week#1 video blog

journey

This week we had David Gava speaking on the Nature & Character of God.

One thing that has really stood out to me was how he broke down our Journey with God. It's based off of the story of Elisha and his apprenticeship to Elijah...

Step 1: Gilgal (1 Kings 19:19-21 & 2 Kings 2:1)
~ Being taken out of a place of bondage ~ Surrendering the things of this world, for the calling of God.

~ A place of salvation & making God Lord of your life.
~ Giving your heart to the Lord. 

~ Repentance. 

"What you are hungry for is what you will pursue... 

So, what are you hungry for?"

Step 2: Bethel (2 Kings 2:2-3)

~ A place of making decisions.

~ Are you going to decide to really go for God? 

~ A place of separation from hindrances.

~ Will you go back, or will you go forwards?

Your calling will cost you EVERYTHING.

"Whatever will hold you back from entering into God's plan for you,
is an IDOL in your life."

KNOW THE TRUTH . KNOW THE WORD . KNOW GOD .

Step 3: Jericho (2 Kings 2:4-5)

~ A place of warfare.

~ Being trained for battle and knowing that your victory is won through Christ.

~ Knowing who you are in Christ!

~ there is NO turning back.

Testimonies require testing.

Step 4: Jordan (2 Kings 2:6)

~ A place of the supernatural.

~ We don't run after the supernatural, it runs after us. Seek first His kingdom.

"If you want God to move in your life,

you have to give Him permission."

Mohician worship

Well, it is official. Week #1 of Engage DTS has come to a close!

This week we had Donna Jordan speaking on "Hearing the Voice of God."
It's been an intense week. We've had students recognizing Jesus as Lord of their lives, hearing/recognizing the voice of the Lord for the first time, and a time of repentance at the cross to confess any sin that would try to hinder our walk with the Lord any longer. Like I said; it's been intense and it's been fast.

My highlight of the week was having a surprise worship-turned-ministry session with Jonathan Maracle. He's a Mohawk Indian who has been using his unique music style to remind Native American's of their heritage and that as God's creations, they can use their traditions and music to glorify and worship the Lord.

As a Canadian, I grew up hearing about the Natives and the ways they have been mistreated. It broke my heart, and left me curious about all their traditions and  fascinated with what I did learn (thank you Mum!). So it was a really special experience for me to be able to praise God through Native worship music.
I also learned so much more about the specific ways that the Natives have been mistreated. It truly broke my heart to hear the reality of the effects of their mistreatment. But through this brokenness, God has begun to speak to me about the importance of recognizing myself and everyone around me as the precious creation He has made them to be.

"White man's religion" (sadly, Christianity) has way too often, been used as a means for control and manipulation over honest and trusting people. In regards to the Native Americans; we told them that to serve God; they would no longer be Natives and would have to forego their identity as Natives and their traditions in order to worship God.

But the reality is, that God made each of us, both as individuals and people groups, unique and in His image. So to ask one person or group to conform to look like "us," is really idolizing ourselves and saying that "we" are the one true representation of God and are the only ones capable of pleasing Him through our worship.

Thankfully, God doesn't allow our arrogance to last too long. I believe that He is stirring up the nations, people groups and individuals to once again recognize that they are made in Christs image, and as His beautiful creations, each one of their expressions of worship are dear to the Father.

After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne and to the Lamb!" - Revelation 7:9-10

Much love,
Becca

P.S. Please be praying for Jonathan Maracle and his group "Broken Walls" as they are on the forefront of bringing this revelation to Native tribes all around the world, through their fusion of Native-style worship music.  

powerful love

The students of Engage DTS 2013 arrived on Thursday and we are now on Day 2 of the actual DTS.

One of our Scavenger Hunt Photos...
We weren't in the mood to plank, so we got some wood to step in for us!

We've had an amazing weekend getting the bonding process underway with a Photo Scavenger Hunt and Sunset BBQ. A success in everyone's eyes I'm sure.

One of our Scavenger Hunt photos:
Question: "What do you surf with? Take a pic!"

Yesterday we began the week with morning worship and then joined forces with the All Nations, All Generations DTS for a week on "Hearing the Voice of God" with Donna Jordan, our lovely Canadian speaker! Day 1 we already saw students come forward and recognize Jesus, not just as their savior, but as Lord of their lives.

First Monday Morning Worship of the quarter!
Photo Credit: Erin T.

Then last night, we had Ministry Night (a time of worship and spontaneously following where the Holy Spirit leads us) and after a time of prayer for healing we saw over 30 students from DTS be healed of various illnesses!!!
It is so amazing to see how quickly God is moving throughout the school. He really isn't wasting anytime, but jumping right into the hearts of the students and moving in their lives, physically, emotionally and spiritually.

The question on many of the staff's heart is:
If God is already moving in such powerful ways in the first week; What will he do over these next 6 months? and How great must the calling on the lives of our students be? 

creeping up on me!

Well, the past few weeks have been craziness. 

From staff training to beautification day, its been an intense 3 weeks!

The Leadership Track ended as of December 7th and Corporate Staff Training began on the 10th. We had one week of hard core training, mostly focused on the core values of Discipleship Training and what it means to be a "Discipler." It was definitely one of those moments when I began to understand "The Fear of the Lord" just a little bit more as I began to realize the responsibility and authority that is being entrusted to me as I become a leader to these students. Its hard even to call them "students" as I was one of them just one year ago, and always will be a student, thank the Lord that He is so meticulous at keeping me humble and teachable. Anyways, it was an incredible time of teaching and a surprising, but welcome wake-up-call.

During this time, we had the incredible joy of finding out our Outreach Locations and co-leaders! Of course, I must still keep it a secret as the students have yet to discover where they will have the joy of going on outreach... but I had to let you know that at least I know where I am going and I am super stoked about it! ;)

We also got to go on a Staff Retreat at the Makapala Base. Its such a joy each time we go there as its both cooler and windier. It means we get to pull out the leggings, sweatshirts, socks and hot chocolate. Us girls were on a crocheting frenzy and enjoyed making socks and scarves even if it will be months before we get to use them! But it was an incredible time of getting to know each other better and spending some family time together. We've realized that card games are a favorite among us and has made for some intense bouts of competitiveness and laughter.

And then there was Christmas... which was basically Makapala times 5. Minus a few of the teammates as they were visiting home, we enjoyed a splendid Christmas at Jo's house and 10 days of rest and relaxation as we did our best to recoup and recharge for the coming 6 months.

Now we are on to the craziness. We've spent this week cleaning, shopping, painting, decorating, and setting up the classroom so that it will be ready for when the students arrive...

...in three days!!!

You would think by now I would have learnt that time flies, but it still manages to creep up on me! 

Meet the Engage DTS Staff of 2013

that's a wrap!

Well, as the New Year is just hours away, I wanted to share with y'all just a few things that I am thankful for...excuse the cheesiness

I am thankful for ...

Family : who have been beside me even if they're an ocean and a continent away.

Friends : both new and old who have kept me sane, even if it looks like hysterical laughter. 

Home : whether its been for 5 years or 3 months... home is where the heart is, right?

Collages : which keep both memories and dreams alive.

Sunshine, Wind, Sunny, Cold and Rainy Days : because they remind me of God's creativity. 

Community : because it keeps my eyes off myself and focused on loving God and those around me. 

My View of the Ocean : because it reminds me of the possibilities and God's deep love for me.

and You : because you've supported me in my wild adventures as I continue to pursue God's will for my life.

thank you, and Happy New Years!