Landers' Family DTS New Zealand
Hey guys!
Our family has been eagerly considering cross-cultural missions for years, and in this season the Lord has been encouraging us to put our efforts into reaching that goal. It is our strong hope to leave for a six-month YWAM Family DTS in Matamata, New Zealand by July 28th, 2016.
What is YWAM/What is a DTS?
YWAM (Youth With A Mission) is a missions organization with hundreds of local bases across the globe that gives Christians from all nations the opportunity to "unite in a common purpose to know God and to make Him known." They specialize in providing intensive cross-cultural mission opportunities within the context of long-term local community ministries. Students come to partner with pre-existing local ministries while being intensely discipled and equipped by the long-term staff there.
"Back when we began in 1960, our main focus was to get youth involved in missions. Today, we still focus on youth, and we also involve people aged 9 to 90. We currently work in more than 1,100 locations in over 180 countries, with a staff of over 18,000."
DTS stands for "Dischipleship Training School," the introductory disciplship program taught at many of the bases worldwide. This course lasts roughly 6 months, split into a Lecture phase and an Outreach phase. The Lecture phase includes daily class room lectures and personal discipleship five days a week. It also includes serving locally. The Outreach phase sees students taking another step out, spending a few months in another location, on the ground, putting their equipping into practical action.
Why Matamata?
We know friends who have had great DTS experiences at many schools around the world, but Matamata provides the unique opportunity of equipping families as a unit to know Christ more and serve others as a team. Matamata provides one of the only "Family DTS" schools in the world, providing classroom space for the kids while the parents are in their lectures and creating a community space where families can live with and pour into one another.
With our girls just reaching school age, we're eager to band together with them in learning more as a family team about what following Christ is like and how we can link arms to serve Him and love others in our world.
Cost
Housing and most meals are included in the cost of the DTS, but flights for five of us to New Zealand add greatly to the overall cost. We will need roughly $30,000 USD by the time all is said and done, or about $5,000 USD a month. We will need at least half of that up front before we arrive on July 28th. It's a lot of money, but we're setting aside every bit we can and we're eager to find others who can partner with us in whatever way they can.
In conclusion, we don't know how this will all come together, but we do feel like we've been asked to be faithful in giving it our full efforts. We've begun to invest toward this, knowing that God can supply this money in a matter of minutes if He wants to and it is our job to simply be willingly vulnerable and trust Him.
We are so thankful to you for your prayer, uplifting words, and any financial gifts you can provide.
Also, please and thank you for sharing this!
-Micah and Lisa
