flood cleanup

I have arrived safely in Australia and since being back we've spent the week working on cleaning and landscaping projects for those who have been affected by the floods. It seems the first cleanup up has been done and people are now needing help getting the mud out of their basements, lawns and scrubbing with bleach the areas most affected. The boys at the base even worked on Saturday and Sunday but seem to enjoy it. We've been able to get lawn equipement back into running conditions and the girls and I spent an entire day cleaning and sterilizing toys for a local family with three autistic children. Their first floor was storage and play rooms, education rooms for their children. The water was so high on their house that the were prepared to climb in to the ceiling when the helicopters flew by to let them know the water was receeding. Many of these families will have emotional 'cleanup' as well as material (one seven year old boy kept telling me that the rain was coming and another flood; he had a hard time understanding that the flood was a one time deal). This week is our 'staff retreat' as we regroup together to focus on the upcoming year and our vision to continue working with the indigenous nations to spread the gospel and redeem cultures. Many changes ahead! Praise God for safety and provisions for all of us.

Pictures: volunteer firemen still continue to work with Brisbane residents (Api, fijian man next to truck); me pretending to work with the mud after spending the morning scrubbing the upstairs floorboards; a DTS student on outreach from Fiji, resting after a days workb

HIGHLIGHTS OF 2010

HIGHLIGHTS of 2010

Australia

:

-Learning new cultural dances and traditions from the Pacific

-Helping two days a week with Shekinah program for girls (alternative school)

-Helping two days a week with local chaplains in the schools (Deception Bay and Grace)

-Supporting local Youth groups and church fundraisers

-Running our Tuesday Night Live community worship service

-Supporting local food bank

-Starting up and leading a women's bible study and prayer time

-Fundraising

-Prayer

Vanuatu

-Teaching on Evangelism for Discipleship Training School

-Lead worship and devotions on YWAM base

-Helping coordinate a rugby team to play in Easter 7's

-Translating English to French for Leadership Training (two men from New Caledonia)

-Surviving earthquake and pneumonia

-See a deaf man healed

-Revival in the local church

-14 people baptized

-Prayer

First Nations Outreach in Alberta/Manitoba Canada

-Support Coyote Creek Chapel

-Help run Youth Night and Kids program

-Co-lead women's bible study and share testimony

-Share in local Sunchild School

-Participate in local round dance

-Lead two teens girl to Christ

-Run a cultural night : see ten men come to chapel for first time

-Prayer

-Home visits and prayer

-Cultural Dance performance (two)

Budget changes for 2010:

Increase in travel expenses: 5000 dollars a year

Health insurance: 1011.25 dollars for the year

Monthly rent/food: 200 dollars per month

Possible "Principles of Redeeming Cultures School" in April: 4000 dollars

I am looking forward to continuing to see God work in Australia and the Pacific this upcoming year! Please pray about whether you'd like to join me financially or in prayer. Many blessings to you and your family this Christmas season and into the New Year!

　

　

　

　

Meeting Baby April

Am blessed to spend December in Iowa meeting my new niece, April Joy, who was born to my sister and brotherinlaw Matt in Nov. I was travelling from Alberta to Manitoba on outreach when she was born and am loving the time spent with her over Christmas. Leaving will be difficult. Thank God for technology like skype and digital photos!!! Amene!
Here are a few pics of my first reunion with April...

Highlights from IB Manitoba

We spent two weeks in Manitoba, learning about the Canadian culture and ministering to local churches. We did home prayer visits, working with a youth center, and did two performance. We also spent a few days with Island Breeze Manitoba working on dances and fellowship





.

Highlights from First Nations Reserve

Our time with Sunchild Reserve and O'Chiese reserve involved a lot of children's ministry, working with a women's small group, doing our Island Breeze dance presentation at school and hosting a Cultural Food night.

Islanders in the Snow

We are working on a fundraiser for Thursday called "islanders in the snow"...fundraiser for our trip to Canada. I love that name :) So simple yet it says it all! We will doing our entire dance performance as well as serving dessert and sharing testimonies- will be a blessed time!
our leaders are currently in canada already preparing for us to come and the team has really pulled together well, everyone experssing idea, agreeing, working hard to prepare. It will bea good outreach. So far it looks like the following with go, with Ma from Fiji and Donovan aborigene still working on finances:
Metui from Tonga
Cke from Vanuatu
Gee of samoan/new zealand
and myself :)
How did i get in the mix? Only God!!

I saw a koala the other day, just outside the kitchen. Sometimes I forget that Im in australia becaues our base is more 'island' focused.... So cute, Ill attach a picture. Notice the long claws though! Ive heard they arent very friendly!
The boys played their rubgy 7s this weekend in Byron Bay and won the plate, they only lost one game so I guess its the second tier to win. Good on them! Only some stiff walks today! I didnt go this year, fighting off illness so stayed put. But proud of them! Ma and I tried on their new jersey, ill attach that picture too. Cheerleaders! and cooks... ha

GOD BLESS YOUR DAY!!

First Nations update 1

The First Nations have been marked by tales of slavery, inadequate living conditions and health problems. They currently hold the title of highest rates of crime, substance abuse, and more than twice the national average for suicide for all of Canada. There continues to be a fight to end poverty amongst the Aboriginal people of Canada and give them hope for their future

Outreach funds needed: Oh Canada!

New Outreach Opportunity!

Our cultural team is preparing for an outreach to the First Nations of
Canada (Oct 28-Dec 6)...following our bases vision to reach out to
indigineous people group. After some prayer and fasting, both Gee (the
Samoan lady I work with in Community Centre) and myself have felt to
join the team for their outreach. We will spend one month in Canada,
primarily in Alberta and Manitoba. My main vision for going is three
fold: to see how the leaders bridge the gap to create opportunities
for the islanders (which make up Cultural team) to use their giftings
in outreach. Also I myself would be involved with community focused
outreach including helping at a coffee shop ministry etc that will
help both Gee and I discover better our passions and create vision for
our Community Team as we return to Brisbane. I will also have the
opportunity to speak healing and truth into the lives of not only the
First Nations but any other person that crosses our paths from youth,
to church members to the cashier at the nearest MacDonalds! I would
have never predicted that God would call me back to Canada and the
cold and while my body shivers at the thought of being in the
mountains, in November, in Alberta, I am also in awe of how God will
use us as His vessel in ways we couldn't imagine. I am excited to
learn more about the First Nations and also compare their progress to
that of the Aborigene population here in Australia. I've included a
brief overview of our scheduled outreach.

I had not planned on another until oct 15th to raise 2000 dollars
(this is for both airfare and ground fees). Because of this I am
asking if you would consider praying about making a one time donation,
or increasing your monthly donation this month.I am truly honored and
humbled that up to this point God has been faithful to provide for my
monthly fees and even airfare travel (Vanuatu trips). If you are a
monthly donor, I cannot thank you enough for being the blessing that
God uses to equip me to continue speaking His truth and freedom. I
will continue to update you with how my fundraising is going and how
our team is preparing. We meet daily to interceed for our trip and the
First Nations as well as practice dances etc (yes, I am learning a
Hawaiin dance and a Samoan dance- this is not my gifting but I am
enjoying pushing myself and trying something new).

Schedule for Canada tour:

Alberta: 28-30 October work with coffee shop ministry
Fundraiser 31 October
Indigenous community in mountains 1-13 Nov
Fly or drive to Manitoba 15th Nov
Manitoba: Ginew reserve, and Winnepeg first nations church 16-20 Nov
Fundraiser 21-22 Nov
Cross Lakes First nation 23-27 Nov
Team flies to Kona Hawaii for 50th YWAM Jubilee Festival

Here is some information about First Nations from Wikipedia:
First Nations is a term of ethnicity that refers to the Aboriginal
peoples in Canada who are neither Inuit nor Métis. There are currently
over 630 recognised First Nations governments or bands spread across
Canada, roughly half of which are in the provinces of Ontario and
British Columbia. The total population is nearly 700,000 people. Under
the Employment Equity Act, First Nations are a "designated group",
along with women, visible minorities, and persons with physical or
mental disabilities. They are not defined as a visible minority under
the Act or by the criteria of Statistics Canada.

The term First Nations (most often used in the plural) has come into
general use for the indigenous peoples of the Americas located in what
is now Canada, except for the Arctic-situated Inuit, and peoples of
mixed European-First Nations ancestry called Métis. The singular,
commonly used on culturally politicised reserves, is the term First
Nations person (when gender-specific, First Nations man or First
Nations woman). A more recent trend is for members of various nations
to refer to themselves by their tribal or national identity only,
e.g., "I'm Haida," or "We're Kwantlens," in recognition of the
distinctiveness of First Nations ethnicities.

Thank you for your continued interest in missions! God bless,
Alissa

Donations can be sent to my home church:
Belmond Evangelical Free Church
attn Alissa Kennedy
2796 130th Drive
Belmond IA 50421

thoughts on leadership

Thoughts on Leadership from Transformational Leadership Seminar:


1) Nothing happens without leadership; Everything rises and falls with leadership
2) Test yourself as a leader by asking ‘Is anyone following?’
3) Characters speaks loudly
4) When you stop learning, you stop leading

Acts 13- Leaders were seperated by the Holy Spirit


Types of leadership
1) Religious (example prodigal son) Galatians 6:1- This type is what killed Jesus
2) Passivity
*Religious spirt is the enemy to intimacy

Marks of a good leader
- Hear the call and sacrifice for the call
- Listeners
- Empathy/Compassion (ask for these gifts as well as gift of healing)
- Awareness, spirit of discernement Psalms 105
- Vision, see the future
- Stewardship - the call
- Keep growing and desire to see others grow
- Builds community

Question: What direction am I leading my family? Am I taking leadership seriously?

James 5:15-16 "Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven. Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."

THERE IS POWER IN PRAYER!!!

September update

Pictures: Friend Kara, who is my small group and I; my church family
Already in September! Time seems to fly by quickly on the missions field, as once one project ends, another one begins. This month our community team has been downsized and at times there are only three of us balancing our school mentoring, running our community church night, helping at a food pantry and running small groups. Also our base, with numerous transitions, has also been focusing on praying for more leadership. This month has allowed us some extra activities such as “Splash Out”,(a one week youth camp during their school holidays), a cultural day for a Catholic school representing the islands of Vanuatu, Samoa, Fiji, Tonga, Papua New Guinea and the indigenous of Australia. We also have a youth night concert called Youth Alive, a scheduled movie night, and hosting two chapel services at a Lutheran School. God continues to offer many opportunities to reach out into the community and we are praying for continued discernment and more staff with passion for reaching the hurting and lost. My centre, the community centre, is led by Sio, a Samoan that I actually meant back in 2007 in Samoa. He married a Philipino lady before last Christmas but has been unable to attain a visa for her to return to Australia. Since they have been over eight months apart, he has finally decided to take some time off to meet her in Samoa. Depending on her continued visa application process, he may not return.
I myself have been dealing with visa’s and recently had a bit of a visa scare. In leaving the country in August, to Vanuatu for four days (my current tourist visa requires that I leave the country every three months), I was told that the expiration date was not September 17th, but rather August 17th thus they would allow me to exit Australia but I would not be able to return. This was at 5am and after some prayer I decided to risk it and continued onto Vanuatu. I checked my visa information on the internet and it confirmed a September 17th expiration date. I came back to Australia with lots of prayer support and in passing through immigration I was not asked one question (it felt a bit like God closing the lion’s mouths when Daniel was thrown in…perhaps God had closed the mouth of the immigration agent!). I will be launching my visa in about one week and should shortly receive a bridging visa until my 2 year “religious visa” is approved. While in Vanuatu I experience two small aftershock earthquakes (they had a 7.0 earthquake the week before) and the Nivans (those from Vanuatu) were discussing how God is ‘waking up’ the nation with an increase in earthquakes this year. This trip was bittersweet as many of the Nivans who had worked with me in the Leadership Training back in April/May have now backslidden or become discouraged. I’ll continue to pray for the nation and for God to bring revival.
I am planning on returning to the USA for the month of December as my sister Megan is having her first baby (a girl!) in November. I am thankful for “Skype” on the computer which allows me to talk with her and even see her as her belly grows. My finances continue to be an ongoing prayer requests as travel requires extra fees not included in my staff fees. I feel fortunate to not be in debt as numerous staff, especially from the islands, owe the base money for their fees. Busyness has not allotted me much computer time but I would still love to hear from you, your prayer requests, and how God has been moving in your life. Thank you so much for your ongoing support ! May God Bless….Alissa

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!