One more week

Countdown until I head back to the Midwest for the holidays! I have one more week here before I leave. I will certainly miss the people here and already am sad that December holds one wedding, two fundraisers and a Christmas party that I'll be gone for.
Last night was another 'youth' night with the local high school students at the beach. God opens some opportunities for more in depth conversations with a few of the girls and it makes me excited about returning and being able to more fully poor into them. Lack of support system seems to be a theme with many of these girls coming from broken families. How tainted their worldview must be to have lost trust and innocence at such young ages. Praise God for opportunities to touch lives, encourage and give hope.
Tonight is a culture diversity night at one of our local churches and is intended to reach out to their community as well as unit with three other churches. It will be a good 'feast' as they say but also a good time of reaching out and letting Christ be known.
Many blessings on this Thanksgiving season! No thankgiving here but hopefully the two other americans on campus and I will be able to put together a dinner on Monday. Lots to be thankful for this year!

Shots from Brissy

Aussie Days ... FULL OF:

Rugby. Lots and lots of rugby

Girl time and road trips

Dinner, lunch preps in the kitchen

Sometimes 'interesting' dinner and lunch preps in the kitchen

Beautiful scenery and sunsets

God has blessed Island Breeze with natural beauty and wildlife (i could do without the snakes though)

Shots from Downtown Brisbane.... busy place to be

"Hungry Jacks" is popular fast food place- otherwise known to us American's as "Burger King". Why the change in name? I have NO IDEA... everything else is the same!

Big Time Changes

1 Timothy 1:12 "I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me
strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his
service."

I have been at the YWAM Brisbane base for one month and am looking
forward to my last three weeks here. Currently our DTS (discipleship
training school) has joined with three others (Sydney and Melbourne)
in Sydney and I had the opportunity to jump on a plane and head to
Sydney. It has been good traveling the train system, and meeting other
inspired and passionate christians. Tomorrow I should be meeting up
with mentors of mine from my Leadership training in St Croix, the
West. I do however miss the team at Island Breeze Brisbane which is a
confirmation to me of some of the things God has been speaking to me
about recently.
Last week I made the difficult decision to not return as staff to YWAM
St Croix. This came after some prayer and fasting, seeking God's
vision and also being in contact with the base director. The base
continues to go through transitions and will not be running the
programs I was previously involved in. In His grace, God has allowed
me to see many opportunities to serve here in Brisbane and I feel
called here for my next season in life, remaining with Youth with a
Mission. I would be working primarily in the community outreach team
which is where my heart lies- interaction with the people- and also
some support for the DTS team. I will be still returning to the
midwest for the Christmas holidays and for some fundraising. God is so
faithful, that can be the only theme of my current season, He remains
faithful even in the toughest and most confusing of times. Not because
He has to, but because He WANTS to as He delights in His children.
Please let me know of any other questions you may have. I continuously
thank God for your prayers for me along the way..... Alissa

island food

We had the lovo yesterday, underground oven (thats the fijian term - the samoans call it the Umu). We of course had pork as well as casava and had pulisami -taro leaves with coconut,onion and cornbeef. It's actually one of my favorites from samoa, although I prefer the sweeter type with just the coconut and onion. It was 'interesting' for the non-islanders because they started to feel their throats itch and one American thought she was having an allergic reaction .Others started getting up for water, or clearing their throats. It seemed normal to me, just shows the taro leaf was either picked to early or not boiled enough so it was so funny for us 'natives' to see one after the other start coughing or complaining, or getting concerned. Joshua, an aussie, was rebuking the spirit of sickness thinking he was getting a sore throat. Oh i laugh just thinking about it...The cultural differences can be frustrating at times but overall it shows God's sense of humor. For example, yesterday the guy from Papua New Guinea went up to Liti's room and instead of taking his fist and actually knocking on her door, he simply yelled out the words 'Knock Knock' numerous times. You can't help but laugh... I'm sure it brings joy to God's heart too...
I made an "american" dinner tonite- spaghetti with meat sauce, garlic bread and a great salad (great because I was in charge of it so added as many tomatoes, carrots and cucumber as I could!). Most of the boys had gone with the director to help Pastor Tonga prepare the Aboriginal church the Gospel Country Music Festival happening this weekend. Left over food won't last long though, especially since this morning was fasting time. Half way through the week! My time here is flying by and I pray God continues to move amazingly in my last month here....

Aussie land

The aussie's have a funny way of abbreviating everything. Sunglasses become sunnies, footie refers to a football, aircon is airconditioning etc.... They also have a uniform in the public school system that includes a hat. I guess the sun is pretty vicious and they have a lot of skin cancer so its become a requirement. Kids can get into big trouble for not wearing their hat. It makes me laugh, would our independent America be okay with the school system telling us how to dress and how to protect ourselves against the environment? I'm not so sure. Thursday night I went to the local mall and entered into the familiar 'Target' store. When checking out they asked if I wanted a ten cent bag. There was no other options. I'm all for the 'ecofriendly' system and often carry my own bag when shopping but also had to laugh at the fact that they would not be providing a bag for my purchases.... Has this hit America yet? The mall was swarming with young kids. There was a 'brawl' up near the entrance about one hour before the mall was to close. Apparently this is a normal occurrence , both for kids to fight at the mall but also just for kids to fight! At a youth gathering last night I spoke to a couple of the local girls and they were talking about how if you are one city and known to be from another high school you can easily get jumped, especially the boys. Its a part of their 'normal' life... so sad! Tonite I am heading down the red light district of Brisbane, called the Valley. There is an outreach that goes down there every Saturday evening until 3 am and they are making a big impact on people through evangelism and encouragement. It will be interesting to see and am praying for protection along the way.
New goal for when I return to the States- get an international driver's license. That way I don't have to worry about it whenever I travel or do any outreaches....

Rugby weekend

Kara, Maggie, myself and Liti with our new rugby jerseys to support the Island Breeze boys

Travelled with the Island Breeze team to Bryon Bay this weekend. Tournament started on Saturday with a full day of games (only lost one) and then finished up on Sunday (we lost in the semi-finals). Our boys played well for the most part, better on Sunday than Saturday. We stayed in a church- all on the floor but no one seems to mind. It was good fellowship. I tend to get nervous now watching rugby. Its easier for me to watch a game with no one I know, because then I just enjoy the good plays. But with the boys I know I get worried they are going to get hurt. Rugby is tough man. I see american football in a whole new light.

I did get to the most eastern point, near the light house. It was closed so we stood and looked at the shoreline and beach. Sometimes I forget Australia is actually a HUGE island! I also snuck away Sunday morning before the first match and spent some time on the beach. Very touristy area but also fun. Was a good weekend to make new friends, and support our boys with something they are passionate about.

Go Island Breeze Rugby Team

Good job to the island breeze rugby team who made it to the semi-finals. (with no major injuries!)

families

Typical Samoan response:

Me: So does your American fiancee have a large family?

Samoan: No, only five sisters

HA! That coming from our 2 kids one dog average !

Byron Bay

This weekend is rugby weekend! The boys are playing in a tournament Saturday and Sunday in Byron Bay. I've been through there last time I was in Australia but this should be good- to see a little more of the area. Plus we are all sleeping over on the church floor! Feels like outreach.... I've heard that it's the most eastern point for Australia in New South Wales. The town has a population of 9000 individuals. They advertise some beaches and light houses... Ill bring my camera for this trip!

Fines

So just for anyone's future reference: you can be fined two hundred dollars for being on the train without the proper ticket... YES there is a story (with a grace ending), and no I won't share it ... let's just say don't trust fijians. HA!

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