Why am I Doing a DTS (part two)

Let’s jump to Early Spring of 2022, I was 19 years old, graduated from highschool (Class of 2021!) and was finishing up my Associates Degree from running start at Centralia College. I was excited to be done with school and the constant load of homework, I loved spending time with my family and I was going to a life coach who I still go see to this day. 

But I was also feeling very overwhelmed. I wasn’t sure what I was going to do with my life or who I even really was. I was feeling so lost and scared about the future of my life I would throw myself into relationships looking for guidance, expecting some sort of different outcome, but would come out empty handed every time. While I would still pray from time to time I did not really have a relationship with Jesus at that point in my life at all. I was broken hearted from yet another desperate attempt for help searching for guidance in my life. I was depressed because I was scared of being alone (since I did not know Jesus at the time). I genuinely did not know what I was going to do.

That’s when I got the message I desperately needed.

Grace texted me.

If you don’t know Grace, she is my role model in life. Growing up I would always announce that she is my cousin from the Big Island of Hawaii! Which is so cool to say, but it also meant we did not get to see each other as much as cousins usually do, so when my mom would tell me she was coming to Washington to visit, it was a BIG DEAL and visits from the cousins were the highlight of my summer.

Besides the fact she is from Hawaii, Grace is always guaranteed to make you laugh, she gives great advice and she has her heart set on fire for Jesus. I had the best times with her growing up and she is one of my best friends, and like I said earlier, one of my role models in life. I aspire to have the kind of heart Grace does for the Lord and I could go on and on with a huge list on why I love her so much. So, at the age of 19 a text from Grace was definitely still a big deal.

Grace was home from college for a couple of months and she asked if I wanted to come visit her, and of course I said yes. My time in Kona for those couple of weeks really changed my entire life. I was able to spend a lot of time with Grace and my Auntie Jill and Uncle Sean. We were going to the beach, shopping and watching movies almost every night.

Also during that time I was able to catch up with Grace and talk about life. I was able to tell her how I was feeling at home, and about all of the stress and anxiety I was going through. That is when Grace brought up her DTS in Mazatlan, Mexico. 

She was so excited to share with me about her experience with YWAM in Mexico and told me how amazing it was for her. It led to multiple breakthroughs in her life and solidified her career path in Nursing. She told me about how you get the opportunity to experience other Nations and go out and help others. All while learning the gospel, maturing in your personal faith and worshiping Jesus. After our conversation I was super interested in doing a DTS myself. 

I remember always visiting the cousins in Kona growing up, I always felt so connected there and I also felt hungry for Jesus whenever we would visit. But this time when I visited by myself I was able to go explore wherever I wanted and after hearing about Grace’s experience in Mexico I was interested in learning more. So on my last day of my trip I was able to visit the YWAM Kona, Hawaii Ships base, with the help of my Uncle who is a part of the staff there. I loved the campus itself, (including the coffee shop of course) and I was able to actually sit in on a lecture which honestly redirected my life.

I was listening to this speaker and she was talking about Identity in Christ. I remember wanting to soak in all of the knowledge I was learning and I loved listening to her own story on her walk with Jesus. I will go into more detail later, but during the lecture I was prayed for, which really opened my eyes and I actually felt a spark in my heart for Jesus again. After the class I remember sitting outside by myself crying and asking God “Is this why I am here?” “Is this why you sent me to Hawaii?” and I remember feeling so happy and relieved knowing that this was God who was always guiding me in my life even though I couldn’t see it. And now I can chase after Him again and rebuild the relationship that I truly needed all along. I can say I was so confident in that moment knowing that God was calling me to do a DTS in Kona, Hawaii. 

About just a little over a year later I am now here. After I got home from that trip I was still figuring out what I wanted to do school-wise but knowing that I felt called to a DTS I was a little conflicted. I told my family how I felt and they were so happy and excited for me to do a DTS. Which was a sign from God that I was taking a step in the right direction. 

I still needed to work at the time and I needed time to sort things out to make sure I knew I would be prepared to make the decision to go for it. I could always feel my heart pulling towards this and about a month ago I applied to the Life and Liberty DTS in Kona, Hawaii and was accepted! I will be leaving this September and I genuinely cannot wait to go.

This is where I know God wants me to go. This is why I am doing a DTS.