hi, mom and dad!: Count down

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Count down

Work days left before we go:

Lauren: 30 - 32
Mike: 20!!!

Total days before our DTS starts:

It's fun to have a bunch of count downs running, but we're also trying to make the most of our time before we head for Panama. I think we've got every weekend booked between now and then..! For starts, Mom and Dad Shawl are driving out from Michigan this weekend to visit. I suspect that they just can't stay away from Brat Fest now that they've experienced it ;) . Next weekend, we're planning an open house / grill out / bonfire at our place (weather permitting). Let the fun begin!

Here's a shot of the base where we'll be staying in Panama. It's built on the side of a very steep hill.

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YWAM - A Word of Caution

I just want to leave a little note here for anyone who might stumble across this blog that is interested in doing a DTS with YWAM.

Lots happened on our DTS that I didn't write about in our blog... I left out some very difficult parts both out of respect for the people involved and because I was having a really difficult time processing the truth of the situation as it was happening. I went through some experiences that were legitimately hurtful to me --spiritually and emotionally-- on our DTS, specifically in relation to interactions with the leadership of our DTS.

I would encourage anyone who is planning on doing a DTS or who is currently doing one to be in frequent communication (as much as this is possible) with a trusted spiritual leader from their home church or community (i.e. outside of the DTS) throughout the experience. I recommend this so that you will have trusted Godly counsel available to you if/as you encounter unforeseen challenges. If anyone tells you it is inappropriate for you to maintain frank communication with said trusted counsel, I would get the heck out of there! (By the way, no one told me not to maintain a line of communication like that, I just wish I had had one!).

All this said, YWAM is super decentralized, and the leadership on DTS's usually changes from season to season, so anyone else's experience on a DTS will likely be very different from ours. And as I've had more time to process, I can see more and more good that came out of other aspects of the experience. I definitely value spending time with God more these days .