All that Goodness!

So much has happened since I last posted. Let me just express the highlights to you, otherwise this would be way too long.
My week of orientation was a good start to this adventure. I learned why, and what, YWAM believes, and even some of their history. We spent much time in worship. The amount of worship here is very refreshing. They are building a culture that relies on worship. It is a very beautiful and vibrant thing.
This DTS is very unique. It is the first ever YWAM DTS to be in alliance with a House Of Prayer. We are Passion and Pursuit: worship and intercession DTS that is with YWAM and the Jamaica House Of Prayer. It is an amazing partnership and I am delighted that I am doing this school. YWAM and JaHOP just compliment each other so well, I'm blown away.
During orientation week we created our vision statement for this DTS. It reads:We will be a school that Seeks God's Face and Hears His Voice Clearly. We will Encounter God and Be Transformed while experiencing Intimacy With Christ. We will have a Deeper Relationship With God. We will Find Our Passion For Christ, Embrace His Love and Experience The Love Of God Like Never Before. We will stand on a Strong Foundation so we Know Where We Are Going!We will Discover How To Use Our Gifts And Passions To Serve God. The Spirit Of Christ Will Dwell In Us So That We Can Impact The World. We will Surrender To The Calling Of God On Our Life and we will Leave Everywhere We Go Changed!!!
We also all got to share testimonies. That was encouraging to hear how God has come into each other's life and know where everyone is coming from.We had a welcome night on Wednesday night. We ate Jamaican food and had a talent show. I played my harmonica, my ukulele (Lyra), and the foot tambourine. Others recited poetry, had us play soccer, and even preformed a play. It was truly a gold star night of welcoming. Jamaicans know how to make you feel loved.
Our adventures around Mobay (Montego Bay, Jamaica) included, but were not limited to, going into town and taking a test to get a food handlers permit--so that we can work in the kitchen on the base. And on Friday we got a tour of Mobay. We drove all around and learned where we can go to the beach and where the airport is and all that goodness.
That was essentially orientation week.I'm writing this as of Saturday in my first “normal” week of DTS. My previous weekend was good and relaxing. I spent some time in the pool (that is on the base) and the rest of the time I spent sweating. The humidity takes some getting used to. Church was also good. We were there for 5 hours, but the time passed quickly. One of the staff from YWAM spoke at the church and we shared some of YWAM's heart for missions. They prayed for us afterwards and that was a blessing.

We also celebrated the birthdays of two of my fellow YWAMers. It was fun and full of singing. Jamaicans know how to celebrate mon. 

 So far, the classes have been good. This week's focus is on the Nature and Character of God. Honestly, it feels like review for me. But thankfully the speakers have a different perspective than me, so I'm still learning from them. (But the speakers have totally taken the Perspectives class. Which is grand.) Every day the students have what's called “work duty.” My work duty is grounds/maintenance. So I help mow the 13 acre property and I'll also do odd jobs around the base.
Tuesday we got to do evangelism. We, essentially, walked around the community around the YWAM base and talked to the people there and prayed for some of them. I learned a lot about Jamaican culture while doing the evangelism. It was good and I'm excited to do it every week.
I've been holding up fairly well. Physically, I'm tired but can usually focus throughout the whole day. Spiritually, I'm beginning to understand the culture of 24/7 worship and intercession. I'm beginning to see why God wants to see us create that reality here on the earth. Mentally, I'm learning some in the school part of the DTS, but I'm mostly enjoying learning about the new culture around me.
Tuesday our outreach location was officially announced. However because of recent persecution breaking out where we are planing on going, I am not at liberty to declare (with the means of social media) where we are planing on going to for our outreach. If you would like to know where I'm going for outreach, just shoot me an email and I can let you know that way. I just cannot publicly say were we are going because they might not let us in if they know we are with YWAM. Yep, it's intense. But God believes in doing intense things through us. Please be praying for us as we begin to prepare for outreach.
I'm sorry it has been taking me so long to update. I'll attempt to do an update weekly on Saturdays. But, just to let you know, once outreach starts, I will not be able to keep up a blog. But we will find a way to keep you informed and praying alongside me as I bring the gospel to the nations.
God is good. All the time. And all the time. God is good.
Yah Mon!

In Christ,

Timothy David