Settling in and Training
September 10, 2023
Training
So much learning has happened during the past seven weeks at Heidebeek! The days were full with staff training, going to Harpenden, England, team building days, and now finalizing the last details for the school.
A typical day during staff training normally starts with intercession, base worship or a devotion with the team or the department. Then we as September school staff receive input and teaching from someone on the base. Topics include how to lead a one-on-one conversation with a student, conflict management and team building. We have also received some lectures on how to work with different cultures and how to disciple people from the LGBTQ+ community. Then after lunch we have time to practically prepare for the school.
I have learned so much already from the past few weeks, but I also know I will learn the most once the school actually begins.
Harpenden, England
From August 29 to September 2, I had the pleasure to travel with my team and some other DTS staff from my department to the YWAM base in Harpenden for the Western European DTS Gathering. The gathering was a time for DTS staff from all over Western Europe to meet and receive teaching, motivation and inspiration. There was just over 80 participants and we had an amazing speaker who taught us about the start of YWAM and the importance of being aware of the times we are in. I gained more understanding about the start of YWAM and heard amazing stories of the pioneering missionaries that have gone before us.
If you ever want to know more about the amazing story of YWAM and how it all started back in the 70’s, I would highly recommend reading “Is That Really You God?”by Loren Cunningham.
This time in Harpenden was also a great time to connect with other DTS staff, some staffing there first DTS, and others their 10th. Although I struggled with a really bad cold, I was able to participate in all the events, have great conversations and enjoy my time there.
The Base
This past week Heidebeek hosted “Staff Days”. It was a full week where all the staff gather to receive teaching and gain vision for the coming year. The theme for this year was discerned as “See & Expect”. Our base leaders and leadership team invited us to pray together about the direction for Heidebeek over the next few years. We prayed and asked God if, when and how we could go about constructing a new building. Just under two years ago Heidebeek completed De Spreng, a building that I am living in now, and there are plans to build more like it.
We also had time to meet as a department. I am part of the September discipleship training school but there arealso DTS’s running in January and April. We reflected on what the goal is of a DTS and how we can work to improve it. God revealed to us that He wants us to focus more on giving the students that come, a heart for evangelism, and in order to do this, we need to grow our own hearts for evangelism.
It’s been amazing to hear how God has worked throughout Heidebeek’s history and that He still has amazing plans for its future.
If you want to know more about YWAM Heidebeek, here is a link to their website https://ywamheidebeek.org/nl/
Heidebeek is also active on Instagram at ywam_heidebeek and dts.heidebeek
Looking forward
Next week the students will begin arriving! There are students from India, Zimbabwe, Canada and of course, from the Netherlands. We currently we have 15 students accepted but we still have a few more that are in the process of applying. I am so excited to welcome them here to Heidebeek and to their DTS.
On September 30 I will finally move into my permanent housing in De Spreng, a building on the base only a 1 minute walk from the classroom. I look forward to settling in and finally having a place I can call my home and my own. I will be in unit with 3 others, all of us with our own rooms but sharing a kitchen and living room.
Prayer Points
Students: Some students still need a visa or their funding for the lecture phase. Pray for miracles and provision
Moving: I will be moving 10 days into the school, which is quite intense, so please pray that everything will go smoothly and I will be settle into my new house with my new housemates well.
Outreach: Although it seems far off, we are already praying about where to go on outreach. Ultimately it is up to our school leaders to decide. Pray for wisdom for them that they will be able to discern God’s voice and heart for the nations.
Myself: Transition is going better the past few weeks but I still often struggle with culture shock and homesickness. This is most noticable in my emotional and physical state: I am more often tired and sad. Pray that I would be sustained by the Holy Spirit during this time and that I would find pockets of time to truly rest.
Hi Jenna, is exciting to hear about the start of your new journey; what a whirlwind of changes! It can be overwhelming for sure; but it looks like you're doing exactly what you need to do, taking walks, and recognizing that you need time for yourself. We are praying that you feel more comfortable each day and that God leads you in everything you do.