Life has a way of getting away from you quicker than you realize doesn't it? I mean it honestly feels like I started staffing this past DTS only a few months ago. Not to mention that my time in Africa felt like just a few short weeks. In the grand scheme of things though, it really only was a short time. Yet so much can happen in the world and within oneself in just five months.This past friday we had the honor and the priviledge of graduating 15 students from the Discipleship Training School. I almost felt like a proud mother (or what I imagine a proud mom would feel like) as I watched the students share with others what experiences they had enjoyed during the school and what attributes of God they learnt to rely on. For the graduation ceremony, the students were given the responsibilty to come up with a creative presentation to narrate to friends and family a taste of what the past months had entailed. As per their usual creative genius the evening 
had us laughing, crying, and remembering those sweet times that made every stressful moment over the course of the school worth it. Fittingly, the students ended the evening by sharing with the audience what they had "conquered" during the school. One student shared that she had conquered long-term depression and that for the first time she was experiencing true joy. Another shared that when she arrived she was overwhelmed with so much fear, and that is had such a hold on her that she could not possibly imagine a life free from it. She shared that she had conquered her fears and that she was tasting a freedom she had never thought possible. As I sat listening I was filled with a deep awe for God, for the works he had accomplished in and through the students. I was also humbled t
hat God would even allow me to be a part of these precious lives for the past five months. I consider each one a friend and am so excited to see where God will lead them next in their lives.
had us laughing, crying, and remembering those sweet times that made every stressful moment over the course of the school worth it. Fittingly, the students ended the evening by sharing with the audience what they had "conquered" during the school. One student shared that she had conquered long-term depression and that for the first time she was experiencing true joy. Another shared that when she arrived she was overwhelmed with so much fear, and that is had such a hold on her that she could not possibly imagine a life free from it. She shared that she had conquered her fears and that she was tasting a freedom she had never thought possible. As I sat listening I was filled with a deep awe for God, for the works he had accomplished in and through the students. I was also humbled t
hat God would even allow me to be a part of these precious lives for the past five months. I consider each one a friend and am so excited to see where God will lead them next in their lives.Currently five are considering returning to Pismo as full-time staff, three others have a desire to join other YWAM bases as staff. The others will be moving forward in their studies, working with their local churches, or seeking to bring the Kingdom of God to the business place. I am so proud of each and every one and it was such a joy to lead them during the past five months. Please pray for them (and for myself) as we make the transition into a new season in our lives.
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