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Cambodia is Calling May 7, 2012

Filed under: DTS Equip,Family,Uncategorized — GoWests! @ 10:13 pm

Hello Friends!

Our Equip class 2010 (Vietnamese friends blocked for security purposes)

We are pleased to announce that it is almost time for our leadership school, DTS Equip, to run in Cambodia for the second time!  In this letter we want to share these plans with you, and ask for both spiritual and practical help to make it happen. If you remember, we pioneered the first one in 2010. The base director has told us that the Equip was the beginning of the fulfillment of Cambodia being a resource to the entire region.  This has been a huge encouragement to us!!

In 2010 we trained staff from Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, and the U.S., including every DTS staff from Vietnam.  Our fantastic leadership team was made up of Vietnamese, Khmer, Americans, and 2 Aussies.   It was a privilege to work with these outstanding people who have truly forsaken all for the sake of the Gospel.

Our goal is to release the program to local leaders, but we are not quite there yet.  So, late this August, we are heading back for 2 months to work with more amazing young leaders from the region of Asia!  It is our privilege to return and run DTS Equip-Cambodia, again.

 

Sharing the love of Jesus and good food in a nearby slum

As we prepare to go, our most important consideration is the family.  Our last trip out there was amazing but it certainly had its challenges.  We will be home-schooling again, which can be a stretch at times!  The food is another big adjustment for the kids, among a few other things. Please pray for a good adjustment to school hours, culture, climate, food – and especially for health and safety.  (Remember Samuel’s stitches in his head at the Cambodian Amputee Hospital…?)  Aside from the parental-worry 😉  the kids are all VERY excited.  They keep asking “When can we go? Can we go now?” We are truly blessed with children who love to travel, even into third world Asia!

Our practical needs are …daunting.  This trip is costing us $6000 in airfare alone, and that’s a fantastic deal!  Until this week, airfare was looking more like $10,000, so the fare reduction we saw this week is God’s provision already!  Visas will be about $200.  Then there’s the usual… accommodation, food, transportation, etc. bringing the total to about $7500.  The total seems frightening, but divided by say, 75 friends and supporters, it’s only $100 each!

 

The boys got dirty building a toilet for a blind family

If you know anyone who may like to get behind this ministry, please either forward this to them, or give us their contact info.  We are at a place where we need to see our support base expand, and it may be through a connection you have!  Perhaps a cell group or Bible study you attend that would like to get involved in missions?

Click HERE! to see a short video of the place we will be working (it’s their website – scroll down to see the video) Jeremy has been going to Cambodia since around 2000, and as a family, this will be our third trip.  (Don’t miss the clip, and see if you can spot Jeremy in there, too!)

Remember, stay up to date with this blog, click the Email Subscription button on the home page.

Thanks for reading, and for working with us.

Jeremy, Molly, Samuel, Joel & Eden.

PS.  Join us!  Come and visit… I guarantee it will blow you away.

 

Scratching the itch in Eastern Europe and Russia! April 23, 2012

Filed under: DTS Equip,Updates — GoWests! @ 9:58 pm

Hello All!

There is an itch, and we get to be a part of scratching it!!
After Jesus rose from the dead, he directed us to go into all the world and MAKE DISCIPLES of all nations.

Our EQUIP program is a response to this Great Commission – scratching the itch so to speak – as there is a desperate need for leadership training in the area of discipleship in eastern Europe and Russia.

Currently we are midway through the EQUIP “Multiplier” –  a leadership school focused on equipping trainers.  We are extremely pleased to share with you about the team of people we have in this program.  Leaders from many parts of Ukraine and Russia have come to Lakeside for 6 weeks of training.  The really exciting part is that this crew will be multiplying the Equip program in Ukraine – to be a resource for Eastern Europe and Russia!  We are so impressed by the caliber of people and their long term commitment in their region.  They are planning to run the first DTS Equip in Ternopil, Ukraine in 2013.

We think this calls for celebration!!

A big THANK YOU to those who pray for us and support us financially.  You are a huge part of our team, and this is your fruit too!!

Join us in praying for effective leadership development and disciples to be multiplied through these saints in Eastern Europe and Russia!

 

Cub Scouts, Birthdays, Buckingham Palace and more! April 1, 2012

Filed under: Family,Uncategorized,Updates — GoWests! @ 10:56 pm

It sure has been an exciting first quarter of 2012 for our family!

Our boys are Cub Scouts!  In their uniforms, they are hands-down the cutest! They have been busy earning badges which has involved charting nutrition (wake up call to mom to provide more produce!), talking with elders at church about faith, creating collages on being good citizens, speaking with an attorney (Papa Craig!), and much more. A highlight was the Pinewood Derby – taking a block of wood and making it into a race car, which they then raced against other Scouts in the valley. Jeremy and the boys even made the newspaper!  Samuel’s car was named Qantas, and Joel’s was named Slug Bug.  (See a newspaper photo here)

In February, Samuel turned 10 and Joel turned 8. We took them up our local ski mountain for lessons – Joel in skiing, and Samuel in snowboarding. They were awesome! Joel says skiing was really fun and easy =), and Samuel persevered a tough but fun first time on a snowboard.

Last month Samuel placed 2nd in his school science fair!! His project was called, “Boiling up the Mountain”, and he researched the way elevation affects the boiling point of water. So we may have another budding scientist in the family! Samuel also loves learning music on the recorder. He is progressing so well and really loves to play…Ode to Joy, Oh when the Saints, America…, and we love to listen!! He is in the top two of 60 fourth graders. But what I love most about Samuel (this month) is the grateful heart I see naturally coming out of him. He is absolutely awesome at saying, “Thank you, thanks Dad, thanks Mom”, thanking people in stores, even thanking his brother and sister.

Joel is quite the clever second grader. His teacher tells me that despite his dreamy nature, he is especially quick to grasp new concepts in math and he reads way above grade level. Joel is still in a shy season, but boy you should see him go crazy on the Wii! He bounces up and down in the air, squealing and shouting the WHOLE time! Joel picked up skiing so easily and was taking runs all over the mountain! And what I love most about Joel (this month) is how he hugs and cuddles us! He squeezes tightly and then does a little pat on our heads or our backs!! Precious. And when we say, “I love you Joel”. He sweetly says, “I know” =))

Then there is Eden, aka Bossy Boots, Dolly, Princess, the Pink Explosion, Peanut, and Missy Moo! In Preschool, she is perfecting her letters and enjoying story time and art the most. Eden loves coloring, playing house, bossing the dog around (since she is older than him!), playing with her Rapunzel doll while wearing her Rapunzel dress, and helping Mommy cook. If I grab the garlic, she grabs the garlic press. If I scoop out four, she brings the mixing spoon. I have an awesome assistant!! What I love most about Eden (this month), is how she reminds me daily through her actions that time spent together is time best spent!!

As we were in England last month for meetings, Jeremy and I got 2 days in London to enjoy the city!! We were able to float down the Thames, tour the Tower of London, appreciate the grandeur of Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace, saw a show in the West End, chillax in a couple of British pubs, ride in red double decker buses, travel underground in the tube (pronounced “chewb”), pass through the Queen’s Galleria to see a most amazing exhibition on Sir Ernest Shalckelton and Scott, and race through the British Museum. We were blessed to stay with friends we worked with in Kona years ago. Love how our work gives us lifelong friends around the globe!  And let’s us travel the globe!

And that a wrap!!

 

God is on the move.. March 20, 2012

Filed under: DTS,DTS Equip,Updates — GoWests! @ 8:07 pm

Greetings Friends!

It has been a busy and fruitful beginning to 2012!  We are so privileged to serve the King of all Kings and to be part of the gospel reaching the ends of the earth!

Recently, the Montana DTS had amazing outreaches to Thailand, India, and Malaysia.

Malaysia highlight – Our team of young people found themselves staying in a red light district area.  So they began reaching out to the sexually broken and drug addicts.  The team made a couple key discoveries as they entered this challenging atmosphere.  1.  Don’t dress nice, dress like a traveler (sorta hippy) and they will be more open!  2.  Invite them out for a meal – food is a way to their hearts!  These discoveries led to times of prayer and sharing the very good news of Jesus!  The team was able to share these keys (dress like a hippy and feed them) with some local Malay Christians who have since carried on evangelism and discipelship in that area!

India – Our DTS team prayed for the sick and they were healed!  These signs and wonders led to commitments to follow Christ!  Check out an amazing youtube clip this team made while in India at  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufamfjvyoVM   You don’t want to miss it!

Thailand -The harvest is ripe!  This team experienced God’s favor, bringing hundreds of people to concerts they were giving and being able to share about Jesus from the stage as well as one on one to countless young Thais!  One of the leaders, a friend, said it was particularly difficult to bring the team home.  She just wanted to stay!  Being a part of turning someone’s eternal destiny heavenward is a pretty rewarding job =)

We love being a part of equipping these DTS staff for leadership, and the impact they have in the nations.  We have been able to teach/train here in MT with the DTS and Dance school, as well as Cimarron and Colorado Springs in Colorado with the DTS and School of Biblical Studies staff.  We also participated in the International DTS Centre meetings in England, which boosted our faith and reminded us of the importance of our work.

Next week we begin “The Multiplier”. This is a version of our 6-week leadership school, DTS Equip, created for advanced trainers and leaders so that they can be equipped to plant the program in their regions. A small group of trainers is coming specifically to  take it to… Ukraine & the Caribbean!  We are so thankful that God is raising up trainers to strengthen discipleship in the nations! This year alone we are running 3 DTS Equip leadership programs: the Multiplier, DTS Equip in Montana in June, and then again in Cambodia in September.  (PS. Plans are emerging for even more leadership development in other nations in 2013, but more about that later!)

 

2011 Christmas Tree Hunt December 24, 2011

Filed under: Uncategorized — GoWests! @ 11:15 am

Enjoy the experience!  Come along with us as we “hunt” (you hunt everything here in Montana) this year’s Christmas tree.

Merry Christmas!

…Go Wests!

 

Q & A December 21, 2011

Filed under: Updates — GoWests! @ 11:39 am

Hi everyone.

Being the end of the financial year, I received a question about giving. We seldom talk about money, but I thought I would quickly make a comment here. This is not an appeal, but some helpful info’ for those who are interested.

Here is the USA, we can offer tax-deductible receipts if donations are made through YWAM. We can still produce these receipts for 2011 if we process your donations by January10th. Date your checks within 2011, and then have them arrive by January10th. Please email or call us for more info. You can also talk to our accounting department directly for credit transactions.

Other ways of giving are via Paypal. Additionally, some like to give directly to external ministry we do, such as Cambodia, travelling, teaching etc. If you prefer you can give directly into an account I have set up for that: “Missions Assist”. Ask me for more details, or see our “Join The Team” page on this site.

 

Ministry Update – Final quarter 2011! December 20, 2011

Filed under: Updates — GoWests! @ 11:24 am

Well, here we are at the end of 2011. Since my last ministry update in September there has been quite a lot of activity both with ministry as well as family. This blog will cover work, the next family.

September: SBS leadership training in Cambodia In September I wrote to you from Cambodia, beginning a week of training with their School Of Biblical Studies staff and leaders. These workers and dear friends continue to impress me with their passion, commitment and skill. Some of them I have known since their entry into ministry, even leading their DTS’s. Now they are leading others in comprehensive study of the entire Bible, in foreign cultures. Not only teaching how to study and interpret the Bible, but they are also discipling at a personal level, day to day. My role was to engage with these leaders prior to the school in areas of leadership and discipling skills. I don’t exaggerate when I say that it was my privilege to be there.

On a related note, many of you know that we pioneered the first DTS Equip (leadership school) there last year. I just heard a great report and encouragement from a colleague involved in senior leadership development and coaching who just returned from Battambang a few weeks ago. She told me that Even though she didn’t know the individuals she was working with personally, she could see a discernible difference  among many in the group: an ability to think implicationally, decision-making skills, interaction ability, maturity.  After more time with them (and some questions) she discovered why. These stand-out leaders had been exposed to the development and training of DTS Equip. Being able to recognize lasting fruit is always a rush. This is a huge answer to prayer, and effort. God is doing good stuff out there.

October: Oregon and Colorado In the first part of October I traveled to Oregon to another of YWAM’s training locations to teach in a Basic Leadership School.  Again, this is one of those opportunities that really bring me life: training emerging leaders. I love to confront their definitions and identities of leadership that have been “absorbed” from their culture and world. Identities of position, status, power and control. While we would never think we behave according to such definitions, the subtlety of  a non-Biblical worldview that we are bombarded with every day in our culture affect us in often hidden or disguised ways. With all of our complex and sophisticated teachings on leadership, it’s amazing how quickly we forget to remain as followers first; disciples ourselves, always. With this in hand we talk about the transforming truth of Grace – the bedrock of our faith, and identities in Christ. From there, the necessity to hold fast to our true identities as children of God, and disciples first, always. If we aspire to lead, we must learn how to be followers, again.  The remainder of the week focused on other leadership skills and discipleship training.

The last part of the month took me to a Discipleship Training School in Colorado. My week of teaching there was entitled, “The Cost of Discipleship”. Again, truths of grace, identity, disicpleship, followership, and ultimately, friendship with God.

November: Montana, School Of Worship

A first time for me, I taught in one of YWAM’s School of Worship. I was asked to deliver several core messages on disicpleship that affect leadership. Addressing the group as disciples and leaders (regardless of ministry focus or expertise) allowed us to dig deep into identity, decision-making, leadership and calling.

Involvement in Base Leadership : Montana Base Council

Molly and I have been appointed to our YWAM base leadership council. This is a group of 12 who provide overall direction, accountability, and eldership.  Since June of this year we have been extremely busy. While leadership always appears glorious to the outsider, as we know, promotion always increases responsibility, and a multitude of opportunities for personal growth. Our journey on the Council has been no different! We have traversed ground ranging from the privilege of sending teams and resources around the world, to caring for others with serious illness. It has been an interesting ride. I will simply say that we are blessed to live and serve with such wonderful people as we do here in YWAM Montana.

Overall… I would simply say this: that the last quarter has taken me to some very pointed “growth” areas personally, as well as being used to develop and disciple others.

Thanks for following with us, and I apologize for the sparsity of updates. Perhaps 2012 will include a communication resolution?  Blessings, and Merry Christmas!

JW

 

Don’t Forget the Little Guys! September 13, 2011

Filed under: Family,Updates — GoWests! @ 11:32 am

The prettiest (albiet tired) soldier!

Every year at YWAM Montana we take 2 days to “retreat” as a staff. For the past few years we have gone to a campground about 20 miles away on a small lake. We bring in a speaker, eat good food, and play in the lake or horseshoes, etc. This year Danny Lehmann joined us as our guest speaker and it was wonderful. The sun was brilliantly hot, and THAT is always wonderful when you live up north =).

A few months ago God laid it on my heart to run a program for our kids during the adult sessions. We have….about 40 kids on base!! Normally we have babysitting, but many of us moms have wanted something more for them. Each year that has gone by, I say to myself, “I wish we had something fun and enriching for the kids during staff retreat”. So this was the year for me to quit wishing and get to work!

I am pleased to report that we pulled off “Bible Boot Camp” for our kids last month at staff retreat! There were songs, skits, crafts, snacks, games, lessons – basically a vbs crammed into 2 days! The feedback has been great. The kids were growing in the Lord and having fun while their parents were doing the same!

Some soldiers in God's army

It is so easy for me to pour into the lives of young women and co-workers around me. I can haul my family overseas and minister in a Buddhist nation for a few months. I take time to prepare and teach in discipleship programs. I love to do these things and will continue to do so. But I feel encouraged by the Lord to also take time for the children at THIS ministry location!

God has designed our kids to do great things with Him and for Him. What a privilege to partner with Him in their training and development! This school year in my family, we are working on scripture memory, as part of their homework. I trust the Word of God to bear good fruit both now and in the years to come!

Performing for the parents, "I may never march in the infantry.."

 

DTS Equip – Developing Leaders Who Develop Others September 10, 2011

Filed under: DTS Equip — GoWests! @ 5:48 pm

Hello everyone.

We have recently completed another DTS Equip here in Lakeside Montana, USA.
Another great group of individuals, and more proof that God is wanting to raise up serious staff and discipling-leaders. The DTS Equip is a leadership development seminar (6 weeks, full-time) designed to train leaders and staff. Most who attend are involved at some level with YWAM’s foundational school, the Discipleship Training School, or “DTS”.
This year we had 20 participants. While one of the younger (in general) groups I have led (average age of about 23) this could also be among the most engaging and intentional group I have worked with. As a leadership we were very impressed with the seriousness of our young leaders. Their honesty, ability to engage, willingness to apply some tough personal lessons, and broad vision for discipleship and leadership for the future was a huge encouragement and pleasure to work with.
One notable feature of this year’s Equip, was the presence of several individuals who were not planning on leading DTSs. This is very exciting, as we have always had people come to us for leadership and discipleship training outside of DTS, but this year approximately 1/3 of our group fit this description. In fact we had a School Of Worship staff of 4 attend to grow in discipleship, leadership, and team work. Another was a young lady teaching in the Canadian education system who saw young teenagers as her specific mission field and wanted more tools to disciple and lead effectively from that sphere. Overall I consider this DTS Equip was a very effective and successful school. I hope that in the years to come we can say it has also been “significant”.
Next year we are planning on running three DTS Equip schools. In April we will run a DTS Equip “Invitational”. This is specifically for more seasoned leaders/trainers who wish to take this program and multiply it within their own global region. Summer will see our regular DTS Equip (for all levels of leadership and experience). September will see our second DTS Equip in Battambang Cambodia.
Thanks for keeping up with us. This program is one of our major ministry focuses and events of the year. It is so rewarding to see and hear of the fruit that these schools are producing globally. I am writing this from Cambodia, and I can tell you that this is happening, and that many are eager for more advanced personal leadership development.  The Kingdom of God advances!
For the DTS Equip Crew,
JW
 

Training Ministry Update September 4, 2011

Filed under: J's Journey,Updates — GoWests! @ 9:40 pm

Hi all.

How about a little look at the training I’ve been doing over the past few months?   Ok!

This year has been evolving as one where my role as a developer and trainer is broadening.  As you know, our primary sphere of development is within discipleship schools with YWAM. YWAM also has a number of higher level academic training, and a myriad of ministry initiatives, existing to impact every sphere of society. Over the last several months I have been doing training in some of these more specialized audiences, and invitations for others are appearing also.

I tend to divide my training into two target-categories: schools (groups of students), and staff (program staff, leaders, leadership groups, etc). See below for a quick look into some of our time spent over the last few months.

April:

4th-22nd:  For our Sports Ministry department, I ran a 3-week intensive training program called “Pursuit”. This was full-time and targeted identity, leadership, personal discipleship, and discipling skills. This was a first for them and their department. This small group of dedicated staff works hard to mobilize young people into missions using sports and outdoor adventure activities as an open door.

25th-29th: I spoke for a week in a Discipleship Training School in Salem, Oregon. Topic…? “The Cost of Discipleship”

May:

2nd-5th: Although I couldn’t travel there, I was able to accept an invitation to speak to DTS leaders and staff from all over Eastern Europe, in the Ukraine, via Skype video conference. This was a first for me – a week of skype teaching, translated on the other side by someone I couldn’t see!  What a great week, and what wonderful people training and working so hard in difficult pioneering countries.

9th-13th:  I developed and hosted a 1-week seminar for YWAM program leaders called “Enrichment”. This was such a great time of encouragement for many leaders who are working so hard at developing others, empowering missionaries, and propelling mission-work all over the globe. It was a time to pour into them, help refresh and “enrich” them as they gathered as peers, able to talk about “life” together.

June:

May29-June15:  I did 2+ weeks of staff training for a large DTS in Kona. This was wonderful.  We were able to work with old friends – many whom we worked with when they first entered YWAM,  then began staffing, then leading… even if it was work for them, it was a great  encouragement and a little look at some fruit from our lives over the last 15 years.   PLUS… I  was able to take the whole family with me! So sweeeeet. The first time the kids had been back  to their birthplace, friends and my brother’s fam’ too. Such a good working- family vacation.

July-August:

Back to Montana, to run our leadership school, “DTS Equip”. 6 weeks, June 27-August 5. I will send out a separate blog about this shortly. What an incredible time.  (fyi… dtsequip.com)

Aug 15-19: Taught for a week in a new DTS out here, the “Endurance DTS”. It is focused on the outdoor adventure industry, and as well as learning various skills for that arena, their outreach is spent with backpackers an hikers and climbers in the USA, and Spain.  (fyi… endurancedts.org). Topic? You guessed it, “The Cost of Discipleship”

…September?

8th-16th:  On Thursday I head off to Cambodia. Not for DTS, but this time to train Bible teachers in the School of Biblical Studies, in areas of leadership and discipleship. These people are some of my greatest heroes. Their commitment is inspiring, and the fruit of the work, so enviable. This is my privilege.  Please pray for Molly and kids while I’m gone.

Ok, enough for now.  Stay tuned for more “catch-up-communication”!  Love to all!

JW