A couple weeks ago we had a teaching on personalities. A topic I have to say I feel almost too comfortable in. One of the first things they said about it was, “Don’t let this put you in a box.” Well ever since I could over analyze anything in my life I have been studying personality types, mine in particular.  I did every personality test you could think, my sister’s and I picked apart my entire family and ourselves,and I did my senior thesis on personality types and learning styles. P.S. My dream since age 8 was to be a psychologist. Needles to say I had great expectation and was ready to go.

Who knows, maybe that isn’t such a bad thing and maybe you like this stuff as much as I do. So if so I will amuse you and inform you of our teaching. 

You have 4 basic personality types. D-dominant. Pretty self-explanatory. They are the born leaders, head strong, independent, strong-willed, see’s the big picture, opinionated, argumentative, impatient, and action based people. You probably already have a couple people in your head picked out. These people are the go-getters. They aren’t very emotional and are quick to say what is on their mind. Yes, it seems they get the most ridicule, but they are the needed leaders who are willing to take the risk! If it weren’t for these people where would we be today? 

Next, you have the I-the care free, outgoing, people person. These are the ones who are the life of the party! They’re emotional, creative problem solvers, spontaneous, energetic, inspiring, encouraging, and genuinely liked people. They thrive off people and activities. Yes, they can be a little much to take some times (I myself being an I, can relate to these people) but they are free spirits who when you need a fun, pick-me up they are there to help. They genuinely care for  peoples feelings and are always there for others. 

S- as Cheryl our teacher put it, these are just the genuinely nice people. They are the introverts and quiet people who you’re not quite sure what they’re thinking, but you figure with that much silence they must be in deep thought. They are conservative, dependable, stable, listening, patient peacemakers. They dislike change, fear conflict, pessimistic at times, indecisive, and stubborn. They are the ones who will not voice their opinions most times and keeps things bottled. They are very nice and just want to keep peace and make sure everyone is happy. They are the ones we can thank for helping and going with the flow. I seem to often surround myself with these people. Which is interesting since it is the one I am lowest in. 

Finally C-lets just say it, Critical. When we first did the test I showed more D than C, but after careful analyzation (a key factor in C’s) I became honest with myself and came to terms with my c qualities. Yes, they are often quite critical, but on a good note they are planners! They are analytical, precise, self-disciplined, loyal, organized, and detail oriented. They do their research and feel they are right, which often they are, but forget sometimes to put others before their desire to be correct.    - Let me pause here and say coming from a family of all C’s. We all are, and after learning this week, I am beginning to think it is learned. The very week of this teaching I had to mediate between my two sisters who both think they are right and one just wants sympathy and thinks the other is wrong in her actions. The other one wants to just “fix” her. It is very interesting and I have to admit I find more humor in it than anything. 

So what did this do. Well for a whole week and a half we all went around talking about how I-D’s we are, S’s. C-S’s and so forth. The question was raised by a couple, Is this beneficial? We all pick each other part, but what do we learn from this?                           We need to remember the key points made by our teachers this week.

1. Don’t put yourself or others in a “box”

 2. Don’t use this knowledge as an excuse for our behavior

3. There is no profile pattern that is better than another

5. No profile pattern is right or wrong in and of itself

The main object was to see our strengths, weakness, and how to relate to each other in those. We’re not all the same and that is something we have to not only realize, but be ok with. That others not being like ourselves is alright and good. We need all the different personalities and with them we function the best. This is the message and I hope we all got it.

I still love analyzing and personality tests! This just helps me to understand more why it is I like them. My lesson learned, don’t categorize everyone when I meet them. They’re not a personality, they are a person! I hope we can all remember that, learn, and help each other knowing this.

Here is what I have about first three weeks.

In the first 3 weeks, God showed His Might and Power in worship, in every praise song, and everywhere I went – He has been revealing Himself.

The first week in Constanta was an introduction week. There are 12 students and during the first week we had great time to get to know each-other and go through the DTS manual. We had time to hear about the ministries they have here: street people ministry; ministry with children from neighborhood; ministry in Day Center – here kids ages 5-17 come after school to do their homework and also spend some time together, they play, learn to do things together, they become friends, become family together; the New Wine Café ministry mostly for youth – to spend time with youth and show them the way to the Lord. Each one of our team is signed for one ministry and we join it once or twice a week.

During the introduction week I heard so much. The worship songs that I have been singing before I now heard in a new way for my heart. I realized how blind I was to His word and how my soul was thirsty for His water. Every single sentence I was singing to Him turned up as my prayer.

We are scheduled for quiet time with God every morning after breakfast. I am learning how to do this and I hope I will be able to discipline myself in this lifestyle.

One of the requirements in DTS is to work on a Journal to reflect what God has taught us during the week. During the introduction week we had to work on our cover page to show what our expectations from God for the coming few months are and to write a letter to God. On my cover page I have sand, a desert and ice – craving for water to fill me and warmth to melt the ice in my heart…

The second week of teaching, we were taught about Hearing God’s Voice. We heard a lot, and by the end of the week we were praying for each other. When I went for prayer, the Lord really spoke to me. Each one of the words was an answer to the cover page of my journal. God simply said that He sees me and He will pour His water on my inner desert.

In our Journals we outlined short messages which we can share with people from what we’ve learned.

Titus and I visited the Day Center. We shared with children about our countries. We had time to play with them and Titus shared with them biblical story. Children of all ages were interested to know more about us. It was interesting to answer their questions about location of the countries as well as about our customs.

The third week, we heard about the Kingdom of God. It was so remarkable for me!! I am so excited now to be able to share with my friends the secrets of His Kingdom, the Kingdom of God which surrounds them and is everywhere! It is available for all the children of God! The Kingdom of God, the power of God, His wisdom, and most of all relationship – that is desire of God. I realized that people all over the world is longing for His grace! I am so happy we could learn this and will be able to share it with them and serve them.

We left for small outreach after first three weeks of teaching. We visited two small villages – two groups in two different places. I will write about this next time.

Astrid L

The teaching this last week was on our identity in Christ and what the cross did for us. To be honest, last week was a little rough for me. Emotionally. The teacher (Andi) was the pastor from the church I am attending here in Constanta and I really enjoyed learning from him more than just what I hear on Sundays. He’s passionate and knowledgeable and just an all around encouraging person to get to know.

For me, I have heard sermons on “The Cross” many many times (as I’m sure many Christians have), but this week-long teaching was very powerful to me.  Especially salvation past, present and future. I have never heard this teaching before, and it was difficult for me to process, but thanks to God and to the some people I am in DTS with, I feel like I understand a bit more.

Our spirit was saved when Christ died for us and we accepted it. Our soul is being saved. We are working out our salvation of the mind, emotions and will everyday and God is working through us. We have future salvation when we speak of eternal judgement and the rewards for the good deeds we do that were planned for us. This is not to be confused in saying the we can do good works to be saved, but we do good works BECAUSE we are saved. Salvation is the frame work of what God has given to us.

Three questions that were asked of us in the teaching were:

1. In what I did, did I do God’s will or my will?

2. In the works I did, did I draw attention to myself or God?

3. In what I did, did I do through my power, or His power?

I have been challenging myself with these questions daily. I think they are important for us to consider on our day to day lives.

Another part of the teaching that was very powerful for me was the reiteration that we cannot rely on our own strength, we must rely on God.

Proverbs 3:5-6 says Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight.

This is so true. We will just exhaust and frustrate ourselves if we try to fix our own problems. We need to give our burdens and struggles to God. He wants to take care of us! We all have strongholds from our past from what people have done to us, what we have done to others and what we have done to ourselves, but we need to release these lies that we live our lives by and give everything up to God. Nothing is too powerful for Him. Nothing is too much for Him. We need to turn everything over to Him with our hearts and trust in Him and HE will overcome these things for us.

Well, it’s starting to get late. Our entire base went bowling tonight in the mall instead of having small group and it was so much fun!! Hardly any of us can bowl, but we had a blast anyways. A few of us are meeting throughout the week to either study the bible together or to learn Romanian, including the ministries that we are part of and plan. There is always something going on!

Happy update : The store down the street got more Transformers in!! Haha, we’ll wipe them out in 3 days

Peace be with you all and I will try to update some more pictures to this site! God bless!!

Melissa

Yesterday Harald Jensen, teacher of this week, asked the students to write down a few things on a piece of paper. One corner for our names, one corner for our expectations of this week, one corner put down what we think we are good at and the last corner put down what we think is most important in our life. I wrote down “LOVE”. To love God, to love people, to receive love from Him as well as from other. Then today, I found out that it is not a simple thing to recognize the importance of Love in our life. And I am so glad that I never doubt about His love. I got that in my heart and I have nothing to scare of.

We will have a small outreach next week. We will split into 2 teams, 1 team will go to Babadag and the other team, my team, will go to Medgidia. They are both an hour away from Constanţa. I am very excited and looking forward for the trip. And for the Big Outreach, from mid October to the beginning of December, it comes up to 2 destinations:  Serbia and Manila, Philippines.

OK. Meeting for tomorrow Kid’s Club ministry in 30mins and going to the Street People ministry tonight. Praying that my heart is ready for all that. Amen.

Hazel Chang (Student, DTS Constanţa)

God’s Kingdom was the topic of the teaching last week. I am sure I need much more time to think about this subject. Random thoughts/ notes… Jesus talked about The Kingdom more than any other topics… “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” … on earth, yes, on earth…, concern about Justice, Poverty and those who are oppressed, the Kingdom is a place to serve…. to FOLLOW Jesus and to invite people to follow Him, not about repent from sin but a new mind, a new way of thinking…not about IN or OUT of the circle but following… shine the glory, make Him visible…

Last Wednesday I joined the Kid’s Club ministry. Our team went to a poor neighbourhood and we just played games, sang songs and drew with the kids. I love them so much and we had so much fun. I will keep working in this ministry and I am looking forward to meet them again.

Friday, Coffee House Ministry. We had the “New Wine Cafe” at the ground floor and it opens every Thur and Fri evenings. This Friday I went down to try to see what I could do. There wasn’t any new visitors but the 2 boys who always come. Then I realise, it’s not about making a good business. Sometime, it seems like “nothing” is happening. But it’s just because we haven’t seen the whole picture yet. I enjoy the night at the cafe. Don Stevens, our teacher last week, gave us a short message at the cafe. And he played beautiful piano for us. Sweet.

We all have varying amounts of free time in between our activites depending on what we are involved in. There are several different ministries to choose from. Neighborhood Kids Club, New Wine Cafe, Street People, Girls Home and the Day Center. The two that I have chosen are the Cafe and the Kids Club. Kids aren’t usually my thing, but I’m working in stretching in that area. Tonight is the first night I will be going with the team to the Kids Club, and I’m actually really excited.

Our teacher this week is Don Stevens, teaching on The Kingdom and I am absolutely in love with this class. He is a wonderful teacher and he really encourages us to think and have opinions and it’s very enjoyable to learn. We have been discussing different worldviews and it’s really interesting to hear what different people from different parts of the world.

We have 6 different nations here in Constanta, Romania. It is truly amazing to me how God has brought all of us together and that we would never have met or known eachother except the one common thing we are all here for. To get closer to God, to get to know God and to share God with others. We have 1 student from Hong Kong (Hazel), 1 student from Azerbaijan (Emiliya), 1 student from Moldova (Ana), 1 student from Canada (Matthew), 2 students from Romania (Robert and George) and 6 students from the USA (Natalie, Leah D, Kristen, Titus, Denali and Melissa (me)). It just amazes me how different yet similiar we all are and we all love the same God. In different languages, cultures, continents and denominations, we have the same basic blueprint on our heart.

It’s a pretty quiet day right now. I’m sitting in the living room at the table and I can hear the cars and people outside and the occassional bird song. Hazel, Denali and I are chatting about other opportunities offered by YWAM as we flip through the Go Manual with the lists of classes and schools. Kristen is relaxing on the couch reading “Is That Really You, God?” by Loren Cunningham. This is one of the books we have to read and do a small report on for the school.

I think so far this has been a wonderful learning experience living in this 3 room house with 12-13 other people. The rooms are small and we live in community, but I believe in character building. It’s just such an adventure to me. We are all beginning to develop deeper relationships with eachother and getting to know everyone. There have been several evenings that we congregate in the living room and we play guitar or the keyboard and sing or we just chat and ask eachother questions about life. I would like to think we’ve have some pretty great conversations so far.

I hope you have enjoyed reading about our school and just getting a general overview of what a typical day is like for us. I will post a couple more photos here in the next day or so! Thank you all for your prayers!

Grace be with you,

Melissa

This is my second Saturday morning in Constanţa.

Me, Sara, Emliya, Melissa, Natalie and Titus just came back to the base after we went to see the sun raise at the beach. With a cup of tea, I sit in the warm room, listening to the sound of the fan, roommates are all sleeping sweetly and I smell the taste of nice pancakes from the kitchen. Then I realise, everything is perfect.

After a few days of introduction, we started our lectures last week. Hearing God’s Voice. I always find it difficult to reconise His Voice. Is the idea, the sound in my mind from You, God? Or is it just came from myself? I have had my quiet time by the Black Sea for a week. The scenes were different everyday. The colour, the sound and the smell could be very different. God is actually talking to me, through His creation and His present. And yes, He just makes it perfect.

Bună Dimineaţa! Good Morning, my Lord.

Hazel Chang (Student, DTS Constanţa)

Matthew Siemens here, I’m 18 years old and from Saskatchewan Canada. There are 12 of us from quite a few different countries here in Constanta. We’ve been here nearly 2 weeks now and its been amazing meeting everyone and and finding more out about they’re country and culture. Our YWAM base here is located only 3 blocks from the Black Sea and it has been lots of fun exploring Constanta, swimming in the Sea, and just living together in community.

This week we had Helga Nuremburger as our speaker. She’s originally from Germany but she’s been living here in Romania since 1991. She was speaking on Hearing God’s Voice this week. We also had our first small group meeting today, we meet together once a week in small groups and discuss what we’ve been learning that week and any other issues or questions that have come up during the week.

I also uploaded a few photos from our DTS so far, please follow this link to check them out!! Photo Album

That’s all I have to report for now! Thanks from all of us out here for all your prayers!! It means so much to us!

God Bless

Matthew Siemens