Finding Our Identity in God

Finding Our Identity in God



The third week is here and it has been a really exciting week! Patrick Dodson was town speaking on Finding Our Identity in God and Hearing God’s Voice. He really cares about each of us as students and strives to get to know us. It is nice to spend quality time with him, because he helps the students in their personal situations instead of just hearing the lesson.


This week has had a very Greek approach on hearing God’s voice. Patrick says it’s important to know who we are first and by doing that we can know how to hear his voice.

Monday, Patrick told us about his family and lifestyle to introduce us to the theme of the week. Patrick taught us how to connect our gifts and abilities to the community. There were five different ways we could do that and it was relief, education, confrontation, formation and transformation. Later that night Savanna Watkinson gave Ryan Jounward dreadlocks.


Then Tuesday, in the morning we watched the inauguration of our new president, Mr. Obama. Patrick talked on how our culture is a disaster and there were five points that are inherited lifestyles, consumer or creator, family dysfunction, sloth, and the church’s confusing presentation of God’s calling for us.

Wednesday, we discussed our calling vs. confusion. The confusion is that many Christians think that they have to leave our country to fulfill God’s calling. Patrick taught us about the different types of callings that God may lead us to like his general call to help the widows and poor. Then spoke on extra ordinary and specific callings.

Thursday morning we did a lectio divina session on Psalm 119:97-112. Then Patrick talked about how the student could find their identity. In the afternoon we helped at the food pantry and later that night Patrick did an optional lesson on relationships.

Friday, Patrick went over how we could make God a part of everything, he asked asked, “Why do we have government? The answer is that God is just.” Patrick wants us to bring God into every part of our life and hear what God has to say about it. Later that night we had small groups and the hot chocolate ministry.

The weekend came fast and on Saturday we went to the Food Bank. In the factory we packaged pinto beans and danced to the music in the factory. Later that night there was a dance party with the theme of television/movies characters. Fun stuff!




Meet Jaylon Young!

This woman comes from Navato, California which isn’t to far away from San Francisco. Jaylon moves to the beat of a different drum! No seriously, she plays the drums or djembe. Be careful her laugh is contagious! Anytime of the day seems to be Jaylon bust a move, beat boxes or raps! Fun Fact: Jaylon likes being real!



Meet David Delahoz!

David is also from Northern California, but in Fairfield. He is excellent at making up stories on the spot and his partner in crime, Daniel Reardon, helps him along the way. Fun Fact: In San Francisco his favorite place to visit is Walgreens.

Understanding God

Understanding God

Finally, week 2 has rolled along and the students are calling the YWAM base their home now. This past week our amazing speaker was John Bills, who spoke about the character and nature of God. Student’s eyes were opened to who God really is through John, with his fascinating personal experiences and through scripture.

On Monday it was Jaylon Young’s 21^st Birthday! In lecture there was an introduction into the character and nature of God. We were taught that if we want to understand God’s character then we must read and study the Bible since it is one of the ways that He speaks directly to us. Then John spoke on how God is holy, trusting, immutable and merciful. Later in lecture John gave us some questions to ponder upon throughout our week and he asked, “For what motivations do you have to read the word?” and “Do I trust God?” Most students were convicted by just these two questions, but the pursuit of his character continued the next day. During our free time students took showers, naps or watched a movie called The Goonies at David Delahoz’s brother’s sweet crib.

Tuesday, the faithfulness and omnipresence of God consumed the whole lecture. John explained to the students that if we didn’t have absolute faith in God then how could we lead others to Christ? After discussing about our faith in God John talked about how God is faithful and then he said, “Christians sometimes take past bad experiences of abusive authority and think automatically God will do the same to them.” Later he tied in God’s omnipresence, which means he is present everywhere at the same time. Therefore, why would we ever think that God is not faithful if he is always with us! That night we had an intercession on our DTS trip and students. In that intercession God spoke through many students and leaders! There was a lot of repentance and many tears… it was exhausting but extremely necessary and beautiful!

Then on Wednesday, lecture got really personal with the students about the connection of God’s supreme authority and abusive authority in this world. John taught us how to confront those issues and heal ourselves from past experiences of authority. Many students had unresolved issues that got brought up to the table. After lecture each student got put in a one of four different ministries: Because Justice Matters (human trafficking)/women’s outreach, hangin’ with the homeless, hangin’ with the hippies, and going out to the university to create relationships with international students.

Thursday, the love and intimacy of how God desires a relationship with us was the hot topic of the day! The lesson explained on one reason God sent Jesus to this world and that was to show what a relationship with God and man was supposed to look like. Then after class we worked at the food pantry which was so much fun. The people that live in the Tenderloin come to the YWAM base every Thursday afternoon to get free groceries. Even though the food pantry started in the afternoon, a group of older Asian women started lining up at 9 in the morning, so by the time we opened up they had gotten pretty feisty! The DTS students would stand behind canned food, onions, potatoes, etc and tell them how much food they were allowed to take, but these some of the women wanted more and would try to take more than allowed. We had to be pretty aggressive and guard the food to keep from them taking more than their share.

Friday came along and it was John Bills last day with us. He was an awesome teacher that provoked us into deep thought, challenged us, and changed our walk with God. That day he decided that it should be a day of reflection. Therefore, each student shared what spoke most to them and asked any last questions for the speaker before he departed. Then that night it was the hot chocolate ministry where we give out hot chocolate at night and tell people about the love of God!

Meet Savanna Watkinson!

Savanna comes from Seattle, Washington and is the anonymous, but now not so anonymous photographer for my blogs! She is extremely talented and you can see that for yourself. Her passions are dancing, love and hippies! Fun fact: She has a twin and dreadlocks!

Introducing Linda Kinsky!

Little Linda decided to come down to San Francisco from Portland, Oregon. This sweet girl is known for her cute laugh that reminds us of a baby seal. Now when we call her we just say, “Bay-bay-bay!”! Linda soon will also be the other photographer for my blog. Fun Fact: Scared of

dump trucks!

Life is never boring in San Francisco!

There are many street performers ranging from opera singers to playing the Morin-Khur!

There are also many energetic protests that take place in Union Square.

Rehab for the Soul!

Rehab for the Soul!

Our New Home!

The New Year came so fast and that meant time to pack! Monday, January 5, 2009 rolled along and the new DTS students started to spontaneously show up at the YWAM base to begin a 6 month long Discipleship Training School. All day the anxiety was increasing throughout the dorms waiting for the potential roommates to show up. Finally everyone made it at the base safe and sound. That night there was a beautiful welcoming banquet for the students and many idle conversations floated around the room. Later there was silly getting to know you games and finally it was time to sleep.

The rest of the week we had lectures and sometimes we sang worship before class in the building next door. We had many speakers during class like DTS staff and the base director, Tim Svaboda. They taught us about lectio divina, intercessory prayer, repentance, transparency, and hearing God’s voice. The lessons we heard opened our eyes to what our Christian walk should be like and now more students have been willing to opening their hearts for God to transform them. Recently I have been thinking of these next 6 months as rehab for the soul.

This past week the twelve students and the four DTS staff have gotten to know each other really well. Each student had the opportunity to share their “life story” with the all the other DTS students along with all the leaders. We got to know one another over meals, exploring the city, playing pool, ping pong and chess together. A major part of our week was to get to know the city and the community, whether it was taking a tour, roaming, evangelizing or the hot chocolate ministry. Everyday the city becomes more like home to us.

The Tenderloin District comes off scary and intimidating. On every street there are drug dealers, thugs, prostitutes, the homeless, and “massage salons.” These people are hurting and lost. Therefore, they turn to addictions to cover up what is really missing in their life and that’s Jesus Christ, as Jaylon Young says, “The Tenderloin needs tender lovin’!”

Our first week here came so fast and has passed. Finally, the students are adapting to their new home and loving the people of the Tenderloin District. It has been an unpredictable, but an entertaining week. Arrivederci!!

-Holly Geber!