 PDF version
If you receive a print copy and would prefer email, simply email nopaper@tysontidings.com.
We received the official call yesterday from the Assemblies of God World Missions Board, endorsing our call & desire to build the church in France! Below is our new prayer cards which were ordered today. Please be in prayer for us as we begin to share this vision with churches and friends.
We are SO grateful for those of you that have partnered with us over the last 2-3 years. Thank you for every prayer and every gift! We’re humbled to be your missionaries!
Since our status as missionaries has changed, all monthly commitments should be registered again (sorry). It will automatically replace your previous committment (not add to it!). So if you currently support us, and will continue to do so in the future, would you mind clicking here to fill out a simple form? (Only the fields with asterisks are required– our account # is 257333) As always you can also contribute securely online via credit card by clicking here.
