URGENT PRAYER REQUEST! HAITIAN PASTOR

I wanted to post a special prayer request, on this Thanksgiving Day, for Pastor Michel Ilbert Leblanc who lives and ministers in Southwest Haiti in a village near Torbeck.  This is one of the pastors and in the area we worked with this past summer.  From what I understand from Pastor David is that Pastor Michael is very sick and under much persecution.  From personal experience in working with this pastor I wanted you all to know he is a great example of the shepherd caring for flock.  He continually rises early to tend to his fields and work, works with the people throughout the day and late into the night ministering, praying for and waging war with the spiritual forces in the area.  I was extremely impressed with the hardworking humble spirit about him.  Please make it a matter of prayer to specifically prayer for Pastor Michael Ilbert Leblanc, his family and the church there in this village.  Pray for his complete healing, renewed strength and for the Lord to encamp and place a hedge around him.

Christmas News Letter: Haiti 2010 Teams - The Start of the Torbeck, Haiti and Orphanage Projects

We want to share with you our vision for a small rural village in southwestern Haiti.  This remote area north of Torbeck, about ten miles away from Les Cayes, has a church that has been taking care of twenty-six orphans.  The orphans attend the services and are growing spiritually. The church has a strong desire to be able to assist these orphans, an many others physically as well as educationally. Their desire to help the other orphans in the area is limited by their finances.

In the aftermath of the earthquake that hit Haiti, there was a great need for immediate assistance for the local people to purchase food and minor medical supplies.  With your help, we successfully sent funds at least twice to the local pastors for food supplies to help in the time of need for them and their congregation.   James 1:27  What God the Father considers to be pure and genuine religion is this: to take care of orphans and widows in their suffering and to keep oneself from being corrupted by the world. 


The overall vision we have at Youth Quests International is to provide enough help, assistance, support and education to help this community help themselves in the following ways:

• assist the church and pastors
• help provide self-sustaining agricultural projects 
• provide a safe and clean drinking water source
• start building the first phase of the orphanage project 
• then move on to an educational center for school classes  
• vocational training  
• an educational center for the local villagers

In the information that follows, we will share with you the achievements and successes we have had this year in cooperation with your help, assistance and support.  After our initial preliminary trip, there were two teams that went to the village near Torbeck this year.  


 In preparation for the teams that would arrive, I and four other men flew to Haiti and spent between 3 to 5 days with the people.  It was our desire to assess the immediate needs of the local people and the minimal requirements and safety issues for the teams. Due to this visit, needed changes were made to the original plans that would better meet the immediate needs as well as fulfill requirements for the overall vision of the orphanage.


Prior to the first team’s arrival many building materials and tools were purchased in Haiti by a pastor with funds that were forwarded ahead for this purpose.  A generator was bought to use in the home where the teams will be staying, needs in the church, showing films for outreaches and the building projects. A laptop was provided for better communication and a camera to record progress on the project and with the orphans. 


Team One

Project # 1: Major work on a home for future teams included cleaning tons of cement and debris from upstairs. Wiring lights in the house and cooking area provided longer hours for ministry. A well was dug by hand near this home and lined with cement for washing, bathing and laundry.  Because the home didn’t have a safe way for individuals to get to the second floor where larger teams would need the extra sleeping quarters, we built some cement stairs to the upper level of the home.

Project #2: Tin was bought for roofing the half of one of our host pastor’s home that did not have a roof.  David and Sheila were living with and helping orphans in this home.

Project #3: Ministry and evangelism opportunities took place through Vacation Bible school, children’s ministry and evening services. 


Team Two
Project #1: The Jesus Film in Creole was shown in the evenings during special services. Tracts in Creole were distributed in churches and given to people as we walked around the village and local areas. Ministry was continued to the children.

Project # 2: The agriculture project was started and funds were provided to continue working on this poultry business project.  We are very excited that this is nearly completed because it will help support the orphanage, pastors and provide some food for them as well.  We will share with you the things that you may participate in for the success of this project later in this letter.


Both teams were given the opportunity to minister in other churches and in open air meetings in a couple of villages.  Many Haitian people were touched and ministered to through us with your help.


OpportunitiesNow with the holiday season fast approaching, we wanted to share with you the opportunity to share in the success and vision of these projects in Haiti by prayer,  physically going yourself or supporting these projects or someone who is able to go.  We will list the areas you may feel led to participate in and share the success of these projects.

• Because of the tremendous rise in the cost of items and building materials in the aftermath of the earthquake and the desire to have the business start operations, you may help get the poultry business started by helping with the following items:

• Between buying the 500 chicks, feed, antibiotics, feeders and the wire needed to complete the building there is a balance of about $2,400.00 left to purchase these items and have this valuable resource completed and in operation.
• Drilling a deep water well and equipment for a potable water supply for the church and future orphanage (total $2200.00) *this would help prevent cholera outbreaks.
• Repairs and enhancing the church facilities
• The first phase of building an orphanage: 
• Raising funds to start building the initial phase of the orphanage, (Enough rooms for 40 children, a kitchen, laundry and bathing facilities and house-parent’s quarters. ($50,000.00)

To make a contribution to this project or others during this holiday season, giving thanks for what we have and sharing a gift to those less fortunate please go to Haitian Contributions or contact Youth Quests for more information, prayer and opportunities.  To mail us: 13835 N Tatum Blvd #146, Phoenix, AZ.  85032

Mat 25:34-40  Then the King will say to the people on his right, 'Come, you that are blessed by my Father! Come and possess the kingdom which has been prepared for you ever since the creation of the world.  I was hungry and you fed me, thirsty and you gave me a drink; I was a stranger and you received me in your homes, naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you took care of me, in prison and you visited me.' The righteous will then answer him, 'When, Lord, did we ever see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you a drink?  When did we ever see you a stranger and welcome you in our homes, or naked and clothe you?  When did we ever see you sick or in prison, and visit you?'  The King will reply, 'I tell you, whenever you did this for one of the least important of these followers of mine, you did it for me!'

The Ultimate Youth Missions Promoting Cultural, Social, Spiritual and Educational Growth

Mission trips are no longer limited to Christian neighborhoods only. Since the travel options are aplenty, anyone with a fascination to serve his or her neighborhood or overseas can do so by taking Christian mission trips easily. Due to improved worldwide communication and discount youth or group missions travel cost, increasingly more number of youth sharing a common faith tend to be stepping forward to give a helping hand to socially ostracized or needy people. These youth with a mission usually consider extensive outings and market quality teen missions adventure services in various countries which enhance interpersonal, cultural and educational growth. Thus youth missions are perfect for those seeking a special connection with fellow missionaries and people of a different culture, as well as to broaden their work worldwide and encounters through their journeys.

Youth mission trips can last from the single day to several months as well as cater to a myriad of needs and preferences whatever the size of the actual teen's group. To assist the less fortunate and sharing the love of the Lord are the main objectives associated with such trips. The first timers in youth missions can promote the help of local people and churches to share the focused mission's trip to have God's benefits and blessings in everything they do to serve socially unreachable individuals.

Youth Quests is definitely an international missions trip specialist arranging national as well as overseas long term and short term mission trips for teens, mission trips for college students, religious leaders, families, groups and youth. The Youth Quests' program primarily focuses on lending a helping hand in order to help the needy, and to get that sense of satisfaction just by viewing them smiling. Our experience within national and foreign quests is responsible for touching many lives, including the short term missionaries as well.

Special Features of a Youth Missions Trip:

• It propagates awareness amongst youth and groups of mission outings through promotion and publicity of the trip using leaflets, posters, social networks, Facebook and Twitter posts, informational letters or newsletters, which communicates spiritual benefits and organizes pre-trip instruction.
• This facilitates church awareness of youth involvement within missions.
• It makes use of community related resources to assist the teen's group turn out to be actively involved with missions and enjoy them on several levels.

If you wish to be a part of Christian short term missions, if you take youth on missions to foreign countries, then contact us at Youth Quests today and we will help you serve to socially downtrodden individuals better by helping all of them financially via our effective group or youth on a mission programs.

What Are The Initial Steps I Should Take For A Missions Trip?

Initial Steps and Preparations For Your Missions Trip

I wanted to provide you with the Initial Steps for you to get started on the process of preparing for your mission’s trip.
The process is as follows:

1. Please download proper application.
1. Download the appropriate YQI application,for you as an individual or group, for all the trips except the Jamaica trip.  We will provided you with the Jamaica application at your request.   For domestic missions trip we will provide some different instruction once you contact us.
2. Please fill out the individual or group application and include a recent picture.
3. You may pay for your individual or group registration fees online at this location.
1. If you are interested in signing up or to get more information on your specific area of interest please follow the links below.  To pay for your registration fee online or download your specific application go to the following locations.  On the left hand side is the payment button for the registration fee.  If you are interested in another team Contact Us with your request. Go To Mission Trips or Volunteer Trips Abroad
4. Please Email the application and picture to us at info@youthquests.com or mail it to Youth Quests, 13835 N. Tatum Blvd. #146, Phoenix, AZ.  85032
5. If you haven’t done so already, as soon as your are able to, please send a digital photo of yourself to this us by email.  Please make the file name of the picture your name.  We will use this for a support letter for you
1. Please download the YQI policies.
6. As soon as we receive your registration fee we will be providing you with more information and instructions for the particular team of your choice.
7. Now please take time to read about Preparing For Youth Mission Trip and Expenses.
8. In enough time prior to your teams departure start and complete your Missions’ Bible Study and Training.
9. Other training and preparation materials will be posted on your private teams pages.

Go to the Mission Trip News and our Facebook Misson’s Page.

God Bless and we look forward to meeting you soon,
Youth Quests International

A Florida Pastor States He Would Publicly Burn The Quran - Is that a Christian Act?

Today was the day this pastor was to burn the Quran.  After many news reports on the web, TV and in print regarding this intent the following news report came out on Yahoo News:  "NEW YORK – A Florida pastor says his church will "not today, not ever" burn a Quran, even if a mosque is built near ground zero.
Pastor ***** ***** had threatened to burn the Muslim holy book on the anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks over plans to build an Islamic center near where terrorists brought down the World Trade Center nine years ago.
He flew to New York and appeared on NBC's "Today" show. He says that his Gainesville, Fla., church's goal was "to expose that there is an element of Islam that is very dangerous and very radical."
He tells NBC that "we have definitely accomplished that mission." He says no meeting is planned with the imam leading the center but he hopes one will take place.
A "Burn a Koran Day" banner outside his church has been taken down." 
(Copied from: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/quran_burning)


I have been very concerned over this news regarding these statements and actions.  I have been concerned for our missionaries and indigenous pastor who are laboring in harms way and the needless risk that has been placed upon them.  I know I have been praying that this would not happen, but I wanted your opinions on what you think is right?  What do you think is Christian behavior?  And I also wanted to ask you to pray for us as a nation, the Christian missionaries or even people taking short term mission trips, which are diligently working to share the Love of Christ to a lost and dying world.


Before you answer lets look a few scripture from the Word of God in light of a Christian.  The word Christian means to be like Christ.  (Wikipedia states: The Greek word Χριστιανός (christianos) -meaning "follower of Christ")
(Heb 12:14) Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
Gal 5:19-26 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.  And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.  Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
Mat. 5:9  Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
John 3:16-17  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Mar 12:30  And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. 
Mar 12:31  And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
1Jn 4:18  There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 
1Jn 4:19  We love him, because he first loved us. 
1Jn 4:20  If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
Jesus condemned religious intolerance.  When He and His disciples entered a Samaritan village, and the Samaritans were less than hospitable, James and John told Jesus they wanted to call down fire from heaven on the whole place (see Luke 9:54).  Jesus flatly rebuked them, saying "You do not know what kind of spirit you are of; for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them." (v.55-56, NASB).


God is Love!  What is love?  What is the opposite of love?  Many people would say hatred, but it's really selfishness.  Hatred comes from the root of selfishness.  
Now I ask you these questions:
Was this act out of love or selfishness?
Do you think this mans actions and words promote peace, love and joy?
Do you think this mans actions and words will draw the lost to Christ or drive them away?
Do you think these actions and words promote peace or discord?
Do you think these actions and words endanger unnecessarily the lives of our missionaries on the mission fields?
This pastor was saying, just a day or two previously even though much of the churches congregation leaving the church, that he was going to go on with this and burn the Quran no matter what and today stating that "his church will "not today, not ever" burn a Quran, even if a mosque is built near ground zero"… and says that his Gainesville, Fla., church's goal was "to expose that there is an element of Islam that is very dangerous and very radical."  I ask you what is it when someone states one thing, then says that he was not going to do it?
Is this the behavior of someone who is to be Christ-like?


What does the book of wisdom, Proverbs, say about someone who stirs up strife and contention?


Let’s pray that there will some confession of wrong and asking for forgiveness instead saying that he never intended to do this act.


Let’s pray that the people of the world who are lost will see the love of Christ in us who really are Christians and know that everyone calling themselves a Christian may not be Christians.


To conclude let us take these scriptures to heart and live them: 1Jn 4:7-8  Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.  He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

Haitian Missions Trip 2011 Updates - Group Going In June

Haiti is still very much in need of assistance and a helping hand.  We are planning a team right now to go to southwestern Haiti this coming June of 2011.  There is much to do in various areas such as finishing the agricultural project that is almost completed, get a well drilled for a good water source, and starting the process of building the orphanage and building the funding sources and backing to sustain this for a long-term and sustainable resource for the unfortunate children.
For more information or to get involved with Haiti Missions or Short Term Mission Trips contact Youth Quests today.

Piura and Cuidad Noe, Peru Medical Mission Trip

This is your chance to make a difference in the lives of the Peruvian people!

Peru ranks amongst the world's amazing centers of historic civilization. They continue to fascinate travelers and archaeologists alike. Peru can be found in the west central section of South America and is particularly a nation of geographical and cultural contrast. Peru is the 19th largest nation on the planet and is bordered north by Ecuador, to the south by Chile and Bolivia, towards the east by Columbia and Brazil and also to the west with the Pacific Ocean. Peru is a unique country as a result of the climatic, natural and cultural difference of its regions, which consist of coast, sierra and jungle.

Peru is populated by over 23 million people, largely descendents of Spanish settlers as well as native Inca and pre-Inca civilizations. Currently there are three national languages: Spanish, and the native Quechua and Aymara, reflecting the native Indian and Spanish origins which cultivate modern Peruvian society.

The main purposes of this mission trip is medical missions and work on a local construction project. You will have many chances to evangelize among the local people and youth of the community.  Throughout your stay in Piura you will have the opportunity to be a blessing to many by the work project you will be completing or the medical missions outreach in Cuidad Noe (City of Noah). You will come in contact with many children at our hosts training school and church. You may also have the privilege of evangelizing in the nearby villages, bringing hope to the lost as well as being an encouragement for many others.  There will be countless opportunities for ministry and spiritual mentoring in your leisure times and social activities.

Go here for more information on this Peru Medical Missions Trip that is starting on Jan. 3rd of 2011 or to find out more about planning a Group Mission Trips go to Youth Quests International

Cultural Exchange Trip To China 2011

We have an amazing cultural and educational exchange trip planned for Southwestern China and the Beijing area for the summer of 2011 with a group from Florida.  The plans are to spend a couple of days in Beijing and travel by train to the southwest area where we will be sharing with local minorities and after a about a week we will travel back to the Beijing area where we will be sharing there until our return home.  Check out the China Cultural Trip event on Facebook.

Please keep this trip, all the participants in your prayers and the local people of the areas where we will be.  You may find out more about this trip and the opportunities to participate yourself, help those who wish to go and/or donate to these projects or others at Youth Quests International

For more information on estimated costs and other information go to China Cultural Trip page at YQI.  If you would like to schedule a trip to China please contact us for information and possible dates that will work for your group at Contact Us.

What exactly is a Short Term Mission Trip? Part 4 of 4

Short Term Missions

Have you at any time thought that you simply dreamed of being a part of something good and wonderful, yet had not been certain just how “the pieces of the puzzle” joined together? Often times that's the feeling any time choosing to get involved with a mission trip. However you may well be not sure on exactly how it all works. We hope this will be able to answer some questions you may have.

What If I Want to Go but I Can not Afford It?

Spending about two weeks in another country is usually not going to come cheap. But if God desires you to be there, then He will provide to get you there.

Pray about what God would like you to do, as well as where He desires you to go. Several people that have full-time jobs would love to take these opportunities and can also afford to do so, yet simply cannot spare the time, or perhaps cannot go since they have children or even some other restrictions. So if you genuinely wish to go, and cannot have the funds to go yourself, raise the money. We make an effort to provide fund raising tips and opportunities for each short term trip.

So what's Coming Up?

The following short-term trips are currently planned. Click on a link below for more details:

Youth Group Mission Trips

College Group Mission Trips

School Group Mission Trips

High School Mission Trips

Adult Mission Trips

Family Mission Trips

Individual Mission Trips

Church Group Mission Trips

Youth Quests

What exactly is a Short Term Mission Trip? Part 3 of 4

Short Term Missions

Have you at any time thought that you simply dreamed of being a part of something good and wonderful, yet had not been certain just how “the pieces of the puzzle” joined together? Often times that's the feeling any time choosing to get involved with a mission trip. However you may well be not sure on exactly how it all works. We hope this will be able to answer some questions you may have.

What Are the Benefits of Going on a Short-term Mission Trip?

It's ideal for your own personal spiritual life plus its amazing to observe God moving in another area and culture. Frequently whenever team members come back from their short term trip, they are really considerably more enthusiastic and passionate about living their faith out at home. Because their own eyes really are opened to God’s work around the world, the way they pray transforms. They become much more effective in their own personal community as well as church and they also obtain a broader vision for what God has the ability to do. Simply speaking, God becomes even bigger in our own eyes as we step out on a short term mission trip.

So what's Coming Up?

The following short-term trips are currently planned. Click on a link below for more details:

Youth Group Mission Trips

College Group Mission Trips

School Group Mission Trips

High School Mission Trips

Adult Mission Trips

Family Mission Trips

Individual Mission Trips

Church Group Mission Trips

Youth Quests

Youth Quests International - Quarterly News Letter Aug. 20th 2010

Missionary News with

Youth Quests International & John and Becky Andrews

We wanted to share with you the blessings resulting from the help you have given in supporting this ministry and the missionaries who went this year.

Php 1:3-7 I thank my God upon all my remembrance of you, always in every supplication of mine on behalf of you all making my supplication with joy, for your fellowship in furtherance of the gospel from the first day until now; being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ: even as it is right for me to be thus minded on behalf of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as, both in my bonds and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers with me of grace.

1. Youth Quests sent support funds to Western Kenya twice in the last few months to help with the pastor and congregation who were in a condition where many were starving.  This church ministers to many in the area; reaching out the widows, orphans and refugees from Northeast Uganda which are called the “Invisible Children” and adults fleeing the violence.     Link to Testimonial
2. Youth Quests International sent support funds to help with the pastors in Haiti this spring helping them buy food and things due to the increased costs of food and supplies from the earthquake.      Link to Testimonial
3. John took a trip to Haiti with four other pastors in the spring to assess the area for needs and ministry opportunities for the two teams going down this summer. Special meetings were held at that time also.
4. Haiti Missions Trip  Group I The team worked on some crucial improvements for the teams who will be doing follow up work on several projects. They were involved in ministry to the local children and people ...     Read More and View Pictures
5. Church Group Missions Trip to Haiti  Group II
   Besides starting the building project for the sustainable agricultural project, the team had the privilege of showing the Jesus Film in Creole and handing out tracts to the local people wherever they went...     Read More and View Pictures
6. Youth Group Missions Trip to Piura, Peru      
   After a welcoming time, and service we were ready to get to work.  During our evangelistic missions trip to Piura, Peru we had the privilege to build three additional rooms on a church member’s home.  Now they have about five rooms instead of one for a family of seven...     Read More and View Pictures
7. Church Group Mission Trip to the San Carlos Indian Reservation
   The team of 33, mostly teens, from Sierra Vista United Methodist Church in Texas, joining Youth Quests International, worked on some crucial and much needed improvements.  The church had leaks in the roof resulting in damage to the ceiling within the church. Funds raised for the project along with the church's finances and tribal donations worked together to purchase materials for the group to do the renovation...            Read More and View Pictures

Please follow our Blogs and visit the Youth Quests website.  Your prayers and support are greatly appreciated.

God Bless You,

John and Becky

What exactly is a Short Term Mission Trip? Part 2 of 4

Short Term Missions

Have you at any time thought that you simply dreamed of being a part of something good and wonderful, yet had not been certain just how “the pieces of the puzzle” joined together? Often times that's the feeling any time choosing to get involved with a mission trip. However you may well be not sure on exactly how it all works. We hope this will be able to answer some questions you may have.

Do I Have to Be a Super Christian to Go?

No, actually all Christian believers ought to consider themselves as missionaries with regards to their mission field being their own neighborhood, or even their place of work, or perhaps their particular sports team. You do not have to be a super Christian, however you'll have to possess the right mental attitude towards God.  Follow the mission statement of the Lord Jesus, "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." Luke 19:10

So what's Coming Up?

The following short-term trips are currently planned. Click on a link below for more details:

Youth Group Mission Trips

College Group Mission Trips

School Group Mission Trips

High School Mission Trips

Adult Mission Trips

Family Mission Trips

Individual Mission Trips

Church Group Mission Trips

Youth Quests