YWAM San Diego/Baja offers two distinct spiritual growth opportunities at our two DTS campuses just south of the U.S./Mexico border. Discuss the love of Jesus Christ in small groups, attend a local church, self-reflect, study the Bible, and, of course, take part in your chosen elective and learn how the Holy Spirit moves through us as we perform effective discipleship across the nations.
One of these electives is the Photo Story DTS, which enables you to gain the skills to use photography and storytelling to communicate God’s story, advocate on behalf of others, and use social media as a tool for His kingdom. Read on to learn about Kennedy's experience with YWAM San Diego/Baja's Photo Story DTS.
Discipleship Programs: Making Personal Connections in a Global DTS Experience
My name is Kennedy and I am first generation American.
My mom grew up in Ensenada, Mexico, and after moving to the United States, she worked really hard to learn English. My parents did everything they could to give my siblings and me more opportunities than they had as kids.
I grew up in Massachusetts, so I wasn’t exposed much to Mexican culture. Growing up, I didn't really have a desire to know my culture. It wasn’t until I was 18 years old that I felt like something was missing and I didn't know who I was.
Looking back I now see it wasn't just my roots I was missing; it was God.
Making Disciples at Every Stage in Life
At 23 years old, during my time in Mexico doing the Photo-Story DTS, I did so many things I never imagined, like hiking three hours and 10 minutes down a mountain to a village in the middle of the Mexican jungle, cooking with indigenous women, or giving out photos to people who have never had one of themselves.
I took a huge leap of blind faith to go there, leaving my job and everything I knew. What I didn't expect was that I would not only find my roots but also discover God's heart for Mexico.
Planting New Roots with Visual Storytelling
During the campus phase of the Photo Story DTS, we learned how to tell someone's story with a photo, while giving them value. One goal that we focused on was allowing God to show us who people are through His eyes so we could then communicate that in a photo.
The photography focus is what drew me to this DTS and I am so happy that I took that step to be there. We did video sessions and had photography lessons and learned that discipleship can be performed during any program or in any societal sphere.
The elective acted as a foundational discipleship resource as I moved on to my mission trip in the outreach phase.
Spiritual Growth in a New Community
During my outreach, I was able to show the indigenous people of Mexico their value by photographing them and showing them just a fraction of their beauty. The women in Southern Mexico were shocked that we wanted to spend time with them, cooking with them, and photographing them.
In Chiapas, one of my teammates, Savannah, and I sat in a kitchen with three women while they cooked breakfast. We asked to help cook and they told us they didn't need help, so we decided to keep them company and asked if we could photograph them.
It was so much fun. We took their photos, we showed them the pictures we made, and waited for their reactions - which were priceless. Seeing how touched they were by their own photos was such a blessing.
We had photography teams out all over the world at the time, and God was truly using all the teams to impact the people around them. In many of the countries that our teams were located in, women are not valued as much as men are, so our teams focused on showing these women their value.
One technique we studied was to angle your camera from below allowing the subject to appear stronger and more powerful, rather than weak and vulnerable. It was a learning experience for us to work with these women from all over the world and a privilege to share with them how God values them.
Profound Ministries: The Personal Impact of Spreading the Gospel
To be honest, I never thought I would be in Mexico seeking God like this. I never imagined that God would use my life to change the lives of people I meet.
I did not think I would fall so in love with Mexico that my soul ached to come back when I hadn't even left yet. I never thought DTS would change me this much and I am so thankful for everything that happened during those five months.
I learned how to photograph people with a purpose that is bigger than me. I grew as a photographer and as an individual. I’m so thankful to God for bringing me back to my roots, for making this all possible, and for showing me more of His heart.
Do a DTS with YWAM Today!
DTS students come from all backgrounds, ages, and walks of life to Know God and Make Him Known across the nations. Are you ready to join the movement and answer His call? Apply for a DTS today.
Or if you still have questions about YWAM San Diego/Baja's missions training experience and elective courses tailored to your spiritual gifts, check out our frequently asked questions for more information.
Taking a gap year or want to grow closer to God? Do a YWAM San Diego/Baja DTS today.
