Friday, June 25, 2010

Dear Friends & Family,

I have recently been accepted to a Transformation Discipleship Training School (DTS) with an organization called Youth With A Mission (YWAM). DTS is an intensive Christian training that begins with a 12-week lecture and equipping phase followed by a 12-week practical field assignment. The first 12 weeks of the DTS will be spent in Vancouver, B.C., and the outreach portion will take place partially in Canada and partially with YWAM
Surabaya in Indonesia.

This school is designed to encourage students in personal character development by helping them cultivate a living relationship with God and identify their unique gifts and callings. The DTS is primarily a course in discipleship, addressing areas of attitude, motives of the heart, and character and places strong emphasis on missions and evangelism. The DTS allows individuals to experience first hand the life of a missionary and facilitates a basic understanding of God, His character and attributes, and the principles in scripture that are essential to every Christian worker.

The dates for my Discipleship Training School are October 5, 2010 to March 31, 2011.

WHY VANCOUVER?
Vancouver is a city of wealth with the largest port on the West coast of North America and therefore an incredibly prosperous door to the Pacific Rim. However, it is also home to the poorest neighborhood in all of Canada where drug abuse and poverty have extracted their social toll. The land that is now Vancouver was originally inhabited by indigenous people groups until European settlers immigrated to the area in the late 1800's. The immigration has continued until the present day and Vancouver is now a vibrant, diverse, multicultural city. Today's immigrants are streaming in from all over Asia. This Canadian city is an eclectic mix of many cultures. Fast food outlets, trendy coffee shops, Italian delis, and Buddhist and Sikh temples co-exist side by side. 52% of Vancouver residents do not speak English as their first language.

WHY SURABAYA, INDONESIA?
With a population of 230 million people, it is the world’s fourth most populous country. It also has the world’s largest population of Muslims. Indonesia’s history since it secured independence after World War II has been turbulent, with challenges posed by natural disasters, corruption, separatism, periods of rapid economic change, etc. The country is richly endowed with natural resources, yet poverty remains widespread in contemporary Indonesia.

As part of my experience as a short-term missionary, I am learning to trust God with my need for support as I respond to His call. I am praying for people who know me well and recognize the call of God on my life to invest in me both spiritually and financially. God has opened this door for me to develop a greater heart of compassion for His people around the world and the exciting reality is that you can share in this compassion with me.

First and foremost, I will need lots of prayer as I embark on this journey. Please pray that God will prepare me and bless my efforts as I equip and ultimately minister to the people of Canada and Indonesia. Secondly, I am in need of an estimated $6,000 to cover costs for the duration of the school. I am asking you to please consider helping me reach this goal through a monetary donation. No gift is too small or unimportant. Together we can partner to reach individuals in foreign lands with the life-saving message of Jesus Christ!

Whether you contribute financially, through prayer, or both, all of your support is deeply appreciated. I have been blessed to hear many testimonies of God’s provision in the lives of those who trust Him, and I am confident that He is going to prove himself faithful through my life as well. For more information, visit YWAMVancouver.com or contact me at (615) 598-1928.


In Hopeful Anticipation,

Eric Willis


Eric Willis
800 Ember Lake Drive
Nashville, TN 37214

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