YWAM DTS - blogs & photos

DTS 2006, Dominican Republic

2007-02-09T01:31:00.001-08:00

DTS Class of December 2006
Originally uploaded by bontrt.

YWAM Closkelt, Ireland

2007-02-09T01:30:00.003-08:00

YWAM Closkelt
Originally uploaded by Colker Family.

DTS-06-Jan-GRad53

2007-02-09T01:30:00.001-08:00

DTS-06-Jan-GRad53
Originally uploaded by stephenjohnbryde.

DTS Turkana

2007-02-09T01:19:00.001-08:00

DTS Turkana-3
Originally uploaded by nilsingar.

YWAM Sax Players

2007-02-09T01:09:00.003-08:00

DSC06405
Originally uploaded by ThroughWaters.

Reading on DTS

2007-02-09T01:09:00.001-08:00

DSC07779
Originally uploaded by ThroughWaters.

YWAM Idaho

2007-02-09T00:43:00.003-08:00

Idaho 2005
Originally uploaded by Anja & Jakob.

University of the Nations Kona, Hawaii

2007-02-09T00:43:00.001-08:00

University of the Nations
Originally uploaded by Live Simply.

The view at YWAM Lausanne

2007-02-09T00:42:00.001-08:00

DSC_6913
Originally uploaded by donut2D.

YWAM Plates

2007-02-09T00:40:00.001-08:00

IMG_1275
Originally uploaded by leanmeanfightingmachine.

YWAMers Building "Homes of Hope" in Mexico

2007-02-09T00:33:00.001-08:00

_IGP5254
Originally uploaded by preyingjaws.

Komarivka Mercy Truck Outreach (12/06)

2007-02-09T00:32:00.003-08:00

Komarivka Mercy Truck Outreach (12/06)
Originally uploaded by Colker Family.

Holmsted Manor

2007-02-09T00:32:00.001-08:00

Holmsted Manor
Originally uploaded by ideiasclaras.

Sailing with YWAM Friends

2007-02-09T00:31:00.003-08:00

Sailing with YWAM Friends
Originally uploaded by jswansojourner.

YWAM Kiev picnic

2007-02-09T00:31:00.001-08:00

YWAM Kiev Feed n Freeze
Originally uploaded by Colker Family.

A real YWAMer!

2007-02-09T00:19:00.001-08:00

Kochi, Indien
Originally uploaded by IsabelMission.

Adam from Nashville

YWAM Orphanage

2007-02-09T00:18:00.001-08:00

YWAM Orphanage
Originally uploaded by ozncsurfer29.

YWAM Shelter for Children At Risk

2007-01-18T12:07:00.001-08:00

Jan 21 06 - YWAM Girls Shelter
Originally uploaded by Chris Wigginton.

YWAM "Dreams of God" team News Article

2007-01-18T12:06:00.001-08:00

Dreams of God YWAM article; 1997
Originally uploaded by eshinee.

Landscape of YWAM Tyler, Texas

2007-01-18T12:05:00.001-08:00

YWAM Tyler -- The Grounds near the Entrance of the Property
Originally uploaded by khym54.

Beautiful YWAM campus set in East Texas.

YWAM Herrnhut Mission-live

2007-01-18T12:04:00.001-08:00

ywam herrnhut Mission-live
Originally uploaded by bikashlama.

From the YWAM mission campus in Hernhut, Germany.

YWAMers Helping After Katrina

2007-01-18T12:02:00.001-08:00

YWAM at Work
Originally uploaded by rmaxt.

YWAM Plzen Villa (Czech Rep.)

2007-01-18T12:01:00.001-08:00

YWAM Plzen Villa
Originally uploaded by dreamofatree2.

YWAM Mérida

2007-01-18T12:00:00.003-08:00

YWAM Mérida
Originally uploaded by Scatropolis.

YWAM Friends

2007-01-18T12:00:00.001-08:00

YWAM - the crew
Originally uploaded by Simon Paulin.

YWAM DTSer

2007-01-18T11:58:00.001-08:00

YWAM 186
Originally uploaded by davidaasen.

interesting shot--very determined looking.

YWAM Kona Hawaii

2007-01-18T11:57:00.001-08:00

YWAM
Originally uploaded by CaseyMcCracken.

2004-04-22T21:39:00.000-07:00

Today in Canada they held a workshop on communication between adults and kids. More news to come... -Jeff

2004-04-21T07:46:00.000-07:00

The uneven chop on the water was mirrored by the slate grey sky as we approached Vancouver Island. As heavy winds blew the rain in my face I thanked God for giving this to me. It was like nowhere else I had even seen. The ferry passed between tall islands that quickly fell down to meet the dark rough water of the Georgia Straight. Each island is covered in pine trees broken only by a house here or there. The hour and a half ferry ride to Vancouver Island was, in my opinion, a fitting end to our eleven-day journey from Lindale, Texas to Sydney, British Columbia.

We left our base on Thursday the eighth. We drove ten hours, fourteen hours, and eight hours, to get to my house in San Luis Obispo, California. There Baraza and I were able to spend Easter Sunday. Monday we were back on the road for twelve hours. Then it was seven hours on Tuesday to Seattle where Baraza and I split up to visit with some friends. We met back up on Sunday to complete our trip. Our plan was to get Baraza’s visa at the boarder before crossing over. We found out that we couldn’t. So we had to drive back to Seattle and the next morning apply for his visa, which we did. They were able to give it to us at the consulate in Seattle, and by 2:00 we were on our way. By six I was standing at the front of a ferry watching the slate grey sky, feeling the wind and rain on my face.
-Jonathan

2004-04-18T09:19:00.000-07:00

The guys arrive in Canada today after a long drive. The trip has been "long but good." Another encouraging donation came in on the way (from one of the people that hosted them during the trip). That came when the team funds were down to $30 (!). This and an unexpected tax refund bring them within about $300 of the total budget. What an adventure in trusting God!

A few days ago they enjoyed a visit and prayer time with Lisa in Seattle. And they were also able to seeing some of the sights--including the University district of Seattle.

Please pray for an easy border crossing into Canada and ferry to Vancouver Island today. Also, please call 903.882.9663 if you would like to give a portion of the $300 needed or have any encouraging words for the guys. Or you could also contact us and the team via email or other ways.

--P.S. Update: It DIDN'T HAPPEN! :) They weren't able to get Baraza's visa at the border and had to head back to Seattle. (see more on Jon's post)

2004-04-08T23:03:00.000-07:00

One down---five to go.

The guys are in Leveland for the night. Tomorrow they drive to Needles, CA.

-Jeff

2004-04-07T20:29:00.000-07:00

Update for everyone on the car. It should be fixed by tomorrow AM the mechanic says. So--hooray! The guys are headed on outreach tomorrow...
-Jeff

2004-04-06T14:33:00.000-07:00

The Acura's transmission is getting fixed--hopefully by Thursday or Friday. So, the departure time for outreach in Canada will be early this weekend for Jon & Baraza. Please keep them in your prayers. Thanks!
-Jeff

2004-04-06T10:21:00.000-07:00

Communications Discipleship Training School, DTS, D.T.S., YWAM, Youth With A Mission, media, video, web, ministry, missions

Communication DTS update -
News from Jonathan one of the current DTS' students--

I just want to say howdy to my friends and family.
Well Texas has been great. I am being drawn closer to God
each day; and it is awesome. The people here are really
incredible. Our team consists of Lisa from Washington
State, Fern from Pennsylvania, Becky from Massachusetts,
and Rogelio and I from California. I have greatly
enjoyed working and learning with this group. It is
incredible to be united with these people in the common
goal of serving Christ.

Each week we have had a different guest speaker.
We have heard from Dean Sherman, an internationally
renowned speaker; Loren Cunningham, founder of Youth
With A Mission (YWAM); Janice Rogers, a best-selling
author; Joy Dawson via video conferencing and
missionaries to the Slavic peoples, Haiti, India
and Brazil.

In April, after the training portion of the school, I am
going on a three month mission trip to the Canadian First
Nations peoples (Native Americans). I will be living on a
reservation about 30 minutes from the YWAM Victoria
campus on Vancouver Island. On the reservation I will
do service projects with other missionaries from YWAM
and see what further ministry God brings.

For those of you praying for me... thank you from the
bottom of my heart. I believe that I could never have come
through this without your prayers. And God has brought
me through. All glory goes to him, for all glory is due him.

-Jonathan Proby

He Walked!

2003-05-19T13:47:00.000-07:00

YWAM Woodcrest - DTS News: "Yesterday I saw little Matheus walk for the first time. I mentioned in an earlier message how he is four years old--but he's far behind in development after being held in the hospital during his mother's long battle with AIDS. He'd been left alone in his hospital bed so long, he couldn't walk or speak. So you can imagine why I was scrambling to try to capture the moment on film as Matheus took his first unaided steps. Sometimes 'the lame walk' without God bending the laws of His creation. Instead, it was the result of the faithful care and encouragement he has received since arriving here at Casa Refugio (the YWAM shelter for kids with HIV/AIDS).

I also told you about Robson, the 'chief illustrator' for the cartoon we've been working on with the children (he finished the last of the 40 drawings today!). When he arrived here he was already drawing--but the images were of battles and gore. One of the young women told me how he gave her drawings with super heroes cutting each other to shreds--but the notes below always read, 'love, Robson.' How different that is from his new drawings of the King (representing God the Father) and his son (Jesus) in the cartoon. Again, this transformation didn't happen instantly. The love he's receiving here is changing him into an amazing young man of God. It began long before we arrived.

Many would call this another wonderful 'everyday miracle.' But I believe this is what God intends to be 'normal.' It's not normal for our sins (or other's sins against us) to go untreated. Like Matheus, may we be rescued from the sick beds that entrap us. May we stand to walk closely with the Lord.

-Jeff & fam (& DTS)"

Precious Laughter

2003-05-19T13:31:00.000-07:00

The highlight of the week was a birthday party (with Brazillian BBQ) they had for Robson and Caique (pronounced Kaheekee). As the preparations for the party were going on, Quezia and I took a quick break in the dining area on the second floor. We stood at the window looking over the playground where a few kids remained. The ones there at the time were those too sick to go to school.
Mateos is one of them. He was kept in the hospital for a very long time while his mother battled and succumbed to AIDS (by law children cannot be placed in a home or adopted untill the parent has passed away). The overwhelmed hospitals have no staff to spend time with children there with their parents. He was kept alive, but not spoken to, held or taught at all. He cannot walk or speak normally. The YWAM staff here told me that he's doing immensely better here at Casa Refugio than when he arrived from the hospital--gaining weight, understanding language, crawling and attempting to walk. He laughed as he tossed away a balloon for Quezia to catch--just like my son did when he was around a year old. Mateos is nearly four. Laughter is precious from all children-- but especially children like these.
"Are you ok?" Quezia asked me as I looked out from the window.
"Yeah, it just hits you sometimes... they are going to die too soon." I held onto the window frame.
"I know."
A gate slammed and in rushed the children from school. One boy raced down the driveway into the playground on his big-wheel tricycle. He turned sharply--just missing the chairs.
As I decended the stairs into the playground Robson ran in from school.
"Oi!" he greeted me and then asked Webio, the director of Casa Refugio, if he could help with the preparations for the party (his party).
The party began with the Brazillian music playing, the children were dancing and enjoying the BBQ, sodas and cake. They also prayed for special birthday blessings for Robson and Caique. The staff here make each of the children's birthdays a wonderful celebration. It is important because it refutes the world's attitude that these children are worthless.
Near the end of the evening Quezia and I went over to wish Robson a happy birthday before we had to leave.
"Happy birthday! I wanted to give you this--it's a shell necklace I got in Hawaii," Quezia said.
"No! I can't take it." Robson smiled and politely refused.
"But I want you to have this. Come here." Quezia kneeled and placed it around his neck.
"Oh, thank you Tia (auntie)! Thank you very much!"
He hugged Quezia tightly and me as well.
Perhaps he was just trying to be polite by not accepting the gift at first. But many of these children struggle with feelings of rejection, fear and other emotions that make it hard to receive love or hope.
The director had told Quezia and I about how he had to warn one of the past volunteers not to give false hope to one of the children. The child had taken the volunteer's loving care to mean that they would be adopted.
We took this to heart and were impartially showing love to all the kids. Still, I don't know how I will be able to say good-bye to any of them.
As we began to head home, I noticed Robson showing his necklace to Flavia, one of the YWAM staff at Casa Refugio.
Had we been too partial? Or was it an appropriate gift well received? My doubts lingered... till I heard his precious laugh.

[ Please continue to pray for us as we are here another week before going on to three other cities in Brazil. Thanks! -Jeff

Whale of a Story

2003-05-18T09:40:00.000-07:00

Teaching here in Mutum at "Children's Church" on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday nights was a joy.

Using a translator, I told them the story of Joshua and the Battle of Jericho, Jonah, Joseph, Esther, and of Shadrach, Meshach and Abendigo ("Rack, Shach, and Benny"). My goal was to be creative in the story telling so they could see them come to life. Some stories worked better than others for this particular method of storytelling.

The kids really enjoyed acting out two of the stories, the Battle of Jericho and "Rack, Shach, and Benny." The Battle of Jericho involved quite a bit of on the spot planning. We used the chairs they were sitting in to build the wall, paper rolled up to look like horns, and a bottle of soda as the Ark of the Covenant. When they were told to shout, as Joshua told the people, they were so loud that they successfully interrupted the prayer going on upstairs in the adult meeting. A little unconventional maybe, but they remember how the battle was fought and that God won it through the obedience of his people. The acting out of the fiery furnace went a little more smoothly as I needed no props and no yelling. The kids really took their parts seriously. I only wish we had gotten it on video. When I told the story of Jonah, I drew the different elements of the story on the board after a craft idea fell through. The kids still loved the story. We asked what they learned from the story, and one child answered, "When God tells you to do something, you better do it, or a whale might swallow you!"

The children absolutely loved the stories that they learned. I look back at all those nights and am so greatful that God brought me here. He directed my path straight to the hearts of these little kids. At times I felt like maybe I was missing out on what was going on upstairs. But looking back, I would not trade the time with the children for a hundred adult meetings.

Hiv Children's Shelter

2003-04-24T13:06:00.000-07:00

We passed through the gate into "Casa Refugio"--in english, Refuge House. For fourteen years this YWAM ministry has cared for HIV infected orphans here in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. A boy bounded up to me carrying a toy ukelele.

"Hey, I'm Robson (said in Portuguese)" he smiles and offers his hand.

Outside everything was normal. I shook his hand like I would anyone. But my hand seemed to tingle when I grasped his. I'd prepared myself not to react differently just because the kids have HIV. I know it can't be spread through a touch like that. Still, the sensation didn't stop. Perhaps it was normal anxiety. Did I have a cut on my hand? Did he?

Pushing away those thoughts I smiled and introduced myself. He offered his toy and I played a few chords as best I could.

Flavia, one of the YWAM workers, began a tour of Casa Refugio. "These are photos of all the children who have been with us here," Quezia translated for Flavia.

My eyes scanned the smiling faces in photos cut in the shape of a hearts.

"Some are still with us. Some are adopted. Others have died from the HIV related diseases." Flavia hugged and kissed one of the children as she led the tour downstairs.

After the tour Robson caught up with our group. "You draw right?" I asked in Portuguese.

"Sim" he nodded with a smile.

"Could you show me some?"

Robson waived to me to follow him to his room. Brightly painted walls with the childrens' names designed over the beds spoke of the love shown to them here. He opened a spiral notebook with countless drawings of superheroes and cartoon characters. These are good.

"Here I'll make one for you," Robson offered. As he drew I noticed more than half-a-dozen scars across his bronze face. I can't even imagine what all he's been through. In two minutes he'd made an incredible drawing--better than I could do in two hours.

Under normal circumstances he would grow up to be a great artist. I'm sure he'd be thankful just to grow up. But here he has a refuge--a home full of joyful children and the golden-hearted people caring for them. How perfect it would be, if not for the silent reality of their disease.

We will continue working here two more weeks before continuing to the other three cities: Mutum, Cristais & Rio De Janeiro. Flavia (and Robson) said we would even be able to work on the cartoon project "The King's Son" with them. It is a beautiful fulfillment of our prayers for Brazil. And we've just begun.

-Jeff (&amp; fam & DTS)

P.S. For continuing news on the DTS outreach, photos and info. on how to contribute, visit our site: YwamWoodcrest.com and click on the "Brazil DTS Outreach news" link.

Saved At School

2003-04-14T13:55:00.000-07:00

teacher had warned us of this rebellious class, “Some are involved in drugs. Many come from rough backgrounds. The other students look down on them.”

“Hey! How’s it going?” I began.

They laughed. Even though it was an English class, they couldn’t understand me.

The teacher broke into the introduction to make some guys in the back be quiet.

I continued (with Portuguese translation), “OK. We came from all these different places, Switzerland, Brazil and the US, to share with you the hope we’ve found in Jesus.”

The class’ eyes grew curious. As our team shared about our experiences in knowing God, the noise and interruptions subsided.

We projected a video about Jesus and the cross. The blood-drenched torture of Jesus flashed upon the screen. Their eyes were transfixed. Some even wept.

This week alone approximately 600 students in the school heard and saw this message of Jesus. We prayed and answered questions with many of the students.

After doing what would be illegal in my home country (preaching in school), the teachers and staff thanked us again and again.

The administration staff even said, “We want to hear this message and see this video too. Can you please meet with us?”

After a time with the staff and vice-principal three prayed to be saved. One said, “This is a beautiful work you are doing here. We need things like this. Thank you so much. God bless you.”

From here we go to Rio for the last two weeks of the outreach. Thanks for reading, praying and supporting us out here in Brazil!
God bless,
Jeff & fam (and DTS)

P.S. Besides the time at school, we also did:
- Web sites for our host church and Project Rhema (a development ministry based in Mutum that provides clothing, education, adoption services and much more)
- An original video, “EveryNobody,” with local young people providing the acting.
- A drama, “Turn Around” with our team and local youth playing different parts.
- An inter-denominational youth meeting with youth from the churches in town (where we performed the drama, showed the video and spoke).
- Teaching at the church and children’s ministry on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights.
- And we continued the door to door diuscipleship visits with the new believers at the church.

www.Rnews.tk (family site for news, photos, video & financial support)

www.YwamWoodcrest.com (our home Youth With A Mission campus)

To Rio Eventually

2003-04-10T13:33:00.000-07:00

“You don’t know how much this time has meant to me. The message you shared truly touched me.”

That’s one of so many heartfelt thanks we’ve received here in Brazil. Likewise, I’ve come to realize that they don’t know
how much this time has meant to us.

We were glued to Mutum. The pastor and his wife, many of the church members and youth were all praying that we’d stay another week and not go to Rio as planned. Philipp (our swiss single guy) had an entire fan club of single young women from the church. Some were even fasting and praying we’d stay. MaryGrace was even proposed to by a 14 year old we met at the school! It was hilarious. And we had an invitation to go to nearby Caparao with the pastor’s family to minister and visit the mountains.

Still we had already packed and planned to go to Rio. But then there were problems. Because of a miscommunication with YWAM Rio, the projects we’d planned to do had been cancelled. We could go, but the cost would be high and our budget was low. Plus, what would we do there? So... we prayed and decided to stay the extra week. The extra time allowed us to finish our door-to-door discipleship visits and spend more time with our family and friends there in Mutum (and Caparao).

Caparao was like an oasis. We had an excellent meeting at a church there. After the service a doctor from the church was so grateful for our ministry that he paid for us to tour the mountains and waterfalls in a 4x4 truck.

A week later we finally said our goodbyes. The maniac bus driver seemed to think he was in a Formula 1 race. My lovely wife puked twice. Here in Rio I spoke at the church that our hosts pastor. They’ve been wonderfully hospitable and shown us around town. Tomorrow I fly with Quezia and Daniel. On Thursday the pastor’s family will take MaryGrace and Philipp to catch their plane. Till then they’ll “suffer” on the beaches and in the tourist/shopping areas of Rio. Outreach isn’t all work and no play.

Death Contract

2003-04-06T13:14:00.000-07:00

Drums echo through the streets as the congada worshipers summon spirits. Brilliant moonlight casts shadows as we approach the church. Believers are gathering and the music soon drowns out the rhythms in the night.

Cristais, Brazil, is roughly the size of my little home-town, Lindale. It has a beautiful "facade"-- homey cottages, warm hospitality and green hillsides covered in rows of coffee plants. But behind that lies occultic practices, depression and one of the highest per/capita suicide rates in Brazil.

Rubens and Carla, the local pastoring couple and longtime friends of Quezia's family, invited us here for two weeks of outreach with our DTS team from YWAM Woodcrest.

The people's smiling eyes met me as I open my Bible and read:

Your covenant with death will be annulled;
your agreement with the grave will not stand." (Is. 28:18a)

"I believe Cristais has a covenant with death. But you here and we who join with you are called to break this contract through Jesus."

By the end of the service the majority of the audience asked for prayer to help them overcome this influence of depression and death in their lives.

One of our closest friends from the time in Cristais stood and shared how she had attempted suicide before knowing Jesus. Now she was battling those old thoughts again.

"But tonight with Jesus I want to be free of these horrible thoughts!"

We prayed with her and the others. And my toddler son, Daniel, came over and laid his hand on her as if praying. Seeing it, everyone laughed after the last "amen."

The joy of that night echoed all the wonderful times we had while befriending the members of the church and the pastor's family in Cristais.

After two weeks there we returned to Belo Horizonte. We will be here till Wednesday evening when we catch a night bus to Mutum where we'll work for two weeks with another church and a ministry to the poor. Thanks so much for reading, praying and supporting our ministry!
-Jeff

Her First Teddy Bear

2003-03-24T11:52:00.000-08:00

Her First Teddy Bear
Girl With Teddy Bear

She stared down at the teddy bear in bewilderment. Her hand touched the velvety fabric and she turned her eyes up to me.

"Go ahead. You can play with it." I smiled as the church's worship continued.

But she didn't run off with it like my son Daniel would have. She just gazed at it and caressed the bear's arm.

Then I realized--she'd never had one.

Her mother and sisters lived in a favela (slum) outside the city. We'd visited them on one of our house to house discipleship visits with the pastor. They didn't have much. But the older sister looked out for her. And their mom looked after them and the baby with care and kindness.

Daniel's grandma gave him this bear before he was even born. Should I give it away?

After the church service, my wife and I decided to give the bear. It was nothing in comparison to the needs they have. But it was what we had to give. So we did.

We've since returned home and are finishing the last days of this YWAM missionary training school (DTS--Discipleship Training School).

Looking back, I am not discouraged at the tremendous needs I cannot meet in Brazil. I am only thankful that we had the opportunity to do what we could. And may God help those we cannot.

Thanks so much for reading, praying and supporting us during this outreach to Brazil. The faithful are not without reward. Thanks!

-Jeff, Quezia & Daniel (and DTS)

P.S. "Granny Jannie" was glad we gave the little girl the bear! :)

*Rnews.tk (our family site--news, photos, video and online contribution)
*YwamWoodcrest.com (photos, video and info. on DTS & YWAM)

Open Wide

2002-03-09T13:24:00.000-08:00

Open Wide

Hurting children. Diseased foreigners. Grinding poverty... change the channel.
I might have done that if I'd only seen them on some cable-tv charity appeal. I'm glad I didn't.

In the last few messages I wrote about how I met Robson, Matheus, Amilton, Alessandra and the others at Casa Refugio, a YWAM run shelter for children with HIV/AIDS here in Brazil. Even after all the 17 missions trips and countless faces of need, I realize that I can't just walk away from here. I can't turn it off.

A woman was walking toward church. Helen had read on our web site about one of the children here, Joao Pedro, and the surgery he needs. She somehow sensed God asking "Why don't you do something?" She didn't even know how much it would all cost. But her heart opened to God... and to a child a world away. On Monday we'll take them the money she sent to cover the operation.

Our hearts can be jaded by repeatedly choosing to avoid pain. But it's not right to hold the world an arm's length away. If we open our hearts to God, we open our hearts to the people of the world. Jesus says, "Because you did it to the least of these my brothers, you did it to me." (Mt. 23)

Open wide : )
-Jeff & fam (& DTS)

P.S. If you would like to come down to Brazil to volunteer or work longer-term with Casa Refugio--contact us. If you'd like to volunteer with us at YWAM Woodcrest in Texas--contact us. If you'd like to give towards Casa Refugio or another child (Leticia) that requires surgery--again please contact us. We'd love to help make it happen!

YwamWoodcrest.com