Newsletter Feb 2011

A new year at Island Breeze

Dear supporters and families.

I am writing to update you about some new opportunities, honors and challenges ahead for this year. As I'm returning to Island Breeze Brisbane, I've been asked to step into leadership position. I'm very honored by this request but I do release the weight of it as our base continues to move forward in our 'rebuilding' season. We are praying in new and inspired staff to help facilitate all the visions we have for this year including outreach to the Aborigine community, starting our missions resource centre, training students in our Discipleship Training Program, increasing our rugby sports ministry and continuing to minister to the local community.

After having shared my personal vision of 'discipling and creating opportunities to use spiritual giftings, for those native to the Pacific', my directors Waqa and Jade have asked me to head up the 'Missions Resource Centre'. This centre has been inactive for over one year and so there is a lot of regrouping to be done. Our targets are to facilitate outreaches, both locally and in the Pacific, to create missions conferences and a missions library, and to coordinate with local churches to open doors to missions. Currently we have three team members and are excited about gathering information and contacts to see God move amongst Australia, the Pacific and across the world.

As I take on this new responsibility of leading the 'Missions Resource Centre', my time will also be spent mentoring and helping staff the Discipleship Training Program that beings this Sunday. Currently we have nine students and have a rugby/missions focus. I am also continuing to support the community contacts from last year (having moved out of community centre) including small groups, youth nights, and connecting outreach groups with the local needs. As you tell, my prayer is for God to show me how to wisely use my time and to stay focused on His call.

As my title changes, I will be traveling more this year. All of us in Island Breeze are now being encouraged to attend the 'Principles of Redeeming Cultures' school, run through YWAM. The one I am looking at taking begins in September in New Zealand and the cost is approximately 3000 american dollars. I have also been asked to help staff a DTS school in Vanuatu, where I spent some time last year, staffing and translating from English to French. Although I will be unable to staff the entire school, I hope to spend one month supporting the school and Tony, who is leading it. It will bring some challenges as it is a 'survivor' DTS and I will really experience 'island life'. The cost for airfare is about 500 dollars round trip. I also feel a goal with this new vision is to continue to learn about the Pacific Island culture. While I would love to spend my time solely on traveling to the different islands, this wouldn't be possible financially nor with my responsibilities at the base. I do however feel like the Cook Islands is on my list to visit this year, hopefully in July. The focus is not only to understand the culture but to gather contact information and learn about the base so we can easily coordinate outreaches.

 

Pictures: From a goodbye performance for the Raiqisos who are pioneering Island Breeze in Fiji; two pictures from our Tuesday Nite Live worship session