My Call To DTS

Well, after the months of waiting, I leave for my DTS in Ukraine in close to two weeks! The past year has been an incredible journey for me as I have made the decision to pursue what God is doing in my life, and in YWAM Kyiv.

Last year I had an incredible opportunity to go on a short term missions trip with YWAM Orlando to Ukraine, and the second I heard about the opportunity, I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that God wanted me on that trip. Going into that trip, I was preparing to apply to several colleges that I wanted to attend, and a DTS was not really on the table for me at the time.

This experience was amazing for me, and stretched me and grew me in several different areas. From the second I got to Kyiv I felt immediately at home. The feeling only grew as the trip went on, and by the end of the trip, I was strongly considering a DTS. Although I was a little hesitant at first, I knew that this was what God wanted for me and I decided to attend the Fall Semester for YWAM Kyiv's DTS.

Over the past year, my excitement has grown every day, and I feel very ready for this experience. While there are going to be several challenges, I feel strongly that this is where I'm meant to be:)

For those of you who don't know, a DTS (Discipleship Training School) is a school done through YWAM (Youth With A Mission) that has a lecture phase, and then follows it up with an opportunity to "do the stuff" and reach out to the world. There will be a lecture phase from September to December, and then we will be doing Outreach until February. The lecture phase will be done in Kyiv, and our Outreach locations will be Moldova and Romania:)

I would really appreciate prayer for this upcoming opportunity and I appreciate all the support you guys have already given me:) I have already purchased most of my cold weather clothes (which for a guy who has spent pretty much his entire life in Florida, was no small task), and I am beginning the process of finding a way to bring what I need for 6 months in a suitcase (also a little difficult at times). Please pray for patience over the next couple weeks!:)

For those of you interested in supporting me, you can contact me at 813-295-1051, joshholmes19@gmail.com, or on Facebook. For those of you that already have, thank you SO much:) For the people that have been praying for me and encouraging me, it means more than you know. And I'm really not just saying that, it makes a difference. I recently came across a Ukrainan proverb that simply states "Fire Begins With Sparks." Which may sound really simple, but God's really speaking that to me. God will take care of the fire. If we just focus on being the sparks, He'll use us in ways that we never though of. Being a spark may mean to me going across the world to share Jesus, but being a spark may also mean praying for and standing with the people going out. We need everyone on the team, not just some parts.  All of you guys are really not only pouring into my life and what God is doing for me, but you're also making a difference in Ukraine, Romania, and Moldova and all the people that we're going to reach. Missions isn't just about the people doing the work, it's also about the people that stand alongside the people in the field. Prayer is a very powerful tool, and we sometimes don't use it enough. So honestly, thank you guys:)

As you can tell from this blog, I'm not an incredible writer. I make mistakes. I'm an imperfect person. I'm not a "superstar christian" or anything like that. I'm honestly just a kid from Florida who wants God to use me however he wants, and wants to change this world however He wants me to. That is why I am going across the world to go on this crazy, awesome (and cold), journey to continue walking in God's plan for my life.

I'll continue posting on this leading up to and throughout the DTS:) Thank you for the support!:)