Help Send Me to Spain and Turkey with YWAM!

Hi, I’m Poppy!

I'm currently in Mazatlán, Mexico, completing a 5 month Discipleship Training School with Youth With A Mission (YWAM). YWAM is a global missions movement that has bases and ministries all over the world, and even just having been here for a few weeks now, I'm being challenged and growing deeper in my relationship with God each day.

I'm also excited to share that I'm part of an outreach team headed to Spain and Turkey for the last 2 months of DTS!

I'd love to invite you to be a part of this journey with me. In the next few paragraphs I'll explain a bit more about what these 5 months entail and how you can get involved, especially when looking to this next outreach phase.

What is DTS? And what I'm currently doing and will be doing in Spain and Turkey!

YWAM’s Discipleship Training School is a 5-month program that combines learning and outreach:

• Lecture Phase (3 months): The first few months are here in Mazatlán: studying the Bible, aiding in local ministries, learning how to hear God’s voice, and exploring topics like the Father Heart of God, Prayer, and Evangelism, alongside other DTS students from all over the world. Some highlights so far have been growing in confidence hearing God's voice and knowing his character, getting to learn so much from the speakers and the other students here, and already seeing God moving so powerfully in Mexico in street evangelism with local people - he's already brought healing, freedom and faith to so many people here.
• Outreach Phase (2 months): In April and May 2025 I will travel as part of a team to communities in Spain and Turkey where there is great need, to put what we've learned into practice. In Spain, we'll be in Seville and Madrid, serving in local YWAM bases, doing street evangelism and ministry and serving with local ministries that work with children, refugees and rehab centres. In Turkey we will be navigating evangelism in a closed nation. We're joining with existing long-term ministries there that seek to show the love of Jesus to those who don't know him and don't have access to the Word, through home visits, investing in relationships and fellowship with people, and giving practical support to those in need. Our team are praying about God's heart for these nations and what these two months will look like, and I'd love to invite you to join us in this.

A bit of background: Why Am I doing a DTS?

When I decided to take a gap year, I knew I wanted to use the time purposefully but I had no clue what to do, and was definitely feeling stressed by the decision! It was only at the end of the summer, when I gave up trying to control everything and handed the decision over in prayer to God, that I found out about the DTS in Mazatlán. It felt like the answer to a prayer I hadn't even prayed. After that, amidst integrating into a new church and a new workplace, I really grew closer to God and I desired to deepen my understanding of His calling on my life, and serve others in meaningful ways. This DTS is an opportunity to step out in faith, join an international community, and be part of the work God is doing in the lives of those I meet (all whilst practising my Spanish!)

This isn’t just a trip for me; it’s a chance to be part of something bigger, to set the foundations for a life centred around Christ, and to let God work through me in ways I can’t even imagine yet.

How Can You Help?

I’ve been working full-time in hospitality during my gap year to save up for this trip. So far, I've raised more than half the money I need which will cover the cost of my flight out, the time in Mazatlán, my medical insurance and part of the outreach. However, I’m still £4,000 short to fund the Outreach phase in Spain and Turkey (including flights to outreach, accommodation, meals, and supplies).

There are two main ways you can help:

• Pray for Me:

Your prayers mean the world to me! Please pray for God’s provision, for my team's preparation for outreach in the coming few weeks, and for the work God will do in and through me and the rest of the team during this experience. Lastly, please ask that God prepare the hearts of those we will reach, and that our team will also be able to meet the needs of those we meet.

• Support Me Financially:

If you feel led to give, no matter how small or large, every donation made on this page will go directly towards making this mission possible, in sponsoring the cost of outreach, as well as food and board for the last 2 months of DTS. Your support will help send me out to share God’s love and be part of His work in Mexico and beyond.

Stay Updated!

I want you to be part of this journey with me, so I have been sharing stories, photos, and updates throughout my DTS to show how your support is making an impact. I have a WhatsApp group set up for this, so do contact me if you'd like to join!

Your generosity—whether through prayer, financial support, or encouragement—means so much.

Please also feel free to get in touch using the 'Contact the Organiser' section on this page if you'd like to hear more or have any questions! Thank you and God bless you.

With love,

Poppy

If you'd like to find out more about the programme!

YWAM Mazatlán website: https://www.ywammazatlan.com/dts

Instagram: @ywammazatlan