Dec 2023: Becoming one: Team Building

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Dan LOVES challenging our DTS students to function as the body of Christ and learn to become one as in 1 Corinthans 12.  Working together as one body, but having many parts, is not easy!  There are many members of the body, all with different purposes and giftings, just like our bodies have feet, hands, hearts eyes, ears etc.  No part is greater or lesser than the others, but all are important.  Also when one part is hurting, it affects the whole body.  That is the same for teams!  Learning to function as one team with different people from different countries, with different personalities, with a variety of giftings, is always one of our favorite challenges of leading DTSs.  One way we prepare our team for working as one on outreach is by doing a day of team-building activities with the point of UNITY!   This year Dan led 4 activities on our team-building day. These activites were specifically chosen to work on communication skills, team work, problem-solving and plan development including execution of that plan.  These are important skills for a team going on outreach together. 

COMMUNICATION: drawing a picture 

During the first activity, Dan asked each person to draw a detailed picture and then gave them time to draw.  After about 10 mins, he divided them into partners and told them they had to flip the picture over so the other person could not see it. Next one person needed to communicate, only using sign, to their partner what their picture was like and the partner needed to draw it. Then they switched roles and did the same thing.Throughout this activity, our team realized how much detail they needed to communicate to their partners for that person to really understand how to draw their picture. This exemplified how often they think they are communicating everything they see but, by missing little details, their partners were not able to duplicate the picture. This skill was going to be helpful in the next three activities! 

WORKING TOGETHER: Catching a tennis ball with duct tape and straws

For this second challenge, Dan gave each group a long piece of duct tape and 20 paper straws.  They had to work together as a team to create something that could catch a tennis ball dropped from about 3ft. 

 

ENDURANCE: solve the bucket challenge 

When we got to this challenge, Dan divided each team of four into two partners placing the groups of two at two ends marked off with a wooden plank. Next he gave each team a bucket full of water and string. The team's challenge was to get the bucket of water to the other side without spilling the water. Every time this activity is used in a DTS, the group finds this challenge takes the longest and turns out to be the hardest!  Also by this point, in the long day of team building, patience fades and frustration grows! It usually takes about an hour to complete this activity which challenges our endurance and ability to work together to solve problems.  This year, one team was able to do it! 

 

MAKE A PLAN: Make a square with string while blindfolded 

The last activity that Dan led required each team of four to make a square in a large field with one long piece of string. However, they had to do it blindfolded! For the Deaf this is significantly harder as that meant they could not see or hear.  The point of this activity is to make a plan together beforehand and then execute it the best you can.  One team this year used a lot of communicating through sign language in the hands as someone would do if they were actually Deaf-Blind. 

 The team had a debriefing time afterwards; processing how they could grow individually and grow as a team, to prepare them for outreach.  I was not there during the activities or debrief, but I was able to ask each student what they learned at lunch. Their comments, processing, and reflections were so goood! 

Here is a summary of a few of the comments: 

"My voice is important, and I realized that I did not use it enough and just "checked out" of the discussion which affected the team." 

 " I am a forward person, but learning to do it with love, gentleness and kindness is a challenge for me. I am learning how to communicate with the fruit of the Spirit."

"When another team member did something we did not agree upon as a team, I got frustrated, and I did not know what to do or how to communicate. I want to grow in calling us back to what we agreed on in a loving way. "

"I realized that communication is about making sure the other person understands rather than just saying words."

"I am a leader and can lead, but I am afraid to step into leading.  Today, I did not step up in that area and instead let others lead, but I can and should lead too."

God's GIFT in the Middle of a Busy Season

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Dan and I had such a great time in Colorado, and it was such an honor to officiate Anna and Tyler's wedding! It was wonderful to finally meet their families and witness the beautiful union of these two amazing people becoming one.  We also had the opportunity to visit with some friends that we have not seen in a long time. Dan and I knew that this trip was going to be fun, but it was more than we could have thought or imagined. It was such a GIFT from God in the middle of a busy season!  Enjoy some pictures of the weekend.

It was cold! Colorado had a snowstorm right before we landed. Despite the cold, we loved every minute of the weather, especially Dan.  We prepared for this weather by packing warm layers and clothes, so we did well all weekend. The view from the place where we stayed was gorgeous. During our stay in CO, Dan and I got to try a few of Anna's favorite places and went on two beautiful hikes. We even got to go bowling back in Denver on Sunday night as we had hours of free time before our overnight flight that did not leave until midnight. God knew just what we needed to refresh us, and our marriage, during this marathon ministry year. Having extended time alone with Dan in the middle of a FULL Season is truly a God- gift!

Mountain Ridge Hike in Palmer Lake, CO

Red Rock Hike in Colorado Springs

Bowling in Denver

Rehearsal Dinner

The couple -to- be! Tyler and Anna were so happy the whole weekend.  It was such a joy to celebrate them. Dan and I were blessed to sit at the head table with Anna, Tyler, and both sets of parents. This time allowed us to become acquainted with both Anna and Tyler's parents during the rehearsal dinner. 

The Wedding Day

It was so fun to spend time with friends, Kevlasha, a past Deaf World Jamaica staff, and Hadassah, a past DTS student. In addition we were able to see some friends, like Han and Lauren, from our time serving with YWAM DC/David's Tent. 

Jesus Gathering: God's Story

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Jesus Gathering: God's Story

 

God really put on our hearts last season a desire to share the simple God story and see the power of the gospel move among people!  Therefore, this season for the Jesus Gathering, we are so excited that Caleb Resch is preparing the DTS team each week in storytelling for leading on Saturdays.  

Caleb leads our team every Friday in preparing for Jesus Gathering

Caleb and Dan chose 12 stories from the Bible that share the story of God. Then, each week, Caleb, who is a storyteller, tells the story, and our team learns the story, memorizes it and then teaches it the next day for the Jesus Gathering.  We do not use the Bible directly but focus on a storytelling curriculum for oral people groups.  We have seen amazing deep discussions as we have started this on Saturdays. Honestly, during our recent Jesus Gatherings using this storytelling method, we are experiencing the best discussions and questions, resulting in greater God revelations,  than we have since leading "church" here in Jamaica. 

Ruth-Ann and JP: Telling the Story 

There are four parts to teaching the story.  The first part is "telling the story".  This is where two students  memorize the story following Caleb's exact way of sharing the story;  beautifully presented in sign language.  

Misael and Ray: Teaching the Story

The second part involves two students teaching the story.  This is where everyone shares the story with each other as they memorize and tell the story.  As people are practicing the story and signing it with their own hands, many questions are stirred up about the story.  Many want to jump into discussion, but they must wait! 

Tycen and Ellie: Dramatizing the Story

The third part is dramatizing the story.  Two different students create a fun drama of the story, acting out the story for the group to watch and remember.  This part is creative and usually imvolves some comedy. 

Emily and Levi: Discussing the Story

 Lastly, the remaining two students, lead  the group into a deep discussion about the story, resulting in a deeper application of Biblical truths. The 4 questions asked are:What did you like about the story? What did you find confusing/or did not like? What did you learn about God? What did you learn about people? 

Something special about this season is that Olive expressed interest in joining the church part of the Jesus Gathering. She has been sitting in and being part of "church" too!  She often needs a little toy to fidget with so she can pay attention and does not get everything, but she is learning and seeing God's story each week.

We are really enjoying our set up for Jesus Gathering this year.  We have fun and fellowship.  People swim, or play games or chat and catch up.  Then we have "church" with God's story and some worship and prayer.  Then we share a meal together!  Enjoy a few pictures I have captured of the fellowship part! 

Also Valor loves Jamaican fruit. He loves going with one of our Jamaican staff, Clifton, and collecting fruits. Clifton made this video to remember his time with Valor. Enjoy!