Kia Ora Whanau! (Hi Family)
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| DBS Students & Staff |
Over here in the land of the long white cloud we are heading into spring weather, but winter has been hanging on tightly (I’m so grateful for the last minute decision to stuff my winter coat into my suitcase) lol. I’m currently in Queenstown, NZ completing YWAM’s Discipleship Bible School (DBS). So what exactly is a DBS? DBS is a second level school with YWAM that is focused on applying God’s word to your day to day life. Over the course of three months we study the entire Bible from cover to cover.
Monday-Friday we have intersession/worship in the morning, after which we have lectures with phenomenal bible teachers. Covering the entire bible in three months is quite the task so instead of attempting to teach on every main character or story our lectures focus on giving us the tools we need to study the bible for ourselves. After the lecture we head to our small groups and go through the assigned reading for that afternoon. We also have homework that helps us to process the reading and dive deeper into the context and application of what we’re studying. We pay close attention to the character and nature of God, and his redemptive plan that is woven into the entire bible.
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| DBS Lecture |
I wish I could download to each one of you all that I have learned over the last four weeks. It has been so eye opening to study particularly hard passages that on the surface appears to be harsh and out of character to the God I know. Understanding the context, history, and type of literature that I’m reading has radically reshaped the way I read scripture. My heart is bursting with revelation as the beautiful, wild story of our faith has become so much deeper and greater to me.
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| My Norwegian Roommate Miriam! |
Along with the time spent doing DBS activities we also do things at the base with the new students who are here doing the Discipleship Training School (YWAM’s first level school). Once a week we get the opportunity to specifically pour into the students about what God has been teaching us through his word. We walk the DTS students through the process of pulling out the biblical application and themes from the passage we are going over to reveal more of God’s heart.
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| Local Scenery |
It has been such a joy for me to spend time with the DTS students. We share meals together and live alongside each other as our living accommodations are right next to each other. I have been so blessed to get to know of few of the girls quite well. The Lord has done so much transformation in my life this past year. I’m so grateful that I can share what God has done in my own life and pray and encourage the students who are going through similar journeys.
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| Kara & Elizabeth Fellow DBS Students |
Recently, I’ve been learning a lot about stepping outside my comfort zone. Every Tuesday our entire base heads into town to do evangelism. If I’m being perfectly honest was not something I particularly looked forward to. I love to share about Jesus, but just walking up to a random stranger is not my ideal way of doing ministry. Well…. God seriously heard my prayers. I asked him to help me to have his heart for the people of Queenstown and to help me step outside what is comfortable for me.
In the last two weeks I was given several incredible opportunities to share the gospel with total strangers. I was able to share what God has done in my own and his desire to be in close relationship with everyone. I got to pray with each person I talked to and squeeze tightly each sweet girl with several hugs. Each time I walked away from the conversation, I felt such a sense that my father had heard my prayers and he gave me the words to say when the time came. I was so encouraged. God hears our hearts cry and he desires to walk with us through every season and challenge.
In my next update I’ll share more specific testimonies from our times of evangelism. For now I’ll close with a big THANK YOU! God has so greatly been hearing your prayers on my behalf. Papa, has been faithfully providing for me and showing me more of his heart through each week I spend here in NZ. I feel so overwhelmingly privileged to be here. Thank you for being a part of the story God is writing with my life!
Praises:
- I’ve settled in seamlessly. I love it here and I feel a part of the beautiful family of YWAM Queenstown.
- Financial blessings have been coming in unexpectedly.
- Studying God’s word full time is transforming me.
Prayer Points:
- For greater awareness of God’s voice: I’m in a season of preparation. I will be starting as full time ministry staff in January and I want to get all I can from this time of pouring into God’s word.
- For healing: I’ve been dealing with neck/back pain for close to 5 months now. I’ve seen a doctor and chiropractor and nothing seems to be particularly wrong. However, the pain is a constant inhibitor in my life. Simply sitting to do homework can be quite challenging.
- Continued financial provision: I’m still in need of more supporters to cover my time in NZ over the next 2 years.
- For Rest: DBS is very busy. I spend the majority of my free time doing homework and even when I know I have time to rest on the weekend I tend to feel the pressure of doing homework (even as I write this I feel in a hurry to get done so I can start my homework). God has been highlighting the need to have a restful spirit so he can have the time and space to transform me.
If you feel led to donate toward the work God is doing in NZ checkout the links below
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