God has been teaching me so much over these past 5 weeks.  It has been a blessing to see how this DTS team has really turned into my family.  We have cried and rejoiced together time after time again.  Such a blessing to have a family away from home.

DTS Team + YWAM Staff

Each week on Wednesday afternoons we go out to do ministry in various places around Chapala.

Ministry Brainstorming

My team goes out to the Boardwalk of Lake Chapala each Wednesday.  Every week looks different, but this past week we were able to bless the kids (since it was Kid's Day) with balloon animals, face painting, drawings and candy.  Our favorite part was to be able to share with the kids how much their Papa God loves them.

Balloon Animals with the Kids

Cedros Weekend
One weekend our Community Development Team spent the weekend in a small pueblito (town) called Cedros. 

View of the town from the roof

For many years now YWAM has been building relationships with this community and has started a church.  This weekend we split up into groups and spent time with families involved in the church.  One of my teammates, Viri, and I spent the weekend with an older couple. 

My teammate Viri riding a horse for the 1st time in Cedros

We were able to serve around the house, clean, etc., but more than anything we listened.  Building relationships is so much more about listening and talking than doing.  The same with our relationship with God.  In Mark 3 Jesus calls us to first be with Him and then afterwards to go out and "do".  The same with any other relationship; the foundation is on building a relationship of trust and love.

Making a Bow and Arrow with a little boy

Cutting Fruit from the Tree at the House we stayed at

Niko Week
Niko means to conquer, surpass, overcome, prevail, obtain victory and it was a week-long outdoor survival camp.  Technically we are not allowed to share about the camp, because if somebody were to do it later and they knew the details it would ruin the experience.  So I'll be brief, but God spoke to me a lot about what it looks to fully trust Him in every detail of our lives.  He constantly reminded me of Colossians 3:2-3 that He has been speaking to me throughout the entire DTS.  Keeping my eyes on Him and not on what I see, understand, think, feel, etc..  He calls me to fully trust Him and to not lean on my own understanding.

Sunset on Easter Sunday

Father Heart of God
This past week's theme was about God's father heart for us.  He showed me what it means to turn to Him in every situation as I would turn to my earthly dad.  After a week of classes the teacher took us out for a picnic and gave us each a kite to spend some one-on-one time with our Papa God.

DTS Team flying kites at our picnic

We also had to opportunity to really examine our hearts and the different lies we have been believing.  God revealed so much and freed many of us from lies.

DTS Team + Staff praying for me

Intercession for Human Trafficking worldwide

My Little Helper in cleaning the Cafe