Monies

Australian money- they round their bills. At first I thought this was a brilliant idea-no pennies! I wonder if someone has done a study to see if we really break even. BUT then I realized that their 20 cent pieces are as big as Canadian loonies and heavy! I would break my wallet/purse if I kept my change in there. I certainly feel like a tourist, squinting to see if its a one dollar coin or a two dollar coin even though they aren't the same size. So I just make sure to slip in my disclaimer : Im from Chicago.....

DUST

Dust Storm today!

Feeling it in my dry throat and sinuses... don't notice it much except getting on the highway it looks hazy from afar....

Wonder how the kangaroo feel about it?

Food for thought

Some of my favorite Island Foods from this week:

ChopSuey
Baked Bean sandwitch (yes, bread cheese and baked beans together)
Sausage, and Pumpkin soup

Hmmm thank God for the blessings....Alissa

Samoa outreach

Greetings from Island Breeze Brisbane, YWAM!

I arrived to Island Breeze Brisbane last week and was warmly welcomed
by old friends and new ones. This base is made up primarily of
individuals from Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, Vanuatu, and the Philippines. It
has been a relaxing visit and a reconnection with the island food and
lifestyle.
I have some exciting new endeavors on the horizon for my time here in
Brisbane. God has opened some incredible doors to be included as part
of the team while I'm here. I've been asked to be a part of the team
organizing an event called 'Save Samoa' which will include a concert
in the city, with the purpose of raising funds for the survivors of
the tsunami in Samoa. The YWAM base in Samoa, in coordination with the
Red Cross, has been involved in supporting the rebuilding and
encouragement of those who have lost property, and family. The need
continues and Island Breeze Brisbane, aside from hosting this
fundraising event, will also be sending a container of supplies and a
team from this base. The funds and donations raised from the November
14th event will go directly to YWAM Samoa to be distributed to those
who are hardest to reach. We have heard concerns regarding some of the
support supplies and money being held by churches or 'matai' (chiefs)
and not reaching the people with the most need which is why we are
relying on the Red Cross to guide us and also sending our own team. My
role in preparation for the November 14th event here in Brisbane is
primarily communication, writing letters requesting donations etc.. It
is a challenge but also a blessings to be a part of something so big.
Please be praying for us as we tread unknown waters and seek God in
faith for all to come together for such a big event.
I've also been included on the list of individuals from this base
returning to Samoa on November 7th. The main players of this group are
experienced singers and dancers and will be touring. We also have
heard of the great need for crisis counselor/spiritual support and
hope to fill this role also. Our team will be in Samoa for one week
and the cost of round trip ticket is 800 dollars. I know with
certainty that God wants me to be included in this team, and feel
honored at the opportunity. I am waiting on God to provide the funds
to pay for my ticket and would like you to consider donating to this
need. Every day God shows me how much the need on the mission field
is, and humbles me in realizing that He's chosen me to be a part of
something He is designing.
Even though these projects are now on my heart, I am also feeling God
use this time for rest and some good studying/reading time.
Reconnecting with God's truths in my life and reviewing how He's
working in my life to trim out the bad and allow more room for the
holy…. Please let me know if you would like to donate to my ticket,
allowing me to serve those in need in Samoa. GOD BLESS and on behalf
of the 'islanders', I thank you for your support…. ~Alissa

Island Breeze Australia

I've made it safely to Australia. The plane rides were long but no major delays. I'm currently staying at Island Breeze YWAM base in Brisbane, the location that I did my outreach two years ago with YWAM. I've been enjoying catching up with old friends and making new ones. The base staff are almost all of island background (Fiji, Tonga, PNG, Samoa)....It feels like home! Currently I am helping prepare for a fundraising event and concert scheduled for November 14th called 'Save Samoa'. I've been preparing letters requesting donations and performers for the event. It's nice to be able to help out on the base while I stay here. The base is nice, kangaroos roam free and I've seen one koala in the tree so far. Australia is always fun because everything seems so 'familiar' and yet I can walk into the mall and not recognize one store. I'm adapting to the few word differences such as 'trolley' instead of shopping cart, 'lolli' instead of candy, 'mobile' instead of cell phone, and phrases such as 'full on' and 'good day'..... Thanks for all the prayers ! I will try and get a few pictures to post sometime next week! God is good, all the time....

Heading to Australia!

After a nice break here in the midwest I am leaving tomorrow for the YWAM Brisbane Australia base. I will be so excited to touch base with those I met during my DTS outreach, and also make new friends. My flight will be long- the longest is 12 hours between LA and Auckland New Zealand. Who invented such long flights? Hmm I suppose the vast ocean had something to do with it! I will be spending just one day in the Chicago before I fly out, not enough time to catch up with everyone but I hope to be back around Christmas time. Continue to pray for the transitions going on in St Croix.... Here we go on another adventure!!

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

Tuesday's update -Breakins

Supporters,
I want to first thank you so much for your ongoing prayers. We had
another attempted breakin a few days ago when, while I was sleeping,
someone attempted to break in through my screen window, waking me up.
We managed to be safe and were amazed that the thieves returned again
last night. We had placed an alarm on one of our buildings which
allowed our boys to get a running start (the thieves are bold, it was
about 9pm and we were still standing in the courtyard). One of the
thieves literally ran out of his shoes and the boys were able to get a
general description. We are pleased with the quick police response
during this breakin (typically the island police are understaffed and
take up to an hour to respond). The ladies are currently sleeping off
the base until we are more secured. We see this as an ongoing issue
but press in as we are coming off a month of children's ministries and
seeking further community involvement and are assured God's vision for
this island is to bring freedom. We at Youth with a Mission St Croix
thank you for your prayers of protection and covering, as well as for
discernment as we secure our fenceline, get a dog, and do nightly
rounds. Also please pray for us as staff to remain united, and
supported and also for our level of physical energy as our sleep has
been minimal. We thank St Croix Christian Church for their support.
Also we praise God that the hurricane is now scheduled north of our
small island.
God bless, Alissa

Pictures of new fence

The boys working into the night, strengthening our fence line.

Thanks boys for the extra hours and sweat put into protecting us!

Prayer Request

PRAYER REQUEST:
We just had two break ins this week by a very bold intruder-stopping at the snack bar to steal money and drink coke, and then entering our home even though someone was there! We had one Tuesday night, while I was in the house only ten feet away. I was in my room listening to music, door open and light on and he was in the kitchen so I didn't see him but could hear him. We
had a break in on Saturday in the boys dorm where one was sleeping and the other was
away house sitting and the man stole the seconds laptop and camera around three am. Last night it was 10pm and my roommate's laptop was on the kitchen table. He popped both the kitchen window as well as her bedroom window to get her charger (which means he had probably been watching us). He also took a book bag with two cameras in it. How frustrating when we as missionaries have so little, to have it be taken. We are praying that God moves in this man's life and that some conviction will lead him back to us and back to God- what an awesome testimony that would be! As for me I was shaken up, a bit still, just knowing how close it was. I heard some things but thought
perhaps it was my roommate coming home but when I heard the door I got up to check, and it wasn't her- i immediately noticed the laptop gone so called her to see if she had grabbed it. When I found out she hadn't I locked myself in my room and called a male staff who came running. The police did get some good fingerprints out of this second break in so lord willing that will be enough. In the meantime we girls have moved to a safer house on campus, and the boys have put up extra
fence, the church here donated more lights and we are talking about getting a dog. Please continue to pray for this base as it appears to be under such spiritual attack right now, especially after having run such an impactful July of kids camps ~ Blessings

Pics from St croix

A few 'happenings' at YWAM St Croix....

The men pouring cement during Kings Kids - what a time consuming job! Its over our 'shop' and we hope to build a second level for housing....

Thanks to all the guys from Puerto Rico and YWAM St Croix base who helped!

Annie and I after her baby shower!! We are excited for baby boy Finn to join the YWAM ST Croix base in a few months.

The girls and I at the beach on my birthday. We managed to squeeze out of a hectic Kings Kids schedule for a few hours. Ligia, Dani, myself and Renita.