Decmeber Update

Christmas has managed to come and go once again, in the blink of an eye though it seems. I hope each one of you was reminded of the REASON for this very season, CHRISTmas!

I was officially accepted into the [Y.W.A.M.  -Youth With a Mission] –D.T.S [Discipleship Training School] in Livingstone, Zambia, Africa beginning January 15, 2012. This DTS (in Zambia) is a prerequisite school for the B.A.S. [Birth Attendant School] where I hope to attend their High risk midwifery school in July 2012. 

*** I’ll provide the condensed time-line first, for those who like it simple and few details ;) 

** Dec 2011 - I'm going to Europe on a SPACE-AVAILABLE buddy pass plane ticket (CHEAP $$) Visiting friends as I travel via train throughout Europe
** Jan 6, 2012 - Flying from Amsterdam to Nairobi, Kenya to visit more native friends on my way back to Zambia
** Jan 12, 2012 - Travel by bus and train from Kenya into Livingstone, Zambia where I'll complete (six months- Bible/Missionary training) of a 1.5 year High Risk Midwifery School (with YWAM)
** July 2012 - Leave Africa for Perth, Australia to continue the High Risk BAS School
** Oct 2012 Complete the remaining 8 months [BAS] hands-on clinical in multiple developing countries with my team

** July 2013 I will use my 'return ticket' from Perth to Africa where I 'HOPE' to someday set up a medical/maternity clinic in the bush of Africa- possibly in Eastern Africa... where there are Numerous Unreached People Groups

Youth With a Mission (YWAM) is one of the world largest mission’s organizations with over 18 000 full time staff in more than 100 countries in every continent (except Antarctica).

While attending a 5 Month [DTS], Christian Missionary Training School I’ll be challenged to worship, listen to and head the voice of God. I’ll be housed in the dorm at the base, with my fellow classmates. This base is equip with running water, electricity and even Internet J … There is a first for everything, even in Africa. J  

While a student at the Birth Attendant School I’ll learn about pregnancy, labor and delivery, newborn care and postnatal care, which is a powerful tool in reaching the nations for Christ. I’ll spend eight months with my team in clinical studying throughout developing lands one-on-one with local/native health care professionals each day.  Past teams have been to India, Indonesia, Nepal, Sudan and Egypt, Cameroon to name just a few.

 View the video link below for a brief summary of the Birth Attendant School:

Frequent QUESTIONS/ Answers: 

1.      

Is this the same country in Africa you have lived in? Yes. Zambia is where I have lived the longest in Africa.

2.     

  Will you be living in the same area/village? No. I will be 380 miles from the former area/village Kitwe. In Africa that trip can take 12+hours from Point A (to) B.

3.      

Will they speak the same language? No. Zambia has over 76 dialects and BEMBA is what I have spoken times past, now I’ll be among the Tonga tribe, Tonga dialect.

4.      

Will you see former friends from Kitwe? Yes. I plan to travel there at least once to pick up all my belongings which dear friends are storing for me.

5.       

 Will your DTS OUTREACH phase be in Zambia or other nations? They typically travel to Botswana for Outreach, but we’ll remain in Zambia for our three months of outreach.

6.        

Where do you plan to live when you have completed the entire 1.5 years of YWAM schooling? Of course I feel called (currently) to Africa, but I’ll go to any nation (including America) IF that is where the Lord leads me. However, I have felt more and more than I’ll end up in East Africa among the many “un-reached people groups”.

7.      

Where is Perth, the BAS school location? Western Australia (the not-so-visited side of Australia.. more dessert and less attractions)

8.      

How many classmates will attend (my) DTS in Africa? I’m guessing approximately five students, but that number is simply a guess

9.        

How many fellow students will attend (my) BAS School in Perth? Currently they have 17 on their team, but that too can vary from class to class

10.    

When will (I) come back to visit the states? I have no plans just now simply because the ticket prices are SO expensive from Africa. I’ll wait for God to make a way, which he has before with free flight via flyer miles- let me know if you wanna donate yours ;)

11.    

How do you fund your school fees? My income/savings over the past year+ will contribute to most of my school fees. However, YWAM is a “Faith Based” fundraising organization, which means we (students or staff) gain financial support from friends, family and the like. I will send out ‘prayer/financial’ support letter for the eight month outreach phase of the BAS program when the time comes.  

12.    

What does my family think of such a journey? My immediate family couldn’t be more supportive. My father and sister and brother-in-law have taken part in International Missions. My mom dreams of it (I pray that a day will come that she’ll join me on the field and teach me more Midwife skills as she was an Labor and Delivery Nurse for 17years). My entire family believes ALL are called to ‘go into ALL nations to share Jesus’. Sure we’ll miss one another, but I haven’t found anywhere in the Bible where we are commanded to remain ‘relaxed in our own comfort/safety zone’…  have you?

13.