Back to Northern Ireland
I know it’s been a long time since my last update… and a lot has happened since then. You may remember that after the completion of my Discipleship Training School (DTS) last summer I was hoping to join Marine Reach’s ship the Next Wave as staff. Although the timing for that was not right, I was able to serve Marine Reach through several months of long distance web and graphic design work while helping my family move from Ukraine and settle into our home in Pennsylvania. I have recently completely redesigned YWAM PA’s website and relaunch it with video and online applications and donations.
Since April I have been working a summer job at a Sherwin-Williams warehouse distribution center here in central Pennsylvania. I plan to use the money I made there to return to Northern Ireland where I was invited to help staff the Fall ‘08 DTS. My primary responsibility during the DTS will be serving and guiding the students while they seek to better know God and make Him known. The DTS is a 6 month experience that includes a 12 week lecture series followed by an 8-12 week foreign outreach. Some staff responsibilities during the lecture phase include helping lead small groups, leading the students in local ministry efforts, conducting weekly one-on-one discussions of the week’s teaching and how it affects and applies to the students’ life and performing work duties for the YWAM base. During the foreign outreach I will co-lead a team of students for 8-12 weeks as they apply what they learned in the lecture phase to real-world situations. A staff retreat and training begin August 26th. The DTS is September 2008 thru April 2009.
My staff fees, travel and living expenses will be approximately $8,000. I will have earned $3500 from my summer job which I will put towards these expenses. I still need another $4500. Please consider making a commitment to this upcoming DTS with me by contributing towards the funds I lack. It is my goal to have pledges for all of the remaining funds by the end of August.
Thank you for considering joining me in my commitment to this DTS. I am very much looking forward to this opportunity to serve.
For information about making tax-deductible donations online (credit/debit card) or via mail (check) visit: http://greg.colkerfamily.org/help. Please note that funds donated go into our family account, so please let me know if you’ve sent a donation specifically for my DTS staff expenses.