Tag Archives: YWAM Madison

God Is Opening My Eyes to the Truth — Elisante’s Testimony

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by Elisante, BSN student, from Tanzania

I first heard of Bible School for the Nations from Joshua S., (BSN leader in Australia) and a team he led to Tanzania in March 2008. I translated for them when they ran a BELT seminar in Arusha. I liked the teachings, as they were deeply based on what the Bible said. They helped us dig into the Bible and showed unity in the old and new testaments.

I was excited!

I had been staffing DTS in YWAM Tanzania and pastoring a church. I taught the word of God to youth in churches and  conferences and taught Bible classes in schools. I also translated for several speakers as they taught from the Bible, mainly from English to Swahili. But I wanted to get more knowledge of the Word of God. There were questions that I couldn’t find answers to. I wanted to know about the law, if Adam and Eve had any choice, or if they were just going to sin anyway, and so many more.

As I prayed more about it, I knew I needed the BSN to give me more time to study, understand, and apply God’s Word. I applied for BSN Australia twice, but could not get there because of visas. I also tried to go to Nepal and Norway, but couldn’t get through because of visas and financial difficulties. I then applied to come to Madison!

Getting to the States was not easy. I needed so many documents to show the embassy that I am a “good” person and that I would return to Tanzania after BSN. Once I had all of the documents together, I thought I would apply for just myself. Bringing my wife and two young kids would be so expensive. Besides, the people at the embassy told me that it would be impossible for me to get the short term visa with my family.

When I told this to Manuel (BSN leader in Madison), he explained from God’s perspective the importance of bringing my family. Still, I applied for just myself.

When that application was also denied, I applied with my family. One week before the school began, we were all granted visas to USA!

My family had visas, but no money to purchase tickets. People all over the world prayed for us and some gave gifts of money so we could come. And here we are. God is so good, Bwana Asifiwe!

To be in the BSN and learn has been the greatest experience ever! God is giving me a lot of understanding of His word and His plan for mankind. He’s showing me that He  wants the Bible to be understood. He is opening my eyes to the truth.

I want to go back to Africa after my BSN and serve the Lord, teaching the truth in the church. I also want to translate the BSN teaching in Swahili, work with the BELT team in the Congo, and maybe even bring the BSN to Africa. In anything I do, I want to see  people, pastors, and ministers of the word have a deeper understanding of the Bible. I want to share to other people the truth that is setting me free, that way we may also disciple the Nations.

Many people I know in Africa have limited understanding of the word of God. They love God, they are in the Church, but they don’t know God. I want to play my part, even though it’s a small part, to make God know. I started that by going to the Congo for out BSN outreach in January!

* Read Elisante’s story from the Congo: Is there hope for the Congo?.

Is there hope for the Congo?

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by Elisante S., BSN student from Tanzania
Congo

When we arrived at the Ibambi village, we were welcomed by many people celebrating our arrival. People and children happily danced. “God bless you!” they sang.

"The only way to stop the enemy from snatching the lives of the kids in the Congo is to teach the people the Truth, the Word of God." -- Elisante in Ibambi, DR Congo

My outreach team from Bible School for the Nations was beginning the first in a series of three yearly seminars about relationship with God, how God has called us to live, and how to transform our society to be like His kingdom. The seminar is called “BELT,” Bible Education and Leadership Training.

I could see in the peoples’ eyes their expectation and hope. The welcoming was so touching; it brought tears to my eyes to see these people giving us all this honor. It was like they wanted us to know that we finally brought what they had been looking for for so long.

Last year, epidemics tore through Ibambe. So many children were lost. Some families lost up to four kids, others lost all the children they had. The children I saw were almost naked and poorly fed. They always carried their younger siblings strapped to their backs. Many of the families had been large and the parents struggled to care for all their children.

This place is full of poverty but it should not be that way. The land is rich! Yet even the school and health care center we visited were so very poor. Last year’s disaster could have, should have, been prevented–what about next year?

Elisante in Ibambi, DR Congo

My heart was broken. I lost hope. I thought it was impossible to even want to come back here next year. What if I return only to discover another epidemic wiped out these beautiful little children? As I spent my free time with the kids, teaching them Tanzanian Swahili songs, I prayed for them. Even as I praised God, I asked him in honesty, “Is there any hope?”

God worked in my heart while we were in Ibambi. He restored my hope and helped me see answers. I know there is a lot that can been done in the Congo. The only way to stop the enemy from snatching the lives of the kids in the Congo is to teach the people the Truth, the Word of God.

It is going to take God’s principles being applied to see kids being valued, loved and brought up in the right way. We need to know the values that God has for people, knowing God for who He is will bring transformation and kids will be safe.

I believe that the BELT seminar will bring transformation and revival. I want to keep coming back to the Congo to run these BELT seminars and outreaches to train leaders who will reach others!

I left a piece of my heart on that street

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by Kenzie K, DTS student
Kolkata, India 

Playing with kids on the streets of India

On the streets in Kolkata, I’m overwhelmed by my surroundings:
Dogs itching, horns honking, children running, and never-ending noise.
A child runs up and takes my hand, looks up at me, beams, eyes glowing.

I smile back, and quickly turn, afraid of my emotions overflowing.

Another runs up, arms extended, and I scoop her up.
She presses her dark hair against my face, arms around my neck.
I sit on a curb and hold her and hold her, position never changing.
Although she didn’t understand me, I sang to her Bible songs, quoted scripture to her, and prayed, while she silently sat and ran a finger through my hair.

My surroundings fade and I’m captivated in the moment.
I don’t want to ever let go.

We walk further and further down the streets, and still she clings.
Occasionally shifting her eyes on me and smiling, then laying her head back down.

It’s time to say goodbye and I see where she lives,
a section of sidewalk on a busy city street.
An old tarp makes up her bed, with nothing to protect her from the outside world.

As I walk away, I look over my shoulder and she’s standing there blank faced, waving.

I leave a piece of my heart on that street in Kolkata that day.

“See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in Heaven always see the face of my Father in Heaven…Your Father in Heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.” Matthew 18:10,14

Jesus Speaks the Truth — Corrie’s Testimony

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by Corrie, DTS student
Bangkok, Thailand 

Corrie -- YWAM Madison DTS student

Our final three nights teaching at A-Mane English Center, my team took the opportunity to present the gospel. We created a skit that would share the story about the woman at the well (John 4). I also felt like I should share my testimony of what God has been doing in my life.

I had never shared such personal things in front of a group like this. I was so nervous!

In the skit, we acted out lies that people begin to believe about themselves and showed how Jesus wants to replace those lies with the truth. This skit felt like it was taken right out of my own life. Once the final strains of the song, “The Struggle,” ended, I stepped forward and began to share….

Growing up in a Christian home didn’t keep me from believing many lies about myself, my value, and how God saw me.

I believed I was ugly, that my beauty depended on the number I weighed on the scale. I thought people didn’t really like me and they didn’t want me around. I didn’t pursue friendships because I assumed others would want someone else to be their friend instead of me. I couldn’t see that I was valuable simply because God made me.

English class with Thai kids

The crazy thing is, I knew the truth about many of these things in my head, but not in my heart.

I didn’t want to let God work in my heart because I didn’t trust Him. I was afraid that if I made any sort of mistake, I would go to hell. I “knew” God loved me, but most of the time I thought he was mad at me, just waiting for me to mess up. I didn’t see God as a loving father who encourages me or helps me when I fall down. I didn’t believe that God would help me do the right thing. And I believed that what he wanted for me would always be the opposite of what I wanted.

A big change has taken place in my life through coming to DTS! From the first day, God started chipping away at the lies I’ve held onto for so long. I felt like God was saying to me “you are my child” over and over. I can’t explain exactly how, but God began to show me that I was believing lies. I slowly realized that God is not always angry at me. I can’t earn his love by being perfect. He has saved me. He wants to just be my Dad. He wants me to trust him.

God is there to help me when I mess up. It’s like I’m a baby learning to walk. My dad wouldn’t yell at me after I fall over, but would encourage me to keep trying. Dad would help me up and hold me close. The same is true with God. I’ve realized God just wants time with me. He wants my heart.

Getting past lies I’ve believed about myself doesn’t happen overnight. Even during DTS and here on outreach, I’ve felt alone or unwanted. But last week, a wise person told me that I needed to learn to like myself. I realize just how true that is! Putting myself down is not the way God loves me. As I read scripture and pray it for myself, God is changing my perspective.

I am learning to be myself, to love people without assuming they do not want my love. When it comes to beauty, I am believing that I am made in the image of God. I know that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I am trying to learn to even eat in a way that brings Him honor. I am a creation of God, and I am trying to see myself and my body in that way. I wish I could make all these lies be gone by tomorrow, but changing my views of myself is a process, a battle. I’m thankful that in Christ, “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, we have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” II Corinthians 10:4.

When I finished sharing from my own life and telling the kids that God loves them no matter what, we did a project together about Truth. We wanted them to learn how God sees them. Some of the kids said that they understood how I felt when I was acting in the play. Some of them knew about Jesus already, but many did not.

One of the boys asked, “Do you really see Jesus?” and “Why did Jesus have to die for us?” and “So all you have to do is believe in Him?”

It was such a blessing to be able to use the work God is doing in my life, to show the kids how He loves them that much too!

“If I want to understand Western economics I have to study the Bible”

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by Manuel, BSN Madison Director
Tokyo, Japan 

YWAM Madison visits Chi Alpha University of Tokyo

The team introduces themselves at the Chi Alpha Student Center, Tokyo Japan.

We were full of expectation as we entered through the old gate of the University of Tokyo. What an honor it was to teach a Bible study in partnership with Chi Alpha at the most influential university on the Pacific Rim. Students enrolled at the University of Tokyo have prepared all their lives to be at this school. Even as young kids they had to be in the right school to have a shot at studying at the University of Tokyo. This is the school that produces the leaders of Asian society.

God had led our team to prepare a teaching series on “Identity in Christ.” Today, Mark L. was going to teach on the value and purpose of people. People were visibly challenged by the message and almost everyone stayed after the Bible study to have lunch with us.

During lunch, I spoke with Makiko who is getting her PhD in Economics to be an economics professor. She is writing her dissertation on the economic relationship between China and Japan. To me that is one of the most interesting topics anyone could research as this is not just about economics and business but also how to deal with a strained relationship, deep seated hatred, and mistrust in a business climate.

As we talked about what she was finding I asked her how long she had been a Christian. I was surprised when she responded: “Oh, I am not a Christian yet but I have been studying the Bible for over a year. My professor told me that if I want to understand Western economics I have to study the Bible.”

I asked her if she had come across anything about economics in the Bible yet and she said that she had not. We talked a bit more about morality in the West and its biblical roots. But what really caught her interest was when I told her about the economic principles that God gave his people in Deuteronomy such as the limiting of debt, interest rates, how to love the poor of the nation, and how to empower them to get out of poverty. We exchanged info and I told her that I would send her more material on economics in the Bible.

What a privilege it was to talk to Makiko about the things that the God of Creation had to say about her field of study. May she come to know this wonderful God and may her work help break down the walls of animosity between China and Japan.

Love — even when you’re not loved back

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Working with an unreached people group in Creel
by Emily B, DTS student
Creel, Mexico
January 20-February 3, 2013

Emily makes crafts with a Creel girl

So many thoughts and images came to mind as soon as I learned that we would work with a boarding school for two weeks! We were with the Tarahumara people who live on the cold yet beautiful mountain side deep in Mexico. In many of the villages, schools are too far away for the children to attend, so this boarding school offers them the chance of a better future!

As we spent time with the kids, we taught them more about who God is. We made crafts and even planned two parties–a Carnival and a Friendship party–to celebrate the friendship of Jesus!

Although I knew that culturally the children, especially the girls, would be very reserved, I wasn’t prepared for how it felt. They barely acknowledged us that first week. At first, I felt frustrated that nothing we were saying or doing would make a difference. I wanted to play with them! I wanted to hear them giggle and respond to me! Why wouldn’t they?

I read a book called The White Umbrella: Walking with Survivors of Sex Trafficking (Little Libraries) which helped me understand God’s heart in this situation. I saw how important it was to love when there’s no sign it’s making a difference. I learned I should choose to be kind even when the choice isn’t mutual. To choose to make sacrifices even when they’re not acknowledged. To step out and keep putting your heart on the line because that’s what love is: loving others when it hurts.

That’s the heart of Jesus! That’s the love my Savior shows to his people everyday. And that’s exactly the kind of love these kids need to be modeled to them, but one of the hardest things to do. Even though I don’t understand the deep roots of their culture, I know that Jesus does. His love can break through barriers to reach the heart.

The Carnival party at the end of the first week was one of the first times we saw the kids laughing and playing.

While I was with these kids, I saw even more how God loves all the individuals in this people group. He wants more than anything to bring His kingdom to them. He was so faithful in showing me how to patiently love them right where they were. I am so honored to serve a God of all peoples.

Being the tangible love of Christ

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by Jordan, DTS student
Thailand

We had just finished yet another wonderful day at the drop in center, when Florence (one of the staff) asked me if I’d like to accompany her on her regular hospital visit. She said we would be praying for people who had tuberculosis and HIV. I excitedly accepted and prepared my things to leave.

DTS student, Jordan, and some nurses visit with patients in a Thai mountain village

We picked up some nurses at the hospital, and to my surprise, kept going. (Language barrier strikes again!) I wondered what would come next as we rode higher into the mountains.

The view was breathtaking: lush forest and majestic mountains rose before my eyes. I could smell a mixture of tropical fruit and food cooking in the homes and markets around. The warm air was soft against my face. Behind us, the dirt road created clouds of dust as the vehicle sped up the mountain.

We stopped abruptly at the top of the village, where all I could see were colorful tin roofs. I had the sense from the Holy Spirit that this was a significant moment, and that I would learn about being the tangible love of Christ–that it was more important than words.

We walked down the hill to a small hut and knocked at the door. A man came out who was partially blind and had tuberculosis. The nurses gave him the medicine, then asked if I had anything to say.

I felt a nudge from the Holy Spirit, so I shared about the love of Christ with this man. His whole demeanor changed! We laid hands on his eyes and prayed for healing to his body and peace into his life. The image of his smile and brightened expression is imprinted on my heart!

Florence and I then rode to an even smaller hut. I noticed was how dark it was inside. In the darkness, I saw a woman sitting on the ground separating the seeds from a fruit she called “the sweet fruit.”

“This woman is completely blind,” Florence had told me. “She and her and her husband are living with HIV. They have a 7-year-old daughter who tested negative.”

I introduced myself to the woman and we began to talk. I asked her questions about her life and her dreams. She told me she had been fully blind for about a year, and though the doctors had said there was no chance for her to be healed, she said she had full faith in the healing power of Jesus. I was honored to be in the presence of such a faithful woman of God.

We prayed for healing for her eyes. I shared that we must keep believing that God is good and He can make beauty from ashes. As Florence took me back to our home, I silently praised God for choosing me to be his hugs and laughs and friends to these people.

He loved a broken man and woman through me and I am filled with thankfulness and awe.

The Gift of Warmth: Life-saving blankets in Nepal

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by Kenzie, DTS student
Nepal

Nepali girl smiles

A Nepali girl smiles

I’m sitting on a bench surrounded by 34 families–grandmothers, mothers, and children of all ages–who are staring at our team and probably wondering what will happen next.

We’re here among the emancipated slaves of the Kamaiya people. For hundreds of years, they served their masters for no pay. Now, they are free. But few have a place to live and many find themselves homeless in the jungles along the Nepal/India border. Several hundred people in this region have died from the cold this winter already. Many have told us it is the coldest winter they can remember.

blankets for distribution

Purchasing blankets for distribution

That’s why these 34 families have come out on this cold and foggy day in the jungle of Nepal for clothes and blankets.

Our impromptu presentation begins as Abi strums some chords on the guitar and, at the foothills of the Himalayan mountains, we sing, “We want to see Jesus lifted high.” A few of us share short testimonies of how God has been changing our lives these last several months.

After dancing with us, the kids lined up while we scrambled to get the clothes ready to distribute. I looked at the number of children and the amount of clothes we had to give. I wondered if we would have to turn some people away.

balloon animalsBut the Lord truly worked a miracle and we had enough clothes for all 40 kids! The balloon animals then came out and the children’s eyes lit up as they giggled and marveled over their creatures.

While the children played, we each got a turn placing one of the heavy blankets in the women’s arms. The women were so thankful and they were beaming. Just one of these thick blankets is big enough to cover 3-4 people. One blanket could save a small family!

Blanket distribution

James gives a Kamaiyan woman a blanket, which will help keep her family warm this winter.

I’ll never forget looking around and seeing the individual faces, the relief in the women’s eyes, and delight in the children’s.

As families started to leave, many came over to thank us, but we knew that the Lord deserves the thanks. The way he provided for this day is such a testimony of His goodness and love towards His people. We are so thankful that He allowed us to be a part of His work. And we’re also so grateful to the many people back home who donated funds so we could purchase these life saving items!

Blanket and clothing distribution

Blanket and clothing distribution

Inspired to Look to God

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by Marlo, DTS Student
Soroti, Uganda 

Last week we paired up to work shifts at a home for children from various backgrounds, including some with or affected by HIV/AIDS. It’s hard to put into words what this time meant to me, but I know my life won’t ever be the same.

walking with some of the kids in Uganda

Walking with some of the kids in Uganda

There were ten babies, a few toddlers, and four pre-teen girls. Some of the children were only at the home because of temporary family problems, but the other children’s stories were more horrific.

A few children were at the home because one parent murdered the other and went to jail. Some lost their family to the LRA, a rebel army in northern Uganda known for kidnapping children to become soldiers and killing whole villages indiscriminately. Another child was severely sexually abused and brought to the home at age 6 months with many health problems.

But one girl stood out to me the most, thirteen-year-old Ruth (name changed). Her story is long and it includes arranged marriages, rape, and murder. It ends with Ruth living here and caring for the baby she gave birth to when she was twelve.

It’s hard to imagine even one of those things happening to an adult, let alone all of that to the same person before age twelve. Even though she never got the chance to be a child, Ruth’s smile is full of youthfulness and delight. Christ has transformed her heart and He is healing her from the wounds she’s suffered at others’ hands.

Today, Ruth is a spirited, vibrant, and friendly young woman. She delights in everything around her. And she remembers to look up. Up past the wall in front of her, past the things she has to face, past her circumstances. Up to God.

Her perseverance and joy are an inspiration to me. Ruth reminds me not to get caught up in my own circumstances–I can get so overwhelmed by the troubles around me. Her endurance inspired me to always look to God for his perspective, for his heart toward me.

My Butterfly Effect

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by Rieneke, DTS student
Creel, Mexico 

Norma's Mariposa

Here in Creel, it is freezing except in places where the sun beams down on you. All around me are Tarahumaran kiddos in their colorful clothes. We’ve been helping with a children’s home. Before we came, we were told that Tarahumarans are really shy and reserved, so we shouldn’t expect much interaction with these children. On top of that, Spanish is their second language, my third. As you can imagine, communication has been a challenge for us! But these children keep surprising me.

We threw a birthday party for the woman who runs the children’s home and organized a carnival for all the kids. The kids were super enthusiastic while playing the carnival games we set up. They stopped being shy and reserved and even smiled at us!

But of all the things I’ve experienced here, what touched me most was my interaction with one little girl while I painted a butterfly on her face.

“What’s your name?” I asked her.

“Norma,” she answered softly.

Norma wanted a mariposa (butterfly).

While painting her face, I wondered about Norma’s past. Before coming here, I had heard that it was common for a girl of the Tarahumaran peoples to be sexually molested at the age of five. Looking into her beautiful face, I couldn’t imagine anyone hurting her–it was too shocking to me.

Norma smiles because the brush tickles her face, and I smile too. While I outlined the  butterfly’s graceful body, I hope that Norma would be an exception. As I painted the wings I prayed that she would be able to have a good future. After I finished the butterfly, I think I saw how God sees her, beautiful and precious.

I don’t know what her future is going to be like, what scars she has already, what hurts are going to come or what happiness life will bring her, but I know that somehow we touched the life of this little girl on that day, and changed it. Why? Because we showed a small part of God’s joy and God’s love for her. That is why I came here, why I don’t care about the cold or not having everything I want, not having my own space. Because I believe that we do make a difference and touch their lives; we plant a little seed of hope.

I trust that God has an amazing plan for her life, and I know that He made her free, just as a butterfly.