“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” John 12:24

For James and Sarah Chan, their struggle began on 19th September 2011, after receiving a troubling phone call from their daughter, Joanne. She was incoherent and obviously not herself. She was in Bangkok having just enrolled into the masters program in International Development Studies. Joanne’s desire was to work with the United Nations and was hoping for a work placement in Myanmar, a country she was passionate about since she was 16 and had already spent considerable time in on short-term mission trips and extended visits.

Joanne was admitted to hospital and began undergoing tests. She was diagnosed with a cyst in her womb that was producing antibodies that were attacking her brain, a condition called autoimmune encephalitis. There were multiple treatments and constant seizures and this caused the family to suffer deep pain and they feared for her life. The battle lasted 6 weeks.

On 25th October 2011, Joanne went home to be with the Lord. She was 25-years-old.
In a few short weeks, the lives in this family were forever altered. During the ordeal, James sent a message to the YWAM Singapore Community, asking them for prayer support:

“Sarah and I are holding on to God. Emotionally, we are still learning to cope. It has been specially difficult emotionally for me to see Joanne in her present plight. I cannot hold back my tears each time I look at her and thus I am unable to stay long in the room with her.”

How do you let go of your daughter? How can you believe that God is good and great when circumstances tell you otherwise?
These are the tough questions this family has had to face.
But in the midst of grief, the fruits of Joanne’s life are starting to be seen.
Joanne had so many friends, from all walks of life. She was known for her love and acceptance for those around her. She was fun, and brought so much life to those she came in contact with. And adventure was close to her heart. She was not afraid to take a risk and to step off the expected social ladder of success, preferring to walk the road less travelled. But above all this, God was at the very centre of who she was. He was the reason for her life and choices.
Financial gain was not her goal. Rather, she wanted to impact people’s lives for the better.
For the Chan family, their grieving has not ended. They are still struggling to accept the passing of their daughter. But in the midst of their great anguish and sorrow, they are clinging to God. He is the source of their strength and comfort during this time, even though they don’t have all the answers to their questions. They are grateful for the time they did have with Joanne.

Peter was born in Copenhagen, Denmark in June 29, 1968. He lived a life of adventure, traveling to over 70 countries. His passion was to know God more and to make Him known around the world. He adored his family, never sacrificing his family for ministry. His greatest joy was watching his daughters live a life of passion for God an all He has for them. Peter was an amazing example of perseverance in the midst of immense pain and heartache. He was a man who loved people and desired to create a platform for others to walk out their destiny with God. He will be missed.

Our beloved Peter, we continually remember, before our God and Father, your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 1. Thessalonians 1:3

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

Peter Rolf Hinge
June 29, 1968 – November 21, 2011

He came into encounter with Jesus Christ in the year 1977 when he heard a voice audibly calling his name and asking him to go and get a bible. The voice directed him to read Isaiah chapter 6 within that period, he was instructed and taught by the voice.

In the same year joined Deeper Life Bible Church where he played a vital role in the Evangelism and choir ministry. He was part of the team that started Deeper Life in Edo State. He helped establishing several branches of the church in Edo and Delta States. He helped pioneering Deeper Life in Edo State in the late 70s and 80s. He went to the villages to share the word of God and trained choristers in some of the village churches within the period. He was a pacesetter and visioner such that some persons had to travel to his hometown to tell his mum that John had gone made, left his business and followed Church.

He got married to His Dearly beloved wife Mrs Helen Azuka on the 30th July 1983. He had three boys and two girls namely John Chukwunonso (Jnr), Philemon Chinweike, Ifeoma Jemmy, Caleb Olisaemeka, and Faithful Uchechukwu.

In 1986, he started the first Nigerian Christian Book Publishing Ministry called ‘Maranatha Publications’ which was the first Nigerian Publishing Company to have reprint rights in Nigeria and West Africa. Within the period of 1986 and 2002, Maranatha Publications had reprint rights to over 100 Christian literatures. He also founded the Maranatha Tracts and Evangelistic Ministry in the year 1989 which aimed at reaching out to the lost and hopeless both in the towns and villages. He also founded the Maranatha Christian Bookshop.
In 1993, out of his love of God and his word, joined Youth With A Mission (YWAM). He did Discipleship Training School (DTS) in the month of January 1993 at YWAM Ghana. In 1994, he did Introduction to Bibilcal Counselling in Switzerland. He went further to do School of Biblical Studies (SBS) in the year 1998 at Togo. Also he did school of Communication, school of Evangelism, school of Humanities And Sciences in Togo, School of Church Planting & Teaching.

He and Paul Dangtoumda organized ‘GO-FEST 2001’ which was hosted by Redeemed Christian Church of God where the International YWAM team administered. He hosted the YWAM International team in benin for about 2 weeks where they worked with some churches and created awareness for the ‘GO-FEST 2001’ conference. This event ushered YWAM into Nigeria.
He co-pioneered the establishment of YWAM Nigeria in 2002 in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. He worked with Paul Dangtoumda as well as the YWAM Nigeria team travelling to different part of West Africa including Mali and Burkina Faso in preparation of YWAM Nigeria. One of those times He and Paul Dangtoumda was attacked by robbers they had to run several kilometers in the forest in the dark. He wrote over 150 articles and published over 60 of this articles which are distributed freely and used by many Christians, Evangelists and Christian organizations for evangelism. He also started the magazine series – “Light to the Nations.”

He joined the Nigeria Civil Defense and Security Corps (NCDSC) and got to the post of Assistant Superintendent at Lagos in 2003.

In 2003, he joined The Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Movement (TLCCRM) as the State Evangelist and was also an elder in the State Headquarters in Edo State. He travelled to the different part of the state to raise and uplift the branches of the Church especially Auchi and Ekpoma. He also gave his time going to the houses of the newcomers and brings them on each service day.

In October 2007, John Azuka pioneered YWAM Edo State (Rehoboth Base) which presently runs the Discipleship Training School (DTS) and School of Biblical Studies (SBS). He attended the Leadership Training Course at YWAM Port Harcourt Campus in October, 2009.

He endeavored that he trained his children in the way of the Lord of which he was a success. He preached to the members of his community and God through him reached out to him. He discipled them.

Days before his departure, he talked about the beauty of heaven and the essence of forgiveness continuously. Also he told his wife continuously that he wanted to sleep and rest. On the day of his departure, he slept smiling, such that those in the house thought he was still sleeping from about 3.00am till about 3.00pm of that day.

At the two hospitals, the doctors had issues knowing if he was dead because they said he looked like one that was asleep but when they tried to fix drip into his veins, they could not see his veins thus John Azuka passed into glory. He was a blessing to his generations.

Before his death, he was weakened in health yet he fought the good fight and propagated the gospel of Christ. During the time of his ill-health, he wrote several visions which he said if he cannot achieve others could run with it. He was a mentor, father and spiritual leader to many.

“Truth is absolute!” declared Ebel Kremer, and he demonstrated it by dropping a Coca-Cola bottle onto the cement floor of the classroom.  The bottle shattered, we jumped, and Ebel grinned, saying, “Just as the truth of gravity is absolute, so the Truth of Jesus is absolute!”  That was one of the most important values that Ebel lived by, and he spoke passionately about it. Tragically, Ebel spoke his last during the early morning hours on Friday, 25^th February, 2011 when armed thieves entered his house and took his life.

At the time, Ebel, 36, and his wife, Lora, 34, together with their two young children, Levi and Esra, were working with the YWAM base in Athi River, Kenya.  Ebel was leading a project called the Maanzoni Children’s Village, which aimed to develop a village of 8 homes to accommodate foster families caring for up to 12 children each.  The first home had been completed, and Ebel was overseeing the building of the second.

Ebel and Lora did their DTS in Jeffrey’s Bay, South Africa, and went to Mozambique on outreach.  Afterwards travelled in Namibia where Ebel, always one for adventure, encouraged Lora, who was pregnant at the time, to sandsurf down the highest sand dune in the world.

Back in their hometown of Groningen, the Netherlands, Ebel worked as a police officer, but his heart was still in Africa.  In 2008, God led them to Kenya where they joined the Athi River base.  Ebel’s desire for Godly justice carried over from his years in the police force into his missionary calling.  Martin Baraza, the base leader of YWAM Athi River, said, “Ebel was a man that fought for justice, especially for the downtrodden of the community.  He really empathized when he saw children who didn’t go to school…he wanted justice for all.”

Reflecting more on their friendship, Baraza said, “Ebel was a very close friend to me and my family. He was very honest and so forthright in his life.  One thing that really impressed me about him was that whenever he had a conflict with someone, he never let the sun go down…he always went to resolve the conflict because his conscience would not let him leave relationships in a bad way.  He loved people, and his family, and God, and he loved this mission a lot.”

In October, 2010, Ebel, Lora and their kids, together with Martin Baraza, went to YWAM Arua, Uganda to attend the six-week Leadership Development Course (LDC).  During the LDC, participants met weekly in triplets for prayer and encouragement.  Jeremiah Kiwinda, National leader of YWAM Tanzania, was in the prayer triplet with Ebel.  “One of the many things I liked about Ebel,” Jeremiah said, “was that you knew where you stood with him because he spoke his heart.  He was also willing to listen to new ideas, and was open to correction.  I enjoyed him because, even though I’m a leader in the region, he felt free to speak honestly into my life, and that was really precious.”

Beate Kiwinda, who also attended the LDC with her husband, Jeremiah, remembers the times they shared as neighbours with Ebel and Lora:  “I can still see Ebel sitting outside of his room with Esra or Levi on his lap, talking to them, teaching them or just having fun with them. He loved the kids! One day we had the whole neighbourhood of children on our veranda and you can imagine the noise. It was too much for Ebel, but instead of sending them home, he just went and sat in his car and read his Bible. He took the other boys from the YWAM base to the swimming pool and talked to them like he did with his own kids…loving them, training them, trusting them. He was a very special person.”

Among his many talents, Ebel was also a gifted musician.  Throughout the LDC, Ebel played the keyboard with the worship team and blessed us with his passion to seek God. “His heart was to see the kingdom of God moving everywhere,” said Aboud Jondit, National Leader of YWAM Sudan, and the third member of Ebel’s prayer triplet during the LDC.  “He was a lovely man, a visionary man. His heart and the way he lived with his family really touched my life, because his heart was for other people.  The passion that Ebel had…I don’t know who will take that place.”

In truth, no one will take Ebel’s place. He was unique in every way. Lora said of her husband, “Ebel was like an elephant in a China shop…his direct manner was sometimes difficult for the Africans. He wanted to go for truth, the total, absolute truth. He had a passion for teaching and loved to speak on world-view to help people see where change needed to come. When I went to identify him in the morgue, a sense of pride swept over me. Ebel was passionate about his call, his work, how he loved his children, his family, his wife! I felt a great gratitude of having known this man as my husband, and all that he had been able to invest in this continent and in Kenya.”

Garry Tissingh, member of the Africa Leadership Team as well as the LDC school leader and Ebel’s one-on-one mentor, said, “Ebel was a passionate guy who was full of life and who really touched people.  He had this spontaneity to just get into gear and be committed and say what he thought, which to me was very refreshing.  It encouraged and stimulated me to be more spontaneous myself.  He didn’t hide anything; he was just true to who he was.”

True to himself, true to others, true to Jesus. “Truth is absolute!”  Ebel’s physical voice may have been silenced, but his words still resonate in the hearts of the many who loved him.  May Ebel’s legacy live on in Africa, and may the seeds he sowed produce a harvest of righteousness to the glory of God.

In 2002 it was discovered that John had cancer. His last 2 years were a gift but went by too quickly. He went to be with Jesus on Father’s Day, 20th June 2004. For a short tribute to him by his son, Jonny, go to http://thestrawberryhill.wordpress.com/2010/12/10/my-dad/

John Clark was a wonderful man, and is missed by many people. He gave up much in his last 25 years on earth, yet it was in this time that he blessed so many people around the world. His legacy lives on with his wife, Val, still serving God while working for YWAM in Harpenden, and by his children and grandchildren: Andrew and Jennifer Clark and their 4 kids, Sydney, Kaylee, Jackson John, and Garrett; Louise and Steve Eichner and their 6 kids, Kirsten, Natalie, Ryan John, Rachel, Travis, and Joshua; Jeremy and Amanda Clark and their 4 kids Shekinah, Grace, Isaac John, and Danielle; and by Jonathan (Jonny) and Jenn Clark, and their 2 kids JJ (John Josiah) and Ridley

Went to be with Jesus on September 10, 1991

After 57 years of pastoral ministry with Enid his wife (now known as Mama Dar), ‘PS’ as he was affectionately known, first ministered in British Columbia, Canada where his only child Darlene (later Cunningham), was born. The family then moved on to several pastorates in California and Washington.

After retiring as Senior Pastor in his church, PS and Enid joined YWAM in 1978, attending the very first Crossroads DTS in Kona in 1978, continuing to serve for a number of years where he staffed DTSes and was much loved by all who served alongside him on the fledgling University of the Nations campus. Naturally, PS just kept on pastoring.

PS had his own unique brand of down-to-earth commonsense wisdom, which was clearly drawn from God’s Word, and honed during his more than half a century of ministry. Upon returning home to Seattle due to ill health, he simply couldn’t throw off the mantle, so until his dying day, he pastored people.

Loren Cunningham wrote these words about his father-in-law: “To thousands of people, the word ‘Pastor’ became like a first name for E. R. Scratch because that was what he was to them.

“As the Lord is our Shepherd, that we should not want, so Pastor Scratch lived to meet the needs of others through his calling and gifts. He led them to practical, but green pastures of spiritual food. He led them beside still, peaceful waters of refreshment in Christ’s presence and provision. He was there to comfort the bereaved, even in the valley of the shadow of death.

“Pastor Scratch would counsel, but never control; advise but never manipulate; leave the ninety and nine to help the one.

“Pastor Scratch IS a good shepherd, and is now WITH the Good Shepherd Who guided him home to receive a shepherd’s crown of glory.”

Beatrice’s first school with YWAM was the 1997 PCYM (Principles of Children and Youth Ministry) in Budapest. She had already been involved with KKI for some time and wanted to start King’s Kids in Romania. She did her DTS in Cluj, Romania in 1998 and became the official King’s Kids Romania leader, based in Timisoara, Romania. In 1999 she became part of the leadership for KKI Europe. In 2007, she became part of YWAM Romania’s executive leadership team. In April, 2010 she became part of the Central European Leadership Team and was commissioned with Helga Nuernberger and Florin Mihaly to be the joint leaders of YWAM Romania.

Beatrice travelled the globe. She ministered on 5 continents. She ran countless camps for children and youth, took outreaches all over the world, taught in seminars and schools on various subjects such as Human Development, Children at Risk, Counseling Children of Abuse among many other subjects. She hosted several international and regional conferences for both KKI and YWAM Central Europe.

Beatrice had a major impact on the nation of Romania and how the church views and works with children as well as the role of women in leadership. She was a pioneer who was breaking ground from before the fall of communism. Beatrice was an integral part of moving YWAM and missions forward and she did an outstanding job of bringing the mission together and promoting unity and encouraging relationship between YWAM and the body of Christ across denominational lines. She was a mother, sister and friend to many who did not have one and a counselor, advisor and advocate for many hurting and broken people.

Her husband, Peter, has been an incredible source of encouragement and support for Beatrice and has quietly served her and our mission for over 14 years. Theirs was a deeply committed, precious, loving relationship full of mutual respect and submission and obvious love for each other. She adored him and he her. Her two sons, Benjamin and Timothy, were her joy and she was so proud of them. She wanted to give them the very best and was committed to do all that she could to see them succeed. She was so proud of her daughter-in-law Daniella and pleased that Beni had chosen such a wonderful girl.

A few weeks before she died, she told her family that she didn’t want a big expensive funeral and instead of flowers that the money be given to missions. Her family honoured that request and instead of flowers and decorations, money was collected towards the YWAM Mombasa base in Kenya – where Beatrice taught last year.

Her testimony has taken root in the fertile soil of the hearts of those who knew her and the hearts of those who will hear about her and these testimonies will grow and bear fruit. Her life touched so many people in so many ways, and even though it is so hard to say goodbye, we know that her legacy will live on through us. Let us all live life in this same way, so that when the time comes, God will invite us home with the same words He used for our beloved Beatrice: “Well done, you good and faithful servant”.

-Shanie Hinge with Belinda Chaplin

TRIBUTE TO JIM NIZZA from Loren & Darlene Cunningham
August 14, 2010
Curitiba, Brazil

Truly a warrior has gone home!

Jim and Barb Nizza stood as pillars among us at YWAM/UofN Kona, pointing with unwavering faithfulness to the goodness of God’s character and His will…no matter what! They loved God wholeheartedly…listened intently for His voice…worked steadfastly to do his will…and laughed hard to make it all enjoyable for their family and for everyone else.

Barb was with us in the early days in Kona…during the “Youth With A Machete” days, when we were first claiming the land and God’s promises. She helped to pioneer the area of Early Childhood Education and write the preschool curriculum that has now laid the foundations of faith in the hearts and lives of thousands of wee ones around the globe. In the early 80s, she headed off to Hong Kong to help lead Far East Evangelism Teams.

In the meantime, Jim, who had been working with YWAM primarily in Europe, arrived at the YWAM/UofN Kona campus. There, in the early 80s, he helped to pioneer ministries with King’s Kids, Children at Risk, Early Childhood Education and other schools with the College of Education.

Barb was invited back to Kona for a seminar by match-makers David & Carol Boyd….which led to the meeting and marriage of a dynamic leadership team for the purposes of God’s kingdom! Jim went on to work with our Community Development Schools and then came into the role he is best known for in Kona: leading Schools of Biblical Studies. He was passionate about the Word of God and its power to transform people and nations. With the addition of Joel and Crystal along the way, the Nizzas became a family that set a positive example and had a great impact among us at YWAM/UofN Kona.

It was Jim and Barb’s commitment to hear and obey the Lord that led the Nizza family to Ozark, Arkansas eight years ago. We commissioned them and sent them out from Kona with our blessing and have maintained a strong relationship and prayer commitment to them, throughout this time of pioneering and the simultaneous battle that Jim waged with cancer.

Death is an enemy that God never intended. Jim fought a valiant battle, never wavering from his trust in God, even as the enemy tried to mock him through the taunts of this invader. But in the end, Jim won…and God won…because Jim is with God.

Barb, Joel and Crystal…our thoughts and prayers are with you in these days of the loss of your husband, father and friend. But Jim’s legacy lives on in you and in the thousands he trained and commissioned into God’s purposes. May it somehow comfort you to know that, though your husband and father is with the Lord….the Lord is with you!….and this separation is truly only temporary. May God’s presence fill you with great grace and comfort today and in the days to come.

Malcolm was a man of many talents, an electrician, a computer and electronic geek to name a few. He understood telephone and alarm systems like you wouldn’t believe. Malcolm had a great practical knowledge, which was greatly valued by all who knew him.

Although we miss Malcolm very much, we are thankful to God that He allowed us to have him for a further nine years from the time when he was so ill in Canada. Extra time to create those special memories. Finally we honour you Malcolm, your life has been a testimony of your faithfulness and generosity.

Psalm 16 v 11 ….In His presence is fullness of joy.