Hi there! Hey, how was you PA experience? It's something that every SAB student has to undergo and every experience is unique! As I look back to my PA experience, I sincerely felt that it's almost too good to be true. It's definitely more than a work experience! Allow me to share this unforgettable stint with Youth With A Mission (YWAM), BC-Winfield base (Canada).

YWAM is an international movement  of Christians working to make a difference in this needy world. It offers different kinds of practical help - from agricultural training to running medical clinics, as well as telling about the Christian beliefs that inspire their actions. YWAM is also involved in a multitude of training programs in many locations on every continent. The Discipleship Training School (DTS) or Crossroads Discipleship Training School (CDTS) are the primary level programs for the mission. The University of Nations offers training worldwide in areas ranging from healthcare in science and technology to performing arts.

I was attached to the YWAM Winfield base (the Okanagan Training Centre). Located to the sunny Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, Canada, the campus is surrounded by beautiful mountains, orchards and lakes that make the impressive region so well known. It is within driving distance of great camping, biking and downhill skiing sites. Indeed , the scenery is such a feast to the eyes! The mountains stand tall and majestic, the famous Okanagan Lake speaks serenity to my soul while the green pastures are soft beds to lie on while basking in the warm Spring sunshine. Every morning, the animals from the ranch across the road woke me to a whole new day of challenge. As you have guessed, the Winfield base is very close to nature and was a welcomed change for the urban girl I am.

My organisation supervisor was Mike McLoughlin - the author of the book "36 Steps to a Succesful Small Business". He has extensive experience in several sectors, including substantial working experience in Zambia. With such a wealth of experience behind him, Mike has taught me valuable lessons and insights through the whole PA.

Work is a big challenge by itself. The main project I undertook was the preparation of a report to the management on improvement opportunities in every area I can identify. Other work included training, cash flow charts, management binders, etc. Throughout the whole PA, I was given ample opportunitiesto apply what was learnt and to explore my potential. Indeed, I have learnt to be more practical in my proposalsand tailor-make them to the uniqueness of YWAM BC. And guess what?! I had my first experience of attending the annual Board meeting!!! That was really something way out of my expectations!

Working hard and long hours (my record was working till 3 a.m.) wasn'ttoo much of a drag at all! I was amazed at how much I actually enjoy work, especially since my co-workers are so fun to work with! We had so much fun together - from dancing along with the dancing-baby screen saver to heart-to-heart sharing of our lives. Don't be mistaken - we worked very hard as we learn to enjoy what we gotta do! The people around do make a significant difference! I just find this community so delightful to be a part of.

The international community of staff and students of the Spring DTS made community living at the base particularly interesting.They come from all corners of the world - from Canada, South Africa, England, Russia, Australia, S Korea, Fiji, Samoa, Switzerland, and New Zealand to America. Each comes from a unique background too - from bankrupt, ex-druggie to broken families. Nevertheless, they are basically the typical generation X-ers - whacky, funky and energetic and really fun to be with. More, these youths have such kind hearts and aspire to reach out to the needy of the world - the main reason why they signed up for the training school.

Living in such an international community with such diverse people whereby everyone got to rub shoulders with everyone else was certainly an enriching experience. We did practically everything together - from work to play and definitely grew to know one another rather well. As they shared their life storieswith me, I found treasure in theor life experiences. Despite the uninvited trials, I see the strength in each one as they seek to overcome instead of wallowing in self-pity. The times we had together are so memorable - the lectures we attended together (I was allowed to choose lectures to attend for personal development), hiking, camping, skydiving, biking, skateboarding, sand surfing, etc, etc - the very "natural" activities that I seldom have the chance to participate in back home.

Come every Thursday International Night, we got to sample the different scrumptious cuisine of the various cultures and nationalities represented dinner for. Yummy, Yummy, Yummy! Needless to say, cultural exchange was an ongoing process as we interacted, (Oh ya, that's where I learnt how to wear the Pacific Island dress from the Islanders and fell in love with it instantly!) This international community in YWAM BC is a very rational community that emphasised heavily on being people-oriented. I don't seem to remember having any culture shock at all. The way they show their care for one another and the less fortunate has shown me real life examples of people who care in a proactive way. I guess, there were ample chances for everyone to practise what we'd learnt in lectures held by DTS - leadership principles, relational principles, personal development, social skills, reaching out to the needy, etc... The leaders themselves have shown me an excellent example of what it akes to be a well-respected leader. More, they always make themselves available to mentor and give pastoral care.

Since YWAM Winfield serves as the headquarters for YWAM BC and YWAM has bases all over Canada and the world, I had the opportunity to know YWAMers serving other bases. Travel to the Rockies, Vancouver and Vancouver Island was added fun and was a breeze with them around.

More than what I've dreamt of, this PA is definitely much more than a working experience. Though it takes a lot of guts, hard work and discipline, I found myself to have grown more mature, more independent and wiser. I guess it did equip me with things that cannot be taught in books nor school. It's not for the faint-hearted but the rewards in terms of personal development are tremendous. It has been such an awesome time!