DTS: Week 1

Let me just right here right now that as much as a tried not to, I couldn't help but feel like I already knew what to expect from DTS. I had my expectations but I also came feeling that since Ive grown up in YWAM I highly doubted I would be shaken by anything in the classroom. I actually was sure that my real discipleship would begin on the outreach and that the whole lecture phase would be a white noise of things Ive heard all my life. Arrogant as I was, I really couldn't be more wrong about what the teachings did to me. I was right about learning things I have heard all my life, but the longer I'm here the more Im realizing a large aspect of why Im here on the first place.  Bridging the things I know in my head and cementing them in my heart.
 The first week of teaching was entitled, " Hearing God's Voice& The Cross", which might I say, is a really mellow sounding topic name that fooled me into thinking it would actually not be as intense as it ended up being. It was incredible, slightly overwhelming, but incredible all the same. Our speaker was a long time missionary South African woman who spoke about the most foundational parts of Chrisitianity and the cross that really shook me to my core.  Its really hard to write it al down here in detail about what I learned exactly because in all honesty its been a week and Im still processing it all. One thing that hit me hard was how for anyone whose ever accepted Christ has Him within their them already and that my life is a continuous cycle of realizing more and more what He can do through me. We've all heard these thing a thousand times but how often we really take time to think, "Jesus, who conquered death and many miracles, spirit lives inside me and enable me". I challenge you guys the way Im challenging myself each day now, to think about this every time someone asks for prayer especially. His spirit lives within and works through us. Amazing.
I've gained a stronger understanding of the Cross and what happened on it as well. Thinking about nails being pounded into your wrists and feet. Thinking of my sins and temptations, the most obvious ones and even the seemingly innocent ones that in reality are all equal in Gods eyes, that I commit daily. And how Jesus became those sins incarnated to be crucified so they wouldn't keep me away from my Father in Heaven again. Going back to remembering the image of agonizing painful wounds inflicted for me. For my sake. All to tell me that I am not condemned now that I am in Christ, by those things. That now i can come to my God and speak to Him and hear His voice. How can I struggle with forgiveness when I have received such a gift? I know I still do, but all this has really blown my mind.
All these little truths can become so silent in our hearts when we don't take time to just soak them in. It was an intense week for sure. It brought out a lot of things I didn't want to see again, and am still walking through, but just to get a little closer to my faith, my God. Its SO worth it.

DTS-Thank you's+ Getting here

It took me long enough, I know. But I finally have sat down at my generous roommates laptop she's letting me use and write my first of many updates on my DTS experience.

So Ive been here for about..Wow. 16 Days.  Its weird because I feel like I've been here forever but realizing its been just a little over 2 weeks is crazy because Ive done so much in such little time.

But Ill save the details of my first week of teaching for the next post.

What I really wanted to write about right now is actually what it was like before I even got on the plane for DTS. Because thats where this whole adventure began, really.  The provision for everything I needed to get here has absolutely blown my mind. To all my friends and family who have given everything, from the plane tickets to pocket money,  money for my suitcase, winter clothes and a good sleeping bag (Props to Auntie Darcy, the sleeping bag is a LIFESAVER! Thank you!) your support means the world to me. God was already planting the simple truth that my God is the God who provides even before I arrived at the YWAM base!

 Ive been totally overwhelmed by the support  and especially that of my church in Santa Rosa, Chrisitan Mission Fellowship. They made an incredible donation to my DTS and the reason Im so overwhelmed is because they really havent known me very long,  and yet have offered me support as if Ive been a lifelong friend. So if any of you guys read this, vinaka vaka levu. Seriously, the things I'm learning here Im so excited about bringing back home to share and it really has made a huge difference to me that my church family is so excited, not only for me, but for other youth to be discipled. Your support really shows the heart for discipleship you guys have. And I love and miss you all.

And to my youth leaders, Wise and Tina that barbecue fundraiser you guys threw for me blessed my heart. For those of you who don't know Wise, he is a man of few words but a giant heart to see Fijian youth know Jesus, and everyday I believe with you that they will. Thank you so much for you support.

 And to all the gang in Santa Rosa who came out to the BBQ fundraiser, thanks for coming out! You guys turning up like that without your parents forcing you or whatever, and just coming on your own to support me was incredible. You guys are great friends and I pray you'd all be blessed with all that your seeking God out with too.

My flight over was literally the best flight I've  ever had. Considering the fact I flew from Cali to Canada then to England, I was amazed how quick getting from each place was. Gods grace was crazy over me and I knew every step of the way. I arrived on the 17th of September  around lunch time and was greeted by a guy holding a yellow YWAM sign with another DTS student with a mohawk from Texas.  Majority of my DTS are Americans. Which is ironic how I came all the way from America to do my DTS with mostly americans. Funny how God works. 

The YWAM base here is beautiful. Placed in an adorable little town called Harpenden, the campus itself used to be an orphanage. Our dorms are quaint and comfortable. Mine is shared with four other girls, again, all from America except for one we cal our Ecuadorian.

I have to keep reminding myself how short Ive known these girls because already they feel like my sisters and I seriously feel so blessed to love them as I do, because to be honest, I was prepping myself for the worste.lol.

There 31 student sin my DTS and its been awesome to see how quickly we've all become friends and are growing closer as we are all growing closer to God and understanding His call on our lives. Theres something really amazing about being surrounded by people who are pretty much ll my age with such a deep desire to know why God put them in this world. Amazing.

I don't know what else to get you all up to speed on before I write my next post about my first official week of Discipleship Training School. But I think covered most of it. 

Anyways, I love you all, uncles, aunts, cousins, friends, church members, and randoms who have no idea why your reading this in the first place. Again thank you all for your support and seeing me off well. To my mum and dad, I love you guys so much and hope your proud of the foundational values you laid in my heart because now that Im here away from home, I know I certainly am. Via, theres seriously not a day that goes by something awkward or weird happens that I don't think of you and how funny you'd think it would be. I miss you sis, I pray for you and Kama everyday.

Kama! I'm making you something special for youth birthday don't worry, tell mum to show how to mail me stuff, I want one of your drawings in my room. I always brag to everyone how I have the smartest little brother in the world. Because its true. Love you.