- An ex-missionary to China

Hello to everyone who I remember and those whom I've not met before.

My name is DaIe Yuzuk1, involved from 1981 as a UCLA freshman until 1997 when as a missionary to China saw the reality of what Fullerton was all about while overseas.

For those who don't know me, those 14 years of involvement meant living two years in Jim Hayman's brother's house in Fullerton, two summer teams in San Francisco and Seattle, seeing the beginning of the 'lodge' in San Francisco (living there for three years) as well as many years of involvement in West LA.

It ended in the logical extension of 'total commitment': being sent out to China to 'serve in this ministry'. What I saw from afar after so many years was the control that the leaders wanted to exert; I never before had seen it until I met a woman who is now my wife.

Summarily excommunicated, I spent another year in China ministering as an 'independant'; upon return to the US to start life over was not easy, as for the prior 13 years all the people who knew me didn't know me any longer. Trying to pick up where I had left off with my career was not easy at all; nor was trying to establish friendships outside the 'assembly'. For anyone involved for such a long time, this difficulty shouldn't be underestimated; it is as if everyone you once knew didn't exist anymore.

Now I'm unfettered to live a normal life; there are times when I pass by the old meeting place and remember so many details about 'doorkeeping', 'giving a word', and all the other expectations that over time were accepted as normal (to one 'in fellowship'). There are times on a Friday night where I remember these 'all night's of prayer' experiences; other times in a Bible study I'd think of how many Bible Studies I'd attend or preach at in a given week. (There were several times when it would number 5 in one week.)

I'm glad to read about how many others have moved on, whether ones I knew very well or not at all, and wonder sometimes how much that 14 year history I have affects me today. I am assured by my wife that she would have never have met me otherwise (isn't that the truth!) so I just leave it at that.

Currently I'm living in West LA, working at a great company in a great position, and have a beautiful 8-month old girl, for which I'm grateful.

Thank you Brent for providing this forum for old friends to catch up.

DaIe

ps - it was Melany Miners from SB who told me about this site, who I've been in touch with off and on over these last few years. Sorry David M. that I didn't respond to the letter you sent.

Hi Arthur, no I haven't heard anything from just about anyone from WLA since mid-1997, when I received a threatening letter when I was in China demanding I either break off a relationship or return to the US.

...Naturally I did neither one, and continued in China for over another year. After getting married there it became clear that long-term it would be better for us to return to the US.

I did encounter Selvin at a local market about a year ago, and he expressed a desire to continue to be in contact.

Dale

Wow, Rob, it's great to hear from you. I can safely assume that you have also moved onward? Are you still in SLO or in another locale?

Congrats on remembering triple, oops, I mean quadruple entendre's from many years ago (let's see, it was probably the spring or winter of 1996)! Man, you have got a great memory!

Fascinating news from Fullerton, I'm still absorbing the implications of it and wonder whether a 'new wineskin' is needed. Really sad to hear that Jim H. is just a ghost of his former self, according to Greg T. who only recently left. Easy to understand if 'the foundations are destroyed, what will the righteous do?', but hard to comprehend with such a sincere man who I admired a lot.

What are you pursuing nowadays? Perhaps a new computer language in order to better simulate AI? I myself am in the biotechnology biz now with an increasing emphasis on IT and nanotechnology.

Dale

Dale,

Yes, your assumption is correct. My wife of five years Linda (Duweling) Kazarinoff and I have moved to Santa Rosa where I now am licensed to practice Land Surveying in the State of California. We have two daughters, Sarah (2) and Sophia (6mos.). Sure, we have a story (like everyone) of why we left SLO but we needn't share specific offences in order to protect and help our brothers who are in the difficult process of truely repenting of their sins. Also in view is the fact that the tone of this website is shifting from that of judgement to one of restoration and recovery. I'd love to hear from you... robkaz2@netzero.net.

Your brother and friend,

Rob K

Hi Tim, sorry to say I can't place the name... :-\ I'm glad to know though that after these many years you still remember a guy who a lot of people considered 'intense'!

Okay, time for a 'you know you are living in China when...' stories:

Summertime, blazing hot, about 95F and 85% humidity and I'm stuck in a car in mid-day traffic with the wife of the ambassador of Ethiopia (to China). It is the Ethiopian embassy's car, and she is giving me a lift to the US Embassy to so I can get some kind of permit or another. In the middle of the road I see a man in a cheap Chinese suit (typical for a taxi driver) with his fly open and taking a whiz, in full sight of all three lanes of traffic in both directions! As I pass by astonished, others pass by like it's just another sweaty day in Beijing...

Dale

Dale!!!
It's been a while. After meeting up with Mark C. I had to rethink everything they said about the people who have left. To me you were a dear brother who fell in China. I would love to hear more of what actually happened. As for me, I went into deep depression because I was too much of a failure to be used of God, unfit to be a servant of the Most High. About 2 years later I left the assembly in 1999. I just started coming out of depression in November after talking with Eric and Lorretta Buchmann and Greg and Kimberly Tobin. At this point, I am still trying to sort things out. I had stopped caring about God or church a long time ago. It's not so easy to start caring again. It is good to hear that you are doing well and that things are not as I was told.

Randal Kumagai

Randy!!!! (one added for 'extra emphasis')

Sad to hear about the depression. I can very much relate, believe me, when I was a 'stranger in a strange land' with only a few who I could speak to, and my own family a Pacific Ocean away.

I spoke with Greg T. last night and he reminded me of the 'grieving' process I went through, as if my entire family had died suddenly as they (for all intents) didn't exist anymore. Then it was up to me to start rebuilding, albeit slowly, one tentative step at a time. Now it's almost five years later and people are contacting me many of whom I remember very well, and it's amazing how much things have stayed the same regarding spiritual abuse, and amazing how there's an opportunity for change (but it may be quite a while before that all pans out).

I'll PM my contact info, perhaps we can speak by phone sometime. I'm in WLA and commute to Valencia now, so I'm around. :) I can also relate to the 'not caring' part too.

Dale

Hi Dale Yes I wondered about that letter? Great to hear from you. It is strange to read that you were not privy to the controle issues inthe assembly? ( until they had a direct affect upon your own life.) Dale I ran into a brother in Fullerton who questioned my leaving. I told him because of the controle issues. His response was "Thats not true!" then he told me you left because the Brothers would't let you get marride! ??? Is this guy using his head? Dale I will honestly testify You were very very dedicated and sacraficial in your commitment. (You made it through med school and lived in a bros house and made it to all the meetings!

Hi David, perhaps because although I was sent out 'as a worker' I was not part of the workers meetings at all before I chose to leave. There was talk of me going to the 'workers conference' that year ('97) but the point is moot now.

Thanks for the kind comment, although I wasn't the one who made it through med school (that was Gordon Kim). I did make it through grad school, though, while doing 'everything' that was expected. Just looking at a stack of notebooks, binders of notes, even a collection of seminar invites it is remarkable how many meetings I went to over those fourteen years - tape meetings, all-nights of prayer, campus bible studies, outreaches, summer teams.

Are you still in Orange County?

Dale (getting back to a stack of work)

Dale Y.- Greetings brother, this is Vince Galati. Your poignant recounting of life in the assembly brought me back! I spent the summer with you and Melanie on an MTT to San Diego. We went hiking together when I was moving back to St.Louis in the summer of '87 (with Mike Gleasner). Wow, seems like so short a time ago. But so long ago. God has been so good to me. Through a ministry out of Dallas, Texas (People to People Ministries with Bob George) God opened my eyes to the underbelly of Assembly Life, but more importantly to His unconditonal Love. This took place in '94. Of course, I was put out of fellowship- same old story, different circumstances. I am standing in His Love now, have a wonderful wife and two step kids. He is so Good. God Bless and keep in touch. Tell Melanie Hi for me and others from our old gang. God Bless- VPG

Wow Vince, what a story to tell. After such a long time it's amazing how many people from so many geographic locations are getting in touch with each other again. It's as if a 'resurrection' of sorts has taken place, people I've considered 'dead' (so to speak) are alive and well.

Hard to consider that for me it has been already 5 years, and that perhaps we haven't seen each other since 1994 or so. Of course I remember that backpacking trip, although perhaps some of the funnier details over time have gotten a lot more fuzzier!

BTW is Mike G. still in Seattle and part of the assembly?

Great to hear also that you are happily married and involved in a loving ministry. How important are the connections we have with others, and the resiliance we can have to move on with our lives.
Dale

Hi Matt, great to hear that you are being 'awakened from our long sleep' as you put it, and it's going to take a while before this gets sorted out in any long-lasting manner.

To quote Verne from another thread, I think he gets this right on (thanks Verne for some great thoughts here):

The failure of the ministry of George Geftakys is clearly attributable to the man's complete and unmitigated state of corruption.
His ability to damage and destroy so many lives on his way to God's clear rejection is however, attributable to a failure of LEADERSHIP.
Galatians 2 shows us how to separate the men from the boys. Paul reports in verse 11:

Now when Peter came to Antioch, I withstood him to his face because he was to be blamed

It is certainly true that more of the flock should have followed the dictates of conscience and departed after they had clear evidence unwillingness to address unscriptural and ungodly conduct.
Nevertheless, it was the God-given responsibility of the leadership to protect the flock and uphold the integrity of the gatherings of God's blood bought people.
It is now evident that over many decades, George Geftakys:
Lied. Yet the leadership failed to withstand him.
Slandered. Yet the leadership failed to withstand him.
Preached false doctrine. Yet leadership failed to withstand him.
Engaged in immoral conduct. Yet the leadership failed to withstand him.
Abused others. Yet the leadership failed to withstand him.
Refused to be accountable. Yet the leadership failed to withstand him.
Do I need to continue?
Acts 20 is indisputably clear: The safety and security of the flock is the responsibility of the local leadership. They are required to stand for the interests of God's people even against ungodly men who arise from their midst. I have no compunction with regard to painting with a very broad brush. The current state of this ministry is the responsibility of every single leader who knew what was going on and did nothing about it. NO EXCEPTIONS.
Subsequent repentance will not relieve them of that awful burden I assure you. I am all for placing individual responsibility where it belongs. Let us also put spiritual oversight responsibility squarely where God's word puts it- WITH THE SHEPHERDS!
Aflame,
Verne

Anyhow, since you did not register with the board I don't have your email address. You can register or email me through my profile, my email address is dyuzuki@hotmail.com

By the way it's nice to hear from someone still involved in Fullerton, they seem to be underrepresented here.

Believing the best,
Dale

Hi Dale

My name is Gary Wilson. Do you remember we and my wife
Linda Wilson. We are from Fullerton.

I remember you. I can even picutre your face ( I don't have the
age updates in my memory banks) and your hyperness. I think
mostly what I remember are two things: Your joy and the obvious
thoughtfulness with which you communicated. I always enjoyed your preaching. It was always fresh and contained substance.
Your post concerning Shepherds is typical Dale. State the case, present the agruement, draw the conclusion. Thoughtfully done.

Much is happening here in Fullerton. We are seeking the Lord for a new beginning. There is promise. But there is much that could hinder.

We need a new beginning - not a new pattern.
God can do it. Pray for us. I believe the natural tendency for many of us will be to seek that which is familiar. Methods and structure are easy.
We need the Lord. Pray for us.

I am constantly reminded of what conditions the Lord brought forth the church.
It was after the failure of 12 leaders - One betrayer and 11 who denied Him. All believers had been scattered. Disappointment was rampant. However, a risen Christ did a quick work in those ones and
the world has never been the same.

However, these one's were willing to endure the process of waiting on the Lord. Ouch, ouch ouch.
I also find it kind interesting that the Lord began his upper room discourse with washing their feet and instruction on loving one another. Doesn't he say that will be evidence to others that we are truly His disciples, "That we love one another".
God is good. God is simple. Believe Him, allow Christ to be the center and love one another.

Mind you, that is only my limited perspective.

I did enjoy reading your posts. I have read a number of posts that seem to be either reactionary or shallow in their thought content. Such a statement is not a denial of "truth" just how truth is stated or how specific truth may be made to apply to people in all situations.
I have read a number of posts where it is evident that their has been some thought given before writing. To these - whether painful or encouraging, I am grateful. I guess the bottom line is regardless of what and how others say things, we still are brothers and sisters in Christ.

I have put some posts out there but I think my posting days are drawing to an end. Save maybe a quick hello to Christian's I haven't seen in some time.

Take care brother. Feel free to comment.

Confused and Clueless in Fullerton, but seeking His contentment.

Hi Gary, of course I remember you too and your wife Linda.

It's interesting to see how people remember you after many years. You describe me as hyper, another described me as intense, and a third remembers me as the guy to crashed his honda while racing in the Big Bear mountains. :)

But that's another story. :-X

A new beginning is certainly needed, and God can certainly do it, although with man it is impossible. Your illustration is apt regarding the disciples, there is the possibility of something new.

The problem is one of being able to deconvolute a system that has real weakness, and is it necessary and worthwhile to endure this kind of pain? I consider the disbanding of the entire meeting, as has taken place in Champaign and SLO, to be the only realistic option. I know it is emotionally very difficult after so many years and so many relationships, but as far as needed healing goes, it needs to be done 'on the outside', getting others with a healthy perspective to intervene. And this can be done very effectively in the context of caring churches that are all around us.

Thank you for your words of encouragement, I'm sure they will be a help to others who are also still reeling from all this.

Do you consider your 'posting days coming to an end' because of the pain of waiting? I'd like you to reconsider that, as communication and consideration of other points of view are really important in this difficult time. Certainly feel free to contact me via email in my profile if you'd prefer.

Dale

Just to be clear. SLO has not disband (as of today). We did go to Calvary Chapel on Sunday to worship. Had a great time as most of us expected. The Lord is doing great things there. The Lord spoke to us (what a faithful God we have). Some of us went up for prayer afterward. We will have our prayer meeting on Tuesday and as of yet, I don't see why we will not open God's Word for the Bible study in Hos 6 on Wednesday. Many things need to be adressed and changed, but at this point, God has not closed shop.

Tim Weaver

AssemblyBoard

Post Assembly Life => The Assembly Experience => : Dale Yuzuki January 19, 2003, 10:53:18 AM