On the 17th of January 2019, I began a journey that would transform my life forever. My Discipleship Training School (DTS) with YWAM Rogaland, Norway began.
I almost didn't go. There were several instances I wanted to back out and just give everyone that donated their money back. Yet God confirmed time after time this is the decision he wanted me to step into. I had my life planned out but God told me to lay it down and trust in him, and that's exactly what I did.
If you don't already know, YWAM (Youth With A Mission) is an interdenominational missions organization whose focus is to "Know God, and make Him known." In the Discipleship Training School (DTS) you spend, depending on the base, 3 months in lecture phase, and 3 months on outreach. The first 3 months are dedicated to you learning more about the character of God and your part to play in his kingdom. On outreach you take what you learned and share the love you have experienced with others through evangelism, practical work, sharing testimonies, etc. To learn more about YWAM feel free to visit https://www.ywam.org/about-us/ My specific base which I HIGHLY recommend is https://www.ywamrogaland.no/ . Or you can message me with specific questions :)
Summary of my Lecture Phase:
Lecture phase was both full of breakthrough and challenges. Each week we had a different topic that focused on learning more about God. We had teachings like knowing God & hearing his voice, relationships, lordship, and Identity & spiritual authority. Each week I learned something new about Gods character, people, or myself. I was blown away by how much I didn't know or understand. I came into to my DTS with many doubts about who God was, but realized there are so many reasons to believe in the goodness of God. I came tired and worn out by the church and hearing the same messages over and over, and I found new revelations of Him and was refreshed in his spirit. I came unhappy with myself and my life, and I found explainable joy in his presence. He is so good ya'll! He wants to speak to you, he's just waiting for you to lay down what your holding on to and listen.
I learned a lot about how God is a trustworthy God. We did something called a Faith Trip in my DTS where we are sent off in pairs and go out without a place to stay, food, money, or transportation, and we ask God to provide for us for a day! He did immeasurably more than I could've imagined!! I also learned to find my joy in him. I wasn't alone through all of this, God surrounded me with 36 other incredible students from all over the world whom I quickly became best friends with. I saw how his love shines through his creation.
Summary of my Outreach Phase:
My outreach team which consisted of 9 people in total and ended with 5 (2 team leaders) went to 5 different countries. We traveled to a different part of Norway called Trondheim, Mexico, Philippines, Russia, and had our graduation in Israel. Each country we stayed in for at least 2 weeks with Mexico being the longest at 3 1/2 weeks. It was absolutely incredible to be able to go to different parts of the world and see how God is moving in all the places we went to. Each country was different in a unique way. They all brought challenges that helped me to grow. Outreach was probably my favorite part of my DTS. I was able to meet new people, hear incredible stories of God moving in their life, and worship at a different church every Sunday. We also had a variety of ministries we were apart of like hospital, homeless, kids ministry, evangelism, practical work, and sharing at churches. I saw how the kingdom of God is worldwide and even in countries as different as Mexico is from Russia, God is still SO evident.
He wants to use us, we can be vessels of his light. My favorite outreach location was the Philippines, because I was filled so much with the Joy of the Lord it overflowed out of me! I actually woke up in the morning wanting to spend time with my love. I felt for the first time this pure, genuine love that I HAD to share with others. As our team went out to minister, I looked for any and every opportunity to be able to meet someone, share Gods heart, and pray for them. I saw how when we step out in faith GOD MOVES.
Something that was challenging for me and I still hope to grow in is praying for healing. I am always hesitant to ask, but when someone asked for healing over their body, I was willing to pray. As I would pray I felt this huge burden and wanted so badly for that person to be healed because I felt a love for them. Yet, I didn't see the physical healing when I prayed. Through this challenge, I had to remind myself that God DOES heal, it may just not be at the time or the way we expect. That is where you have to let go and know that what you are doing is planting seeds, those seeds will flourish.
In conclusion, YWAM was the greatest decision I could have made. I laid down my desires and picked up what God wanted for me and I found there's so much more to life.
I had the best 6 months of my life. I saw miraculous things and God touched me in incredible way. I'm still a mess, I still have a LOT to work on, but in my weakness God gives me strength.
(2 Corinthians 12:9-10)
I am blessed to be a blessing, forever.
xx Love always,
Lyl
There is still so much that I can't explain over a blog post or a small talk conversation! So if you would like to learn more about YWAM or just my specific experience, I would love to meet up with you. Whether I know you or not, I'd love to meet with you! Feel free to message me anytime :)
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