Category Archives: Bible Schools

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?.

Worship in Any Language

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by Ben, BSN student

Manuel plays worship music in Tokyo's Anime district

I was in awe again while my team was worshipping God alongside our new friends in Japan. We were singing the same songs, us in English and them in Japanese. While the literal translation may have been different there’s one thing that remains the same no matter what: the love & joy it brings God to hear his children worship Him.

The Congo is Open to Truth

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by Elisante, BSN student
Ibambi, DR Congo

Elisante, Asaino-Joseph - YWAM Bible School outreach to Congo

Elisante and Asaino-Joseph

Asaino Joseph was the oldest man who came to the seminar in Ibambi, DRC. He was always on time, being brought by motorcycle as he couldn’t walk properly. He sat at the back, always taking notes, asking questions, and engaging in group discussion.

One day in the middle of teaching called “Command to Mission,” Asaino came up front.

“I will go to Tanzania!” he said, overjoyed. “If this man from Tanzania, went to America, and come to the Congo to bring us the good news, I will also go to Tanzania.”

He then invited me to his home, where he told me his story.

Asaino Joseph is a son of an evangelist in the same church where he was a pastor for more than 50 years. He grew up in the church his whole life.

“At 82 years old, all my life I have never received any teaching like the BELT seminar teaching!” he told me. “This is the kind of teaching that the Congo needs. I wish I was still young. I am old and my body is weak, but my spirit is strong. I hope the young people here will put into practice what they have learned.”

He cried the whole time he told me his story and the things that God was opening his eyes and heart to.

He promised to keep praying and teaching the truth to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, (he has more than 500 of them).

“I will keep praying for the Congo, and Tanzania, and for you, Elisante,” he said.

In Asaino Joseph and in the other 93 graduates of the seminar, I saw signs that revival is coming to the Congo.

God is up to something great in the Congo! The people I met, the pastors, and other community leaders are getting ready. They are receptive to the Word of God, the are hungry and thirsty for righteousness. They openly confess their sins, they are ready to take responsibility as the church, and as leaders.

Looking in, the Congo might look closed because of her wars and other problems, but if you will go inside, you will know that the Congo is open to the truth.

I know I will continue to go to the Congo to declare the truth, to bring them the light, the Word of God, that they may wake up and shine the light in the Congo, in Africa and all over the world.

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!

Flying Shotgun

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by Jamie S., BSN student
Ibambi, Democratic Republic of Congo

After forty hours of travel and an overnight in the Entebee, Uganda airport, it was finally time to board our last plane to the Congo. The African heat greeted us as we made our way onto the runway to our small 9 passenger plane. I sat in the back and was about to buckle when the pilot asked if anyone wanted to ride up front in the co-pilot seat. I couldn’t say yes or jump out of the plane fast enough! Of course I wanted to ride shotty!!! I climbed aboard and strapped myself in. At this point, I could barely contain my excitement and had a ridiculously large smile plastered on my face (that remained with me the rest of the flight).

We took off and I gazed down at God’s beautiful creation. Tears streamed down my face as I just kept thinking, “Who is this God I serve? And how is it that the Creator of the universe cares for me? Thank you Papa. Thank you for this wonderful gift!”

The view was spectacular. We flew over mountains, lakes, rivers, and miles and miles of jungle land. Once we passed through the clouds I became even more enamored with the beauty that surrounded me.

All along I’m still streaming thoughts of thanks toward God. “Thank you for letting me witness your creation from in the front of the plane, thank you for allowing me to know you and to make you known, thank you for allowing me to come to the Congo to represent you!”

Then a voice broke through my reverie.

“Would you like to fly the plane?” the pilot asked.

I thought he was joking. Nope. After a quick lesson he gave me complete control of the plane.

I was flying!

I was flying the plane into the Congo!

Jamie flies "shotgun"

Somehow I think the smile on my face got even bigger as I wove in and out of the clouds! What a great day and great start to our outreach.

I flew until we neared our destination. As the pilot dipped the plane below the clouds, I gazed over the land once more. “This is your country, Lord, and these are your people,” I thought. “Go with us Lord. Help us bring the truth into this place. Transform hearts the way you have transformed mine. Thank you for this opportunity.”

We descended further. All I could see were trees. I wondered where we would land when suddenly a little dirt airstrip appeared and we landed in the middle of the jungle. We were here. We made it to Ibambi.

“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.

Healing Prayers in Nepal

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by Jackie, BSN Student. Photos by Jackie.
Nepal 

One of the women in the seminar cries out to God for inner healing.

After class one day in the Bible seminar, the staff held a prayer meeting for the participants. Each person there felt God’s presence in different, specific ways. Some were healed of physical pain, others of emotional pain. Some students felt joy that they hadn’t known in a long time, or were able to release anger that had been building up inside. What was going to be a short prayer time turned into a two hour session that ended up with people dancing for joy outside!

I interviewed some of the staff and students to get their unique perspectives. Here’s what they said:

“God told me that He knows about my sickness. He heard my prayers and healed me,” said Gita, one of the female participants.

Mary (from YWAM Idaho) prays with one of the students

Diana, who had been teaching, said “I just knew that God wanted to heal. Not just physically, but also within their hearts. I cried out for God to change the fear, anxiety and doubt these men and women had in their lives. And then the presence of God came so heavily. It wasn’t scary. It was safe. He was filling and overflowing into all of their lives.”

Genae said, “As we started to pray, I felt like God spoke to me to gently place my hand on each of the girls and ask for God’s felt presence to fill them. As I did this, I noticed that they would begin to cry. God was breaking through walls in their hearts. It was as if I was all able to help them feel God’s love.”

“The air felt thick,” said Michael. “I felt like if I jumped, I could swim in it! But it was so peaceful. I asked the Lord: ‘Who can I pray for and bless with your words?’ God brought a young man to my attention, so I prayed for him. I told him that God was really proud of him and loved him so deeply, that God saw how brave he was. Later, I found out that the prayers broke through a lot of his anger. It was then that he finally believed in God’s love.”

dancing for joy

The seminar participants dance for joy of what God did in their lives during the 2-week seminar.

“That morning, while Michael and I prayed for the class time, specific words came to mind: power, presence, and celebration. Once we started to pray with the seminar participants in the class, the atmosphere changed drastically. God’s presence felt so strong in the center of the room, I felt like I couldn’t even walk near to it! I felt like the King of Glory was literally in the middle of the room and so I began praising and worshipping Him. It was radical. All of the participants were crying out to the Lord and feeling him heal things in their hearts and lives. During all of this I was reminded that there was a time for mourning and a time for dancing. So at the end, we brought all the students outside and we all began to sing and dance. The atmosphere turned to pure joy. Villagers gathered and watched as the students let the excitement flow. I was so satisfied because God met us all.”

Throughout this time, God did mighty things. Some people were healed, others had new revelations of God’s love and were taken to a new depth with Him. He filled the room and spoke to everyone in new ways.

A student named Maya, summed it up well: “God told me in that time He touched everyone’s heart. He says that we are all changed.”

When the righteous cry out, the Lord hears – Nepal

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by Jackie, Bible School for the Nations student
Nepal

“When the righteous cry out, The Lord hears.” (Psalm 34:17)

Genae, YWAM BELT / BSN staff, prays for the participants in the 3 week seminar on Biblical Education and Leadership Training. Photo by Jackie.

It is day three of the Transformation of the Heart seminar in Nepal. Genae has been teaching on the greatness, or nature, of God. She ends her time talking about fear. She asks all forty-seven participants who are soon to become pastors, both male and female, to speak to God and hear from him about fears they need to cast aside.

BELT participant in Nepal prays. Photo by Jackie.

Silence fills the tiny one room church. I begin to pray, and the Holy Spirit feels so evident. Team member Michael received a word of the Lord in the morning for this day: Presence. And it was true. I can feel God filling up the entire room. Slowly we hear the sounds of cries and sobs slip out from many bowed heads in the room. Whispered prayers echo out of lips. And slowly the prayers grow louder and louder. They are filled with desperation but they are strong. There is no self consciousness, just pure openness and honesty with The Lord.

I cannot understand what their Nepali prayers are saying, but I could feel their urgency.  They all want and need God. Minutes upon minutes pass by but the strength of the prayers continue.

“We thank you, Lord, that as we gain more understanding of your love, our fears our cast aside,” prays Genae. “That is the greatness of our God. He hears all of our prayers at the same time, even in a place of fear. He is with us, every one of us.”

Even as she ends her teaching, the prayers are still crying out for a long time. And God continues to listen.

He is the still small whisper with us, just as he was with Elijah. And He is moving in Nepal.

The Bible is Mine Now

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by Ben, Bible School for the Nations student, Children at Risk DTS graduate

The YWAM Bible School for the Nations has meant a lot of things to me since it began about six weeks ago. I’ve had a safe community to sort through my questions. The biggest thing for me has been that my belief in the Bible is no longer just because of what my pastor/parents/authority figure told me–my belief in the Bible is completely mine!

It’s mine not because I just learned more in class, but because I’m coming to know one of the greatest books ever written more personally than I ever thought I would have a chance to!

This book is filled with every emotion expressed by mankind and God alike. Now I no longer see the Bible as portraying a God who is distant, dictator-like, or inhuman.

Do I think I’ll know everything about the Bible at the end of the school? Absolutely not. Will I know more than I ever expected? Definitely!

I encourage you to pray and look into the Bible education courses that YWAM offers, not just because you’ll know the Bible more but I truly believe that you will have an improved understanding of the God you love and worship.

Losing a few hours of sleep to grow closer to God!

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by Tori, Bible School for the Nations student

Tori (left) - YWAM Bible School student (BSN)

Well, here I am, sitting in the classroom, going over every detail of the last four weeks, and thinking to myself, “What did I get myself into this time?”

I love the places God is taking me, even if it means losing a few hours of sleep here and there. In the end, it’s totally worth it!

So far in the BSN (Bible School for the Nations), we have read through the books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Job, Ruth (and Deuteronomy by the end of next week). Talk about gettin’ down to business!

These first four weeks have flown by so fast. I have learned so much and I am growing so much deeper in my relationship with God. Looking back at the Old Testament, I see God in new and amazing ways.

So often people see two Gods of the Bible: the angry and wrathful God of the Old Testament and the loving and good God of the New Testament. However, God never changes (Hebrews 13:8) and while it may seem all fire and brimstone, in reality God is just as merciful, loving, and good in the Old Testament as He is in the New Testament.

We looked at Exodus 20:18-21 and asked God to show us His perspective of the story. Talk about eye-opening.

God had just brought the children of Israel out of Egypt, shown His greatness and love for them, and when He asked them to come up to the mountain to hear Him speak to them, they refused and sent Moses in their stead! Heart breaking :(

But God doesn’t give up on them, nor does He wipe them out. He continues to love them and lead them.

Love and Blessings,

~Tori