Chris and Lynn Toney
What A Decade!
Chris & Lynn and the PandemicYou may be wondering how does one do missions work while there is pandemic going on? Now more than ever the work of full-time missions is critical for those struggling with the world wide pandemic. Everyone needs easy access to the Bible to brings comfort, answers and light.
Chris is able to work from home, enabling his work with original biblical languages to be an immediate benefit to reach the lost and dramatically aid in translation work.
For Lynn, counseling has moved from face to face, in person counseling to talking over FaceTime and Zoom with those who need a listening ear and prayer.
The beauty of technology provides much needed times of, encouragement and prayer for staff but also to the greater community we live in where people are fearful, stressed and need Gods love to see them through the days ahead as the pandemic continues to wreak havoc with our day to day lives.
~ The bible transforms individual lives, but it can also change nations.~
New Life
They say that things change within your heart when your kid, has a kid. That has certainly been the case with the arrival of William Cylas Toney. Cylas was born on Valentines Day to our oldest son Will ( goes by his first name now) and his lovely wife Adrienne. Lynn was able to fly right before things got tricky with the virus to help out with baby and help Will and Adrienne move We are so blessed with our first grandson and couldn’t be more proud of Will. Can’t wait til the next time we can connect with these three.
What a Decade!
10 years. So much has happened. 10 years – each and every one of you walking with us, praying for us and being side by side with us in missions. 10 years – you, our supporters, have journeyed with us through the tears and the joys. 10 years of ups and downs. Let us look back over the last decade to some major highlights of Chris and Lynn in missions; serving those around the world and in their local community.
Accidents Happen
Having two accidents in the early months of 2010 was an experience we both would rather not repeat. Lynn’s boating accident, a collision between a water taxi on which she was riding and another boat, left bumps, bruises and a severe shoulder dislocation for Lynn, and a fatality on the other boat. Months of doctor and PT visits while doing rehab exercises were left interrupted by the second accident of 2010. Chris was throw from an horse during a family day out celebrating our two oldest son’s 18th and 16th birthdays. Chris sustained major injuries to his brain resulting in a long stay in the hospital, medically induced coma and several medical tests to determine that a TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) has long lasting and irreversible damage.
What we learned in those early months of the decade: That you can and will have strong support and will tangibly see the results of countless people praying and have the knowledge that you are never alone in God’s embrace and love.
What we are still learning: That life can be lived to the fullest no matter the obstacles; and that a change in course, no matter the size or the event, can bring new things, great things if we only hear, obey and trust in the Lord.
God is our refuge and strength, our ever present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1
Boat’s Goodbye
Living on boats and calling them home for almost 5 years while doing full time missions, while homeschooling your 3 kids, while running DTS schools, while living in VERY small quarters, while overseeing the day to day operations of two large Catamarans was an exhilarating experience to say the least. From hurricane seasons and sailing to safe harbors, to seeing God in nature, to watching students come to a deeper relationship with their Lord, to the perfect sunset, to breakdowns and missing parts, to down pours of rain, to dolphins frocking in the bow, to dark nights of long sails, to worshiping God on the water, saying goodbye to the boats in order to be full-time on land brought a mixture of emotions.
What we learned: An experience of a lifetime. That God will meet you in the most unexpected ways. To hold fast to a dream created by Him. To never give up, even when everyone around you says otherwise.
Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in touch with the Spirit. Galatians 5:25
The Nest is Empty
2013 marked the beginning for Chris and Lynn of what is affectionally called “Empty Nesting” in the U.S. It’s the season of when all of your kids are out of the house and on their own. Will (Cameron), Josh and Jessie were moving into adult living while Chris and Lynn where able to expand ministry focus to include travel and teaching abroad while still serving as base leaders in Belize.
What we learned: That hard work, trusting the Lord with your kids, being consistent and showing Gods love to them, can pay off to be blessed with amazing adult kids. **If you’re in the season of child rearing, have hope your love and care will pay off.
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6
The Passing of the Baton
We don’t know about you, but often times the Lord moves through big events and/or changes, prayer, ideas, nudges, scripture or what the world would call a “coincidence”. Looking back now, there were signs; there were things already in motion (remember the comment about learning?) that started off slowly and built momentum as we handed off of our roles as base leaders of Destination Paradise, a Youth With a Mission training base originally founded on sailing boats, and eventually became a strong training campus with over a hundred students each year completing schools, outreaches and internships.
What we learned: What you think you are going to do forever can change… be open to the possibility of bigger and better as the Lord guides and directs your path. Do you have the faith to step out into the unknown? Sure you do; just trust Him and He will show you the way.
For we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7
New Beginnings (again)
Starting off in missions in 1997 left us with the exhilaration and excitement of what have we done?! sense of nervousness for what was next. Who would have known that the Lord would take us, teach us, train us, be with us, and guide us in so many different ways (Mercy Ships, Captain, homeschooler, teacher, trainer, counselor, bible scholar etc..), taking us all over the world and reaching countless people. Leaving Belize allowed for a widening the net, going deeper with new things. He landed us in Kona, but He paved the way for us to travel, to teach and to go.
What we learned: Anything is possible with the Lord. Hold on tight! You might think you know what the ride will be like, but it turns out to be the ride of a lifetime complete with immeasurable faith and heart pounding experiences. Given the choice, we wouldn’t change it for anything!
With man, this is impossible, but with God, all things are possible. Matt 19:26
Let Us Learn (more)
In hindsight, it is easy to see where the Lord was directing both Chris and Lynn from 2011 and onward to the later part of the decade. Who would have known that both of us would continue education beyond university in fields that we love and that we would engage that learning so extensively and internationally in the coming years, and now in, of all places, at the U of N campus in Kona Hawaii. Chris started in 2011 with the first of 2 masters degrees through Fuller Seminary. Our neurologist has said many times that Chris’s academic studies helped him in the early years of recovery by stimulating healing by learning. Lynn followed a few years later with the desire to glean more information in the field of counseling and coaching. Association of Christian Biblical Counselors certification was quite stretching with a steep earning curve. Both of our certifications and degrees are used every day for the greater progress of the kingdom.
What we learned in the process of more education: That you’re never too old to learn. That there is so much out there to do, see and be a part of when education has been fostered, nurtured and grown.
Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me- put into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:9
No More
How do you explain the term gut wrenching? That pit in your stomach? That headache that comes from stress? That sinking feeling of dreams lost, vision blurred and plans that will cease to happen? Living and doing ministry in Belize was always tricky. Did we see things coming as they unfolded? No. Were there always challenges with the Belizean government from the first day we sailed into this beautiful nation? Yes. Could the base and its new leadership have done anything to stop the ways of a corrupt government? No. The base closure still has long term effects for us both, former YWAM DP staff and those Belizeans we loved and were blessed to be a part of their lives. We always trust that the Lord has hopes and dreams far beyond what we can imagine or understand.
What we learned: That in the storm, you may not know, can’t see, or feel the reasons for what is happening- but can trust that this too shall pass. When you’re in the midst of the pain, God can and will bring clarity, love and care to his kids.
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:19
Summer 2019 Update
 Chris and Lynn Toney |
Both of our roles in YWAM continue to be personally gratifying, fruitful; extending the reach of the gospel. Chris is hard at work to bring the Bible to every person on earth in their native language and Lynn provides counseling and mentorship to those full time missionaries on and off the mission field. In addition to our primary ministry roles, we also are blessed to be involved in outreach to the community we live in. We often have opportunities to serve and connect outside of our Youth With a Mission family here in Kona and globally. In this newsletter we are excited to highlight some of these unique ministry connections. Camp Erin Camp Erin is the largest national bereavement program for youth grieving the death of a significant person in their lives. Children and teens ages 6-17 attend a transformational weekend camp that combines traditional, fun camp activities with grief education and emotional support, free of charge for all families. For a couple of years now, Lynn has been able to bring her love of counseling to campers at Camp Erin. As part of the clinical team, her role is to connect with and make sure that all campers (as well as the 50+ volunteers) are emotionally healthy while processing their pain and loss. Grief workshops are held throughout the weekend long experience. As the main facilitator of what is called, “throw and let go”, Lynn helps grieving young people to let go and not bottle up extreme emotions. Campers are encouraged to connect with their emotional pain associated with their loss of a loved one. Writing out that “emotion or feeling word”, whether it is an emotion (anger or sadness) or the event in which someone died (car accident, cancer, suicide) onto a plate and then throwing and breaking that plate to help them release their pain due to the loss of a loved one. Campers come away having had a fun camp experience as well as tools they can use as they continue on the path of healing from the loss of a loved one.    Where is YWAM in the World: Mongolia We are including a new section in our newsletters that highlights where and what YWAM is doing in and around the world. YWAM is very diverse! The YWAM family is comprised of thousands of people from all over the world serving in every single country on earth. Our staff and students are a mixture of nationalities and people from many nations who serve side by side. We come from numerous different Christian denominations and speak hundreds of languages. More than half of our staff come from “non-western” countries such as Brazil, Korea, Indonesia, India, and Nepal. In addition to our full-time staff, many YWAM locations host short-term outreach teams made up of individuals, youth groups, families, and churches who participate first-hand in “making God known” both through word and action. We send out over 25,000 short-term missionaries each year. We love being a part of such a large, international missions movement! There is so much happening in the world of missions. Let us show you what is happening around the world. End Bible Poverty Now is a collaborative global ministry of YWAM, Wycliffe, SIL, SBC, CRU, Faith Comes by Hearing, United Bible Society, Tyndale, and thousands of ministries, bible translators, churches, bible societies, and others united with a mandate to enable every person on earth to be able to read or hear the Word of God in their mother tongue. There are still a little over 1500 languages on earth that have no portion of scripture translated and End Bible Poverty Now will bring this number down to 0! Not only is it vital to have scripture translated into every language, every person needs to be able to have access to it. Since there are so many oral cultures on earth, audio and video recordings of scripture must be available along with printed and digital bibles. This summer, scores of committed, willing and able YWAMers from around the world are joining with Mongolian churches in a collaborative effort to successfully offer a bible to every family in the nation of Mongolia. This monumental task is not only about distribution of bibles but seeks to promote engagement  with the Word of God, strengthening and growth of the church and the transformation of Mongolian people: individuals, communities, cities and the entire nation.  Snorkel Day, a ministry of Deep an Beyond, creates opportunities for the disadvantaged, handicapped and disabled person to explore nature in an adaptive community free event for people living with disabilities. Snorkel Day creates an inclusive atmosphere where everyone is treated equally, and a place for families and caregivers to rest while participants enjoy the water, and the sea life within; free from the confines of their limited mobility. Lynn has the awesome privilege of getting in the water with these amazing folks that live in the Kona community. By assisting them, those who can’t swim can be in the water, safe and able to connect with Gods beautiful creation and explore a world they would not normally get to explore.    The Book What was to be a role for Lynn as prayer intercessor for a short film, turned into much more for the both of us. In addition to prayer, Lynn assisted the AD (that’s movie talk for assistance to the director) prop gathering and set up for the various scenes of the film. Chris was asked to take on a role (the church official who oversaw the martyrdom of William Tyndale) in the short firm. Here is a brief overview of the movie and the time  we all had to share how the gospel was brought to the masses so many years ago. We are looking forward to the release of this short film and the impact it will have on those who watch it. The Book, is a short film about the trials, tribulations, and sacrifices that people have made throughout history to get the Bible to where it is today. Covering 2000 years, The Book begins with the transcription of the Gospels, moving through history, and ending all the way in modern day. For six days during June, YWAM Ships Kona became something Every day we shot between one and three scenes to help bring this story to life. It was an incredible time where people from all different departments and schools lent a hand where they could. From set dressers, to PA’s, camera operators and prop designers, the base rallied together and offered their talents to pull off something incredible. The film is officially in post production at this point. Ty, the director, is hopeful that it will be out late this summer, or early this fall, but there isn’t a determined release date yet. Check out some behind the scenes photos, and be on the lookout for an official release date .  .    Newsletter Code Words A friend from our Mercy Ships days and long term missionary Anisha Hopkinson wrote a brilliant blog post a few weeks ago. We cried, we laughed and felt strongly that this was literally so spot on for all of us who serve in missions long term we had to share it. Whether overseas, whether serving state side, missions work can be oh so amazingly crazy and joy-filled, but also challenging too. Thanks Anisha, you really shared well with how so many of us missionaries feel and go through. “Before moving overseas, I read newsletters of cross cultural workers and thought something along the lines of, Well, that’s interesting. Now that I live overseas, I realize newsletters are filled with code words. Or rather, ordinary words that take on a bit of ‘extra’ when used in the context of living overseas. For example: It’s been a year of transitions and adjustments. Is actually a neat and tidy way of saying: I’ve spent the last 12 months living out of a suitcase and making a ton of mistakes everywhere I go. Ahh, now we understand what’s actually going on. There are many, many more. In the interest of moving past the that’s interesting thoughts that may accompany newsletter reading, this post is devoted to decoding a few of our common words and phrases.” Code: Visa application proces Meaning: We’ve quit our jobs, given away our belongings, raised support, and are ready to go, but if this paperwork is denied all our plans are totally stuffed. Code: Health issues Meaning: This mainly means diarrhea. Code: Prayerfully consider partnering with us. Meaning: We really need people pray for us and donate money every month and are pretty sure if you just asked Jesus, he’d tell you to do it. Note: No? It’s just me then. Code: Rainy season Meaning: Thank God for relief from raging tropical heat, but now there is mud everywhere and my laundry won’t dry. Code: Graduating language school Meaning: HALLELUJAH WE’VE BEEN SET FREE!!! Note: For some of us, language school is also known as “Language She’ol”. Yes, as in the dark and lonely realm of the dead. Code: It’s been a difficult term Meaning: We are so completely stressed out and yelling at each other all the time and quite frankly surprised to still be here. Note: Respond to this newsletter and ask how you can help. Code: Tired Meaning: Utter exhaustion Note: Gift this person a vacation. Code: Multi-cultural team Meaning: We’re all from different countries and the Dutch are rude, the Germans are inflexible, the Americans are too sensitive, and the Australians are very, well… Australian. Plus, it’s hard to tell jokes everyone understands. Code: Thank you for praying!!! Meaning: Don’t forget us. We might die if you don’t pray. Note: Ok, I exaggerated…or did I? Code: We could not be here without you. Meaning: We could not be here without you. Note: Maybe it sounds a bit cheesy, but it’s totally the truth. So is this… Originally posted on https://www.alifeoverseas.com/newsletter-code-words/ Prayer PointsThe extreme personal hardship we continue to face as a result of the shutdown of YWAM DP essentially by the government of Belize remains a top prayer point. We have made a little bit of progress in repaying the debt but there is still a long way to go. For more information, if you have questions or would like to be part of the solution, please contact us. Thank you. Our sending church and the majority of the people who pray for and support us financially are in Washington State. We’re praying about a trip to see friends, family and supporters at some point this year – Please pray with us as we consider when and how we might be able to come. We’ve shared a few of the things we’re involved in here in Kona. Please keep these in your prayers along with our primary work with YWAM. |
Summer 2018 Update
Chris and Lynn Toney
Summer 2018 Update
Dear Friends and Family, So far, 2018 sure has brought much challenge but also much joy. We hope you find our Summer 2018 Update interesting and informative – It will be great to hear back from you! All the very best, Chris and Lynn
Double Portion of Blessing
When is the last time you felt truly cared for? When was the last time you felt truly blessed? A few weeks ago, Chris and I felt and received both a sense of care and were blessed beyond measure. During our 22 years in full time missions our sending church in Bothell Washington, Canyon Hills Community Church have been right there, side by side with us, interceding for us, cheering us on and providing the much needed funds so that we can bring the gospel to the far corners of the globe. The first of two blessings is a video produced by the CHCC communications team, highlighting our journey as a young family, the call on our lives and the many stories of Gods faithfulness. Pictures of us from so long ago reminded Chris and I that we are not getting any younger (lol) but more so of Gods amazing love, provision and grace that has been extended and bestowed to our family. Thank you Canyon Hills, for wanting to show that an ordinary family can do extra ordinary things for the Lord. May our call to serve in missions, bring forth many to be released into the amazing journey of full time faith based missions.
The second blessing came in the way of retreat. A retreat is a place to get away, to leave the world of missions for a brief moment and to commune with the Lord. Canyon Hills blessed each of their supported missionaries with a 5 day retreat. We were pampered, loved, cherished, loved on well in those 5 days. A time to renew, refresh and remind each of us, our mandate. The theme was “ The Grove”. The idea of how does one cultivate that place in our hearts, in our minds to do the work we are called to do. How to nurture and protect what is precious to the Lord and to oneself so that we can go out again into this world and be at our best to bring Gods love, Gods peace and Gods light to those who do not know Him. A big thank you to our head pastor off CHCC, pastor Steve Walker and to our missions pastor Corey Mortimer who prayed and brought this retreat into being. You two and the team that supported us during the retreat have no idea the impact you have made for us all that are blessed to be a part of CHCC.
Seasons
Ecc 3:8 states: “To everything there is a season.” We have all been a part of seasons that provide revelation, clarity, unknown, character, hardship, joys and most of all growth. Seasons come and they go, much like the wind, sometimes swift and sometimes more in a calming way. YWAM DP the ministry and training base that Chris and I founded back in the early 2000’s and where we handed over the reigns 2 ½ years ago has had its fair share of seasons. The season of training and ushering in countless students and staff on a physical YWAM base has officially come to an end. Due to governmental issues, and other unique circumstances the doors of the base in Belize has closed. We are sad to say goodbye (again) but also are trusting the Lord for the possibly of new season, new vision, to potentially blow in once more. Thank you to DP’s amazing staff and to all students who have been and are yet to be a part of the many seasons of DP. A new season is beginning with the introduction of University of the Nations Online – a ministry of YWAM Destination Paradise. Stay tuned…
What Is Chris Up To?
If you ask me to summarize what I do in one sentence, I would say that I am working hard with many people from many ministries to end bible poverty. There are still over 1500 living languages that have no biblical witness at all and we are working hard to bring this number to zero.
I am currently hard at work in 4 primary areas: VerbView, Greek SourceView, Teaching Hebrew and Greek to students in the UofN Masters of Applied Linguistics in Bible Translation and putting the finishing touches on Biblical Hebrew Online course. I typically travel, teaching and speaking a great deal, but since the demise of YWAM DP’s campus in Belize and the many unpaid ministry debts that were left on the table (meaning… we get to cover them ourselves), finances have severely limited travel so far this year. In 2017, I was blessed to travel to, speak or teach in Nepal, India, Russia, Israel, China, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakstan, Turkey, Jordan, Cyprus, South Africa, The UK, Belize, and locations in the US.
VerbView is a soon to be added element to the SourceView Bible App which was produced by the Bible Innovation Team of which I am a part. VerbView looks at every verb in the Bible (yes, every verb) and identifies whether the action is something God did, does or will do – or is it the action of someone other than God. The idea is that if we want to know God, we look at what He has done and does. This very exciting project has already revealed some amazing insights about God and is defined to be the source of great discoveries about the Lord!
Greek SourceView If you are not yet familiar with the SourceView format of scripture (the first format change in Scripture in 500 years) it is quite innovative. I have completed formatting the Greek Scriptures into SourceView and am currently working on Hebrew. A number of other gifted folks are working hard on this and additional languages and tools will be included the SourceView Bible App soon.
MALiBT is short for Masters of Applied Linguistics in Bible Translation, one of a number of Masters level programs offered by the University of the Nations. I was asked to facilitate the teaching of both Hebrew and Greek to the students in this current program. What a privilege and joy!
UofN Online is a new ministry of YWAM Destination Paradise. I am nearly finished with our first University of the Nations Extension (online) Studies course, Biblical Hebrew Online and will have Biblical Greek Online available next. We plan to have many online course offerings in the future!