Decker Newsletter (Winter 2026)

Family, Friends, and Supporters,

OCTOBER-NOVEMBER

So much has happened since my last newsletter! October and November were interesting months for myself and the others in my department because our Department Head and his wife left unexpectedly for a month to visit two of our Asian bases. This gave us some challenges, but we learned a lot! I took over handling team member applications and paperwork for our Spring Break and summer team members, as well as other responsibilities. I also spent this time preparing for my trip to Australia, and enjoyed Thanksgiving with friends before leaving.

AUSTRALIA AND ZAMBIA

As I mentioned previously, I was invited to head lead a team of Australian teens overseas just like I do here in the summer, and I was privileged to lead the Zambia team! I left on December 4th, arrived in Australia on December 6th, started Leader Training on the 7th, and the teens arrived on the 13th. I had a hard time adjusting to some differences between Australia and the US, but through everything, God used this time to push and grow me, which I am very thankful for. I lead a team with three other leaders, two leader kids, and eight team members—14 in all. After finishing Boot Camp, we flew on December 23rd from Brisbane, Australia, to Dubai, UAE, and then to Lusaka, Zambia, arriving on Christmas Eve. From Lusaka, we drove on Christmas Day for about eight hours to Ndola, the headquarters of Teen Missions in Zambia. 

Our project was to work on the foundation of a new building at the base that will be used as a kitchen and dining hall. When we arrived, much of the digging was completed, but we had a lot of work ahead of us. Our team worked hard alongside the Zambian staff and Bible college students there, and by the end we had poured the top of the foundation. This project was the largest project I have ever had on a team and it was so cool to leave with it accomplished. I am so proud of my team and all the Zambian guys and gals we worked with to get it done! 

Besides work, we had a few opportunities to share in local churches and evangelize which my team loved. We also spent a day at a wild game park a few hours away and enjoyed seeing God’s creation and a relaxing time together. 

We left Zambia on January 17th and arrived back in Australia on the 19th for Debrief. The team members left on the 23rd and I came back home on the 25th. Overall I loved this team and this trip! It had its ups and downs, but it was a blast and it was such a unique opportunity to see more of TMI’s overseas operations that I wouldn’t normally get to see. 

SETTLING BACK IN AND WHAT’S NEXT

After coming home, I had a few days off to settle in before going back to work. Because I was gone for Christmas, I am able to have two weeks off and I am going home to Idaho. It will be a great time to see family and have some more time to relax before jumping back into work. 

Once I return to Florida, it’s full steam ahead toward the summer! I am currently still head leading our Taiwan team and we have new applications for the summer coming in all the time! I would love it if you would join me in praying for all of our teams to be filled with 20 team members and five or more leaders as well. There are all sorts of things happening the next few months that I can’t wait to share about in my next update. 

Thank you all for your continued prayer and financial support while I have been away and for the past few months that I have been on this journey. I could not do any of this without all of you and I am so moved by your generosity and prayers for me. 

In Christ,

Ethan Decker