Diary from middle of the week

Manasa has been busy studying most of the day so I made lunch, set up the kitchen, put away our clothes into the wardrobe so we dont live out of a suitcase, dyed my hair and started a load of laundry. Am i domestic today or what? We went grocery shopping and it was so funny, down back alleys and in the basement .... little stalls of vegetables and mutton meat laid out on makeshift tables. And NO CHICKEN!  Yikes! so glad manasa has an idea of what he is doing since Im still learning. We both laughed about what if we were doing this without knowing the language. Once some more money comes in maybe I can buy some flour and make some muffins or something. But then again school will starting so might be busy.

We had a meeting this morning to finalize the schedule for Titus school starting next week. We are excited because quite a few pastors are interested in taking the lecture phase (3 weeks) to improve on their teaching methods. Titus is focused on instructing Bible teachers how to most effectively teach the Bible. Im excited to sit in on the classes. Currently we only have Mongolian students signed up which will cut down on some translating from Mongolian to English. I will be helping to prepare welcome baskets, help with daily snacks etc.... The 'behind the scenes' things that are so important but releases our main staff to focus on their teachings. We have quite an international group of staff- myself from the USA, Manasa from Fiji, Bogi from Mongolia, Jeanine from Dominican Republic and Bogi's boyfriend Pasqual from Switzerland. All united with the same goal of equipping Mongolians to lay the foundations of Christ's teachings. Inspiring! 

Please continue to pray for the team as we settle into routine, prepare teachings, fundraise the rest of the money needed to buy materials etc...

New Foods

People often ask about the food. Mongolians eat a lot of meat, and the children are often surprised if their meal does not include meat. They also use a lot of the fat from the meat which is quite an adjustment for my stomach.  Some common vegetables used are potatoes, carrots, and cabbage etc. Pickles are also common. The bread/biscuits tend to be on the harder side.
A ritual drink served to guests and at special events is horse milk. I tried by first sip last week as we were invited into our neighbors Gher tent. A band of brothers had arrived to ask for the family's daughter's hand in marriage so they had prepared traditional meal items including Buj (the pastry dough with meat in the middle, first picture with a carrot salad). They served us a large bowl of horse milk (tasted fermented) followed by a clear liquid in a smaller bowl which I found out was also from horse's milk (heated milk and collected the vapors) which is a stronger version of the first bowl. Then they follow it up with a shot of vodka. Another item , with a strong taste, was what looked like a white cookie however it was dried horse's milk. It was soft in texture but had the same bitter fermented taste. I was so thankful to try this tradition but even more thankful that my stomach was not upset after since it was so strong.
At our YWAM base we often eat noodle base dishes, and they make the noodles from scratch each day. This picture shows me eating the noodles with fried meat, and pieces of carrot.

Camels

Did you know they have camels in Mongolia? I was so surprised because Ive always had the idea that camels needed to live in the desert. While some of Mongolia is desertland, it gets very cold in the winter. The ones that I saw were drinking water surrounded by rolling green hills on the way north almost to the Russian border. When I asked what they did in the winter the reply is the same as the cows and horses, they are kept under a shelter and let out to graze on the grass that peaks through. Learn something new everyday.

Outing to the border of Russia

Outing to the border of Russia, only about 1 and half hour drive from Darhan.
First picture is of Manasa and I , with Russia in the background
Second picture is a common monument ( called ovoo) constructed to pay tribute to the gods, in high places (blue bands are even placed on tall trees)...donations of money and empty vodka bottles were made at this one (Shamanism).

Made it to Mongolia Safely

We've made it safely to Mongolia. Spent the first week at the YWAM base in Darhan (pic of a group outing) and today traveled to Erdenet where we will be staffing the TItus school with the YWAM here. They are accommodating us at a guest apartment off base so it is nice as a newly wed couple to have our time away from everyone, and our own kitchen! We are still trying to nail down an apartment in Darhan for our return so that is one major prayer requests as well as finances to cover our rent, staff fees, and school fees when we begin Mongolian language class next month. Adjusting to new culture, food, language etc. Was blessed with a YWAM outing last saturday that included a trip to the Russian border! Its COOOOOOLD :)

July Newsletter, pics to come!

Greetings from the Qaranivalu's

We would like to take this time to thank everyone for the recent
words of congratulations and financial blessings during this season
of two becoming one.  We want to use this time to give an overview of how our wedding went. We had beautiful Fijian weather, with no rain. We were honored to have family surround us during out day.
Alissa's father, mother and best friend were able to travel from
America. Manasa's family was reunited in one place (three brothers and one sister, and their families) after 12 years.  

Our wedding location was a nearby resort, held in a traditional Fijian "bure" (hut) that overlooked the mountains on the left, and the ocean on the right. Our heart was to give God the honor, while publicly declaring our vows to each other.  We were blessed with many YWAM members and church representatives in attendance also.  

After the pastor pronounced us as Mr and Mrs Qaranivalu, we honored our parents in washing their
feet as the first thing we did as a married couple. It was a blessed, emotional and joyous morning. 

We held a Fijian 'tevutevu' (homecoming) in which each family declared their blessing, and we
received mats, pillows etc from family members. After this tradition, we held a reception that
included traditional dances, a live band, father speeches and lots of food. We were thankful for the
church and YWAM volunteers who allowed us to host such an event. We are thankful to God that
we were able to take a few days out for honeymoon at a nearby resort.

We look forward to a new chapter, returning to the mission field  (Mongolia) as a married couple
(hoping to leave Fiji on August 8th). We will start the end of August by staffing a YWAM school
called "Titus" (Manasa will be doing teaching, worship leading, small groups etc and Alissa will
support with hospitality etc). The school is primarily being held in the Mongolian language, with
translation into Russian for a few Russian students. Students who have completed the SBS (School
of Biblical Studies- 9 months program) are eligible to take "Titus" which has a focus of teaching
students how to present the bible with different teaching methods, keeping in mind the differences
of learning styles in different cultures. After staffing this school, we plan on returning to the town
of Darhan and continuing to work part time with the YWAM base, focusing on English as a second
language outreach ministries, our community night, and various other events/outreaches. We will
learn as we go as we are sensitive to the fact that this is our first year of marriage and will be taking
time to set up our apartment, and building the foundations of our family etc. 

We want you to know we include you in our prayers and look forward to continuing to send you
our updates. We would love to hear from you!
Please continue to pray with us in the next few weeks as we are waiting for our Mongolia Visa, air
ticket and adjusting back to Mongolia.

 
Vinaka,
Mr and Mrs Qaranivalu 


http://www.kingdomnomads.blogspot.com
Emails: skillet25@gmail.com (Alissa), mahnsrq@gmail.com (Manasa)
Skype: alissa.kennedy, mahns.qaranivalu

TWO days till wedding time!

With two more days until the wedding here is an outtake from Manasa's recent prayer point letter to a support church in Korea. I am thankful that my parents could fly in for the wedding and a nice vacation time here in Fiji. Also thankful that my best friend from Chicago, Jenny, was able to also make the trip. Am enjoying my 'family' and watching Manasa fit right in. Like any wedding there have been some stressful last minute changes but God is still faithful and we are excited about the celebration day and even more so about the life to come together :) Vinaka!

"

WEDDING PREPARATIONS

Our wedding day will be two weeks from today on July 7^th, 2012. We have decided to hold our celebrations in Lautoka Fiji, so that our friends and family can easily visit from all over. Alissa's parents and best friend will be joining us from the USA for ten days. My family will travel from all over Fiji and New Zealand to join the celebration. YWAM is hosting a new base opening the weekend before the wedding so we are excited to also host guests from our YWAM family as well. We will be having a small ceremony in a local Fijian "bure" (hut) located at Anchorage Beach resort. My mentor, Pastor Mike, will be the officiant and we are honored to have several pastors in attendance. Our family is hosting a traditional Fijian "tevutevu" (homecoming celebration) before our reception to introduce Alissa's family into my culture. Our reception will be at a local hall and we are so thankful for the support of family, church, and our YWAM community in helping us cater and entertain at this event. We couldn't do this wedding without their blessings.

The items we still have left to consider in the next few weeks include:

·       Funds for wedding rings

·       Wedding suit (we have given a down payment only)

·       Coordinating transportation (renting a vehicle for the week of the wedding)

·       Getting my Fijian drivers license completed

·       Funds for honeymoon

·       Signing up for marriage license

·       Completing our vows

·       Preparing for out of town guests (coordinating housing, transportation and food)

PRAYER POINTS

In preparing for the future we have been daily in prayer seeking God's wisdom. The following includes our current prayer points:

·       General health

·       Rent for the month of July (God has blessed me with a two bedroom apartment during this time in Fiji)

·       Ticket from Fiji returning to Mongolia (leaving on August 8)

·       Mongolian visas

Thank you so much for the great support in both prayer and finances. We have truly seen the hand of God move in our lives during the past few months, and we strongly believe this could not be possible without the power of prayer partners in our lives. We look forward to sharing with you further details about our future in our next newsletter.

For more information about our wedding celebration please visit the webpage: www.alissamanasa.com.

Vinaka Vakalevu

Manasa Qaranivalu"

Good time in Fiji

Settling into Fiji!  Managing apartment, and already have declared war on the cockroaches. We can walk into town so its been a blessing - especially with the details of wedding preparation! We are blessed to be a part of two churches at the moment and feel very supported. The checklist is diminishing except for some minor details (like finances hahahaha). We look forward to my parents and my best friend Jenny arriving to Fiji in two weeks time! I know time is flying by so fast now.
Manasa and I are focusing on  building a good foundation of friendship and teamwork and discussing the important things that come up like budget, family vs ministry time etc. Ive included a picture Manasa took off of my balcony during one of the sunsets....was a good reminder to also enjoy the surroundings, this is the time to be in Fiji and appreciate family/friends and culture!

Farewell to Island Breeze Brisbane

On Monday night the Island breeze ladies took me out for dessert, fellowship and prayer time as a farewell and also a celebration of engagement to Manasa. It was a blessed time and I will truly miss these ladies and the Island Breeze Base!

42 Days and counting

42 days till the Wedding! But whos counting :)
I received a beautiful prophesy last night at my last fellowship with a local baptist church here in Australia- looking forward to a season of laughing, laughter of happiness but also laughing in the face of Satan. Compared my past ministry to the future and this past season has been like its "been lost as sand through the fingers" but that will be a season where God will accelerate. The love of the Father will be the key to unlocking the favor in nations- specifically "ancient and preserved nations". Amazing! There was so much more to the prophesy and confirmations but I am sincerly appreciative to a God that cares enough to affirm me and love my ins and outs.
Good day!

Visit to Newcastle, NSW Australia

With only a week left I spent a long weekend at a friends house, with her family and new baby Sophia (one month). Amazing to see how God has imprinted even children at such a young age with His fingerprints. Here are a few pics.
Notice instead of rocking horse, they have a rocking kanga

Leaving Australia

Countdown is one week before leaving Australia! Thinking of all the great memories and praying blessings over all the ministries I laid on a hand on, but that also touched me!  Leaving next Thursday for Lautoka Fiji, my new home for the next 2 months. There are still lists of things to do. Did some packing today and was pleased to see that I've minimized to a decent amount considering I can only take two carryons and a 23kg bag..... on to more adventures! Thanks for the prayers during this transition time!

Fundraising

Trying to be creative in fundraising-- the newest one is selling coffee, i get quite a bit back on each thing purchased! Check it out!


https://justlovecoffee.com/about/beneficiary/kingdom/

some more pics from Fiji trip

Here are some more pictures from the FIji trip. In the village they use their own garden, fishing and raising animals for food. The only thing I saw them buy from the shops was toilet paper and rice. Heres a picture of Manasa shelling the coconut to be used for a sauce for dinner. Even though the ferry was almost four hours, it didnt seem long with airconditioning and movies playing!

ENGAGED

This is alittle late, but during my trip to Fiji during Easter I was able to visit with Manasa's family, and also become an engaged woman! Manasa asked me to be his wife on top of a little hill in a traditional fijian bure looking over the ocean and the mountains to our left. I am honored, thrilled, excited, sentimental, and can't believe in just under 2 months we will be married! There is more information on our website at "www.alissamanasa.com".
First pic is the first picture of us engaged, and the second is my realizing how quickly the wedding day is coming!