Youth With a Mission (YWAM) Liberia, Costa Rica

Dear Friends and Family

Just a little over two months ago I took a big step in faith, following God’s calling on my life. It was a big decision that I made within the short time of one week, but I stuck with it.

As I write this letter I am currently half way through my DTS in Liberia, Costa Rica. This was a big step for me because it required me to leave my family, friends, country, and everything I was familiar with for five months and give it to God. But I have been learning so much about Christ and drawing closer to Him everyday, to say the very least, He is faithful.

You may be wondering what a DTS is and what exactly it is that I am doing here in Costa Rica. Well DTS stands for: Discipleship Training School. This is a program that is offered through an organization called YWAM (Youth With a Mission). This is a global missions organization that was founded by Lauren Cunningham in 1956; and ever since its beginning, the mission has been to know God and make Him known. From the first YWAM base in Lausanne Switzerland, to there now being over 10,000 bases established around the world, YWAM has spearheaded the mission field and equipped many to spread the Word of God

This is the process in which I am in right now, being equipped. Once my fellow students and I finish our DTS we will be starting our two month outreach part of the program. It is something we all look forward to, though also something that makes us slightly nervous. It is no small weight that we bear when we go out into the world bringing the Word of God. We carry the weight of the gospel and the reputation of Christ on our backs.

Our first month of outreach will be here in Costa Rica, traveling up and down the country bringing the Word of God and aid to those in need. We will be working in the heavily populated cities all the way to the midst of the jungle with indigenous tribes.

However, in our second month we will cross the Atlantic to bring the Word of God to Kenya, Africa! This is a wonderful opportunity, and at the same time a great responsibility. Though at times it seems like a massive challenge, or a huge mountain in my path, I have complete faith that God will prepare and equip me.

In this letter I ask that if you feel led to financially support me in this chapter of my life, it would be greatly appreciated. Plane tickets and resources are most definitely not cheap, though there is not one doubt in my mind that God will provide.

Even more than financial aid I ask for spiritual aid. Though it may not seem like much, a short heartfelt prayer can go a long way. I thank each and every one of you for any amount you are able to contribute, it is a blessing.

"The Lord bless you and keep you;

the Lord make his face shine on you

and be gracious to you;

the Lord turn his face toward you

and give you peace."

Numbers 6:24-26

Blessings,

JD