If you have been following my YWAM (youth with a mission) excursions in the last few years, then you probably know that I did my DTS (discipleship training school) with the Awaken school in Kona, HI. For those who haven't been with YWAM before, a DTS is simply the initial 6-month training school everyone does before they can do any of YWAM's other schools. You can go to any YWAM base around the world and do a DTS. There are guidelines which dictate what can be considered a full DTS, but besides a basic core structure, they are all very unique based on how the school leaders run it.
Awaken is the name of the DTS I worked with and it is a community that goes beyond DTS. Unlike most DTS's, Awaken is a larger group of people who are connected outside of the 6-month school. A couple weeks ago, we had what is called the 'Awaken Gathering' down in LA. It is pretty much a small conference - in loose terms - where people can come together for the weekend and connect. There were teaching times, worship times, and community outreaches, as well as a lot of much needed chill and hang out time. Most of us have been involved with Awaken before, but not all had. I knew about half the people there and enjoyed meeting the many others. Awaken is a group of people who hold three principle loves: loving God, loving our community, and loving the world. That is what the teachings revolved around and really what the community lives out. It was so refreshing to be back in that environment, focusing on God and chasing after His heart together. It was a good reminder of how much I come alive with that as my focus and how community grows around that center point. I have been increasingly drawn to Israel as God has put it and its people on my heart, and this was the first time I could see a blending of these two things I so dearly love. This is the environment and the culture I want to bring with my into Israel - the passion, the humility, the comradery, and the unity. It's with that spirit and simplicity of purpose that I could see real change being made! I don't know when, but it is my prayer to go back someday soon and to see God move in Israel. I am also very excited to rejoin this community in Kona later this year. It is a short term step, but an important one. A group of people from Awaken will be doing a 3-month long DBS (discipleship Bible school) at the end of this year and I will be joining them! We will be studying the Bible thoroughly and intently from cover to cover while living together on the YWAM base in Kona. It is something that has been on my heart for a long time now and that God is finally opening the door for. My hope it to really impress the word on my heart even more than it already is. I know and love the scriptures and study them as often as I can, but I find that it never feels like enough. Especially if I am to go out and share the good news with the world, I feel like it is really vital that I know it through and through. That is why this school is so exciting for me and why I will be going in October. The best part is that not only will I finally get to join this amazing Bible school, but many of my dear friends will be doing it with me! What more could I possiblly ask for?! Well...support, actually. I have already been saving up and I will continue to do so over the summer, but the fees are still more expensive than I am capable of covering on my own. It has been a while now since I've needed support (obviously, since I've been living back in California and working for my parents), but once again I find myself needing some partners to be able to go and do what God has placed before me. I know that He has been faithful to provide for me in the past and that He will continue to do so now. That being said, please pray about how you can partner with us. Your prayers and financial support are both needed and I am so blessed to know that I have a team of people around me on both sides. Please pray about how you can help. If you feel led to be a monthly or one time supporter, please contact me at [email protected]. There is also information on how you can support me financially on the home page on this site.
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ErikaJeremiah 29:11 Archives
March 2023
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