This week we celebrated the wonderful things God has done in the lives of our Fall 2011 DTS students and all the lives they touched during their time in Lausanne and on outreach.

Dressed in their finest and surrounded by family and YWAM friends from over twenty-five countries, we celebrated together with a delicious dinner ‘a la’ our lovely chef, Rosy, and her team. With full bellies, we rejoined together to watch cultural dances performed by our Brazilian and African students and listen to Michelle, the school’s leader, and Markus, base director, as they offered a charging commission to the students as they embark on their next adventure with God.

The evening’s theme was “like a tree planted by streams of water,” referencing Psalm 1.

“God is building our lives like trees and the fruitfulness doesn’t come in the first season, it is something that is built throughout our lives.

You are not done growing now that you have completed your DTS. You are now entering into another beautiful season where God will continue to help you grow.

You have an amazing life before you. If what you have been apart of here has changed you and you able to apply it to your life, you will see amazing fruit come forth in your future. We were made to bear fruit!” says base director, Markus Steffen.

School leader, Michelle, echoes saying, “Don’t ever stop being learners. We will always be disciples of God learning more and more about how to serve Him. And if you keep that humble spirit, God will use you for great things for His Kingdom.”

Watching each student walk up and receive their certificate, we are aware that this is not the end, but simply the beginning of even greater growth to come through the love these students have for our God.

“Remember,” Markus says, “you were not paid for with a little price, because God’s outstretched arms came at an enormous expense. You are not bought with silver or gold, but by the precious sacrifice of Jesus. He has shown you the greatest love you can ever experience.”

And that is truly our prayer for each student as they embark on their next adventure with God. That they may love their God with all their heart, with their entire mind, and with every ounce of their strength. And that they would love all those around them like they love themselves. All else is secondary.

We are thankful to God for bringing each student to our base and how these students have responded to His call on their lives, and for all he has done in and through their lives.

Job well done, Fall 2012 DTSers!