Dreaming for Derek (my wake up call)

We have had many speakers in the DTS so far, and all have been very good. Last we had a speaker come in called Frans Conje. He talked about our dreams and passions.
When I started staffing this DTS, I was really crying out to God to redefine my dreams, my passions and what He wanted me to do. Frans came in and only spoke for three mornings, and opened up a can of worms for me. Next steps, new ideas, what passions aren't mine, and what I want to do. So God has been speaking to me about the future and making it mine and pursue MY dreams.

Frans in his 30's decided he wanted to be a director. He had been working with sports ministry for along time, and than God gave Him something totally out of the box. He directed the movie "faith like potatoes" and the movie "Hansie" (which was his brother). But he did this all without any idea what he was doing at first, God just told him to do it and He created great movies. I feel like it was encouragement for me to think outside the box and do what I want to do. That with God passions aren't impossible, if i wanted to be a president (not saying I want to be) but with God I could do that.

Anyways, just an update on what I have been learning and what He has been speaking to me this last week.

DTS outreach

Today, we announced the outreaches for this DTS. Man, I am so excited. We have a Trifecta of leadership on the outreach team. Me, Hayley, and Stanley will be leading this team into the Zambian Wild and the suburb's of Joburg.
This is the team(front to back) Lennon, Leonard, Shayla, Mongo, Pinkie, Lizzy, Manuel, Marcella, Laney, Breanna, Brittany, Kelly, Rebekkah, Kacy, Michael.

Today, we announced the outreaches for this DTS. Man, I am so excited. We have a Trifecta of leadership on the outreach team. Me, Hayley, and Stanley will be leading this team into the Zambian Wild and the suburb's of Joburg.

These Students are amazing! 10 girls and 5 guy students. Keep us in your prayers as we start to develop as a team and for the planning of this outreach.

Starting fresh and New

My third time returning to Africa has been by far the best. I am now staffing a DTS here at YWAM kruger, and am loving it. It has really turned into my home and the people here are my family. Everyday is alittle bit better than the next and I thank God that He is so good!

He is to Good!

I nicknamed him Potato!

having a job in the U.S. and working in a foreign country are two separate things. While they both have similar parts and origins, doing missionary work is completely different than having a job.

Some might say that missionary work is a job, in fact, I might even say that. Getting up every morning realizing your in a different country, doing something that five years ago you wouldn't even consider doing, loving people who absolutely need it, and giving God the glory is in my opinion the greatest job in the world.

Thank you everyone who has made this possible. I appreciate all the encouragement and love that has been given.

Getting the Train rolling!

Adjustment... the dictionary says the definition of adjustment "harmony achieved by modification or change of a position." Those words may look few but in fact that has been the definition of my life the past few months.

Coming to a new base would be a challenge in its own right, but coming to a new base overseas is a completely different kind of beast. You deal with culture changes, adjusting to people, new physical lifestyle and different ministry opportunities. I thought about those things and pushed them aside and said "God is bigger, and He has me here for a reason."

I have been here for three months now and I am happy to say, I love Africa. Adjusting well should actually be in my job description, probably my biggest problem would be trying to figure out my roll at the base and what He has me doing, but I feel like he is just telling me "wait".

Looking back on the past year and a half, man God has me on a crazy ride, and it is just beginning.

the past and the present

Hey everyone,
Do you know the difference between me and my sister? I am terrible at communication and she is fantastic at it. So let me catch you up on what Derek has been up to the past year.
I finished my DTS [Discipleship Training School] outreach and went to Thailand for 2 months, it was an amazing time, I loved the people, I loved my team, and I loved Thailand.
So I got back and I went straight to a secondary school, School of Intercessory Prayer. I loved it, it really opened my eyes to how much and how deep God loves us and how deep He wants to take us. The group around me in the class are my best friends for life, and I will never forget the time's we shared and the laughs we had.
I went home for Christmas, had a great time, hanging out with my whole family and enjoying relaxing. We were snowed in the entire time, but who knows the next time the ten of us will all be together?
So I went back to Colorado, and God placed me on DTS staff. It was very hard, but very rewarding in the end. I lead a team of 13 to Sudan and Uganda, and while the culture was difficult, the people, and the students were amazing. There was 19 students, and all of them had an impact on me and I saw all of them grow so much in an incredible way.
So now, to the present.
After this past DTS outreach, I went home and my parents had invited me to go on vacation with them in South Africa. Before I left Spokane, I felt like God was telling me to "pack to stay."So I did, and when I got here, there was no doubt in my mind that this is exactly where I am supposed to be.
Right now I'm living with my sister at Rich and Lynn Hodge's house, and am loving it. I am working with the YWAM base here, going into the communities and loving on people. This last year and a half has been a crazy ride and I see no end in sight. God has been with me since day one, and the process of learning to trust Him is a daily thing, but it's exactly where I want to be.

Giving can change your world!

Giving is the greatest thing you can do.. living with 4 guys you learn that giving is a given... but when God tells you to give... you better give. God has been giving me tons of money the last few years and he decided that it was time to give back. He told me to give this camera my sister gave me the night i left. I was fighting giving because .. i felt like i was holding on to the material things in life. But i realized after awhile, that none of its mine, im just borrowing it. So i got up infront of everyone and told the story on how my sister had given this camera to me. Well earlier this man, his wife needed a whole bunch of money to take him his wife and 2 kids to brazil. He had recieved all his money by the time i got up there.

So i told this story and i turned to him and told him God wanted him to remember this time and have memories of his family. He broke down crying and gave me a huge hug. As we were walking out to pray, one of our leaders ran up to me and said, "Well God wants you to have a camera a guess" and hands me another camera. I didnt no what to say or think, i wasnt expecting anything, i just wanted to bless him and God provided. He is amazing and tonight was amazing, I am recieveing more and more of God each day and i LOVE it . Obey God and he will provide!

Love and Trust
DDD