Heart Surgery

I have a confession to make.

I've lied to you on why I am really in Fiji.

I'm here for heart surgery.

One of the most often asked questions I got before I left for Fiji (and that I am still getting in emails and Facebook messages) is “what is a DTS (Discipleship Training School)”? I didn't quite know how to explain it and, in all honesty, I don't think that I truly knew what I was getting into myself. So, my most standard response was “well, it's kinda like a mini bible school that focuses on helping others and helping the world”. Hmmm...

Well, that's just not true at all.

All of our speakers, whom so far are mostly pastors who have completed bible school and seminary as well as DTS, have acknowledged that DTS is not bible school and bible school is not DTS. Bible school is academic study of theology and the bible. DTS, however, exists solely to change hearts, open hearts up to heal wounds, encourage the life Jesus lived- to live a of love- and solidify our identity as children and heirs of God.

Here in Fiji, the staff refer to DTS as heart surgery.

While it is true that my biblical knowledge has increased substantially since my surgery began, it is just a small part of what is really happening here. God did not simply ask me to go to Fiji to learn some words in an old book. He called me here specifically to get to know Him- to be in relationship with Him.

You see, even the best of us- the pastors, the carpenters, the students, the social workers, the nurses, the undecided, the cooks, the mothers, the fathers, the teachers, the paramedics- don't really know God and going to bible school will not fix that. Many of us who believe in God- that Jesus is our Saviour- often go to church, go to our weekly bible studies, finding, like everyone else, that we are still plagued with the nagging feeling that we aren't good enough, that we don't do enough... Too often we are bound in hurt, resentment, unforgiveness and fear from our past and from lies we continually choose to believe about ourselves. God, the Father to the fatherless (Psalm 68:5), the One that created the heavens, the earth and you and me, wants to change that. And He uses DTS as a means to doing that.

The focus at DTS is not about academics, competition, or climbing on your high horse or becoming a holy roller. It is quite the opposite. It is not about you. The focus is on God and getting to know Him like you know your best friend or your spouse, realizing, understanding that He is not some random, angry Zeus-like stranger, sitting on a cloud, who is never happy with you. He is the One that knows how many hairs are on your head (Luke 12:7), how you sleep at night, what your favourite food is, that you never, ever sleep without covers on your feet otherwise the boogeyman will get you, what your greatest hurt is and who is your greatest love. There is no one, and I do mean no one who knows you better. He knows the good, the bad and the ugly and none of it has scared Him away. And DTS helps you to realize this love, His wisdom and the security of being His son or daughter. DTS challenges you to examine your life and everything you thought you knew about yourself, God and Jesus and to throw it aside, never looking back- for the road of life, the road that God specifically designed for you, is about to take you places you've never thought possible. No one comes to DTS a whole and healthy person. We are all, in our own ways, broken, but through the process of DTS, we will leave changed for the better and, I suspect, unstoppable in the life of love that Jesus asked us to live: to love our God, our perfect Father, our Provider, our great Comforter, with all of our heart, soul and mind and to love those around us like we would want to be loved. Yes, even those that irritate and anger us, those that are mean to us, those that don't do things like we would do them, those that have done the unthinkable, as well as those that smell funny (Matthew 22:37-39).

Live a life of love.

DTS is a part of a world wide Christian non-profit organization called Youth With a Mission (YWAM). YWAM was started in 1960 when Loren Cunningham was given a vision of waves of youth going out to all corners of the earth, helping others and telling them about God. In the last 50 years, YWAM went from that dream to hundreds of thousands of people giving their lives to serve the people in the world. On a practical sense, DTS consists of 2 phases: the 12 week lecture phase and the 8-12 week outreach phase. During the lecture phase, speakers from all over the world (there is a new speaker and topic every week) come to teach you about living the life of love. Some of the topics that are covered include "Hearing the Voice of God", "The Cross, Repentance and the Holy Spirit", "The Father Heart of God", "Authority and Submission" and "Relationships". It is an amazing time of learning- just when you think it can't get any better, it always does. Processing all of this takes time and examination into our lives, and DTS is structured to give you that time.

The outreach phase is dependent on the DTS that you go to and what God leads you to. Most DTSes have either a country that they love dearly or a group of people they want to help (or sometimes both). My outreach phase doesn't start until April 11, so I'm unsure of what to expect, but I do know that it will be eye opening, challenging and life transforming. Our DTS focuses on Fiji, so we will be traveling all over Fiji to various Fijian and Indian villages, living with them in community and reaching out to them in love.

I would recommend DTS for everybody, at any stage or age in life. You won't regret it. It will not be easy, even sometimes painful and sometimes you just want to say, “forget this, I'm going home”. But something inside of you always stops you with the undeniable, nagging feeling that you will be missing out on something special that could be a turning point in your life, perhaps even a radical and amazing life change that wasn't expected or imagined. There are over 200 DTS locations throughout the world and so many opportunities. As I looked over all of the DTS websites, I was amazed at how many of these DTSes would be so great for some of you...

For my friend Julie, “University DTS” seems like a cool option. The DTS is held over 2 summers, so as a university student, you can do the lecture phase one summer, and then the outreach phase the next summer. You (or any other university student) can click here for more information.

Joy, Laura and Katie, I immediately thought of each of you when I found the “Children at Risk DTS”. It focuses on the needs of children around the world and the issues that put them at risk — sex trafficking, poverty, AIDS, abuse, child soldiers, and broken families. Click here for more information.

Jenny, I know that you've rethought your career in photography, but I also know how much you love it as well. There is a DTS for you too! “Photography DTS” may be just the thing for you to get to know your Father in heaven and celebrate Him through your beautiful photography. Click here if you are interested!

Nick, I know you are feeling called to serve God at Hungry for Life and I am so excited for you and can't wait for you to start. But maybe a DTS would be a great way to start your new adventure? I found 2 DTSes for you- they both focus on regular DTS lessons, combined with all of the outdoor stuff you love to do. One is the “Adventure DTS”, and you can click here for more info and the other one is “Endurance DTS”, and the information is here.

“Crossroads DTS” has a family focus that welcomes parents and their children for a once in a lifetime experience of learning and outreach as a family. Krist and Terilynn, Reg and Suzanne, Linda and James, I know it might be a stretch for your families to go on such an adventure, but just remember that nothing is impossible with God. If you are interested (even just a little bit), click here.

Leslie, you are one of my closest friends and I know how much you love playing hockey. Believe it or not, there is a “Hockey DTS” in Canada and you can get more information by clicking here.

And Devon, you love music and I know you are going to love traveling after your big trip at Easter. Why not go to Australia when you are done high school and join the “Music DTS”? How cool would that be?! The information is right here.

The amount and different kinds of DTS opportunities really is truly amazing. Really, the only thing that is stopping you is you. No matter what happens, I know that I will never regret putting a pause on my life and going to DTS.

Live a life of love.

Thanks for reading,

Christy