The DTS class of 2011 conducted the outreach phase in Haiti and Guatemala. They spent the first 5 weeks working with 2 organizations: YWAM St. Marc and Family of God church in Archaia. The final 3 weeks were spent in Guatemala where we ministered in Yulmacap in the NW area of the country, Quetzaltenango and San Pablo La Laguna. In each location we conducted evangelistic outreaches in a variety of settings: schools, prison, open air, parks, and churches. The students were prepared with 9 different dramas, kid's program, testimonies, teachings, music and preaching. It was an awesome time for everyone. We enjoyed the hospitality of each of our hosts who did their best to provide us food, shelter and ministry opportunities. We ventured into rustic and remote areas to share the gospel message and minister the love of Christ to hundreds of people.
At the end of the DTS the students reflected on each part of the outreach by responding to several questions asked of them. Here are some of their responses.
What was your most memorable experience in St. Marc, Haiti?
-My favorite part was walking barefoot to the village in the 5th section. It was a crazy experience and I loved seeing the the kids truly respond to the Jesus film.
-Meeting amazing and loving children and especially roughing it out in the back of the truck trying to get to the village and going through intense rivers. Almost everything in Haiti was a memorable experience.
-The whole 5th section and its background/country living was the most memorable experience. I loved driving out there, the beautiful scenes and the people we served along side of.
- I loved having the ability to get to know amazing Christians and opening up my network of YWAMers.
What was your greatest challenge in Yulmacap, Guatemala?
-The challenge for me was sleeping on those boards.
-Honestly the only challenge which I am surprised about were the toilets and the beds, everything else was great.
-My greatest challenge was the huge spiders blocking the bathroom doors and the cockroaches.
-My greatest challenge was the language barrier. (The people spoke and indigenous language, not Spanish)
What did God teach you through the outreach experiences?
-That it is very important to let God guide you.
-God have me love for the people I was struggling with and taught me how to give up my rights.
-He taught me to seek him and listen to him more.
-God taught me dedication through the outreach experience.
-God taught me how to love the little kids who don't speak the same language as me. Actions do speak louder than words sometimes.
_God taught me the power of people knowing the message of having a relationship with God and having unrelenting faith through hard circumstances.
-God taught me to die to myself and speak from my heart.
-God taught me how powerful and real he is. I really felt led by the Holy Spirit when I was speaking and that was amazing.
What have you learned about yourself while living out the Great Commission?
-I learned that God really does use me. I also learned how important it is to hear God's voice.
-I learned that I really need quiet time to function by the Spirit.
-I realized how important it is to continually pray for a sensitivity to the Spirit. I don't want to minister out of head knowledge anymore.
-I've learned a lot about what strengths and weaknesses I have. I've learned that many time in mhy life I haven't surrendered all that I have to God and being on outreach seeing so much I've learned about the control that God has over my whole life.
-I've learned that I want to spend the rest of my life living the Great Commission and want to do this kind of ministry every day.
