End of May

(Director Viola on a Fredricksted beach)
This is my reflections from the past week of teachings and just God teaching.... Im learning the importance of a teachable spirit. I'd rather work with someone with little experience yet a teachable spirit than someone with all the experience but no motivation for change.
-Four steps to leadership (found in Jesus example with the disciples): Directing (telling what to do and assess -as one adult to another adult ), Coaching (explaining the why), Supporting (physically absent but still in charge-as seen in sending disciples out two by two and then debriefing), Delegating (give full authority)
-Your self control to speak the right thing at the right time needs to be guarded by rest
- A great leader will simplify things
- Are we taking our bubbles onto the missionary field to avoid discomforts (ipods, laptops etc)
- Peter had two conversions. The first was to Jesus. The second was a cultural awareness (acts 9 and 10)
- Leadership is presence (the importance of delegation)
- It takes character to choose the right choice. It takes self awareness to realize it's cost.
- Immaturity is being a victim to your personality type.
- Preaching, teaching are both introverting professions


Here is my prayer/financial update letter:
Greetings from YWAM St Croix,
I am now halfway through my Equip Leadership training and loving every minute of it. Sarah Lanier was our speaker this week and did a fantastic job of teaching us different communication styles, personality styles, culture outlines etc..... I am beginning to see a better vision of my time here on St Croix base and have been busy getting ready for Kings Kids this summer (we have a two week summer camp with locals called Jericho Kids and then two weeks overnight camp with Kings Kids including hosting 60kids from Puerto Rico).
After some lengthy team brainstorming Ive been asked to join the administration side of the base to help support the base director's wife. I will be considering this in prayer and would appreciate your prayers also. This also brings up the need to purchase a laptop computer so I am placing that on my financial needs list....
I am also seeing a need to have my own vehicle as getting around the island is not easy. I can take a taxi to Christiansted and Fredricksted (for 2.50 each way) however any location that is not on this route runs quite high. I hope to be able to look into this so that I can better connect with the community and do some volunteering as well as connecting with the variety of churches on the island (I should be able to find an 'island car' for around 2000$).
Please be praying for God to bless in each of these areas, give continued discernment as well as financial provisions for each of these things. If you feel you can contribute financially please let me know.
Thank you for your support! ~Alissa

Saturday

In Fredricksted. Funny how God brings up things that Im learning. I had a friend email with some heartaches over church leadership and I was able to share what Ive been learning about Servant Leadership etc.... When you spend the day at the beach and see how intricate God's creation, I can't help but wonder why we make things so difficult. Why can't we see the 'big picture' at all times? ..... Not really looking for answers, just talking out loud...

Classroom Time

How can I possibly be behind in reading when it's only my second week of class!!This was another week packed full of rich lessons. Jeremy and Molly West were the speakers and each time we dig a little deeper. This is our classroom, held in the 'Great room' here on YWAM ST Croix base. Im in the blue shirt on the left in the front row. Probably the ONLY time I sat in the front row...HA. YWAM St Croix will be hosting the outreach phase of Kings Kids from Puerto Rico in August so we have had some meetings about preparations for that. More news to come (when I don't have to rush and make dinner for thirty people)....

On a personal note....

A bit more insight into some of the things God is bringing up this week involves some addressing of my time in Samoa and some abuse of power held by a few of the leaders. 'Spiritual abuse' is a tricky subject and while I won't go into detail, God has been faithful to point out a few of the battle wounds that remain, including not having a voice. My heart is again breaking for those who were hurt during these times and I have a written a few letters asking forgiveness for not having done more to prevent the breaking down and abusive ways the islanders (and Jenn and I) were treated. I acknowledge that I carry a guilt, or responsibility, that is not mine to carry and this is something I will be working on. I am praying that the distorted example of the Body of Christ will be replaced with truth in the lives of those who exited those times. I cannot plead the excuse of culture or ignorance. Being also under the same leadership does not excuse me from not standing up for them further, or sooner. My leaders here absolutely have a heart for seeing YWAM St Croix be a place for healing, and growing and I know I am in fertile soil for this. I am practicing trusting leadership again, although at times difficult. The bottom line is that my trust rests not in man, but rather in God working through men. I know this will continue to be a journey and God has been very directly speaking and I pray He continues to do so....

Day in Christiansted

Some island artwork
Marti, volunteer with YWAM from Montana base, and myself on our little outing to Christiansted

There was a march/rally for the youth against violence held in Christiansted today, Saturday. We happened to be in town. There also was a cruise ship in Fredricksted so the place was busy busy! The top is a photo of a local high school group singing (where is the love) and the bottom is another picture of the rally

Words of Wisdom for First week of training

Ive finished up the first week of 'Equip',my leadership training course. I am blown away at how many deep personal issues have come up and am so thankful to God that He has left us with a Holy Spirit that counsels , convicts, and speaks on our behalf. Ive been told that this is a time of preparation for something 'larger' and am excited, despite the messyness of growing. The following are just some of the words of wisdom from this week. Ill write a few more personal notes on the next blog.
-Being a disciple is a lack of identity in self
- "Its easy to be a servant until you start being treated like one"
-All good leaders know how to follow-not all followers are leaders.
- Live a redeemed life, instead of trying to redeem it
- It is not sin that humbles us most, but grace (andrew murray)
- Six roots in your life: family, significant relationships, culture, generation, life events and authority
- 70% of churched youth believe there are no absolute truths
- Leaders are the tip of the spear of people
-Structure is good, it builds security
- If you know where you started and where you are going, you can then know where you are at present
-good coaching is ongoing (instruct.demonstrate, release, evaluate.instrust, release)

This week also included a time of intercession and renouncing past slavery. We had Mark, our director , and Sharon, an Equip staff, repent and ask for forgiveness from each other (Mark is white and Sharon is from St Lucia). It was an emotional time for all of us and we pray a break in the spiritual strongholds around this area.
On Friday we discussed the area of purity as well as a strong focus on accountability as leaders. For the purity portion we broke out in one half the room men, and the other half women and called out the descriptive words used in Song of Songs towards each other (beloved etc...) It was fun but powerful at the same time. Each new day brings exciting revelation and many areas of direct application. To even begin to write them all down would take me forever!

Dani and I took a quick trip down to Christiansted to walk around, see the shops. It really wasn't very busy , maybe because its Mother's Day weekend. Most of the town isn't really moving until 10am. We got dropped off near the Fort and it's a nice little town. Open market is on Saturdays. Most people were friendly and helpful. Top picture is just me being silly. My heart did go out to a few of the people, mainly men, who seemed to homeless, or just managing. One man was even just sitting on the step, rocking and sucking his thumb. There were some beautiful pieces of artwork including pictures and ceramics. It was a nice treat to end the week. Yesterday was my last 5am morning day and then it was work day, cleaning mainly. Most of us took a dip in the pool around 3pm when our day was done. Went to the grocery store last night and then watched a few movies (yes, two movies, what a way to veg out!). I received a 'welcome' package to the Equip training and most of the students are coming in today. I think last I heard 14 people were signed up. Ive opted to stay living in the trailer instead of moving over to the cabins. Here are a few more pictures from our time in Christiansted....



Notice the beach in the background, Protestant Cay. Its a small island that you take a quick ferry to (in fact it almost looks like you could swim it).

Thursday

One more day of conference! Today the conference members are attending a day of site seeing at a nearby island. I heard there was some nervousness about the ferry ride there but hopefully all went well. Its been unusually rainy this week but hopefully they were still able to enjoy their time. I finished reading the book 'Leadership Paradox' which gave excellent principles for anyone in Christian Leadership (really in any leadership position). I also had a good talk with Jeremy, the man leading my 'equip' leadership training. He has asked me to be a part of the track that is geared towards those who are going to lead DTS or a base, it includes one extra night of classtime and extra reading. I'm up for the challenge and can definitely see that part of God calling me here is to use the time to sharpen my ministry skills and tackle those personal issues that need growing/healing etc.... Ive sprayed my room for cockroaches after another exciting episode including a cockroach. Only this time my fellow staff , Luke, stepped in to try and save the day. Unfortunately the cockroach took up house in my underwear drawer -AKWARD! So the spraying took place yesterday and I haven't seen any since then. I guess the 'trailer' is known for them. I also saw a lizard in the living room today.... i may be closing my door more regularly from here on out. I'm looking forward to my leadership training starting Sunday night! Here is one more picture from St Croix, near Fredricksted.

Attack of the killer cockroach

Okay so maybe I exaggerate a bit. The cockroaches here cant kill but they are big! So last night was my long day of serving but everything went really well and God gave me super duper energies. After an awesome worship time with everyone here for the conference (from all over, Jamaica, st Lucia, Trinidad, Turks and caicos, puerto rico, Haiti, Dominica, Dominican republic.... the YWAMs from all over), I entered my bedroom and saw the biggest cockroach I've ever seen. I calmly went to get a paper towel to get rid of it and that's where the trouble began. It had disappeared. Keep in mind my room is very small and narrow and it seemed unacceptable to think that I could sleep in the same room with it and not wake up to it on my face in the middle of the night. For the next twenty minutes Dani and tore my room apart amidst of few screams and FINALLY managed to chase it out of my room where we could more easily get to it. I squeezed a bit of free time in today to rest and run to Kmart. There are three horses now grazing in the field next door, I hadn't noticed them before. They stand right by the fence to try and get the shade from our trees. I've met quite a few interesting people this week and had conversations about the advantages and disadvantages of cross cultural ministries, different types of counseling practices, new visions for reaching the youth etc. One of the main themes seems to be addressing a 'loss of identity', especially in our younger generations. A few more days left of the conference so will be using the opportunities to try to talk to as many people as possible. Tomorrow is housekeeping in the morning and preparing supper tomorrow (and of course anything else in between)
Quote for the day: If at first you can't succeed, swallow all evidence that you tried

Review of Historical Tour on our Diamond Ruby plantation

The YWAM St. Croix base began in September 1986 with a focus on Coffee house ministry, and towards facilitating short term teams to the island. In early 1989, YWAM purchased it’s present home; the historically beautiful Diamond Ruby plantation with it’s sugar mill and 300 year old Danish great house. We hosted a historical tour given by the historians here on the island (called a rumble) and were suprised at the amount of people who attended. In the background is our 'chimney'.





This is Maurice.He spoke at our historical tour of the YWAM Base and he grew up on the property, both his mother and grandfather were workers for the previous owner. He had some tales to tell of how during hurricanes the villagers would tie themselves together and make their way over to the 'Great House' (we still call it that today) to spend time in the basement. He was able to add insight into the way the water well worked as well as what he had heard about the steam engine that was supposedly in use. He was never allowed in the 'great house' and it was a wonderful opportunity for Mark, our director, to 'WELCOME' him into the Great House and to let him know he was welcome here anytime. The effects of slavery are still felt today. It lead into Mark updating about what goes on the base now with YWAM emphasizing sending people out to show God's love. We had a time to mingle afterwards and the previous owner and daughter were able to share some 'ghost' stories, again allowing us to assure them that God now owns the property and angels watch our gates ( a former tale included a giant cat guarding the gate as well as the previous owner coming back as a warewolf. Maurice believes this was to keep the workers in during the day and out in the evenings).




Maurice, the previous owner (after Maurice was here- he was owner during the time a fire damaged a part the Great House and they had to rebuild) and Mark (YWAM Director) as well as the historical tour guide.