Saturday, February 21, 2009
DTS outreach reports back from Durban, South Africa
YWAM Ireland's Closkelt DTS is half way into their outreach in Durban, South Africa. Below is a letter about what they've been up to so far! Enjoy!
*****
While working with YWAM Durban, we were able to go with them into a township called Burlington. While there we cleaned houses for some of the Grandmothers who have never seen a white person clean before, many of them were amazed that we were even there. In the afternoons we were able to play with the children there, they were so sweet and playful, they taught us new kinds of games and even helped us learn more Zulu. We are all thankful that God has given us the chance to show these kids his love.
While staying at YWAM Durban also we had one week of lectures. One of the staff members of the Durban location, Geoff Kingsford, taught us about relationships. It was a myriad of different types of relationships and how they all come together. It was both a challenging and an encouraging week for all of the students.
We next arrived at Missions Ablaze on February 8th and by February 9th we quickly found out how the next week was going to be. Currently Missions Ablaze is a place that requires a lot of physical labor. Everything from taking care of their property (using machetes to trim overgrowth) to helping make the food they serve in and around Durban
(They serve about 5000 per week). They are also in the middle of building an orphanage to hold 100 kids that they would like to see open by June 1. We were involved with all these things and are very excited to see what the last 3 weeks of outreach bring us.
More to come later on!
*****
While working with YWAM Durban, we were able to go with them into a township called Burlington. While there we cleaned houses for some of the Grandmothers who have never seen a white person clean before, many of them were amazed that we were even there. In the afternoons we were able to play with the children there, they were so sweet and playful, they taught us new kinds of games and even helped us learn more Zulu. We are all thankful that God has given us the chance to show these kids his love.While staying at YWAM Durban also we had one week of lectures. One of the staff members of the Durban location, Geoff Kingsford, taught us about relationships. It was a myriad of different types of relationships and how they all come together. It was both a challenging and an encouraging week for all of the students.
We next arrived at Missions Ablaze on February 8th and by February 9th we quickly found out how the next week was going to be. Currently Missions Ablaze is a place that requires a lot of physical labor. Everything from taking care of their property (using machetes to trim overgrowth) to helping make the food they serve in and around Durban
(They serve about 5000 per week). They are also in the middle of building an orphanage to hold 100 kids that they would like to see open by June 1. We were involved with all these things and are very excited to see what the last 3 weeks of outreach bring us.
More to come later on!
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Update on the Nomad's DTS
Greetings form YWAM Ireland!!
Thank you so much for your interest in our DTS here in Ireland, the Nomad's school. I appreciate that some of you have been waiting to hear information and I'm sorry that we have not been able to be quicker and more exact in our communication. The reason there has been a hold up is due to a bureaucratic error on behalf of the British Immigration service. This service has been undertaking a major shake up in the way they process visa applications from people coming from outside of the European Union. Due to this mistake, YWAM Northern Ireland cannot bring in overseas nationals until April time at least - at the moment- the timing is unsure....SO...
We are having to make a suggested change to the Nomad's school. We are now going to split the 3 month DTS lecture phase into 2 segments. The first phase will be 6 weeks, and will be in YWAM Harpenden, in England (www.ywamharpenden.org), Most of the second phase will be in Belfast, Northern Ireland for 6 weeks, but we will also visit our other base, Closkelt, and maybe even do a week of lectures on the road!! At that point the DTS will probably split into 2 teams, one team will travel and do outreach in Ireland, and the other group will be in Europe. There will also be an option for those who want to, to take part in a 2 week trip to Israel and the Palestinian territories. The DTS will start on the 5th April so time is short.
I think this change will actually make this school very exciting. It will merge the benefits of two very different works. YWAM Harpenden is a well established large beautiful property 30 minutes north of London by train. YWAM Belfast is a cutting edge ministry in the heart of a troubled urban neighbourhood - every student who comes here will have the opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus to some of the neediest youth and families in the UK and Ireland.
This change now means that YWAM Harpenden will process your visa application. What we need to know is whether you still want to go ahead and join this school. If you do, then we will be in touch with you immediately, and if your application is complete we will let you know if you are accepted. You will then need to book your flights and to apply for your visa. This is a process which we will walk you through. At this stage just stay in touch with us, and we will direct you when to start communicating with YWAM Harpenden. We will handle questions, and processing your application. Harpenden will deal with your visa.
Once again I'm sorry for this change, and the delay in making a decision. Unfortunately what has happened with the visas has been beyond our control But we believe that it has forced us to engage in a partnership with another YWAM centre that could be very fruitful, and will lead to a very exciting DTS.
Blessings,
Jonny Clark
National Director, YWAM Ireland
Thank you so much for your interest in our DTS here in Ireland, the Nomad's school. I appreciate that some of you have been waiting to hear information and I'm sorry that we have not been able to be quicker and more exact in our communication. The reason there has been a hold up is due to a bureaucratic error on behalf of the British Immigration service. This service has been undertaking a major shake up in the way they process visa applications from people coming from outside of the European Union. Due to this mistake, YWAM Northern Ireland cannot bring in overseas nationals until April time at least - at the moment- the timing is unsure....SO...
We are having to make a suggested change to the Nomad's school. We are now going to split the 3 month DTS lecture phase into 2 segments. The first phase will be 6 weeks, and will be in YWAM Harpenden, in England (www.ywamharpenden.org), Most of the second phase will be in Belfast, Northern Ireland for 6 weeks, but we will also visit our other base, Closkelt, and maybe even do a week of lectures on the road!! At that point the DTS will probably split into 2 teams, one team will travel and do outreach in Ireland, and the other group will be in Europe. There will also be an option for those who want to, to take part in a 2 week trip to Israel and the Palestinian territories. The DTS will start on the 5th April so time is short.
I think this change will actually make this school very exciting. It will merge the benefits of two very different works. YWAM Harpenden is a well established large beautiful property 30 minutes north of London by train. YWAM Belfast is a cutting edge ministry in the heart of a troubled urban neighbourhood - every student who comes here will have the opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus to some of the neediest youth and families in the UK and Ireland.
This change now means that YWAM Harpenden will process your visa application. What we need to know is whether you still want to go ahead and join this school. If you do, then we will be in touch with you immediately, and if your application is complete we will let you know if you are accepted. You will then need to book your flights and to apply for your visa. This is a process which we will walk you through. At this stage just stay in touch with us, and we will direct you when to start communicating with YWAM Harpenden. We will handle questions, and processing your application. Harpenden will deal with your visa.
Once again I'm sorry for this change, and the delay in making a decision. Unfortunately what has happened with the visas has been beyond our control But we believe that it has forced us to engage in a partnership with another YWAM centre that could be very fruitful, and will lead to a very exciting DTS.
Blessings,
Jonny Clark
National Director, YWAM Ireland
