Applying to Medical Discipleship Training School with YWAM Townsville

Did you know about 29,000 children under the age of five – 21 each minute – die every day, mainly from preventable causes? Or that more than 70 per cent of almost 11 million child deaths every year are attributable to six causes: diarrhea, malaria, neonatal infection, pneumonia, preterm delivery, or lack of oxygen at birth - majority of which are preventable?

Some of the deaths occur from illnesses like measles, malaria or tetanus. Others result indirectly from marginalization, conflict and HIV/AIDS. Malnutrition and the lack of safe water and sanitation contribute to half of all these children’s deaths. But disease isn’t inevitable, nor do children with these diseases need to die. Research and experience show that six million of the almost 11 million children who die each year could be saved by low-tech, evidence-based, cost-effective measures such as vaccines, antibiotics, micronutrient supplementation, insecticide-treated bed nets and improved family care and breastfeeding practices.

Disease and poverty is not suddenly less significant when it is not affecting my city or my nation. The heart of God cares deeply for all who are lost and dying (1 Tim. 2:4)… if He is our God, we must care just as deeply.

As a future Registered Nurse, I know I can make a difference! With that, I've decided to defer my Nursing studies at McMaster University for one year to embark on what I know will be an unforgettable and life changing experience. I have applied to a 22-week medical focused Discipleship Training School (DTS) with Youth With A Mission (YWAM) Townsville. Hopefully (if I am accepted!), this coming July I will be travelling to Townsville, Australia!

During my DTS, I will be partnering with YWAM Townsville’s long-term Medical Ship serving in Papua New Guinea; I will have the opportunity to be a part of teams connecting with local villages, providing needed healthcare and assisting in rural community development. This is where I will have the chance to bring hope and life to those who are in great need.

This really is so much more than just a course for me – my prayer is that I will gain such passion and boldness in my faith, that I have never known before and will carry through the rest of my life. I also see this as an opportunity to develop life-long friendships all while passionately serving the people of Papua New Guinea with a medical focused ministry.

I look forward to hearing back from YWAM Townsville about my application! Please join me in praying that if this is what God is leading me to that all barriers will be removed to make this possible.

Blessings,