By: Dakota Braun, Current Joshua Wilderness Institute Student
Hello, my name is Dakota Braun, and I am a current student at the Joshua Wilderness Institute here at Hume Lake. Joshua is a nine-month discipleship program where students grow in their faith and deepen their walk with Jesus. There are many different aspects of this program, one of which is the Joshua Fast. The Joshua Fast is a commitment we make while we’re here to set aside distractions—not necessarily bad things, but things we often turn to instead of God when life gets difficult. We fast from playing music, watching TV and movies, browsing YouTube, playing video games, and pursuing new or deepening existing romantic relationships.
Another key part of the program is that we have a different speaker each week, each an expert in their field, teaching us on a wide range of topics. We also have the opportunity to memorize the entire book of Philippians—while challenging, it’s an incredible opportunity to internalize and meditate on Scripture. This program has been life-changing for me. I’ve learned so much, not just in knowledge but in understanding how I’m called to live in Christ.
Our recent trip to the Dominican Republic was especially impactful for me. I was part of the men’s baseball site, and it was incredibly fulfilling. Since the kids were in school during the mornings, we spent that time serving in other areas. A couple of those days, we worked at a special needs school called Génesis (Hen-ih-sis). It was so rewarding to interact with the students and their teachers, hear about their lives, and learn about the challenges they face in their community.
We also spent time at a Haitian preschool designed to teach children Spanish so they could eventually integrate into Dominican public schools. I fell in love with the Dominican Republic—the beauty of the island, the richness of its culture, and the warmth of its community are indescribable. If you ever have the opportunity to go, I would say without hesitation: 100% go.
This program is incredibly challenging—there’s no doubt about that—but I am so thankful that God placed me here. The Joshua Directors, Dallas DeWitt and Jen Smith, have shaped Joshua into something truly special, and the way they brought it back to life after COVID is nothing short of God-inspired. They genuinely love the Lord and deeply care for the students here, and I am so grateful for them both.
The Joshua Wilderness Institute is an incredible opportunity for young adults to grow in their faith on a deeper level than most people imagine at this age. I would recommend it to anyone seeking that kind of growth, though I also recognize that it’s not for everyone—and that’s okay. But if you’re an 18-24-year-old reading this, or know someone in that age range that could benefit from a gap year, I encourage you to consider Joshua. It’s nine months that will shape the rest of your life—because where Joshua ends, it begins.
Want to learn more about the Joshua Wilderness Institute or know a young adult who would thrive in this life-changing program? Click here to explore what Joshua is all about—or partner with us by giving to help students experience this transformative journey. Your support can make an eternal impact!