South America... I dig it.

Dear Loved Ones, (You think that's just a title... well I mean it every time)

I am safe and sound in Pichilemu, Chile. I am excited to be able to help out around the YWAM base here. I already feel right at home! I flew out from Panama Tuesday and arrived in Santiago yesterday at around 3am.. I then had to bus to the main terminal at 7am and take a 4 hour bus ride to Pichilemu at 8am and finlly arrived around noon... So once the dust settled yesterday, I took a nap. I also met a lot of the wonderful people at this base, and I am really looking forward to the time I will be spending here. I will be working a good deal with their communications dept. and maybe putting together a video for their Discipleship Training School. The weather here is refreshingly crisp.. like a nice refreshing Minnesota autumn.. I may need to be dragged out of this place... So, although I have only been here a short time I am very much encouraged, and looking forward to the many days I have left in Chile. On another note... because of the great internet connection here, I have been able to put some more videos online for the Panama ministry in Casco Viejo. The first features and introduction from Derek Webb. What's more, they are conveniently placed on this site! How sweet is that? So check out the videos while you're here and if you are interested in doing more with that ministry than just watching videos about it.. here is their webpage link.. THEIR WEBPAGE LINK or e-mail me and I can connect you with the right people. So, without further hesitation, I present to you the feature presentation/s. Peace.

Dustin' off the passport.

Dear Loved Ones.

It has been a bit of time since the last update, a few things have happened since that time. For one, on April 17th I added one more number to my age and am now 23. Never done that before. I have continued to work with the inner-city minstry in Casco Viejo. I finished putting together another video for them and have continued building connections with different people around that area. A group of us are actually going there today to hand out our lunch to people who can't afford food on their own. I also have a update about travel plans. Due to various reasons, the journey through South America has taken on a different look from the original concept. I will be spending more time in fewer places and doing less travel than originally thought. I plan on arriving in Chile next week and spending about a month at the base in Pichilemu, about 3 hours southwest of Santiago. from there I will bus over to Argentina, very likely stopping in the border town Mendoza, Argentina, before continuing on to Buenos Aires. Right now it is seeming like the 4th of July is when I will return to Panama from Argentina. My return ticket back to "The Oasis State" (Minnesota) is still August 1st. There is a lot of time until then, and with the journey starting up again I hope that I might be put fresh in your thoughts and prayers. I could also use financial help as travelling around costs more than staying in one location. The travelling will cost around $1,000.00. I am able to pay this now, but my account will be severely lowered. If you would like to help out in that way, you can follow the link on the side of this site. Well, I am off to the City now. Please also feel free to e-mail me, as I always love hearing from you. Peace.

-=Drew=-

Responsible....

Dear Loved Ones,

Below is a short video that I put together that shows a bit about the new ministry that is being started in Panama. It is a much needed ministry in the inner-city. About ten minutes away from what is now considered Panama City is the old, run-down, forgotten, and hurting area known as Casco Viejo. Ten minutes away. This new ministry needs a lot of help, and if you are interested in helping let me know and I can connect you with the right people. If nothing else, I hope this video urges you to consider what is ten minutes away from you, and what you are responsible for based on what you believe. Happy Easter. May we live out faith as Christ has called us to.

-=Andrew=-

Satanist Musicians...

Dear Loved Ones,

I have been doing well in Panama. Working a lot with Chris Collins in some of the pioneering stages of the new ministry in Casco Viejo. I have been trying to do a lot of filming as we have been heading forward in this ministry. At this point we have been trying to do relationship building with some of the locals. During one of these meetings, we were in the home of one of our new friends chatting. During my time in Casco Viejo I have seen several Rastas, I like Rastas, so I asked if there was a part of town where more Rastafaris live. One thing lead to another and before long we found ourselves walking over to another... home? cave? shelter.... anyhow. There were three musicians in this dwelling, who after a few seconds of observation of their home decor, appeared to be satanists. Not Rastas. It was an interesting meeting. Before leaving we said we would try to make it to one of their concerts, oddly enough they said Sunday would be a good day to check it out. However, when we were walking out they did warn us not to bring any of that "God stuff" with us. At which point I turned around smiled and couldn't help but laugh a little. I mean seriously, why else would we come back if we didn't bring the "God stuff"? So things have been going well in Panama. Cartagena, Columbia is looking a bit more questionable, as they recently made a video of their ministry that they are now touring with. So... they might have that under control. I will keep working out the details and as I know more, you will too. Peace.

-=Andrew=-