Alissa Kennedy: June 2011

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Pic from Vanuatu

Rugby boys and I

Pictures from Teaching at Survivor DTS in Aore, Vanuatu (beautiful!)

Newsletter Part 3

AORE SURVIVOR DTS

Clarifying some teaching Burning our 'Barriers' to hearing God

For two weeks during this time I left the Island Breeze crew to teach on the island of Aore. I flew onto the island of Santo and took a motorboat to the next island Aore. The YWAM base is right on the water, with no roads and no electricity. I welcomed the well water bathing but preferred to avoid the rats under my bed! I experienced translation as my teaching was translated into French and Bislama. I spoke on 'Hearing the Voice of God' and truly saw the Holy Spirit go before me, preparing the students by speaking to them in their quiet times. One student from Vanuatu was a new Christian and on my second day of teaching started to cry during intercessions, saying he had heard God for the first time (The message? Not to worry about his family back in his village because God will watch over them while he is faithful to do his DTS).

A key barrier to hearing God that we addressed was unforgiveness. I know we only started the process of digging deep and I am thankful I was speaking on the second of twelve weeks of teaching. We also were challenged to explore new ways of worship, even making up new worship songs. There was a time of discussing our cultural differences and I also lead a team unity building time with the staff. God was also speaking to me during this time- showing me a symbol of His presence by showing a moth/butterfly during those times.

A funny story I shared with my class on the first day of teaching is that upon arriving on the island, the night time darkened everything and I searched through my bag for my torch (flashlight). I clearly remembered throwing it into my duffel bag and prayed that God would show me where to find it.I heard God nudge me to check my makeup bag. My thoughts? "That doesn't make sense, I remember throwing it in the duffel bag. Why would it be in there?" As I continued rummaging through my duffel bag I heard God clearly say " Here you are teaching on 'Hearing the voice of God' and yet you ignore me- why did you bother asking me?" I chuckled as I pulled out my make-up bag, only to find my torch! Ha! What a good reminder that hearing from God requires action. He can speak all He wants but He desires a relationship, where we respond to what He is saying.

The second week I was able to relax ( after squeezing nine teaching sessions into four days)...and spent some time on the beach and listened to the next speaker teach on the character of God. I enjoyed getting to know the staff and students from New Caledonia (French speaking), Vanuatu and China. I did get sick half way through that week but recovered quickly. However, by the time I returned to my rugby boys in Port Vila, I had lost weight and had stomach pain every time I ate. Once back in Brisbane I've been hoping to get back into a healthy eating habit but have been struggling to keep any food down. I am working with a local doctor and recently had some blood tests come back fine (Praise God!). Please continue to pray that God heals me and gives me strength. I love the island of Vanuatu and learning Bislama (like a pigeon English) and have prayed that God would allow me to return again next year. Teaching taught me some further passions and opened some new avenues of ministry.

Newsletter Part 2

During my time in Brisbane, I continue to build up the Missions Resource centre. We recently hosted Iain Muir (one of the top three leaders of Youth with a Mission) and ran a Missions Evening event at a local church which went well and I pray starts a trend of hosting conferences/events. We are planning an 'international dinner' next month involving food, dress, education and intercession. We also continue to focus on coordinating outreaches, and developing further education about local church ministries, and other missionary organizations. I still am able to participate in the local youth group and taught them a worship dance from the Caribbean that they took on outreach. We continue to support the local food bank and other community needs. I often fill in spots that don't have a present staff (example: helping some boys from Fiji apply for their Australian visas in Vanuatu, applying for a Volunteer Grant from the Australian government etc). We continue a 'rebuilding season' here at Island Breeze and continue to 'pray in 'new, committed and passionate staff (a prayer request!).

**Goal for the rest of the year: improve my communication with supporters!

**Goal for next three months: plugging in with local body of Christ

**Goal for the rest of this month: rest and healing

Vanuatu outreach

The trip to the Pacific island of Vanuatu (same island as last year) was in two phases- the first involved me helping out with the Discipleship Training Schools outreach (Rugby and missions focus) while the second was a teaching experience on the island of Aore at Survivor YWAM base .

The Rugby DTS (stationed in Port Vila, Efate main island) focused on two rugby tournaments, practicing with local teams, hosting a rugby clinic and training local rugby players. I was honored to be time keeper at the rugby tournament as it made me pay attention to the game, and learn some

new rules. Island Breeze was also blessed to present the national Vanuatu rugby team with a new set of jerseys from Kooga (a brand name similar to Adidas that we regularly collaborate with). They also helped to build a roof to cover a new church site and a toilet stall for this church also. They were invited to some churches and Christian events to dance their traditional Fijian dances and fellowship. We were spoiled by staying in a home that including television and internet! Instead of staying at the YWAM base, this allowed us to further interact with neighbors and students from USB (local university).

Newsletter Page 1

Alissa's Missionary Updates June 2011

I always tend to end with a financial update and future plans but this time I have decided to start with it! I was scheduled to visit the Cook Islands in July for two weeks but just this week have decided to postpone that trip due to illness. I feel God will use this time for other things instead and am planning on attending the Island Breeze national leaders conference in Perth for one week during that time. "Principles of Redeeming Cultures" school is running in New Zealand in September and is a requirement as I represent Island Breeze. I am beginning fundraising and asking for financial support as the class fee is 3500 dollars for three months of lecture and outreach, not counting the airfare from Brisbane to Tauranga, NZ. Please consider praying about sponsoring me for this school. The website for this school can be viewed at : http://ywam.org.nz/ywam-nz/principles-of-redeeming-cultures/.

Something new! I have decided to try my hand at "Tweeting". My twitter name is Lisskennedy. On the internet there is an application called " Twitter" where you can "follow" your friends, and write regular updates and thoughts. My intent is to keep closer contact with my family, friends, and supporters as SO much happens during my day that can't fit into a prayer update letter....For example this week I wondered how Fijians always know which tree leaves make fabulous tea! Or why does a Nivan (from Vanuatu) say " Stret one time" (meaning 'Im good' or 'okay') ....what about two times? And my new Australian word: 'Fair dinkum' meaning "oh true?" "wow really" . I also regularly use facebook as a means to update pictures, status, prayer requests etc...

Road trips get tiring Sharing testimony in church Fundraising night with youth

My contact details for support remain the same!

(direct deposit to my Australian acct is also available but not tax deductible)

Alissa Kennedy

c/o Belmond Evangelical Free Church

2796 130^th Drive

Belmond, IA 50421

email: skillet25@gmail.com

facebook: alkennedy@excite.com

twitter: Lisskennedy

blog: alissalynnkennedy@blogspot.com