For My DTS Family.

Wow. It has been 3.5 months since DTS ended and I have been back in Dallas. Leaving San Francisco and the people I met there was without a doubt the most difficult thing I have ever had to do. The 10 people-- Linda, Allie, Eva, Holly, Ryan, Dan, David, Andrea, Jaylon, Savanna-- in my DTS with me became my family and when i left them I also left a part of my heart with each of them. No one has ever known everything about me the good and the REALLY bad and still loved me like they do (except Jesus...obviously) and i didn't think anyone ever would. I still sometimes wonder how they saw past all the bad stuff and still were able to say good things about me for my encouragement which lead to much of my growth.

Anyways... so I just wanted to post a little something for my DTS'ers. On the flight home from San Francisco (a horribly awful flight at that) I wrote down qualities about everyone in my DTS that I didn't ever want to forget. I want to share them with the individual people as well as anyone else, so you can see how truely WONDERFUL these people are to me and how they have changed my life forever. Here goes...

Eva- mentor, wise, logical, radiant (!), loyal, compassionate, pure, a true friend, listener, has good discernment, teachable, curious, has the ability to talk to anyone, woman of integrity and doesn't compromise, patient, she is sure of who God is and not afraid to speak up about it, honest, easy to see how her heart longs for the love of Jesus

Linda- sweetheart, tenderhearted, STRONG, surprising, compassionate, reliable, mature, listener, encourager, strong willed, motivated, independent, active, involved, accepting, I LOVE WHEN SHE DANCES IN WORSHIP, confident, adventurous, trusting, listens to advice given to her as well as listens to others and giving honest biblical advice, thoughtful... MY LOVE!

Allie- one of a kind, compassionate, cuddler :), her deep care for others is impossible to miss, very in tune with how everyone around her is feeling, STRONG, artistic, love the way she views the world, ridiculous, goooooooofy, draws people together, unpredictable, accepting, deep thinker, is always there for anyone who needs her, when she speaks i feel like beauty just falls out of her mouth.

Ryan- GODLY man of wisdom and integrity, reliable, the best guy friend I've ever had, trustworthy, reasonable/logical, looks into peoples heart, leads people and people look up to him, knowledgable about the bible, tells it like it is, HILARIOUS, people feel free to be completely themselves around him, CARES, heart of gold (!), smart, problem solver... one of the best guys I have ever known!

Jaylon- playful, LISTENS TO ME AND IS THERE FOR ME, symathetic, encouraging, silly, young at heart, ferociously talented, goofy, generous, open, fighter, deeply wants the will of God in her life, her laugh is infectious, could have a deep conversation with anyone, visionary, makes me laugh more than anyone i know, accepting.

Andrea- tender hearted, fiery, never fails to surprise me, does not say things she doesnt mean, mysterious, huggable!, talented, sarcastic and hilarious, fighter, not afraid to ask questions, i dont know anyone who is like her!

David- down to earth, hilarious, sweet hearted, compassionate, loyal friend, deeply caring, adventurous, willing to listen and be open, encourager, has a huge heart and from the first time i met him i could see how much he loves being around people, love to see how much he cares for and loves Morgan, someone people count on.

Dan- sincere, would do anything for a friend without a second thought, observer, witty, deep thinker, artistic and talented (obvious), puts other peoples best interest above his own, CAN SING (!), humble, love the way he sees people, love seeing him search the heart of God, finds things out for himself and doesnt just go along with what everyone else says/thinks, sarcastic, incredibly encouraging, brilliant.


Holly- passionate and compassionate, loyalllllll friend, listens well, empathetic, incredibly encouraging, fights hard to grow in her relationship with Jesus, transparent, goes out of her way for people, hard working, has been amazing to watch her grow and see her strength through it all, perseveres, someone i know i can always count on and always will be able to count on.

Savanna- lovessss people, cares a lot about her relationship with others, free spirited, creative and artistic, reliable, honest about where she is, sensitive and tender hearted, starts things up, community focused--- always wants people to be together, thoughtful, listens intensly, fiesty, determined :)

I also want to add that I know no matter how long its been since we've talked that any one of these people would be there for me or any friend for that matter in an instant. They ALL accept people for who they are no matter what because they accepted and loved me no matter what. They are the most beautiful people I have ever known. I still grieve the community that we had and that is no longer there and I hope one day that all of us can find community like that again if not which one another than with others who love just the same. I MISS YOU ALL and wish you were here with me every single day.

A few more things before I dance 'when in Rome!"

Hey, loved ones! So I have a few prayer requests before our DTS heads out to Italy for a MONTH! (I'm telling you, there will be an expanded amount of "when in Rome"s each day we're there! I'll sneak some in for each of you;) Here we go: first and foremost, our safety and protection. Italy is a new place to all of us, and we need as much wisdom for safety as possible. I'm kind of nervous to get into the city because there are so many pocket pickers, and people that run around and snatch items from people's hands. Also, we need a daily guidance from the Holy Spirit. Without God's guidance along side the abilities he's gifted us with, our purpose cannot be fulfilled when in Rome. We learned over a month ago that recently, there are buses going around promoting the atheist religion. We need wisdom and love when we meet these people to show them the reality of Christ's love. And please pray for our group internally as we will be living in even closer quarters and working longer days - we want to hold integrity in relationships with each other, putting each other over ourselves.

I want to thank you all again from the deepest of my heart for all of your support. I couldn't be going where I am without you all! I won't be updating my blog while in Rome, we have a group weekly update explaining what we're doing sent out through e-mail. If you would like to receive this, please send me an email at savannarwb@hotmail.com.

Love,
Savanna

Italy, here we come!

Hey friends and family! I want to start off my apologizing for leaving you all in the dust about what's going on here in San Francisco. So far we're in our 5th week of outreach. Our time is spent doing various evangelism outreaches, open ministry, and personal ministry. For example, on Monday we kick off the week by going out to offer hot coffee the people on the streets in the Tenderloin, which not only warms them up and gives them a dose of A.M. caffeine, but it gives an open door to share the gospel with them, listen to theirs stories, and pray for them! It's similar to the hot chocolate ministry that we do on Friday nights. In the afternoon on Mondays, we go as a group to North Beach (Little Italy) to either spend time in the park, inviting people to join us in a game of Uno, or "hang out" in Cafe Roma where we build relationships with the baristas. Though it can be hard because not every time are we seeing people come to Jesus, but I know that God is using our willingness to be a light in this place and build relationships with the people, the seeds that are planted will turn into another soul won for Jesus. We've made a friend that is from Italy while playing Uno in Washington Square (in NB), so she's been teaching us things about Italy and some of the language! We've gotten to visit her at the chocolate shop she works at in the Castro, where we also got a chance to become acquainted with some regular customers there.
On Tuesdays mornings, we gather as a group in the morning and ask God what he would want us to do in that morning. We each listen, and with the response we each get we collaborate pairs and take a few hours going to that location to evangelize, being open to what God has for us! The afternoon consists of "personal ministry" time, where we each have found a particular place to commit to each week. A group goes down to a market down the street to help clean for a few hours, a few head to help the "WildFlower" ministry from YWAM, and various other things. I have found that I really enjoy spending time with the homeless that come through our base, so I spend my time playing Spades with some of the storefront guys, and having good conversations through that! We still are doing the food pantry on Thursdays and Hot Chocolate Ministry on Friday nights!
This morning we prayed/"interceded" for our outreach to Italy. A lot of our prayers was that we could lay down ourselves and "Seek first the Kingdom of our Lord!" We're going to Italy not for ourselves, not for enjoyment, not for vacation, but to be used in a great way in a place of spiritual darkness to further God's Kingdom! Mind you, we will have fun, we will enjoy most of it, and it will be a trip of a lifetime, but God is going to be given the glory for it all! And with that, I want to praise God for providing all the funds we need! I found out we have a little bit more than what we calculated we would need, which means we might be able to have a dinner out once or twice instead of having pasta every night ;) I want to thank all of you for your prayers and financial support, as well! I know we couldn't be doing this without you all!
Gee, I wish I could tell you all the wonderful things we've gotten to experience since I've last written, or even the stuff I've left out thus far. A few weeks ago we were able to go to the senior center for a bbq with them, and a few weeks later played Bingo with them (I won a $5 Coldstone card...mmmm!) We had the chance to go to Dolores Park for a time of praying for each other - it was beautiful in many ways! The Ocean Beach here has been a wonderful place where I have been able to see God's beauty in nature and people. When I was there last, I was able to feel God's rest and also find peace about my future goals/dreams! (Did I mention I'm thinking of joining the Coast Guard!?) This pastSaturday, we had an art's show/auction, we wanted it to be an opportunity to unite the community around us in SF, and bring out our creative sides by creating art, and earning funds for our outreach! It didn't turn out quite like I expected, because there were only 3 people that came that I didn't know (they were all in one of the staff's bible study), and a majority of the YWAM SF staff came (along with most DTS students)! We ended up making more money than I thought we would, and it was a great time for the staff and students to bond through a unique event!
I haven't mentioned an exciting occasion from over a month ago! Revolution students came down for a week long Mission Adventure's "short-term mission trip." I loved having all of them here! It was so amazing having a touch of home here - and to be honest, all the staff here were highly impressed by every one of the students and leaders. Their drive for Jesus is amazing, and I'm so blessed to have them in my life and have the opportunity to lead them again when I get home! They had a great time here meeting some of our friends on the streets here, and I know many people were touched by their efforts to further God's Kingdom as they took their Spring Break to serve God!
As I'm sitting here waiting for laundry to finish (first time in over a month - w00t! I'll only have to do one load in Italy, and it's only because I won't be able to have as much clothes with me!) I'm trying to remember more events to communicate to you, but having a hard time. I'm anxious and excited for Italy, but trying to stay focused on TODAY and not too much of the future! I love and miss you all. Thank you for your friendships and support :)

-Savanna W.

Add outreach to the schedule & lose a peer? I don't think so!

Hey again! I wanted to write on behalf of one of our DTS peers, and for our DTS in general. This past weekend, a group of us were able to go to one of the student's house in Fairfield which is about 45 mintues away from San Francisco. We went and watched movies, and most of the people stayed up talking and hanging out while me and a few others SLEPT! It was a great time away from the Tenderloin for a night, but the next morning brought a little bit of sadness, but also peace. This student that opened his home to us this weekend would have to stay home this week due to lack of finances to cover for the DTS. Out of the approximately $7,300, he has only been able to earn a little <$1,000. Though there is only one person out of all of us that has been able to pay the whole fee off thus far, that small amount isn't enough to keep him in DTS at this point. We found out that in order for him to stay with us, to come back after this Friday after he's had a week to meet with potential supporters, he'll need to have another $3,000 - gathered in one week!

Now, I know you may be thinking that is a LOT of money, and some may be doubting the money will come in. However, before the rest of us left his house Sunday morning, he gathered us together for a "DTS discussion." He told us that instead of specifically praying for the money to come, that we pray for God's will to happen in his life. If God wants him to finish DTS, then he'll bring that money in by the time it's needed, no problem! However, if that money does not come in, then there is an opportunity to go on a seperate "outreach" or "short term missions trip" this summer in Ukraine, seperate from YWAM, but completely paid for! So, in reality, this is kind of exciting! Because God has a plan for this special person, and it may be completely beyond anyone else's understanding. However, if my feeling is correct, I believe the money will come in no problem, and he'll be able to finish up this DTS with the rest of us! If you would like to support this man through this journey with your finances, please contact me and I will let you know how to do so!

So again, I ask my friends and family, for your support. We as a DTS need over $30,000 to go on outreach. I, in particular, need another $4,300 to finish the cost of lecture and pay for outreach. We are coming up with ideas on how we can, while here, earn some money! We will be planning an art show/auction here in the city (and hopefully post items online as well if you would like to purchase them). I am also selling my photography for donation, so I ask that however much you are able to pay is more than $8 each print to cover the cost of printing and shipping! If you would like a print, email me at savannarwb@hotmail.com, or let me know on Facebook! You can checkout http://www.flickr.com/photos/savannawatkinson/ . If God is speaking to you about giving your tything money to missions, please consider donating to our funds. If making a check, you can make it our to YWAM SF and put "DTS FALL 09" in the memo. If you would like the funds to go to me, the best way is to just make it out to me, Savanna Watkinson, and I can pay YWAM when I deposit the check. I'm sorry to inform you, however, while in DTS, the funds donated to us students in DTS are not tax-deductable.

And please, more than anything, continue to pray for us! For finances, but also for our safety, and that God's will continue to guide and direct our hearts and our footsteps. My personal prayer request is for heart change. I have been struggling in a few relationships, and the root of that is a battle against myself. So please be praying for God's grace to cover that and take it, and that I am able to love with the love that Jesus has for all of us. Please also be praying for my health - I have been battling with acid reflux and possibly something else, but I have symtpoms nearly everyday and I'm asking God for a complete recovery. And, I think most of all importance, I pray that we as a group can get over any apathy we have with ourselves, each other, and in the city. This is our outreach phase, and we need the pure motivation that comes from Christ alone to pursue this city and bring it to Jesus.

Thank you for all your prayers! And thank you for those who have been able to support me financially as well! I can see the fruit of it all through this journey I have been going through here at YWAM. I thank you with all of my heart, and pray that God is blessing you and showing you an abundance of grace in this season! I love and miss you all!

-Savanna Watkinson
357 Ellis Street
San Francisco, CA 94102

(I haven't received any mail in the past 3 weeks - mail was an exciting time for me when at home and I got 5 pieces of junk every day - not getting anything can be so depressing! If you want to send a small parcel with a prayer request, a love letter, or a nice drawing, I will GLADLY accept it!)

A Thrilling Reality of DTS SF

Hey, all! Again, I'm sorry I haven't written for a while. Although I won't continue apologizing any longer, because, well, even though I want to keep you all updated and you want to know what's going on here in San Francisco, there is a lot that goes on here, and almost too much for me to sit down and type it all up. ;) In that case, I know you are all gracious and love me regardless if I write twice a week or twice a month! And for that, I thank you!

I decided I should give you guys a look at what our lecture phase looked like (this is our last week - then on to outreach in the city!) We would start off our weeks with worship! The staff and DTS gets together for an hour long session of praising God corporately, but with our individual ways through song. Then we move on to what we call Bible Meditation [I call BM (haha)for short] for an hour, and one of our leaders usually chooses the scripture that God puts on their heart for us to. This simply means for us that we get a few verses or so that we get to meditate on. We ask God to show us what He wants to say to us, and ask that He keeps our hearts open for all of His truth. Then we read through the scripture at least a few times, and asking what is it simply saying, and what may it be saying between the lines (if so). This past week's BM, for example, was James 1:2-18. There is so much wisdom, truth, and valuable lessons that God offers in those words! After BM, we have two hours of lecture, each day of the week the main topic is the same, but weekly the topics change! We have a different speaker come in every week to expand our understanding of who God is and who He has made us to be! Then after lunch, we go on to another two hours lecture, and have the night off. For the past few weeks, a lot of that time has been taken by practicing and preparing for our outreach phase. Sometimes we rest, communicate with people back home, spend time together with individuals as a group, or go have intimate time with our Creator!
Tuesday mornings offer time of worship as a DTS, and most often then not on Tuesday mornings, God shows up in a powerful way! I can't explain why, maybe I'm more awake, but this time is so wonderful in feeling God move in my soul. I love it! We also get an hour to do a prayer walk, where we go out into the streets of the Tenderloin in pairs to pray for the people and the area, and more specifically that God will lift the darkness out of this place and bring it back to His glory. Then we move on to lecture, and have the afternoon off (great time to do laundry!). In the evening after dinner, we have an hour or two of intercession, depending on how the Lord leads us, where we get to pray on behalf of nations, people groups, or individuals. It's an amazing opportunity to be obedient to God and see the lives of people change due to the prayers that we pray.
Wednesday mornings start off with personal devotions, then we have class! After lunch, we split up into our ministry groups. There are three different ones: woman's ministry where they reach out to prostitutes in the area, and hold a fellowship time with women in the Tenderloin and also do research for the sex trafficking dilemma; University Campus ministry where the group spends time with foreign students at a local college by playing interactive games and such; Life Group which leads the Bible study help in our storefront with the homeless people in the area; and the Haight Ministry, where we get to hang out with the hippies and reach the people in that area in creative and unique ways!
Thursday mornings, we have intercession with all the other YWAM staff, where again we learn about various crises around the globe and pray on the behalf of the people involved. Then another two hours of lecture. After lunch, we hold a food pantry for the residents of the Tenderloin - a majority of the people that come through are from the senior center a few buildings down, and they begin to line up at 6am, even though we don't start it until 1pm! They are devoted! It's a great way to get to bless the people in the area, and over time they get to know our faces through consistent devotion.
Finally Fridays come around, in the morning we get into groups for group discussions. We converse about what's happened throughout the week, brainstorm ideas for ministry, or spend the time uplifting each other! Then we spend an hour in intercession! Then go into the final two hours of lecture with our speaker - most weeks they end in an extended amount of face to face conversation, with a line of people wanting to get in a little question here and there. After lunch, we break up into our small groups and get to reflect together about the week, and really get to spend quality time together with 3 other students of the same gender plus our small group leader (one of the DTS staff members). Curfew on Fridays are extended one extra hour that we often use to bond by playing games and/or watching a funny movie and inputting our own commentary.
Saturdays vary depending on the week. At the end of the month, we get to use the day to reflect on all that God has done in and through us. This past reflection day I went to the beach and was able to rest in the beauty that God made in that place. It was amazing! Other Saturdays consist of volunteering at a place that needs our help, such as the food bank or painting a church, to throwing a BBQ for the senior center down the street. On Sundays everyone goes to church in the AM, and gets to rest throughout the day, but making sure our journals are completed before class the next day!

However, now I feel as though it is not necessary for you to know what happened during lecture phase - cause it's over! Outreach is starting, and we are thrilled as a DTS to be able to venture on another journey together while in the city. We're excited to see how and where God is going to use us - my desire is that we will get stretched and be able to see God for all His love and glory.

A Change Has Come!

Man... i really am HORRIBLE at keeping up with blogging, my sincere apologies. I have a love/hate relationship with writing this. LOVE because i enjoy keeping everyone updated and staying in contact with those who read. HATE because i feel like all the growth, heart changes, and learning experiences (in and outside the classroom) can not be explained adequately here... words can not do it justice. In the past 2.5 months I have shed more tears (which my beautiful mom has heard the bulk of) than I usually do in 5 years time. Some good tears, some bad... but really don't most tears wind up doing something good, or allow you to get past something to get to the good stuff? That's just my opinion though. I finally feel like I am at such a place of learning and contentment. While some of the things about YWAM bother me and i disagree with certain aspects, I have learned (with the help of my wonderful Dad) to look past all that and really focus on what God is doing in my heart. I know that i won't agree on everything with most organizations ... it's being sure that the heart of it is TRUTH and does not stray away from the Gospel! I really think that God brought me out here away from ALL THINGS familiar just to get me alone with Him, so He could teach and grow me..get closer to me. IT WORKED! The main focus for me has just been seeing the true Father Heart of God, my own personal theme if you will and being broken from all things I had my fists clenched around-- trying to live life with open hands! The thing that has taught me the most here is not done in the classroom. It's living in community, close community. Where it's impossible to hide anything and to struggle together, pray together, praise together..everything TOGETHER! I feel like living in fellowship has been something that i totally have missed out on my whole life. I mean, shouldn't I have realized that earlier? How many times does God "one another" us in the bible? Now I see why! Never have I had friends who would encourage and build me up daily, call me out on things i need to be called out on, that would be as open and honest with me as i am with them, and that most importantly are seeking Jesus and yearning for His will for their life as much as I am. The relationships I have built here are just so full. Being in close relationship (and corridors!) with so many people has taught me a lot about myself, some that I liked, some that I didn't like about myself and am working on changing. Always changing and learning--- it's really quite beautiful... as long as it's in the Jesus direction. Jesus, He is amazing. Beautiful. Mmmmmm, I love how He continually romances us. Whether it's with smells, sounds, creation, or just a feeling. He really is the Lover of my soul. What a sporadic blog! I hope I got some point or some part of my heart across. I really tried, but like i said it's hard to find the right words sometimes.

"Even when our outward body is wasting away,
our inward body is being renewed day by day.
Therefore, we do not lose heart."
2 Corinthians 4:15&16

Tah! (as my Aussie friend Eva says)
-Mindy

What is your Goliath? (Updated March 10, 2009)

Dear Friends - I feel as though I have so much to communicate to you about what's happened this past week or so. I guess I'll just lay it out for you - in seek or prayer for the situations: About a month ago, as some students were coming inside from a walk, there was a stabbing across the street witnessed by those students. We found out the guy didn't make it, and it was a very scary scene to watch; a few days later we found out of another stabbing very near us as well - we've learned these, and like most crimes like such, are between drug dealers and users; 2 weeks ago there was a drive by shooting a block away from where we live, 5 people got shot, and unfortunately one was killed - a mother of 4 or 5 kids that are now orphans :'(; The weekend before this past, John, the man I mentioned before, was harrassed by a man that has come in our store front a few times and has stolen some things. The man has stolen John's bed stuff before (which we've provided for him and he sleeps in the doorway), and this time he was after his cigarettes. Amanda and I were standing behind the door telling him to leave or we'll call the cops, but he wouldn't listen, he just kept trying to take John's stuff. I turned to yell for Chris to come, and I looked back and the man had a wooden block in his hand that he was beating John on the head with - it was heartbreaking to watch, I couldn't believe it. He ended up stealing what he wanted and leaving John, who just sat there shooken up, with a bloody hole in his head dripping blood down his face. It was so sad, and my eyes just began filling with tears. I found myself asking God "why?" The cops came to get a discription and the ambulance came to patch him up, but John didn't get angry, he apologized for letting it happen in front of our building. Sweet John; about an hour later two of my roommates came back from doing there laundry...they had just witnessed a woman fall from three stories up and kill herself. This woman took her own life, and Eva was so brave to take her duty as a nurse and attempt to help the woman, but there was nothing that could have been done. The girls need prayer for the trauma they just witnessed, along with the family of the woman and the other people who saw what happened. We later talked about it and while suicide happens everywhere, we can see how the drugs and depression and all the things the enemy attacks the Tenderloin with can result in this. It is very sad, but we want to see God's glory reign down over these circumstances; last week, as some students were on their way home, there was a shooting at the grocery market we go to across the street - one man shot another, but no one was killed(!). Please be in prayer for our safety and for God to grab a hold of the hearts here and turn them to Him, and that Satan will flee from this area in Christ's name!

Obviously this area is facing many Goliaths. Last week at church the pastor read from 1 Samuel which tells about the story of David and Goliath. Over this past week, I've been thinking a lot about the various dreams I have for my life, dreams that fulfill my passions and to glorify God by bringing people into His kingdom. The Goliath about it all is that there are so MANY dreams, and they are LARGE dreams in hindsight. Our speakers this week presented the various ways God used them in their lives through YWAM, but moreso in ministry to bring God glory. Tom opened an american restaurant in India that is used to minister to the middle-upper class citizens; Steve Goode was able to bring refugees from various 3rd world nations into Thailand to build a new healthy community and brought thousands of people to know the Lord; and Karol and her family lived in India working with the community there (I didn't get to hear all they did, they've been living back in San Fran for a few years now). I am at peace at the fact that God will bring to me great places in His name, as long as I'm seeking to Love Him and His people!

Our DTS is leaving for Italy for Outreach in May, and we were informed last week that if we can pay for out tickets by this Friday, March 13, we could save hundreds of dollars, thousands total really, from the cost of airfare. I was told by our director that I'll still need a little over $4000, but another $1000 in order to pay for the plane ticket by this Friday (WOAH!). I don't know what's going to happen - but as my friend and family, will you please consider supporting me financially (and of course prayerfully) through this DTS. I'm asking for partnership with my loved ones as I seek God to change my life and to use me to change the lives of others in San Francisco and in Italy. If you have questions, please email me at Savannarwb@hotmail.com, and if you're able to sponsor me, please send a check to: Savanna Watkinson 357 Ellis Street San Francisco, CA 94102. Again thank you for all who have supported me already, I sincerely appreciate it and God sees your obedient heart! I love and miss you all - I'll be home this weekend to visit the church and spend time with my family for our off weekend. I'm excited to see beautiful Washington state again! And my loved ones, of course!

Fun fact: tomorrow I'll be celebrating my 21st birthday with all my friends here at DTS at Ocean Beach around a bonfire. I'm so stoked!

-Savanna (there is so much more to say, and I hope to share it soon, but I needed to get this out before too late!)