Mark and Sherry Yeaton
Mark and Sherry Yeaton have been married since 1983, they both attended Milligan College and graduated in 1984. Mark began teaching in 1984, his mission field became the public school system, teaching predominately 4th graders. He has always had a passion for biking, he loves riding his bike to work, and continues to compete in races today. Ultra-endurance riding did not become a thing until he reached his 40’s when he rode 160 miles in one day across the state of Indiana. He has since completed that same ride 10 times, many of those rides were completed for the benefit of various missions. In 2017, Mark rode a 400 miles race and won his age group, Mark said, “I did not win my age group because I was the fastest, but because I was the only one in my age group that didn’t quit.” Mark has been blessed with the ability to persevere and says it is a living metaphor for how we are supposed to live as followers of Jesus Christ. Each one of us has been blessed with a unique skill set or passion that can be used for the glory of God. Mark was able to turn his passion for biking into something that has benefited and continues to benefit the kingdom of God.
Sherry has been Mark’s right hand through everything and can connect with people in a way that inspires them to go to God with prayers of petition, thanksgiving, and praise. Mark says, “she is an encourager and my greatest supporter during the rides as she drives the support vehicles and makes sure all my needs are met to keep going from day to day.” Sherry is a preschool teacher/director at their church, Ogilville Christian Church. She has a background in social work and as a director of a Crisis Pregnancy Care Center. Together they have two married children and four incredible grandchildren.
Next summer 2025, Mark will be completing a 2,800 miles ride from the southernmost point of Key West, Florida, all the way to Bar Harbor, Maine. This ride benefits IDES’ partner DAMOU and their Milk for Mothers program. This program provides healthcare for both mother and baby, as well as providing them with nourishing food. Mark will begin this ride in June of 2025 and finish in July of 2025. Mark and Sherry are very excited for this upcoming ride and can’t wait to raise awareness of IDES and the Milk for Mothers program, while also being a light for God to those they will meet along the way.
Damou’s Milk for Mothers Program
Women desperately seeking to meet their child's needs may walk for hours to participate in Damou’s infant nutrition program. We reach out to moms and infants through nutrition, medical support, and education. Each Tuesday mothers can bring their infants to enroll in the infant nutrition program. The infants are weighed in and evaluated. Milk and other support are offered to the mothers and infants as needed. Dr. Wilbert Jean Louis, a graduate from our school, provides medical care to the mothers and infants. He treats them not only with medical expertise, but with dignity. Monthly seminars are offered on cleanliness, Biblical living, and proper nutrition for both mother and child. In order to participate in the program, mothers sign a contract to fulfill the requirements of the program and to attend the seminars.
To learn more about Damou’s Milk for Mothers program, click here to read the stories of real mothers and their children who have been a part of this amazing program.