2 min read

Pro Packing Tips

By Max Grzelak on September 6, 2022 8:15:00 PM NZST

Whether you’re preparing to pack prior to crunch time and looking to maximize your bag space & efficiency, or you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed in the midst of it all, I’ve got some pro packing tips & tricks that are sure to improve your packing-traveling journey!

These tips all come from personal experience and have been absolute game-changers in the way I pack and ultimately travel!

 

THE GOOD STUFF

  • Packing cubes & compression/stuff sacks are vital to organization and maximizing the space in your bag! They’re especially helpful when living out of a backpack. No more loose items getting mixed up in your bags! I highly, highly recommended you invest in these!

  • Pack light & simple: This one’s kind of boring, but seriously so crucial! You will most likely not need as much as you might think! Even after having LOTS of traveling experience, I often end up packing more than I need time and time again.

  • When it comes to toiletries, dry products are far superior for travel compared to wet products (soap bars vs. liquid soap)!  Always shop local, but if you need it, Lush is an incredible worldwide company that offers lots of dry options.

  • Baby wipes & facial wipes are your best friend while traveling! It’s an easy way to freshen up when you’re on the go! Seriously, you will be so happy to have these if you’re like me and remaining filthy for the entire day is not necessarily “fun.”

  • Roll your clothes, instead of folding them, to cut down on space in your bag and make individual garments more accessible! This doesn’t work for every type of clothing, but it will help for heaps of clothes. 

  • Layers, layers, layers: I know you love that giant sweater of yours, but lighter-weight clothing that can layer is better than thicker, bulkier items. You’ll be able to save space in your bag & increase your clothing versatility.

  • Don’t bring too many books! They are bulky & heavy so think twice about bringing them and only bring the one(s) you really really really want to take with you on your adventure! Maybe bring a kindle if you’re a book-fanatic...
  • Keep the amount of beauty products small & simple! If you’re used to using lots of products, this could be a great chance to simplify your life and let your natural beauty shine! You are beautiful—no ifs, ands, or buts!

  • Get educated some more on all types of traveling topics by checking out REI Expert Advice online. In my opinion, it’s one of the best curations of travel/adventure guides on the internet.

 

I hope these tips, methods, and mindsets bless you as much as they have blessed me! Happy packing and have an absolutely incredible trip!

Topics: Missions Travel Gap Year Packing
4 min read

WHY YOU SHOULD COME DO A DTS WITH US!

By MiCaela Grzelak on August 7, 2022 9:15:00 AM NZST

Being unsure of what you’re supposed to do next or where your suppose to go can be pretty daunting! Is a gap year the right choice? We’re here to say it’s totally worth it! Our gap year program, a Discipleship Training School, is designed to take you on an adventure! If you take the time to do our school you’ll travel and see the world, make an impact, experience something new, grow in your relationship with God, and it will be a total game changer!

Topics: Missions Travel God Personal Growth Gap Year
3 min read

Sometimes it takes a bit of time

By Aria Healey on June 19, 2022 9:15:00 AM NZST

 

Originally, I went to do my DTS because I felt like God was calling me to but there was a large part of me that was just trying to escape anything I was doing back home and the life I lived there. There wasn’t anything inherently wrong with what I was doing and life wasn’t bad, but I was growing restless and just needed to have some sort of “reset” on what I was doing. And Jesus totally came through with my DTS.


During those initial weeks of lectures, I didn’t think anything was changing. I loved the Lord, and I thought He was just deepening that. Every week was a new revelation of who He is to me. Little did I know the amount of healing and change I was going through during that time. 


It wasn’t until one night halfway through outreach that I got the true revelation of how much had happened during the lecture phase. We had partnered with an organisation and went out to do ministry by handing out pies and hot drinks to those at bars and clubs around midnight. God was moving in some insane ways through this night as we got to talk to lots of strangers who had been partying that night and I felt the love of God for them so strongly. One guy literally stopped to drunkenly encourage us in what we were doing, telling us that he was so grateful that we were there to help people who needed it, but also that God sees what we’re doing and is so pleased with us. It absolutely blew my mind that God was using him to encourage us in a time when we were supposed to be helping them. I was quickly reminded that just because we're the ones out to do ministry, doesn’t mean others can feedback into us at the same time because God is truly constantly moving. 


There was a really special moment where I got to have a massive conversation with a guy who fully expressed the struggles he was going through at the time and how he had stepped away from God due to not being able to see Him through some of the events that had happened for him. While he was sharing with me my heart was absolutely breaking for him and I just felt God’s love for him so prominently. We got talking a lot about how sometimes it's really difficult to see what God is doing in situations when we aren’t expecting it at all and it seems hopeless at times and as we were talking I ended up sharing my testimony with him. It was then when I realised just how much healing God had done through my DTS, as a lot of the previous things I couldn’t find hope for previously I could now so clearly see God’s hand through! After a long heart to heart, he gave me a few things I could pray for him and told me that I gave him a lot to think about, now I’m not sure what God ended up doing through that conversation in the long run and whether that guy found his way back to the Lord but either way it was a really monumental moment for me anyway.


But the night didn’t end there. While we were debriefing at the end of the night by praying and sharing stories, I heard God very clearly say to reconfirm my baptism. I was hesitant at first. I had been baptised a few years before, when I started taking my faith a lot more seriously, but God made it really clear that all those struggles and previous things that I made part of my identity God had almost completely changed.


I realised then that there were so many things that God had brought me through since then and how I was previously living isn’t how I wanted to do it anymore. I saw that God was calling me to reconfirm it because it was an entirely new season I was walking into, one where I have hope in what I can’t see, where I have a new understanding of how He’s both a friend and God, one where I was choosing the freedom He bought me through throughout DTS. God was calling me to recognise that and step into it by reconfirming my baptism and so I asked my outreach team at 3 am if they would baptise me on the beach nearby. It was a crazy experience and felt like exactly what God was calling me to do. The weather was crazy and stormy, the tide was out, waves were already pushing us over before we could even do it and the Holy Spirit was so prominent throughout.


Doing a DTS isn’t going to solve all your life problems, not at all, but if you go into it with an open and willing heart then I promise you God will move in ways you can’t even imagine. Sometimes it takes time, I didn’t even realise half the things God was working on in my heart throughout it, but the more I look back on it the more God is showing me. He is so so faithful and He does heal and sometimes we need a reminder of that.

Topics: Personal Growth Faith
1 min read

5 Quick Tips on How to Travel Internationally

By MiCaela Grzelak on May 24, 2022 9:15:00 AM NZST

 

1. Get a Window Seat

Everyone has their preferences on where they want to sit, but there’s nothing like seeing the beauty when you look down out the window. Plus side is that you’ll always have a headrest against the window too! If you didn’t want to purchase a window seat or they were unavailable, get to your gate early and ask the representative for one. Some airlines will switch you for free if they are available, there's no harm in asking!

Topics: Missions Travel
2 min read

5 Ways to Jumpstart your Fundraising

By MiCaela Grzelak on March 30, 2022 9:15:00 AM NZDT

1. Work

Topics: Fundraising Missions
2 min read

The Art of Creation

By Alisha Tripp on March 5, 2022 9:15:00 AM NZDT

 
Topics: Bible God Personal Growth Faith Truth
2 min read

The Living Bible

By Emmalea Lubben on December 7, 2021 9:00:00 AM NZDT

 
Topics: Bible God Personal Growth Faith Truth
2 min read

Soured Manna

By Lindsey Brown on October 7, 2021 2:21:06 PM NZDT

In desperation you cry out to the Lord for provision. He shows up, and suddenly manna from Heaven practically falls into your lap. The job, the money, the friendship, the opportunity-God has given you exactly what you needed in exactly the right moment. But what happens when the manna starts to sour?

Topics: Bible Devotional Personal Growth
2 min read

The Truth of the Butterfly

By John on September 9, 2021 10:17:40 AM NZST

 
Topics: Devotional Personal Growth Truth
4 min read

How God Transformed My Heart for my Hometown

By Nick Szpor on July 1, 2021 12:22:49 PM NZST

 
Topics: Missions Personal Growth Missions at Home
6 min read

What's my Purpose?: Finding Meaning in Your Moment

By Lindsey Brown on April 22, 2021 8:26:05 AM NZST

 
Topics: Bible God Personal Growth
13 min read

The "Everything Bagel" Packing List For Your YWAM DTS

By Max Grzelak on April 16, 2021 8:52:25 AM NZST

Okay, so you’re needing to pack for your DTS and you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed... How do I fit half a year of my life into a couple bags? Do I need this? Can I leave that behind?

Or at least, if you’re like me when I was deciding where to do my DTS, you’re wanting to know what you’d need for DTS at YWAM Oxford to help you decide which DTS you’ll apply for. 

Totally normal! We’ve all been there!

Listen, while there are going to be some essential items and techniques that will apply to everyone, the truth is that your lifestyle needs and priorities are going to be unique and different from anyone else! So while this guide is extensive, I'm not going to tell you exactly how many shirts and pairs of socks you’ll need. These are suggestions and tips intended to inform your packing decisions and make achieving this grand feat much easier!

BTW... While this guide can definitely help anyone needing to pack for a YWAM DTS, we will be focusing on what you might need for a DTS at YWAM Oxford. 

PRO TIPS

Let’s be honest, this is what you’re really after, isn’t it! These tips all come from lots of experience and have absolutely been huge game-changers in the way I pack!

  • Packing cubes & compression/stuff sacks are vital to organization and maximizing the space in your bag! They are especially helpful when living out of a backpack. No more loose items getting mixed up in your bags! I highly, highly recommended you invest in these!
  • Pack light & simple: This one’s kind of boring, but seriously so crucial! You will most likely not need as much as you might think! You’re not going to have a ton of room for belongings like you would at home and you’re going to thank yourself later if you’re not having to lug a bunch of stuff everywhere you go.
  • Baby wipes & facial wipes are your best friend while traveling! It’s an easy way to freshen up when you’re on the go! Seriously, you will be so happy to have these if you’re like me and remaining filthy for the entire day is not necessarily “fun.”
  • Roll your clothes, instead of folding them, to cut down on space in your bag! This doesn’t work for every type of clothing, but it will help for lots of stuff.
  • Layers, layers, layers: I know you love that giant sweater of yours, but lighter-weight clothing that can layer is better than thicker, bulkier items. You’ll be able to save space in your bag & increase your clothing versatility.
  • Get educated some more on all types of traveling topics by checking out REI Expert Advice online. In my opinion, it’s one of the best curations of travel/adventure guides on the internet.
  • Read to the end to figure out what you shouldn’t bring!

 

TRAVEL GEAR

Now on to the fun stuff! While the needs in this category will definitely vary depending on the focus of your DTS, I’m going to stick to the items that could apply to every DTS we offer.

  • Travel Backpack: You’ll be living out of your bags during the DTS! The focus of your DTS will determine whether you’ll want to use a travel backpack or a trekking backpack, but do not bring a suitcase.
    • Size recommendation: 60–70L for men & 50–60L for women
    • Make sure the pack is fit to your body size & gender—this is very important.
    • Pro Tip: If using a trekking backpack, be careful of the loose straps when checking the pack at airports (“pack duffel bags” protect from this).
    • Pro Tip: A trekking backpack with “front zipper access” will be helpful when traveling & living out of the pack.
  • Daypack: You’ll probably want a small backpack for everyday travel—anywhere from 10–24L based on personal preference.
  • Quick-Dry Travel Towel: You’ll need a towel for showering while traveling & drying off after swimming, getting rained on, etc.
  • Sleeping Bag: The more compact & lightweight, the better—you will want it to take up as little space in your pack as possible!
    • The temperature-rating recommendations are totally going to vary depending on what climates your DTS takes place in. But don’t worry, our staff & DTS-specific packing lists will help you figure that out once you apply!
    • Pro Tip: A compression stuff sack will allow you to get the most out of your sleeping bag’s compatibility.
  • Sleeping Bag Liner: This one’s definitely not necessary, but check it out... A liner can not only boost the warmth inside your sleeping bag, but it keeps the inside of your sleeping bag clean so you don’t have to wash it as often! Oh, and it really comes in handy for nights when a sleeping bag is too warm, but you still need that sleeping-under-sheets effect.
  • Sleeping Mat: This is totally optional and may not be necessary for your DTS. But if you are going to use one, remember that the more compact & lightweight, the better.
    • If your mat is air-inflated, I recommend keeping a repair kit handy in case it gets punctured!
  • Travel Pillow: You may want a travel/backpacking pillow for plane rides and outreach. On outreach, there’s a chance you may need something to lay your head on, but it’s up to you whether you want your own pillow or to just make due in the moment.
    • Pro Tip: You can get stuff sacks that convert into pillows once they’re filled with clothing.
  • Headlamp/Torch: While you may not be going on any overnight-outdoor-adventures, having one of these handy for everyday use can be a game-changer, especially when you’re on outreach!
    • Pro Tip: You can find headlamps that have a “lock mode” so that they will not accidentally turn on when stored in your bag.
  • Travel Utensils: This is another one that’s totally not necessary, but may come in so handy when you’re on the go! Plus, it saves plastic! I personally don’t go anywhere without my set in my backpack.
  • Luggage Locks: Securing your bags while traveling so strangers can’t shop from your intentional curated store of valuable items? Yeah, personally, I’m a fan.
  • Hammock + accessories: Okay, this is just a fun, extra one! At YWAM Oxford, we have heaps of trees on our campus that are perfect for stringing up a hammock! If you have a hammock that packs down & travels well, you’re welcome to bring it!

 

By the way, if you’re needing to know where you can find all of these things for sale, there are some retailers widely available across certain nations that have all of your travel gear needs. Of course though, it’s always good to support your local “mom & pop shops.”

If you’re in New Zealand, check out  Bivouac or Kathmandu. If you’re in Australia, again hit up Kathmandu. If you’re in the US, head to REI. If you’re in Canada, MEC would be your place to go. If you’re in Europe, sorry, but you may just have to rely on local/specialty stores.

ESSENTIAL ITEMS

Some of these items would definitely fall in the “required category,” while others are totally optional. It should be pretty easy to figure out which is which!

  • Bible: A small, compact bible is best! It would be a pain to travel with a larger study bible, so leave that bad boy at home. If your bible is not in English and you want to follow along in lectures with a personal English bible, we recommend the translations NIV or ESV.
  • Journal & writing utensils: You might want to bring 2 journals—one to use as your more personal DTS journal & one to use for lecture notes. And maybe bring your own pens, pencils and/or highlighters.
  • Passport, ID, Wallet: Yeah, um, please don’t forget this stuff!
  • Toiletries: Think minimal! Leave your big shampoos, conditioners, etc. at home and only bring what’s small & compact. You’ll probably find familiar brands and products here in New Zealand.
    • Products you may want to bring that can cost more in New Zealand: deodorant, razors, over-the-counter medicines, contact solution, mascara
    • Pro Tip: Dry products are far superior for travel compared to wet products (soap bars vs. liquid soap)! Lush is an incredible worldwide company that offers lots of dry options.
  • Sunglasses & Sunscreen: The sun is very intense here and sunscreen can be expensive in New Zealand compared to other countries. If you bring your own, I recommend sunscreen of at least SPF 30 and one that says “broad spectrum” on it.
  • Water Bottle: Make sure your bottle is leak-proof and fairly durable!
  • Laptop: You are welcome to bring your laptop, but obviously, if it’s not necessary to have around, it can save a lot of space and weight. On the other hand, you do have the option to store it on campus during outreach and it’s always convenient for outreach teams to have a laptop on hand.
  • Camera: New Zealand is stunning and we can always use photographers and videographers on outreach! Don’t forget your batteries, chargers, memory cards, etc!
  • Phone + chargers & adapters: I really shouldn’t have to include this, but ya know, some people are forgetful...
  • Headphones: Listen up! (Ha ha, get it?) These come in handy when you’re living in community!
  • Portable Charger/Power Bank: While it’s not healthy to be attached at the hip to your phone, the amount of times that devices die and you need a charge while you’re on the go is too often in my experience.
  • Adaptor Plugs: Guys, you will need these for the outlets here & wherever you go on outreach! Oh, and you’ll pay a pretty penny if you buy them in-country! Maybe get an all-in-one plug set/universal adapter to account for anywhere you go.
  • Travel Mug: On our campus, we don’t allow open drinks in our lecture room and we have a limited supply of mugs w/ lids, so we suggest you bring your own if you need that coffee fix during class & on the go.
  • Sleep Aids: If you get woken up easily, you may want eyeshades or earplugs for airline travel and during your DTS since you’ll be living (and sleeping) in community.

CLOTHING

Probably the most important thing to remember here is that, most likely, you are going to bring too much clothes! Stick with your favorite, most versatile items and bring layers!

Also, you don’t need to bring every individual type of clothing I’m going to mention. I’ll give you suggestions for the full scope of what you’ll want to consider and then it’ll be your job to “mix and match” for your lifestyle and the seasons.

Everyday wear

  • A week’s worth of regular tops: t-shirts, long-sleeves, rompers too—whatever your style!
  • Maybe about 3–5 pairs of shorts & pants: guess what... you can wear them more than once!
  • A few sweaters/hoodies/fleeces: remember—only your favorite, most versatile ones!
  • A mix of everyday socks & a few warmer pairs: merino wool or synthetic socks are going to be better for travel & resisting stink than cotton!
  • Underwear: yeah... you can figure that one out yourself.
  • Sleepwear?: some people need it, some don’t; just maybe leave your matching set of pajamas at home...

Active Wear

You may want clothes ideal for being active in whether it’s adventuring, traveling on outreach or playing sports on campus. These clothes should be lightweight and quick-drying!

  • Shirts, pants, shorts, fleeces: having a couple of each these can be really great if that’s your lifestyle
  • Girls, don’t forget your sports bras and such things.
  • Thermal layers: depends on the weather and the adventure, but these could come in handy
  • Underwear & socks: if you’re like me, you’ll want some more breathable, anti-microbial options for travel & getting active

Work Wear

Here at YWAM Oxford, you’ll want some clothes that can get dirty and/or roughed up a bit for doing work around the campus, in the community and on outreach. You may want to bring active wear that can double as work wear to cut down on packing!

Swim Wear

  • Women: one-piece swimsuit (shirt/tankini top & bottoms/board shorts combo or full one-piece) or tasteful two-piece
  • Men: swim shorts/board shorts

Formal Wear

At least one casual dressy outfit for celebrations, graduation and maybe church! Lightweight formal wear may come in handy for outreach depending on where you go.

  • Women: dresses, skirts, nice blouses
  • Men: button-up shirts, nicer pants (chinos), tie or bow tie if that’s your thing (totally optional)

Outerwear

  • Rain jacket: We live near the mountains here in Oxford, so it can start raining unexpectedly. But in general, it’s just always good to have a rain jacket handy! I recommend a rain jacket that is fairly lightweight & packable, yet still fully protective.
  • Lightly-insulated jacket: You may know this as a “puffy” jacket. It’s really nice for cold days/winter, of course, but also for most early mornings & nights. We recommend a jacket that packs down small & has a high warmth-to-weight value.

Accessories

  • Hat (sun-shielding): Having a hat is always handy. For us in New Zealand, the sun is very strong, so you will want protection even if you aren’t fair-skinned!
  • Watch: Obviously optional, but being on time will be very important during the DTS!
  • Beanie/warm hat: totally optional depending on weather and preferences
  • Lightweight gloves: totally optional depending on weather and preferences

Footwear

It’s very common to be barefoot in New Zealand—barefoot around campus, at the park, even in the grocery store! Keep this in mind as you figure out which footwear you’re going to bring with you.

  • Sandals: You’ll want them to be comfortable for walking in all day when the weather is warm. You may even want to use them outdoor adventures and going to the river/beach.
  • Adventure shoes: These may be boots, trail-runners, etc. The need for these is going to depend on your DTS focus and personal preference, of course.
  • Closed-toe shoes: These may be your adventure shoes, but you will need closed-toe shoes for helping out in the kitchen on our campus. They may also come in handy for being active & adventuring!

WEATHER

The sun is very strong here and greatly affects the temp on any given day, no matter the season. The weather can also be very unpredictable and quickly-changing, so having layers is always best.

Summer: December - February 

  • Average temp range: 10-28℃ / 50-82℉
  • Generally it is quite warm & dry, with lots of strong, warm winds & little rainfall.
    • Weather can still be quite unpredictable & uncharacteristic, with mornings & nights tending to be chilly without the sun.

Autumn: March - May

  • Average temp range: 5-20℃ / 41-68℉ 
  • Typically, we experience the most consistent weather of the whole year during these months.
  • Mornings & evenings tend to be colder, with most days turning out to be cool & brisk.

Winter: June - August

  • Average temp range: 0-12℃ / 32-54℉ 
  • Typically most days are cold & cloudy, but probably not considered “frigid” by most people.
  • During these months, it is our highest rainfall season! At higher elevations, the mountains will receive heaps of snow, but we hardly receive any snow at our campus elevation.

Spring: September - November

  • Average temp range: 4-18℃ / 39-64℉
  • The weather is very volatile in this time—all four seasons in one day! Having different layers of clothing is the best way to account for this.
  • Calm spring days consist of frosty mornings followed by sunny, cool days.

WHAT NOT TO PACK

  • Too many books: Books are bulky & heavy so think twice about bringing them and only bring the one(s) you really really really want to take with you on your adventure! We have a library on the campus with plenty of good reading material and we will provide some books you’ll read during the lecture phase. Maybe bring a kindle if you’re a book-fanatic.
  • Extensive amounts of beauty products/hairdryer/curling iron/etc: Leave those products behind! They aren’t worth the weight or practical for outreach as you’re traveling all the time and always on the go. If you’re used to using lots of products, this could be a great chance to simplify your life and let your natural beauty shine! You are beautiful—no ifs, ands, or buts!
    • For the dressy events that will be held on campus, you will most likely be able to borrow beauty products from the staff that live here.
Topics: Missions Travel Gap Year Packing
3 min read

How My DTS Impacts My Work Today

By Nicki Smith on April 8, 2021 11:12:03 AM NZST

 

I’ve served as a YWAM missionary for over 10 years now. I work with the traveling community: young adults on a gap year, traveling the world, looking for adventure and hoping to ‘find themselves.’ This is a relational ministry. It’s about knowing how to connect with people from different backgrounds of culture, religion and experiences. I need to know how to effectively share the Gospel, meet their needs, pray with them and teach scripture. I encounter many different world views, new age beliefs and atheism as I work with backpackers. My passion for this work, my training and experience all came from my time as a student and staff on the DTS in Oxford.

Topics: Missions Travel Personal Growth Gap Year
4 min read

Where Should I Do DTS?: What Makes YWAM Oxford a Place to Call Home

By Lindsey Brown on March 25, 2021 3:19:27 PM NZDT

 
Topics: Missions Personal Growth Gap Year
4 min read

Here I am, Send me

By Celeste Miller on March 18, 2021 10:40:22 AM NZDT

 
Topics: Missions God Personal Growth
4 min read

Tips for Reading the Bible Daily

By Rebecca Estenson on February 12, 2021 2:59:47 PM NZDT

 
Topics: Bible Devotional God Personal Growth Faith
3 min read

How to Walk on Water

By Lindsey Brown on January 7, 2021 4:21:20 PM NZDT

 
Topics: God Personal Growth Faith
3 min read

HOW TO BECOME A WORLD CHANGER

By Indy Korff on December 9, 2020 4:05:48 PM NZDT

Over this past year God has been speaking to me a lot about prayer and just how important it is. Even at the start of the year, the words ‘prayer warrior’ and ‘intercessor’ always invoked for me the image of a group of elderly women gathered together in a room once a week or so and praying because that’s literally all they can offer God’s kingdom. So when God began to speak to me about wanting to grow me in the areas of prayer and intercession, I got really offended. I’m twenty seven years old, not eighty seven and I wanted God to use me in an area that would actually help the great commission.
 
If people ever commented that I seemed to have a strong prayer life and that I had a gift in that area, I honestly took it as an insult. I wanted a cooler gift like being able to lead a room in worship or give out amazing words of knowledge to others. Gifts that in my mind, actually helped bring people closer to God. There have been countless times when I have acknowledged the power of prayer, yet deep down in my heart I didn’t really think it could make much of a difference, particularly coming from someone who is soft spoken and more often than not, lacking in eloquence.
Topics: God Testimony Prayer
2 min read

Jubilee, Jesus, and Jump-Starting Your New Beginning

By Morgan Blankenship on October 16, 2020 10:03:43 AM NZDT

 
Topics: Missions God Personal Growth Gap Year
3 min read

7 Things I Learned on Outreach

By Zion Conley on September 24, 2020 12:47:10 PM NZST

 

1. That I loved reading the Bible!
For most of my time during the lecture phase of my discipleship training school I always struggled with wanting to read the Bible. While we were in Southeast Asia we had a lot of downtime. During that time God spoke to me through the Bible. He showed me that it wasn’t just a book of rules, but testimonies of His love and grace! 

2. How to eat with my hands
During my outreach, we did a lot of village ministry. After we would speak to a village—whether that be by doing a skit, preaching a sermon, or sharing a testimony—we were invited to a house to eat dinner. This meant lots of curry and most of the time, no cutlery. The locals were more than excited to show us how to use our hands!

3. Dependency
God showed me that I couldn’t control every situation. What better place to show me that than in Southeast Asia! The specific location I was in has its own set of rules and things rarely go as planned. I had to learn to let go of what I thought was best and to allow God to do His thing, which usually isn’t what I expect.

4. I can live with one pair of clothes and whatever I have in my carry on (which isn’t much)
Before we even got to our first outreach location, we lost our bags! After staying the night on an airport floor trying to find our bags, our leaders decided that we should keep moving. We trusted that God knew where our bags were and we believed that He would get them to us. After spending almost a week without our bags and only the clothes on our backs, God provided!

5. Identity
During my time in Southeast Asia, God reminded me that my identity comes from Him. I found myself getting frustrated when I couldn’t get up a route, I did the Climber's Discipleship Training School, and for a good few days I questioned why I was even on a climbers DTS. One day I was looking out at the boulders and God showed me that I was climbing because that’s what you do when you're in that location. I was being so hard on myself, I had forgotten why I even enjoyed climbing. I love climbing because I get to see and experience what God has created. I was reminded that my identity didn’t come from getting up routes or being able to do certain moves, it comes from God who loves seeing us play on His creation.

6. How to sleep on airport floors
Our team spent a lot of time in airports and sometimes we had really long layovers. They usually were either late at night or early in the morning. To pass the time, our team got really good at sleeping wherever, whenever. We found a quiet part of the airport, pulled out our sleeping bag liners and travel pillows, and then covered our eyes from the light. It was easy to get a solid two or three hours of sleep this way.

7. Boldness
While we were in a certain part of Southeast Asia, we got the opportunity to talk with other rock climbers. In other areas it was easier for me to share the Gospel because I had a translator to hide behind. This time it was about making relationships with other westerners and practicing standing on my own beliefs. God really spoke to me about being bold during this part of outreach. I was scared that once people found out I was a Christian, they wouldn’t want to hang out with me anymore. But once they heard I was Christian, they were super interested which led to some great conversations. This showed me that being bold in my faith leads to some very cool things!

3 min read

Freely Given, Freely Give

By Taylor Phillips on September 10, 2020 12:31:01 PM NZST

When I first was introduced into missions, I was very turned off by the idea of having to raise my own money. Who does that? That was not the way I was raised or the type of job I went to college for. I have a college degree and plenty of work experience. But, when I thought about it there was a deeper-rooted issue of independence. I thought that my way of earning money was better because I could do it, and I could control every step of the way: where I worked, how much I earned, how much I was able to give away, and what I bought. But that is not God’s heart for me. I had to give up every concept of earning that I was taught from a young age
Topics: Fundraising Missions God Testimony
3 min read

How I Got $8K for my DTS in 2 Weeks

By Anna Martin on August 31, 2020 3:20:50 PM NZST

My senior year of high school I decided to take a gap year after graduation and really focus on deepening my relationship with God. I applied for the backpackers DTS and began the process of fundraising, planning and getting excited for the journey ahead of me! I did support letters, spoke at church, sent emails, Facebook posts, and after awhile I started losing hope. The money wasn’t coming in. I was confused and my self doubt was growing- I remember thinking “Okay God, you said DTS. Why isn’t this happening?” 
Topics: Fundraising God Testimony
2 min read

Practicing Financial Dependence on God

By Mike Brown on August 24, 2020 11:37:45 AM NZST

How much will we lean into God?
We find ourselves in uncharted territory in many aspects of our lives and ministries at the moment.
 
What can I do about the future? How can I best navigate the many things ahead of us? What is the best way I can prepare? I,I,I, where is the room for God?
 
Topics: Fundraising Testimony
6 min read

14 Bible Verses to Help Overcome Fear

By MiCaela Grzelak on June 30, 2020 4:30:00 PM NZST

The Word of God is a way to encourage our spirit with the truths that God washes over us. We can look to these verses to remember who God is and the identity that He calls us into — to be bold and courageous in times of when we may feel fearful.

Topics: Bible Devotional Personal Growth
5 min read

5 Ways You Can Grow With God While YOU Wait for Your DTS to Start

By MiCaela Grzelak on June 17, 2020 4:27:00 PM NZST

Discipleship Training Schools all over the world have been postponed or cancelled; I'm sure there's a bit of hesitancy in many of your hearts wondering if you heard from God correctly. You might be wondering if you are still supposed to do a DTS. Maybe you feel a crazy anticipation for your DTS that has been postponed, but you're in a rut right now and not sure how to get out of it!

Topics: Missions God Personal Growth
4 min read

The Right Decision: College or Gap Year?

By MiCaela Grzelak on May 21, 2020 5:34:25 PM NZST

'What if it’s the wrong choice?'
'What if I’m actually supposed to go to college?'
'What if my gap year becomes a waste of time or money?'

We so often find ourselves getting caught up in what is the right answer - what does God want me to do? Sometimes we feel like we can’t hear his voice; we get confused and have no idea what decision to make.

Topics: Missions Travel God Personal Growth Gap Year
3 min read

The Insanity of God - Bible Devotional

By Alec Kemper on April 22, 2020 8:00:00 AM NZST

Revelation 15:2-4 (ESV)

2 And I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass mingled with fire—and also those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name, standing beside the sea of glass with harps of God in their hands. 3 And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying,

“Great and amazing are your deeds,

    O Lord God the Almighty!

Just and true are your ways,

    O King of the nations!

4 Who will not fear, O Lord,

    and glorify your name?

For you alone are holy.

    All nations will come

    and worship you,

for your righteous acts have been revealed.”

Topics: Bible Devotional God Personal Growth
5 min read

So Things Haven't Turned Out as Expected

By MiCaela Grzelak on April 14, 2020 8:00:00 AM NZST

Our expectations for life in this time have been thrown up into the air and most of us honestly don’t know when we’ll have them back in our hands.

Topics: Personal Growth Missions at Home