TO INSPIRE.

By YP '11 and '10

Here are some stories from the last crews of YP students -

OK, I just remembered I should have got everyone to write these out before they went home so I am only now getting them filtering through the facebook but will update them as much as I get them coming back.....

Carly, USA - I really can't begin to describe DTS. Even though I grew up being a Christian pretty much my whole life, every week I sat in class completely blown away by what God was saying to me through the speaker. I went into it with high expectations to be challenged and to grow, and God gave me so much more than that. I never knew God could be so real in my everyday life, and I have such a strong foundation for the rest of my life. Plus, I met the most amazing people from all over the world and went on adventures I never thought I would have. I am so excited now for my future and living out what God has for me, something I have never felt before. Doing a DTS was by far the best decision I have ever made.

Emanuel, Sweden - There is no way I can fully describe how much my life was transformed by doing this school; by meeting our incredible God in ways I could never even imagine. To learn how to hear God’s voice is the most valuable thing I have ever learnt and my life will never be the same again. Today, my life is just too exciting! it is crazy, because I know when God is speaking and through my obedience I can see God move in mighty ways! Thank you God.

Curtis, SK, Canada - DTS was the best thing I’ve ever done. It changed my life. It changed my life because it changed my relationship with God. My relationship with God before DTS was, well, almost non-existent. God to me was like an acquaintance; someone I’d say “hi” to if I bumped into Him on the street, but nothing more. DTS changed that “acquaintance” into an intimate, close, personal, REAL, relationship. I listen to God and He listens to me. Spending time with God is now the most fulfilling, rewarding, and important part of my day. He teaches me, he challenges me, he encourages me, he gives me dreams, and he fills me with hope! Being close to God has changed my life for the better. God wants to change your life. Pursue God. Chase after Him. If you think God is calling you to do a DTS then do it! It may just be the best decision you’ve ever made.

Tirza, Indonesia - DTS for me is a life changing and so challenging. I think I've know God enough before DTS, but I'm totally WRONG. There's so much more from God, and He revealed Himself to me more than I've ever expected. DTS is fun, and it makes me grow so much. It makes me know who I am and who He is. after 2 years dreaming to go for DTS, finally now I finished it.. I'm ready for another new dream now..

Tobi, Denmark - DTS helped me understand the meaning of life, the universe and everything better... you know... It's ben a fun and challenging adventure where God has revealed His unconditional love and mercy to me. I've gained a greater sense of hearing God's voice and understanding His purpose with my life. Me and God are way tighter now and I wanna live my life for Him. So all in all DTS has been a lifechanging experience. Conclusion: Do a DTS in Perth

Evelin, Estonia - DTS is something that turns your world upside down. But its all about the response you give and risks you are willing to take. I always dreamt of having great stories to share what God has done and he was so faithful to bless me with incredible stories. Seeing hundreds of people responding to Jesus, praying for the sick and seeing them healed, playing soccer against feisty women in the middle of nowhere in Mozambique etc. Not only did I found my complete identity in Christ, I was also blessed with new friends for life. You'll never know if you never try and I went across the world and God didn't fail me. The most amazing 6 months of my life.

Gabi, Indonesia - the 6 months in YP was a life changing experience since I can experience God and relate to Him in a way that is totally different than the way I used to know before. Knowing that we can hear hHs voice and that He can do mighty stuff through us just simply rocked my world ! besides that relationships that happened there was just amazing since everyone just become so close to another, its like having a second family.

And a whole stack from the year before -

JB, UK - On DTS, knowledge I have had a long time in my head, sunk very powerfully into my heart. Truths that 'God is good' and that 'He is Love' so easy to say, but seemingly so hard to feel. Not so. God revealed Himself to me so frequently, so powerfully and in such a real way, that the silly things my head used to understand but not feel, have become things my heart cannot fathom, but that I can know in a way so deep it transcends words. One picture comes to mind every time I look back on that 6 months of life change. We went camping one weekend, to the middle of the Australian Outback, and next to a trickling river, we lay under the stars. I cannot describe their sheer beauty! There were so many, that individual stars could not be picked out, that the whole sky was awash with piercing light and despite the darkness we all lay stunned and speechless. And that is who God became to me over DTS. Back home, He was the star that I sometimes saw, hidden behind clouds of distraction and worldliness, and only sometimes did I allow Him to shine on me. But I came to a place where distractions were stripped away, and I lay, for 6 months, stunned and speechless under the pure overwhelming beauty of God's raw presence. It has given me the strength to go anywhere in life, and even if there aren't many 'stars' out, and I cannot feel God as close as I did then, to walk in the truth that He is always there for me, always longing to show Himself to me, and ultimately that He will. I had no idea what to expect coming to DTS, I was blissfully unaware of the powerful heart wrenchingly real way that God was about to meet me. Do it if you want God to touch you deeper than you knew you could be touched, and be empowered to take that realisation to people all over the world who need it. Come to Perth to be set on fire. Come with a heart open for anything to happen, and it probably will.

Dan, UK - It is crazy to think how much God can do in our lives in 6 months! This DTS experience has stretched me and challenged me in so many ways, yet through God's grace and faithfulness He has taught me so much and transformed me. The whole time was filled with revelation after revelation - I don't think we will ever be able to comprehend how HUGE God's love is for us but i know one thing... it is amazing! I realised we serve a God who is more than worth all our lives and we need to keep drawing closer to Him because He will never leave us standing. When i came i was more excited about seeing the beaches of Australia, Mexico's food and making new friends - all of which were awesome, but i came away most thankful for the way God showed up and revealed Himself to me.

Alex, Northern Ireland - Do it! In DTS you get closer to your father, creator, saviour and are equipped to serve Him in whatever you do, wherever you go afterwards.. You also meet amazing people and see amazing places. It's about living life to the full, and having the best thing in life... A relational walk in submission to Jesus.

Bronte, AB, Canada - Coming into DTS, I thought I would be learning a little about God and a little about what He wants for my life... What I didn't know was that that would happen, and my life would be radically transformed from the inside out. Discovering God's true character of amazing love for me, finding freedom in Christ and a passion for something deeper than the standards of this world-- God completely rocked my world! Not only that, but I had a BLAST building life long friendships, just hanging out at the beach and living in sweet community. Application of concepts was incredible; you're tested, stretched, molded, etc. What a life changing experience!

Rosie Phillips, UK - DTS has pretty much transformed the way I look at life - I fell head over heels in love with my God in lecture phase, and then on outreach had revelation after revelation of how He falls in love with me every single day, not for what I do but for who I am.

Bekah, OR, USA - My life has been rocked inside and out! Outreach was challenging but God met me in ways I have never experienced before... in stepping out, trusting Him, in different situations like talking with people about Him. He was speaking to me, giving me pictures that would happen... I am excited about all that is now ahead of me!

Ian, Virginia, 'Murica - Jesus is the best thing since flannel pajamas. But seriously the grace and faithfulness of God has been revealed to me in a huge way on this DTS. I love how God can show himself and reveal his goodness to you in different ways. DTS has been a real awesome experience and I have learned tons.

Josh, Wisconsin, USA - DTS really helped me to get into a deeper relationship with God. I saw God's faithfulness displayed time and time again. Also, it was awesome to get amazing friends from all over the world, having so much fun and seeing God help them through their storms in life.

Shinae, Abbotsford, Canada - has the capacity to love like Jesus because off the love He has revealed and showered upon me.

Kate Jones, Canada- God is so awesome! It always amazes me how if we step out in small steps of obedience He is always faithful to come through and use us in ways we never could have imagined.

Krystal, Medicine Hat, Canada - DTS showed me what it really means to live life to the fullest in our Lord. I learned that He is always faithful to me, even when I screw up because His love surpasses all things.

Grace Stauffer, USA/South Africa - God is so much bigger than i could have ever imagined, the way He worked in my life in Perth and in Mexico City showed me how He is a God that epitomizes 'go BIG, or go HOME'. It humbles me that He chooses to use us to bless and heal other people. DTS literally changed my life - absolutely no regrets!!