John Kuperus Post

Pay Check in YWAM

            Why would a person want to invest their lives without getting a pay check?  I like to share some testimonies of students who have completed their DTS. 

Nick was born in Holland in 1935.  During WWII, two German soldiers came in and took over their house for two years.  The one soldier was an alcoholic and at one point he pointed his gun at Nick and fortunately when the gun went off it was no longer pointed at Nick.  Nick almost starved to death and spent many days in bed because he was too weak to get up.  He developed a hatred for Germans.  At the time, Nick made a promise to Jesus that if he spared his life, he would serve him. 

After he immigrated to Canada, he would work for Germans and if they would be demanding of him as a brick layer, it would cause the hair to stand up on his back.  He would become very angry as a bitter root had taken hold in his life. 

            He was part of my small group and during Plumb Line week, God brought this bitter root to the surface for Nick to deal with.  We asked Jesus where he was when Nick was being mistreated by the German soldiers.  Nick saw Jesus and was willing to let go of the bitter root.  We also had a German in our small group that asked for forgiveness on behalf of his people.  Nick cried, something he had not done for years and experienced a deep freedom. 

            Roy was born in Norway.  He is a gifted singer.  He was part of a heavy metal band which traveled throughout the world.  He describes his music as becoming very dark over time. 

            One year ago, he became a Christian and he quit his band.  He and his wife decided to do a DTS in Hawaii. 

            During the Plumb Line week, he shared his story.  At one point he wanted to end his life by laying on a train track near his house.  He came to the gate and that day the train was going unusually slow.  We asked Jesus where he was during this experience and Roy saw Jesus on the top of the train moving his legs like a windshield wiper, smiling and waving to Roy.  Suddenly, that painful memory in his life was given new meaning with Jesus being present.  Jesus had been wooing Roy to himself and Roy received the invitation. 

            Roy and Elizabeth with their two children, Gabriele and Stella, did their outreach in Thailand.  When they returned to Hawaii to do their debriefing, they wanted to be baptized.  They had experienced such a turning point in their lives and they wanted to seal this time.  Roy commented that so much has taken place that it is hard to capture.  They were both baptized in the pool at the University of the Nations on February 21, 2012. 

            Peace was born in the former East Germany and became a Swiss citizen.  His mom raised him and he had a close relationship with his sister. 

            He wrestled with personal worth and seeing value in himself.  Inspite of his critical spirit, he was fully engaged in the school.  He was hungry to receive all that he could from the Lord and was very diligent about doing his journal with excellence. 

            Peace experienced transformation on outreach.  He came to see his wife, Dama, through new eyes after a conversation with another team member.  He was able to see his selfishness, repent of it, and embrace his wife in a new way. 

When he returned to Kona for debriefing, he was at dinner with two other guys, where Peace was bubbling over with what had transacted in his life.  He was transformed by the power and love of our Lord Jesus. 

What is the pay check?  It is witnessing God’s power and grace to change lives as students come hungry and thirsty for the Lord.  That makes it all worth it.