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Cambodia – Let’s Make it Happen! August 6, 2010

Filed under: DTS Equip,Photos,Updates — GoWests! @ 9:44 pm

DTS Equip Leaders: Jeremy, Dina (Cambodia), Sharon (St Lucia)

Your Role #1:  Pray

We believe that this is God’s idea, and that is has been for years. But we are not there yet. Please pray for the logistics, communication, transportation, cultural interactions, immigration (and more), that need to occur for us to complete this mission.  E.g., For an idea of some of our struggles, we are preparing for double, simultaneous, translation, from English into Khmer and Vietnamese. I have been communicating every week over Skype and email with people in Australia, Cambodia, Thailand and the USA. Meanwhile, my Cambodia staff have been communicating with Cambodia, Vietnam, and (trying) with Burma. Oh, and add this to the list, our Cambodia leader has been translating multiple ministry documents from English to Khmer, while my Vietnamese staff in Vietnamese.  Please pray! What we hear from the Lord, we water with prayer, to harvest as God’s long term plan.

Your Role #2: Give

Friendly faces - dear Cambodian "sisters"

Yes that’s right, we need money. Not only us, but others as well. Simply put, this is brash; but it’s the truth.

For others: You can sponsor a young leader from any of the developing countries in the region for only US$200 for the 7-week school! That’s right, this is their subsidized cost for the program (Yay Cambodia!). Several of the Vietnamese participants are trying to raise this, as is our Burmese participant.  As for the Cambodian participants it’s even harder for them to raise the money.

Please let me know if you want to give to these needs asap, and I’ll help you to set it up.

For the Wests: As for the West family, our flight tickets alone cost over US $7000 ($3300 is already paid!) Our living expenses there for 2 months about $500. Immunizations for the kids last week…? A surprising $300. We have been able to purchase our tickets, and paid for other expenses (we needed to do this months ago). Now we are trying to fill the money-hole created!

God has always been faithful to provide extra support or jobs on the side that earn us a little money here and there. So many people have been faithful too, so many times. From the random acts of giving, to the consistent ongoing pledges month after month, year after year. This time, we’re just running out of time! I would like to think that God’s money is never wasted on projects like these, so thank you all for your gifts already, or in advance for the ones to come.

Teaching future leaders

Nathan (Equip Staff) & Joel, and Mine-Warning Sign

Study Group

Classroom

 

Cambodia Calling (part 2) – The Vision Takes Shape! August 4, 2010

Filed under: DTS Equip,Updates — GoWests! @ 10:25 pm

Why Cambodia?

Moving on from yesterday’s entry, I believe I have heard God speak to me prophetically about Cambodia twice, both times with a strategic intention for application. The first has already been described: evangelism and establishing ongoing discipleship. A few years ago was the second time, this time regarding the training of Christian leaders in the entire region.

Cambodia is surrounded by nations, several of which are resistant to the Gospel and more difficult to establish longer term works. Some are “closed” to workers from more developed countries (E.g. Laos, Vietnam, Burma, China). Thailand is open, however it is expensive and politically difficult for citizens of these countries to enter. Cambodia is not! Plus, Cambodia is much cheaper.  Cambodia gladly capitalizes on “tourists” from developed nations, as well as workers and visitors from closed nations. I truly believe that Cambodia will be a strategic hub for the training of emerging ministry leaders in South East Asia.  In Cambodia alone 80% of the population is under 30 years old. The number of new believers within this age range, not to mention the number of emerging leaders and the need to train leaders for these new leaders, is growing every day.  Likewise, in Vietnam, China and elsewhere the church is booming, but ongoing discipleship is lacking, and especially absent is strategic disicpling-leadership training.

We believe our work over the years in Cambodia, and now especially DTS Equip,  is part of God’s plan to address this opportunity for key leadership training within the region.  In one month we begin our small work to address this huge call into South East Asia and beyond: “DTS Equip Cambodia”.

Cambodia Equip Flyer

Currently we have around 25 participants heading toward Battambang for DTS Equip. (It’s difficult to be precise regarding numbers due to the nature of communication and security issues within the region). We are expecting participants from Cambodia, Vietnam, Burma, Malaysia, Thailand, Sth Africa, and the USA. Our staff are from Cambodia, Vietnam, USA, and Australia (not just me!), all of these having being trained in DTS Equip prior to 2010.

Please take a moment to pray for this venture in light of the grander scheme the Lord has for these people groups. We’re all in this together!

In our next entry we will show you some very practical ways to get involved quickly and effectively. From prayer to finances, together we can see many reached, equipped, and released!

JW

 

Cambodia Calling (part 1) August 3, 2010

Filed under: DTS Equip,Updates — GoWests! @ 1:04 pm

Over the next few days we want to share with you our upcoming (almost immediate!) plans. These include the expansion of DTS Equip, years of work in discipleship and leadership training at home and in Cambodia now bearing even more fruit, and how we are beginning to see God’s plan emerging for our not-so-small-part (all of us!) in influencing an entire global region with this work.  Keep coming back here over the next few days to see the pieces come together!

Cambodia-bound!

South East Asia

As you all know by now, we are heading out to Cambodia again as a family this month.  On August 18 we embark on another 2 month Cambodian adventure, followed by a week of teaching in Taiwan.

This trip to Cambodia won’t be leading a student discipleship team; it will be leading a staff development team to pioneer and establish our leadership school, DTS Equip! We have been looking forward to this event for about 3 years.

4 years ago our first Cambodian leader came through DTS Equip, returning to Battambang to pioneer YWAM’s School of Biblical Studies (SBS) This achievement has been hugely significant for the region, and they are about to begin their 2nd 9-month school. Praise God!

Then, 3 years ago we were able to scholarship another young Cambodian leader from Phnom Penh (Dina) who had been working extensively with Discipleship Training Schools, Youth Leadership schools, and a myriad of discipling works in remote provinces. In that Montana DTS Equip we also had 2 other western staff that work long-term in Battambang.  Currently Dina is working with me on the DTS Equip here in Montana.  On the 20th of August we meet up in Battambang to begin DTS Equip 2010 Cambodia! Dina is co-leading with me, and will then continue on as the leader for DTS Equip for subsequent schools.

This is very exciting for us. We are finally approaching the launch stage of a vision which for me actually began about 10 years ago.  To answer that, and shed light on the significance of this work in Cambodia, I need to go back in time a little…

The Road to Battambang.

Cambodia

10 years ago, while working with DTS in Kona, the Lord clearly spoke to me about the significance of Cambodia as an outreach location, “ripe for evangelism and discipleship, but overlooked”.  While YWAM had an active work there, not many  teams, churches or organizations were going to Cambodia due to the instability and danger. Nevertheless our teams kept going, and began having lasting impact. 4 years later some of our young leaders and staff went and pioneered a new YWAM work in Cambodia, in the city of Battambang. This group of young leaders ( all in their 20’s) have since planted two new ministry locations: one in the city of Siem Reap, and another in Preah Vihear in the central-north (another ministry location is currently being planned in the nation’s south, the site of one of our first Kona DTS outreaches.)  Over the last decade I have been going there teaching, encouraging, leading outreach teams, and now planting a short leadership school.

What really makes this exciting, and begins to reveal God’s bigger-plan for this work, comes next. Check out our blog tomorrow, under “Cambodia Calling (part 2) – The Vision Takes Shape!

 

DTS Equip Montana-style: Wrapping Up! August 1, 2010

Filed under: DTS Equip,Updates — GoWests! @ 5:12 pm

Well, we did it again! Another DTS Equip class is preparing to graduate. 18 participants from several nations spanning Asia to the Americas, graduate this week from their 6-week staff and leadership development program.

DTS Equip MT 2010

Their studies took them through a foundational look at core identity as Christians, disciples and leaders, to Biblical worldview, conflict resolution, crisis management, as well as discipling people struggling with dysfunctional behaviors and addictions. All the time we constantly reinforce our own role as children of God and disciples of Jesus: the place where all of our leadership begins and ultimately takes us.

Thank you to all of you who have consistently given to us financially, prayed for us, and encouraged us over the last few months. What made this especially appreciated was the personal tragedy of my father’s death in early June, and all of the complications, traveling and “stretching” associated with that.  Thank you. You are indeed “encouraging the saints”.  (Philemon v7, 3John v5-8)

This school, like all of the others, has been a pleasure to lead, and very satisfying to watch the development of these young leaders. From the ages of 19 to 30, I am very proud of this group. Their personal application of material, selfless vision and response, and a willingness to “count the cost” to train others in multiple nations has been inspiring as well as encouraging.  Something very significant to us personally is the connection between this school and the next one less than a month away, in Cambodia!  Check back here tomorrow for that exciting story!  It’s a longer one, but you will be amazed at God’s faithful, strategic leading, and your role in making it happen.


How (not) to open a can with your thumb...

On a side note, Molly has added her own challenges to this busy time: trying to open a can with her thumb.   …mistake (health-wsie, and financially!). 5 stitches later…

 

Montana DTS EQUIP 2010 July 11, 2010

Filed under: DTS Equip,Photos,Uncategorized,Updates — GoWests! @ 2:50 pm

A deep thought before diving in

“DTS Equip”. In case you didn’t know, this is the Leadership and staff development training program that we developed for the DTS world!  We are in our 4th year, …5th school.  We have the privilege, and responsibility, to train both new and experienced leaders and staff as they strive to become more effective discipling-leaders: trainers of trainers; disciplers of disciplers. While most of our participants are from roles within YWAM we always have some who are headed back into other ministry environments: the church, industry, foreign missions… In 2009 we ran two. This year we are doing the same.

How time flies!!  We started our 2010 DTS Equip 2 weeks ago and our group consists of 18participants plus 8 staff, working in the USA, Canada, Taiwan, Thailand, South Africa, Cambodia, and Grenada.  Being cross-cultural is one of our greatest strengths in YWAM!

R weeks ago we embarked on 6 weeks of equipping and empowering DTS staff and leaders! Ten days after this DTS Equip finishes we embark on our next challenge in developing strategic and influential disciplers: planting DTS Equip in Cambodia! This program will serve leaders (most under the age of 30) in many places who otherwise would never get the chance to travel to the USA for such in-depth training.  We are very excited about this opportunity. Already we have leaders and staff coming for additional development from Vietnam, Burma, Thailand, Philippines, Cambodia, and the USA. More about that to come soon.

Our Mission Statement is:  To provide a resource-rich environment where DTS staff and leaders are equipped in character, skills and Spirit, so that DTS students and programs worldwide may benefit and develop according to their individual and corporate callings.

Theme Scripture : “The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” – 2 Timothy 2:2

If you are interested in hearing some of our lectures, let us know! We will post them as audio links to this site.  And, remember, if you haven’t signed up for automatic alerts when we update our site, do it now! Enter your email address at the right side of our blogsite; it willl automatically shoot you out a quick reminder that we have put something new up.

DTS Equip MT 2010

DTS Equip 2010 Montana - Here we come.

The Welcome

Dr Ron Smith - Laying a Foundation

 

Kona June 28, 2010

Filed under: Uncategorized,Updates — GoWests! @ 10:34 pm

Following our week in Australia, we stopped over in Kona for a week of teaching.  Jeremy taught in a Call2All DTS, and also did staff training with small and large groups of staff.  His schedule was packed.  I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Jeremy so utilized!  He went from group to group, teaching and training.  His wife is very proud of him!  Normally, I don’t travel with Jeremy; but this time Grammy and Papa kept the kiddos and we were able to go together.  woo woo!  Jeremy’s passion is staff and leader training and development, and his gift is greatly desired in Kona.  It was a very affirming time.  I marvel at how God tests and trains us and always always always proves himself so great!

Trip highlights??  Feeling the warmth of the sun!!!  Snorkeling.  Kona coffee on the rock wall.  The fragrant plumeria trees.  Celebrating our 13th anniversary.  More than all of that, spending time with family (Andrew and his family) and with friends.  It was wonderful to catch up with old friends and newer ones too!

Jeremy here.  So Kona… yeah, awesome time. We were still able to go for one week (instead of the original two planned) and as we suspected it was “right” for us to go. Even in the midst of hardship, the Lord still wants to lead us and direct us.  When at times it might feel as if we can’t see the bigger picture, or even the next immediate step, He always can.  And He has a plan for our lives; every single day of it.

In Kona I was involved in teaching the Discipleship Training School. My topic? You guessed it, “The cost of discipleship”. I also spent a lot of time in staff training sessions for the 5 outgoing (outreach) DTS  staff’s, as well as multiple sessions with the staff for the incoming DTS about to start.  On top of that was another key reason we went to Kona. I have been asked to help the Kona DTS program with strategic development. I spent some significant time with the DTS leadership team talking about vision, position and implementation; what a privilege.  Then, back to Montana to prepare for DTS Equip which has just begun…  More about that VERY soon!

…JW out.

 

Until We Meet Again June 27, 2010

Filed under: Family,Uncategorized,Updates — GoWests! @ 12:20 am

Earlier this month, Jeremy and I spent a week in Australia for Dad West’s Funeral.  What a great hope we have in belonging to God.  This does not make the aching any less or the sadness disappear.  But it does lift our heads as we think about where Dad is now – the spiritual reality that he is truly LIVING for the first time.  Dad’s life was such a testimony to me and to the hundreds of guests at his service.  He was an incredible man, husband and father.  Jeremy and his siblings gave so much honor and thanks for their dad.  Many commented afterward that they wish church could be more like that service and some men shared that they gained insight on what it means to be a father.  Wow.

In a time of grieving, understanding brings comfort.  However, for the things that our minds can’t seem to understand, we reach for his grace and we believe wholeheartedly in the goodness and justice of his character.  Meanwhile, we are thankful for each breath and we cherish the family we have.    Blessings to you all, Molly

As for me (Jeremy), I agree wholeheartedly.  With all of that come the questions, the new reality of dad’s absence, and the  sudden-obnoxious reality of our own mortality. I will be 40 years old this year; whoa.  What will people say about me? What am I doing with my life so that I can fulfill everything I have been designed to do within this short lifespan?  Life is precious, short, and at times so fragile.  So enjoyable too!  It is good to know that we have  a purpose, and the ability to make lasting Kingdom-change in the world.

Thank you to EVERYONE who sent us emails, phone calls, well-wishes and prayers. Thank you also to those of you who sent financial support to help us get to Sydney. We have felt cared for and supported. So has mum, our real concern and focus now, but please keep her in  your prayers. She is doing “ok”, or as good as one can be expected to be. She is an amazing lady.    Thanks again, Jeremy.

 

My Dad… Peter West. 13 Sept 1938 – 2 June 2010 June 2, 2010

Filed under: Family,Photos,Uncategorized,Updates — GoWests! @ 2:03 pm

Hello everyone.

Last night I received a call from Australia saying that the Dr’s had called mum, and to tell others, to come in for dad.
He died around 10am Montana time this morning.

Following is a short synopsis of the last month or so, from my perspective.
As you know I was able to go down early May and spend a couple of weeks with mum and dad (in hospital). While I was there I was able to spend a lot of time with him and especially with my mum, chauffeuring her every day back and forth from the hospital. One of my brothers, working with YWAM in Kona, also flew down for several days.  While we were there dad was assessed as requiring palliative care, so he was transferred to a palliative care hospital, where he remained to today. The medical prognosis was one of “weeks”.   While we were still praying for healing, we have also been praying for the Lord’s highest in the situation, trusting in the sovereignty of God.

Interesting thought…
I am part of a large family; 5 kids. While we have our own family issues, we are a strong unit, very close, very honest, very fun. We can fight hard, but we always play hard!  All being believers, I have noticed an interesting dynamic. As we are told by Paul, “we have one body but many parts…”, and the different gifts all play different, yet essential roles.
Could it be the same in families? I have noticed in my family that different ones of us seem to be performing different roles, and I don’t think it’s as simple as personality differences. I think it’s orchestrated by God, as a miniature picture of the body of Christ.
Some were fervently believing for healing. Others, more pragmatic and medically objective. We have a mixture of medical and spiritual perspectives; all of us leaning into the character of God. While one encourages mum with hope for healing, another encourages with the eternal hope dad has. Someone is there to go through conferences with Doctors, another to talk about God’s healing power, and another to be open to discussing potential funeral plans, and the “what next?” questions that had often occupied her mind.   …And all of the other stuff in-between.
All in all we revolve around the sovereignty of God. I don’t know how others who aren’t “stapled” to a perfect triune God, could even hope to approach the kind of diversity, yet unity and grace, that we seem to have experienced in this time.
Me?  My prayers have been somewhat simple: for God to be glorified. I know that God can heal. But would He? It seems like dad is leaving the earth too early; still so much more he wanted to do for the Kingdom. But it’s also so encouraging to see everything that has been done through him already. He has already left a legacy for many around the world to follow, leading to the Father. Perhaps the Lord would have him add to that? Perhaps not. While we always wanted dad healthy again, we never feared for him!
Yesterday…
While mum was with him all day and into the evening yesterday, she was forced to go home last night because she is actually quite ill herself.  She received a call around 1am to go in again, but didn’t make it there in time, probably by about 15 minutes. I don’t think he was conscious at all, and he hadn’t suffered from any pain. Mum has been there almost every day for the last 6 weeks, and the family there have been regular and committed in their service.
It’s hard.  Yesterday when I heard the impending news, I was a little ‘numb’. Today it’s a bit different.  Especially for mum, I’m sure. Please pray for her.
Thank you for all of the ongoing prayers over the months, and for those prayers I know will follow this inadequate communication, about the loss of one so special in the Kingdom of God, as well as here on earth.
Jeremy and Molly.
p.p.s. Sorry that we have not been better in communication lately. Since coming back from Australia, I wasn’t as motivated to write about this until now.
 

Teaching in Taiwan March 20, 2010

Filed under: J's Journey,Uncategorized,Updates — GoWests! @ 4:33 pm

Hello all!

Last week I returned from a teaching trip t o Taiwan. I was invited by the Discipleship Training School, and the School of Biblical Studies to teach their staff specifically about Discipleship. I was there for7 days, and it was a wonderful experience. The teaching went very well, and I  was able to spend time with some very good friends who now live and minister in Taiwan.  Seeing these people who were once in our schools, then staffed under us, then were trained in leadership, and now in Taiwan ministering among the Taiwanese and Chinese, speaking the language fluently and calling it “home”, is such a wonderful paycheck for molly and I.  My teaching week included discipleship topics such as identity, spiritual authority, leadership, conducting small groups and one-on-one discipling, and more.I also went to YWAM Taiwan’s coffee house, “The Rock”. This is where hundreds of youth come to sit, “practice English”, and hear the gospel in the process. It is 100% relationship evangelism. I was able to join them one night and had a great time speaking with some Taiwanese university students about life, cultures, and Christianity.

Since back, I have had a busy schedule teaching the DTS staff here, as well as the Montana SBS staff on discipleship, too!  Below are a few photos from Taiwan.

Many blessings,

Jeremy

Teaching the SBS and DTS staff in Taiwan. (Great translater!)
Coffee house evangelism, at “The Rock”

Darren, April, Brent, me. These guys are now long-termers in Taiwan!

 

A Birthday Week. Who Says Missions and Kids Don’t Mix?! February 28, 2010

Filed under: Family,Photos,Updates — GoWests! @ 9:49 pm
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Two birthdays in one week, which meant two birthday parties within a week.  Samuel turned 8 and Joel, 6.  Hard to believe, I know.

We are blessed to live in place with so many good friends who share a common vision of missions, and family. These kids are up for it too! Ready to survive anything. All of these kids have at least one thing in common: they have all been all over the world, in much harder places, yet always manage to have fun while doing it!

For their parties, each chose a “theme”. While in Australia the boys got hooked on “Man Vs Wild”, with Bear Grylls.  So Samuel’s party was “Boys Vs Wild”, and Joel’s was “Boys Vs Water”.

Samuel’s Boys Vs Wild…

A quick recap of the events. I (Jeremy) took 7 boys into the woods near my in-laws house, and after setting the scene for an imaginary, “Oh no, the car has broken down in the wilderness! How will we survive?”, we all boldly approached our fates.  Apparently the word had got out among the lads earlier in the week of some of the hardships we might face in the rugged Lakeside ‘backyard’ wilderness.  “I’m not drinking my own pee!” was one participant’s plea (destined to perish if I didn’t do something about that life-killing-attitude!). Another was crying at our outset for the same fear.  When all were reassured that no one would have to do anything they didn’t want to (if they didn’t care about living or dying, that is), we set off a merry bunch.  Kids + knives + fire + gross stuff = fun, every time.

Each had a pocketknife (of course, for whittling, and random cutting and slashing and such), their clothes, and that’s it. I had my knife, machete, and some emergency matches (settle down now, they’re 7-8 years old for Pete’s sake and the temperature was about 35F/2C!).  We followed a deer trail, learned how to tell direction, where and how to build a fire, and some other general tips for surviving and ensuring rescue. Some serious, and some …made up (e.g., doing this about 60 yards from Grammy’s house).

We ate (this is what I told them, anyway) freshly killed “squirrel”, some “deer poop”, and yes, drank our own “urine”.  After all of this we were rescued just in time for cheeseburgers, cake, marshmallows and games!  A Miracle!  (See photos below).

Joel’s Boys Vs Water

For the younger crew we all parachuted into the local indoor swimming pool. 6 boys, two pools, way too much chlorine.  I won’t go into as much detail here except to say that all boys braved and bested pool sharks, deep water, infants, other kids taking our toys, life guards in red outfits aged about 13, and of course a toxic level chlorine environment.  Amazingly enough again, we were rescued just in time for a birthday dinner of hotdogs, cake, games, punch, roasted marshmallows and presents!  (See photos below)

Oh, if anyone is interested, the parents and Grammy barely survived. The search party is still out for Papa…