I LOVE to travel. I have been blessed to visit many different places--all over the U.S. and Europe, mostly--but I've never visited anywhere for more than a week or two. Europe fascinates me and always has. I've been to 11 European countries during three trips, and everytime I leave I only long to go back.
It has always been a dream of mine to live somewhere outside of the U.S. for an extended period of time, where I can get to know the people, the neighborhoods, the history, the culture.
By doing so much Running Start in high school and being a PA last year, I didn't get a chance to study abroad, so now that I am about to graduate I have been looking into different traveling opportunities. I have talked to many people who have done YWAM and have had incredible and life-changing experiences.
[on top of the world]
Searching on the YWAM website, I came across a DTS (Discipleship Training School) in Edinburgh, Scotland that looks amazing. It has an arts focus, which is flippin AWESOME. Rather than the normal six-month DTS, this one is ten months, starting in October.
While living in the capital of Scotland, participants in YWAM Edinburgh receive discipleship teaching and mentoring, while serving in their existing urban arts ministries two days a week. There is also arts training, allowing those interested to take up to two hours of classes per week (funding provided!). The team will also go on a 2-3 month outreach to some other country (last year they went to Thailand, but it changes every year). The YWAM Edinburgh team also spends the month of August serving at and hosting a conference for the Fringe Festival, the biggest arts festival in the world, which is held in Edinburgh every summer.
Here is a little blurb about one of their ministries (called 'Loudmouth') from a program overview they sent me: "Loudmouth aims to “ignite new expressions of spontaneously multiply discipling communities amongst non-Christian artists in Edinburgh”. To serve the church planting vision of this team you will be initiating and building relationships with artists in the city. You could be meeting with artists in pub open mic sessions, cafes, community classes, or theatres using your artistic talents to build relationships, share your faith and develop your own artistic work. You will also meet with other team members spending time supporting one another, interceding and seeking God for the vision."
Sounds pretty sweet to me. And I've told you only a sliver of what it might be like when I go!
This sounds like such an amazing and God-given opportunity. I have been going a little stir-crazy recently. I LOVE Seattle and my life here, but I need to get out for a while. I need to experience what life is like somewhere else. I think I could come back appreciating all that I have here that much more.
I have spent so much time thinking about all of the options and directions for my post-college life, wondering how to weave all of my various passions and interests together. In the past year, I have seen my passions for ministry and the arts (music, in particular) grow incredibly. I see this as a great oppotunity to spending a year of intense focus on growing in God, while pursuing my callings in ministry and the arts. I couldn't think of anything more exciting!
It will not be easy. I have seen recently just how much my life has been governed by fear of taking risks. But as I continue to grow in the confidence of God, deciding to do something so huge doesn't seem so scary anymore. At the same time, I know that I would miss my friends and family incredibly!
[family]
I need to go in the confidence and peace of God, so please be praying for me! I have not applied yet, as it doesn't start until October, so I am not going to worry about applying until after I graduate in March.
Ask me about this sometime--I would love to tell you more!
