highlights from week 10

My 10^th week of DTS is coming to a close. This time has been so full; it baffles me that everything that’s happened has fit into ten weeks! This week was particularly rich and inspiring for me. I would love to share a few highlights with you!

• Last night, I had the opportunity to meet an inspiring Canadian couple (Jay & Michelle Brock) that makes up the organization Hope for the Sold. They visited Herrnhut for about 24 hours and shared with my DTS about their calling to create documentaries about sex trafficking. I am so inspired by these modern-day abolitionists: they lead “normal” lives and do this in their free time. They aren’t filmmakers (read: no special training), but they make documentaries. Their first one has been used all over Canada for things like raising awareness about sex trafficking in high schools and for training for border patrol. You can watch it here. Also, Michelle’s blog about sex trafficking is totally worth checking out! (Sidenote: I love that this couple has the calling to do this together. They are a testament to how powerfully God can use a marriage to fulfill his purposes!)
  

• In this week’s lectures about justice, we discussed Sabbath economics: a holistic look at our lives and how we spend our resources—time, money, everything. The following bit may be overwhelming. If it is, I encourage you to ask "What is the next right step?" (I snagged that helpful question from Jay & Michelle's talk last night!). I have tried to include questions to get you thinking and helpful links. In our lectures, we discussed seven areas of life:

A picture of my notes to make all the words below a little less overwhelming :)

• Surplus capital – This is the money you have in your bank, in your pocket, etc. How is your money being used? Is the bank and are the stocks you have money in investing in and profiting in an ethically sound things? 
• Negative capital – Debt. We talked about cash advance companies and their exploitive nature... I thought of 38^th Street. Did you know that a lot of banks we use own a lot of these? I didn’t. After I post this blog, I plan to look up where my bank uses its clients’ money. It's next on my "To Do When I Have Access to the Internet" list. :)
• Giving – We discussed giving as a lifestyle and an art. When I stop to think about it, I can think of specific people who are creative givers. Who comes to mind for you? I would love to grow more in the area of artful, creative giving!
• Environment and green living – We were given stewardship over this earth. How are we taking care of the earth that God created? You can find out your environmental impact on myfootprint.org 
• Consumption – Looking at products for spiritual satisfaction is idolatry. We have the opportunity to develop an alternative mindset and, in this age of infinite information on the internet, to be conscious of where our products come from. You can learn more about consumption by watching The Story of Stuff and by taking a fun and interactive survey at slaveryfootprint.org. As someone who sometimes goes to Target with no intention other than to see if there’s anything to buy (I can't believe I'm admitting this in online), this topic challenged me. I also have had a hard time going to thrift stores and Goodwill for clothing in the past. This week is making me think twice about my aversion to pre-owned clothing.

If this is an area you would like to explore in your own life, here are some questions to think about before buying things:

• Can I borrow this item from a friend or neighbor?
• Is there anything I already own that I could use or repurpose instead?
• Were those who labored for this product paid a fair wage?
• Were their working conditions fair and just?
• How was the environment impacted by the production, transportation and packaging of this?
• Are the resources that went into this renewable?

• Solidarity – Standing as one with poor, oppressed and marginalized people. This means aligning your location (or maybe vocation? I kept hearing both), life, vision and hope with them. Where would Jesus spend his time where you live?
• Work and Sabbath – There is a time for work and a time for rest. We explored the Biblical idea of the Sabbath: setting a day aside and intentionally doing things and intentionally not doing other things in order to rest and spend time with the Lord. What do you intentionally DO on your Sabbath day? What do you intentionally NOT do on your Sabbath day? Being intentional about this is new for me!

• This week in our DTS lectures, we learned about worship. I thought of all of my creative friends and the worship team at itown... you guys would love this! This YWAM base is particularly creative... the other Discipleship Training School going on right now is called Marriage of the Arts and the people in it focus on different things: writing, music, art, photography, dance. To all my creative friends: you would love it here. ;)
  

In short, it was a wonderful week!