So I've been living the YWAM lifestyle for almost a month now and what a lifestyle it is! Everyone who's ever been a YWAMer (no matter what base) seems to know everyone else, there are little kids running around everywhere and people don't ask where you're from, but where you've been. And guess what? I like it! The atmosphere here is always buzzing and brimming with a sense of community and purpose. Every time I walk down to the dining area, these words are waiting for me on the wall, just incase I, or anyone else, forgets what this place is all about.
Ok, so on to the reason for my post. I'm guessing that a lot of you are wondering what life is like here at the base for me. You may have asked me on Facebook how I'm doing, or maybe asked my parents and I'm sure I/they have told you good things, but can that really give you a clear picture of my day to day experiences? Not really. So, I thought you might appreciate a glimpse into my average week. First I'll give you my schedule as it appears in my handbook and then break each thing down if it needs explaining. (this could get lengthy!)
MONDAY
6:30-7:15: breakfast
7:30-8:45: personal quiet time (dts devotion optional)
9:00-10:00: worship/intercession
10:30-12:30: lecture
12:30-1:30: lunch
1:30-3:15: lecture
3:30-5:00: campus contributions
5:30-6:15: dinner
TUESDAY
6:30-7:15: breakfast
7:30-8:45: personal quiet time (dts devotion optional)
9:00-12:30: lecture
12:30-1:30: lunch
1:30-3:30: study time
3:30-5:00: campus contributions
5:30-6:15: dinner
WEDNESDAY
6:30-7:15: breakfast
7:30-8:45: personal quiet time (dts devotion optional)
9:00-10:00: lecture
10:30-12:00: worship/intercession
12:30-1:30: lunch
1:30-3:15: lecture
3:30-5:00: campus contributions
5:30-6:15: dinner
Wednesday is also the day we clean our room, because Thursday is room inspection day. They are very picky here!
THURSDAY:
6:30-7:15: breakfast
7:30-8:45: personal quiet time (dts devotion optional)
9:00-10:00: GAP groups
10:15-12:30: lecture
12:30-1:30: lunch
1:30-3:15: small groups
3:30-5:00: campus contributions
5:30-6:15: dinner
6:30-8:00: community night (once a month)
FRIDAY
6:30-7:15: breakfast
7:30-8:45: personal quiet time (dts devotion optional)
9:00-10:00: bible teaching
10:15-12:30: worship/processing time
12:30-1:30: lunch
1:30-3:15: free time
3:30-5:00: campus contributions
5:30-6:15: dinner
WEEKENDS
Weekends are pretty relaxed around the base. All that's really planned are meals. Otherwise you can do as you please. You're expected to go to church. After trying out several, I've decided to make the Springs Church my temporary place of worship. During the weekends, I catch up on homework, watch movies with friends and go out and see what Colorado Springs has to offer, like this neat Christian coffee shop called Jives with delicious drinks and live music. A few weeks ago, we also went to Garden of the Gods, a beautiful mountain trail. Here's one of my favourite shots from the outing.
Ok, so now for the details:
Breakfast: The first week I decided to diligently get myself out of bed at 6:30 so I could be down in the dining area in enough time to scarf down a bowl of cereal, but then I got a cold. I decided sleep was more necessary than the most important meal of the day, so I decided to pass until I recovered. I'm well now and it's still not happening. I usually grab some fruit in my room. (I hope the almond milk I bought doesn't go bad)
Personal quiet time/Morning devotions: This is a time the base has strategically set aside for us to just sit and be alone with God. I know it's probably a strange concept for most, even for Christians. You can read your bible, listen to worship music or just wait and listen for what He wants to say. To get a little more creative with this, I started attending the morning devotions that the dts holds. These are times when we are led as a group in a way to do quiet time: thinking on a passage of scripture, writing something to God etc. I've really enjoyed what God has shown me through this time so far and hope I can keep it up once I'm out of dts.
Lecture: this is pretty self explanatory, but I thought I'd tell you a bit of what our lectures are about. Just as I've stated earlier in this blog, the topics that I'll be covering include God's heart for the nations, spiritual warfare, the father heart of God, hearing His voice, things like that. We have one speaker a week. So far we have had a speaker on hearing the voice of God, the fear of the Lord and building your character in God (which includes the father heart of God). Each speaker has challenged me in such incredible ways and presents their material so uniquely. I think it's going to be hard to pick a favourite!
Worship/intercession: We have this on Mondays and Wednesdays with the whole base and Fridays just with our class. I'm sure most everyone is familiar with what worship is (if you're not, feel free to drop me a line!), but intercession is something people probably don't know so much about. The concept is basically asking God what He wants us to pray for and then praying it back. So, the leadership team will often pray before one of these times and it will be on their heart to pray for India for example. Then after some time of worship, to get into God's presence, we will all pray for them as well, letting God guide our prayers through scripture references we get, mental pictures or just burdens. It's an odd concept if you are not used to it, but it's amazing to see how the power of prayer really works and the way God really wants to show you His heart for a nation or people group.
Campus contributions: This is a fancy name for work duties. I'm on housekeeping with about six other people. Our job is to keep the base clean for those living and visiting. Our jobs range from vaccuuming the halls, cleaning guestrooms to cleaning public bathrooms. I don't think I've spent so much time in a boys bathroom before! The experience is humbling, cleaning places that aren't yours without return. I think it'll be good for me.
GAP groups: I haven't had much experience with these yet, so you'll have to bare with me. These groups focus on the nations, mainly the outreach location we will be visiting (still to be determined). In the groups, we will be learning about culture and ways we can reach the people. I believe there will be some intercession involved as the name "gap" refers to "standing in the gap" for someone else.
Small groups: These are smaller groups within the dts (made up of a single gender). They are designed to create close relationships and go deeper into specific topics that the people in them want to know more about. There is a free range in small groups. We can do whatever we want, but it's really about being real with each other and building others up.
Processing time: This is a time for the class to be together after the speaker has left to talk about what they liked, didn't like or have questions about. It's a time to just debrief before moving onto the next phase of teaching. It's good to hear what other people think of things because it gives you new insight which you might not have had if there hadn't been a time to share it.
Well I think I've covered almost everything! I left a few out like bible study and meal times because I think those speak for themselves. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email me at kathleenf29@hotmail.com. Congratulations for making it through this one. I know I'm congratulating myself.
Thanks for reading,
God bless!
Kathleen
