Back in Iowa

I am back in Iowa for a few weeks before heading to Australia. Enjoying time resting, and spending time with family. Mom and I have been for a few walks around the lake, or in the woods... not quite like going to the beach but I enjoyed the nature!

Was nice to be home during Dad's birthday! We are enjoying his present of candy...

Isaiah 58

These verses have really been impressed upon me lately. Focusing on staying close to God's heart, and not just acting out of habit, or what we expect....

Isaiah 58

True Fasting

 ¹ "Shout it aloud, do not hold back.
       Raise your voice like a trumpet.
       Declare to my people their rebellion
       and to the house of Jacob their sins.

 ² For day after day they seek me out;
       they seem eager to know my ways,
       as if they were a nation that does what is right
       and has not forsaken the commands of its God.
       They ask me for just decisions
       and seem eager for God to come near them.

 ³ 'Why have we fasted,' they say,
       'and you have not seen it?
       Why have we humbled ourselves,
       and you have not noticed?'
       "Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please
       and exploit all your workers.

 ⁴ Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife,
       and in striking each other with wicked fists.
       You cannot fast as you do today
       and expect your voice to be heard on high.

 ⁵ Is this the kind of fast I have chosen,
       only a day for a man to humble himself?
       Is it only for bowing one's head like a reed
       and for lying on sackcloth and ashes?
       Is that what you call a fast,
       a day acceptable to the LORD ?

 ⁶ "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
       to loose the chains of injustice
       and untie the cords of the yoke,
       to set the oppressed free
       and break every yoke?

 ⁷ Is it not to share your food with the hungry
       and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
       when you see the naked, to clothe him,
       and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

 ⁸ Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
       and your healing will quickly appear;
       then your righteousness ^[a] will go before you,
       and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.

 ⁹ Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
       you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
       "If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
       with the pointing finger and malicious talk,

 ¹⁰ and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
       and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
       then your light will rise in the darkness,
       and your night will become like the noonday.

 ¹¹ The LORD will guide you always;
       he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
       and will strengthen your frame.
       You will be like a well-watered garden,
       like a spring whose waters never fail.

 ¹² Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins
       and will raise up the age-old foundations;
       you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,
       Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.

 ¹³ "If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath
       and from doing as you please on my holy day,
       if you call the Sabbath a delight
       and the LORD's holy day honorable,
       and if you honor it by not going your own way
       and not doing as you please or speaking idle words,

 ¹⁴ then you will find your joy in the LORD,
       and I will cause you to ride on the heights of the land
       and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob."
       The mouth of the LORD has spoken

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." -- John 14:27

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Update on next few months plans

Greetings,

My update is that I've taken a few months off, and recently flew back to the Midwest to spend a few weeks with family. The decision to leave YWAM St Croix for a bit was difficult but God was faithful in giving confirmations to me. One of them was a decision made by base leaders to set aside the community outreach for the next few months. Since we are not running any schools right now it was a good time to get away for some rest, restoration and some debriefing. After the next few weeks in Iowa and Chicago, I will be heading to Brisbane, Australia for at least one month. During this time I will be mentored by the base directors and am looking forward to returning since this is where I did my outreach in 2007. Prayer requests are for continued rest, and for travel/financial plans. Since I am planning on returning to St Croix you can continue to send your financial support to their office or you can send it to my permanent address (my parents!) at:

Alissa Kennedy

2798 130^th Drive

Belmond, IA 50421

Thank you so much for your prayers!

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." -- John 14:27

pics from August

Our new protectors: Shiloh and Paz... they just woke up from a nap

Last DTS outing...we will miss Lori and Veronica (come back soon Luke!)

Transition prayers

Dear supporters,

I am asking for a prayer request regarding decisions made to stay in
St Croix, or take some time off. Since our intruders on the base I
have been having some difficulty with my sleeping and some fear. My
director has granted me permission to leave for a while and rest so
that I can be more efficient when I return. I struggle with the
thought of leaving the 'team' but also realize we do not have any
major outreaches/schools running the next couple of months. Please
join me in praying for God's wisdom on how to use my time, and how to
care for myself while still serving the island of St Croix and the
YWAM base.
Thank you ! ~Alissa