This week has been a tough week and the first time that I have actually considered leaving!! God is still good though and I have faithHe will reknew me- I only have two more weeks until we leave for australia anyways. Please continue to pray for the transition of leaders, we have a new couple on campus, and also people's attitudes and spirits towards what they are doing here in YWAM.
We perform tomorrow at a church and are excited to finally be out of lecture phase and onto serving. We did a couple more fundraisers this week of selling Roti in themorning and its actually becoming one of my favorite things to do because its a great team builder, we interact with the community etc... the only downside is getting up at 4 in the morning. I remembered fondly this morning those saturdays in the past where I allowed myself to sleep until 11 am. NO MORE. everyone is up and noisy by 700 even on Saturdays :) Its been a bit chilly later with the wind for some reason, not sure if its the time of year or what! We are on 'lockdown' the next week or two which means students dont have free days anymore. So I hope to continue to update but unsure how often. I wonder if I will have to buy warm clothes in Australia? Anyone know what the weather is like there this time of year? I think we will spend al ot of time in Brisbone and maybe this place called Palm Island. I only have warm weather clothes....God will provide! We had a fiafia night again last night to welcome a team from New Zealand called 'Kings Kids'. I always enjoy those because its Samoan food and great dancing and laughing. We've been spending extra time cleaning up the base this past week. Pulling weeds, replanting etc...God is also teaching me some big lessons on submitting to authorities, and to be above reproach in everything. I can't pick and choose when to obey and follow the rules- I need to be consistent and an example at all times. gotta run cause this place is closing... everything closes at 12 on Saturdays, not like the city!

Friday-Outreach prep

Whew.... we are finally ALMOST certain that our destination will be Australia now with 9 people going: La, Sai,Sova and Onasai as leaders and Jenn, myself, Akuila, Solopoi, Liti . We have been doing some fundraising, including waking up at 4 in the morning two days in a row to make Roti and Curry (indian dish) to sell. Its fun but its tiring. We have a new family on the base and the lady is a dance instructor so she is brushing us up and teaching us new dances. We haven't had much time to spend outside the base with no more 'free' days but we did have one last picnis last Saturday and spent some time at the beach called 'Paradise' beach (you can imagine...). They said its not even the best beach on the island. It was a big rocky with coral (cut up my foot, not bad but it takes a while to heal). Its amazing to be swimming and run into a school of little blue fish- it tickles. The salt water takes some getting used to also. Im always amazed at God's beauty when I leave the base and see both the mountains and the beautiful clean ocean and its waves. We have a fiafia night again tonite to say goodbye to the Cook Island YWAM team that has been here on outreach the past month. After that we will do some evangelizing in town. I went to a friends house the past Sunday (After going to the Fijian church again and Yes, there was another REALLY long prayer to begin the service) and I am forgetting some of the cultural 'civilization' things like walls on the homes. Ha... or a fan that runs with electricity. Or the sound of a landline phone. Its too funny. I will have more culture shock going home that coming here I think. People here are getting ready for the SPG which is the South Pacific Games, a bit like the Olympics but of course smaller scale. We wll be on outreach for most of it but hope to catch the end. I can imagine the tourism! Please be continuing to pray for our leaders as they are preparing to transition into outreach and local groups (Malakai will stay back with a group of students also to do outreach on the island) . Also Malakai's health has not been good so please remember him in prayer! Ill do some more updating next week! I feel I am always squeezed for time! And not just in using the internet!! ~alissa

Friday

So change of plans for Hong Kong since funds aren't coming in: We will be going to Australia!! We will do some performances there and try to fundraise and if enough money comes in than they will also take a team from Australia to Hong Kong. Play it by ear and listen to God's voice!! Im excited to see Australia but more importantly Im excited that more people might be able to go!

I have decided to commit to staying on as a DTS staff for next school year (Lord please provides the funds), meaning I would stay another five months and help staff the next school. Now that Malakai, my leader knows Im most likely committing to another school he feels a bit freer to share some of the ins and outs of the base and also his own leadership so its been good to support each other on that level and not just student/leader. I think I could contribute in the interpersonal/counseling/sheparding area. Plus I am going to get the benefit of sitting in on classes again!! For now must focus on our outreach time. The next few weeks will be learning to songs, skits etc... practicing testimonies and all that jazz. Im sure even with going to Australia some of the Samoan students won't be able to go because their lecture fees aren't paid.

We have a student picnic tomrrow to celebrate the end of classes so will probably have some more pictures to put up next week. Still LOVE it here but miss everyone back home.
Yesterday Ameto, a fellow student, threw a baby lizard on my lap DURING CLASS. We had a nice long discussion about how I can offer forgiveness to him but still need time to trust him again. AHHH!

Monday

The few precious moments I get and my email is not working!! This week is heavy duty lectures, our last week with a morning session with Hank from New Zealand and then afternoon and evening sessions with Pastor Levi, a Samoan preaching on the fear of God. Its a lot:) Hong Kong is in a couple week and fundraising has been really tough. There has been a lack of support for many students and right now there isn't even a leader with enough funds to go. Ive been praying that Malakai, our DTS leader can be freed to go. Also praying for my fellow student Akuila as he does not have much left to raise. If not enough funds are raised typically students do outreach here locally. Right now I think I am the only one with every thing raised! So IF YOU CAN HELP... please now is the time- its only about 2000 american dollards for the full two months in Hong Kong including air fare. If so please call my parents so they can money transfer or email me .
Everything continues to be beautiful here. We had 'Umu' again yesterday, the outdoor oven. It was yummy- I will miss that when I leave. Maybe more info next week. Am adding just a few more pictures right now- look under last blog.