I didn't even know about YWAM until I went to university. My roommate had just come back from a DTS in Australia. I got to hear all her stories (now I realize that I didn't hear anywhere close to how many she has) and was a bit intrigued. That year I got the opportunity to go on a missions trip with the church I was attending at university. The trip was to Slovakia. That summer I spent ten days in Trnava, Slovakia with a team of people from my church. We spent time with a pastor who had a small congregation and some of the young girls that they had reached out to. We did practical work and lots of fun ministry with children. I fell in love with Europe and Slovakia. The architecture, the pedestrian lifestyle, the history and culture. I loved it all!
In Trnava
Playing with the girls we were meeting.
I knew I would love to go back, but I had no idea when or how. I passed up the opportunity to go on the trip again the next year, and then my church stopped going. Meanwhile, at university I met many more people who had done a DTS before starting at university. One guy had actually worked on staff for a couple years and done upper level schools with YWAM too. He told me that I was made for YWAM, that I would love it and that I could do it anywhere in the world. I looked at him and said, "not Slovakia". I knew that hardly anyone knew about Slovakia, there was no way that YWAM would be there. He went online and had me at YWAM SK's website in less than 10 minutes. And I think in that moment I got hooked. Despite the poor webpage design, I knew somewhere inside that I wanted to go to a school about learning to move in the supernatural. And it didn't hurt that they also included a tour across Europe!
So I went through another year and a half of school to finish my degree. I knew that was priority. Then when I finished my degree and everyone asked me what I was doing, I said YWAM. I barely even thought about it. Until I got a reply to my application saying that they weren't sure they would have enough students to start a school that year. That made me question it a bit. I looked at other European DTS's. None spoke to me. I figured if I can't go to Slovakia, I'd find a job. Then I got an email saying I could come to Slovakia. I arrived in Banska Bystrica in Sept 2010 for a seven month school with four students. The story of that DTS is written in this blog.
The summer of 2011 I returned home to work and reconnect with family. I returned to YWAM Slovakia as staff in Sept 2011 with my boyfriend Shay. Currently I'm posting about our adventures during this DTS.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How much does DTS cost?
Every YWAM base sets their own fees. Currently our student fees are 4000 Euro not including flight tickets, insurance, or immunizations. Staff fees are less in order to make it possible for staff members to stay long term on support.
Does it snow in Slovakia?
Yes, but it doesn't last as long as it does in Canada.
Do you have another question? Please comment and I'll add it to the list!
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