Visa update

Just a quick update from Island Breeze Brisbane. My current Visa expires the middle of September, so this week I am gathering all the info needed to apply for a ''Religious Workers" visa. Please pray that God grants grace over this process (I strongly dislike all the information gathering etc). Also if you've been following Australian politics, our Prime Minister was 'replaced' (or booted out) and the current candidate ( Julia Gillard ) has called an election August 21st. She has admitted to being raised in a Baptist home but states she does not believe in God, nor is religious ... As it applies to our visas, if she is elected it looks like she will rearrange the current visa process to reduce the number of visa options. While this in theory should 'ease' the visa process, there is concern that the 'Religious Workers' visa, which the majority of YWAMers are currently holding, would be eliminated. Please be praying for open doors for visas for all missionaries in Australia, but also for discernment in this nations over the values their leadership represents.... Thank you for your ongoing support!
On a personal note I will be able to make it home for the holidays (shortly after my sister Megan gives birth to their first, a girl!)....and look forward to the month of visiting friends and family!
GOD BLESS ABUNDANTLY ~ Alissa

More pics

My friend Ma and I from Fiji, my roomate Raychel and Me and Alova goofing around

July is almost finished!

They don't have Cool Whip here, now do they have instant pudding. Their cake mixes are half our normal size. *sigh* the sacrifices of living in Australia hahaha. Today I went to a 'Ladies Tea' with ladies from different congregations in the area. The purpose was to unite us in order to address some of the social concerns, especially regarding teen girls, single moms etc. It was a good experience and I hope to network further. We continue to go through some transitions on the base, losing some team members, rebuilding our vision. Hopefully we can recruit some more passionate members. Our community team continues to work with the local chaplains in two schools, working with a local food bank, attending youth group on Friday evening, running a community program on Tuesday nights, going into an alternative girls school 2 days a week, detention centre once a month etc. Its busy but good. We are hoping to plan a short term outreach sometime soon, as long as we can raise some funds. Here are a few more pictures from the recent month!
The first one is at church... Pics are of dance practice, and the group shot outside

Dances for Island Breeze

Island Breeze is well known for it's cultural dances. Our base has a specific 'Cultural and Protocol' Centre that tours with dances, mekes, songs from different islands. I am on Community Centre however we have found there are numerous opportunities for us to also bring songs from Samoa, Tonga, and Fiji etc... into our ministries including schools, nursing homes, and fundraisers. I currently have learned two dances: a fijian meke and a cook island dance and am working on what is called a 'sasa' from Samoa- a hand clap routine leading into the men's 'slapdance'. I've included a few pictures from a fundraiser for Island Wave Missions that asked us to perform our Fijian Meke. You never know what God will call you do when you step out into being used by Him!