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This month we will talk about how Lidia I got involved in Youth With A Mission, learn how YWAM is responding to the devastating floods in Nepal and earthquakes in Argentina and Colombia, hear some of the ways YWAM is serving in Papua New Guinea, check out some upcoming training opportunities, and more.
Thank you for watching or listening to the Youth With A Mission News Show Podcast, this is the 172rd episode. We are your hosts, Bill Hutchison and Lidia Hugentobler.
You can contact us, subscribe to future episodes, leave comments, and find links to all the stories we talk about on the show notes for this podcast at ywampodcast.com/172.
We are active on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram, so please like and subscribe to this channel so that you can get updates and interact with us.
Band of Bases
Lidia just came back from YWAM Grimerud for the ONE10 conference.
The national leader of YWAM here in Norway presented the conference and objective in this video …
Nepal Floods
To start this month’s news I wanted to talk about what’s happened in Nepal yesterday. YWAM has multiple teams in Nepal, so we are waiting to hear from some of them, but we did get this update on WhatsApp from one of our teams:
“Our family is fine here—but we lost many good friends. A major dam in China broke, causing mass devastation down river, thousands dead, and roads washed away making aid difficult …
Our team here on the ground are working on securing food, blankets, and tarps for relief efforts, as many are without homes… but the struggle is getting supplies to those in need as many places can only be reached by helicopter. Prayers appreciated!”
We will be continuing to update you with what’s happening on our social media channels, but in the meantime, we can pray for all those affected, and working to help.
Colombia Earth Quake
This month Colombia experienced a strong and destructive earthquake. We have numerous teams in the nation, and have received updates from some. This is an update from a team from YWAM Louisville, that had a team of 12 serving in the nation at the time.
“Our hearts continue to be with the people of Pereira and the surrounding communities who have suffered tremendous loss. We are praying that God will bring comfort, strength, and hope to all who have been affected by this tragedy.”
The team has been volunteering in the hardest hit areas to distribute food and water to rescue workers labouring through the rubble in downtown Pereira. They found it to be a very sobering experience that compressed upon them the devastation caused by the earthquake, whild deepening their gratitude for God’s protection over their own lives.
The team is also running a children’s ministry program for the many neighbourhood children who play in the streets outside their temporary housing. They are working to minister and serve alongside locals, and to provide practical assistance where it is welcomed and needed.
Unfortunately updates from our other teams are sparse, but we will be updating you when we receive and find them.
Venezuela Earthquakes
On June 24, Venezuela was struck by two devastating earthquakes (7.2 and 7.5 magnitude), leaving thousands dead and missing, and thousands of families without homes, food, and hope. Behind every collapsed building is a family trying to rebuild their lives.
Since the first day Youth With A Mission (YWAM) Venezuela has been serving alongside local churches, welcoming displaced families, supporting rescue teams, praying with those who mourn, and bringing practical help to those who have lost everything.
Now, they are launching four emergency outreach projects:
- Food packages with essential protein for affected families.
- Backpacks filled with school supplies so children can return to school with dignity.
- Trauma-healing storybooks designed to help children process grief after natural disasters.
- A two-week relief mission to one of the hardest-hit communities, providing food, clean water, and medical supplies.
Every donation—no matter the amount—becomes hope in action. It feeds a family, comforts a child, and reminds people that they are not forgotten.
YWAM Puerto La Cruz, and YWAM Caracas has been actively working to respond to the emergency. I have not been able to find an active web-site or social meda for Puerto La Cruz, but we will include a link to YWAM Caracas in the show note so you can donate, get prayers updates, and see how you could help.
Hurricane Lala
Hurricane Lala caused major damage across Kaʻū and other parts of the Big Island of Hawaii. YWAM Kona is operating a volunteer distribution center, coordinating local outreach teams with partner churches, and collecting financial gifts to buy supplies and gift cards for affected families.
YWAM Kona has set up a distribution center on the YWAM UofN Kona Campus. The distribution center is accepting relief donations to help families and communities affected by Hurricane Lala. All donations received will be sorted into relief kits and delivered with our local outreach teams for distribution alongside partner churches and ministries.
Head over to https://ywamkona.org/relief/ to find out more.
Restoring Sight in PNG
YWAM Medical Ships Australia continues to work to restore sight in remote Papua New Guinea.
Head over to ywamship.org.au to find out more about the ministry.
YWAM Ships Kona – One Ship, Two Impossible Needs
We also have YWAM Ships Kona serving in Papua New Guinea.
Bible Translation in PNG
One of the results of the Bible Translation project in PNG is that the Onobasulu people have received the complete New Testament in their own language for the very first time.
The journey began when their spoken language did not even have a written alphabet. Translators worked alongside the community to study its sounds, grammar and vocabulary before Scripture could gradually be translated.
Copies of the New Testament were flown into the remote village, where thousands gathered to celebrate. Some traveled for hours—and others for days through the jungle—just to witness God’s Word arriving in the language closest to their hearts.
This is one of 850 languages that were in need of a Bible in their language, and it is exciting to see these translations come online, and for people to experience the New Testament in their own heart language.
YWAM San Diego Homes of Hope – Uganda
YWAM San Diego recently produced this mini-documetary about a woman named Given, who was born in Uganda,
Island Breeze Manitoba Luau
If you are around in Steinbach in Manitoba Canada on October 1, Island Breeze Manitoba will be having a special fundraising Luau.
It will be a night to celebrate what God has been doing through Island Breeze, and share where they are heading next. There will be island food, live music, cultural dance, stories from young people whose lives are being impacted, door prizes, and lots of Island Breeze fun.
Check out their Facebook page for more details.
TRAINING—
Bible Schools for the Nations – YWAM Madison
Starting with Bible School for the Nations with YWAM Madison in the USA.
The next school will begin next year September 13 2027 to March 13 2028. For more information you can head to their website at ywammadison.org or find the link below in the show notes.
Community Development School – YWAM Ozarks
Next is YWAM Ozarks in USA, will run the Community Development School.
The Community Development School (CDS) will equip you with principles, skills and perspectives for you to make a holistic Kingdom impact in unreached communities.
The CDS will give you Biblical Training, Practical Skills, and prepare you for effective ministry in a frontier context, with a goal of having Global Impact.
YWAM Ozarks is running the school from September 17 – December 12, 2026, and you can find out more on their web-site, ywamozarks.org/cds.
School of Frontier Missions – YWAM Cebu, Philippines
Last one for this month is at YWAM Cebu, Philippines. The School of Frontier Missions prepares you to cross cultures, share the good news and make disciples that make disciples. Learn from International speakers with a wealth of field experience.
It is a life-changing school training you to pioneer, equipping you with time proven tools to impact people or nations God put on your heart.
The next SOFM starts January 31, 2027 and you can find out more on their Facebook Page.
What’s Important for a YWAM Ministry?
If you want to follow along with the work that Lidia in doing you can find us on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube at Ywamrogaland.
If you want to follow the YWAM Podcast you can find links to everything at ywampodcast.com, and for Bill, his personal web-site is billhutchison.org.
If you liked the program, tell a friend. If you didn’t like it, tell a friend anyway …
