MISSION'S STORIES

Publishing God's stories among the nations.

My life needed redirection

As a burnt out special education teacher, I was desperate for anything different. At this point, I was wondering if maybe I was too desperate.

I wanted to do the Crossroads Discipleship Training School (CDTS) because it was specifically for people with more life experience. I knew I was being redirected into something different, and I was also excited about not having to be “in charge” for awhile. Typically, anything I signed up for in life I seemed to quickly be put in leadership. I needed a break from that.

“How can you be a missionary if you don’t really like people?” asked one of the young girls sharing a dorm with me.

“I’m not sure,” I said, at the same time realizing how ridiculous I sounded.

“But I think whatever it is, it will look really different.”

Something I had learned in my self discovery journey was that I was an extreme introvert. It’s not that I hated people or lacked social skills ~ I just didn’t really want to be around them all the time because social activity drains me.

That brief conversation really threw me off. 

"How can an extreme introvert be a missionary? My roomate had a really good point. Father? What am I here for?"

I had to remind myself almost daily that I knew I was supposed to be here. Thankfully, my roommate was also full of life experience, and we were both being redirected in our lives. 

My roommate became a precious friend, which I didn’t expect. Her humor, care, and wisdom were part of restoring my soul.

One of the first lessons I learned was to relax.

For years, I had put pressure on myself and responded poorly to pressure from others to “get stuff done.” I needed a new attitude about work and healthier work habits.

This training school was the most “free time” I had experienced in my adult life. I didn’t get bored, but I used this time to find silence and solitude to refresh my weary soul. I had long walks and talks with the Father processing everything I needed to put behind me and preparing for what he would put in front of me.

I think balancing my need for silence and solitude with a need to connect with other humans was another lesson learned.

If I explained I needed a people break, my classmates understood. It was my responsibility to communicate what I needed. My trust in other humans was restored during this time as my fellow classmates and staff were safe people. That makes it sound weird, but they had no hidden agenda nor selfish veins, and they listened to what I said because they truly cared about me.

A double bonus was I learned some Korean phrases and experienced some delicious new foods.

I know what I came for: to be redirected, refreshed and restored.

I just needed to show up

At thirty-two years old, the CDTS gave me a needed fresh perspective. Now, I'm seeking to make God known to the ends of the earth. 😊❤️

 

Guest Author ~ Written by a former CDTS student who is serving the Lord in a closed nation!!! 

This July, YWAM Tyler will be hosting another Crossroads Discipleship Training School. It's not too late to sign up for a five-month course that'll change your life. 

New call-to-action

Tyler Tom

Written by Tyler Tom

You can find Tyler Tom roaming the Twin Oaks campus taking in the fresh sunshine, or sipping a hot latte in the Substation. Enamored by God's faithfulness, Tyler Tom gathers stories and interviews to share with you from what God's doing with His children among the nations.

3 min read

My Stepmom Thinks YWAM Rocks

Have you ever been curious about going to a Discipleship Training School but don't know what to expect? In a recent...

2 min read

The Day I Thanked God For Losing My Job

One morning I sat in the classroom during my training school with YWAM, and I was crying, thanking God for the loss of...

2 min read

Sharing The Gospel Isn't Complicated

God has been doing amazing things with our DTS team on outreach in Thailand. As the team has made themselves available,...

2 min read

How DTS Changed My Child

Before I left for my Discipleship Training School, my family really had no idea what YWAM was. If your family...
2 min read

Laying Down My Rights

I was sitting in my DTS classroom, my head wrapped in thoughts of a family circumstance that was happening. We had...

5 min read

Breaking Out of the Box

There really is such thing as a Jesus glow. The glow where you’re so full of Jesus, it’s so evident and so...
2 min read

Loren Cunningham a Faithful Visionary for God

A Tribute to Loren Cunningham ~ June 30, 1935⎼October 6, 2023

There is a book entitled, A Long Obedience in the Same...

2 min read

Faith Like a Child

My name is Matheus Barros and I am from Brazil. I completed my DTS in 2019, and it was an amazing,life-changing...

3 min read

Lessons Learned at YWAM Tyler Continue to Shape My Life

As I awoke again to the sound of the sea surging on the rocks, the scream of the gulls, and the beautiful vista fanning...

2 min read

What I Didn't Expecting During My YWAM DTS

With tears in my eyes, I pulled down the door of the Budget rental truck, said goodbye to my apartment, and heard God...

3 min read

Trusting God To Make A Way

Sometimes the best thing a leader can do is tell you to seek Jesus for yourself. In reality, as Christians, we...
2 min read

Hope for Maui Amid the Fire

As news spread across America about the wildfires in Maui, we have been postured in prayer for our friends and family...