Dear Iona Church Missions,

I am finally writing you to thank you for your faithful support of my ministry with Lebanon Valley Youth for Christ. I have appreciated the money you have been sending me on a quarterly basis for the past three years. This money has been a blessing to simply spend on teens, and resources for myself. I wanted to write not only to express my thanks, but also to inform you of how I have been spending what you have been giving me.

One of the first things I purchased was numerous books from a pastor’s library. He was moving and did not want to take all his books with him. I purchased three commentary sets on the Bible, and several other books from his library. I have used these commentaries many times when preparing for lessons.

I have used your gifts for supplementing my budget at YFC. When I need a prize for club, or supplies for club, I have at times used your money to purchase some of these items. This has helped YFC save some money, and has freed up some of my time because I don’t have to run out to the office to get a check.

One of the biggest ways I have been using your gifts is to take a teen out to eat. I have found that sitting in a restaurant sharing a meal together, is one of the best ways to get a teen to talk. By nature, I’m not a great conversationalist with new people, but going out to eat seems to help us both relax.

An example of this would be a teen I was assigned through the court system. I remember him sitting in my office with a ton of attitude, and I figured he would never make it through the program. Our second meeting consisted of him helping me clean the YFC center, and afterwards I asked if he wanted to go for some Chinese, but off the clock. He agreed, and he just continued to talk non-stop during the meal. Eventually, he even came over to the house to talk one day, after he got into a fight with his father.

Blessing teens with graduation, birthday, and Christmas presents is another way I have used what you have been sending me. I have also purchased some computer equipment that I use in the ministry, especially along the lines of video editing.

Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart; your generosity has been an incredible blessing for the ministry God has called me to, here in Lebanon. I’m sure the teens are grateful as well for your faithfulness in giving.

I wanted to let you know of an unbelievable opportunity God has opened up in my life. In February a friend of mine, who is a missionary in Brazil, asked if I could come down to help him make videos of various ministries within his mission. I began to pray about it, and had several friends and family praying as well. To make a long story short, God has allowed me to take a 3-month leave of absence from Youth for Christ to go down to Brazil and assist my friend, and UFM International by producing videos.

My friend wants me to raise support to buy a computer that I could then donate to some Brazilians when I leave, so they could continue some of the work my friend and I will start. I thought instead of raising support, I could use the money that you have been sending me to purchase the computer, and then donate it to a Brazilian and his church.

I have tried to be wise in the spending of your gifts. Therefore, I have $3,000 saved from your contributions. The cost of the computer is $2,300, since I have to buy a laptop with tons of memory for video editing. I also had to purchase an extra battery, since some of the places they may be sending me will not have electricity, which will limit filming and edition on site.

I am excited about this opportunity to travel, and use my talents for the glory of God. Thanks again for all your support. If anyone is interested in supporting me through prayer and/or financially please email me at fishlikejc@lvyfc.com, or simply call my cell phone (717-304-2327), and I can send you my prayer/support letter, which I should be sending out in the near future. Also if you have any questions, or simply want to talk about things happening at Youth for Christ or in Lebanon, please feel free to contact me in one of the ways above.

Thanks again for all you have done for me.

Sincerely,

Lyle Wenger

Sr. High Youth Director

Lebanon Valley YFC