Chicago trip success!

We had a great trip to Chicago and thank God for protection, and provisions. We were able to achieve Manasa's Thai visa so we have gone ahead and purchased our airplane tickets from LAX to Bangkok! Some other highlights of our Chicago visit:
~ Spending time with friends, and godsons
~ Visit to my former college, Trinity International University
~Riding the train to downtown (to get visa and do some sightseeing)
~Attending a Chicago Cubs game
~Visiting former churches Harvest Bible Chapel and Vineyard Evanston
~Visiting family in Wisconsin

We feel blessed to be able to see 'old stomping grounds' and are encouraged as God moves us closer to our goal of heading back to Asia full time! We did not get enough time to visit everyone we wanted so hope our next visit to the USA includes some further time in Illinois.
Getting a "preparation" list checked off as we only have a month left in the USA!

Chicago bound

Heading to chicago to apply for Manasa's visa to Thailand. Looking forward to all the plans falling into place . We've been so blessed this week with God's faithfulness and His provisions as we plan our next trip, with it in sight! thanks for the prayers

Easter --Christ is risen!

Romans 6:8-11
Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. (NIV)

As we celebrated Good Friday service at a local combined service I was jumping out of my skin- why? To celebrate! Even though Good Friday is a time to reflect on the crucifixion of Christ, and his burial....to me I cannot separate those events from the meaning behind it. His death means His RESURRECTION! It means VICTORY! It means HOPE for a relationship with GOD! It is not the 'end' but rather a new beginning of our salvation , the answer to a plan of redemption started since the first day of creation~ I pray I continue to always have my heart leap when I think of His death and resurrection, that my hands clap with joy when someone is baptized, that my mouth echoes a 'hallelujah' when I hear the salvation plan of my mighty God. ~

 Psalm 97:11-12 - "Light is shed upon the righteous and joy on the upright in heart. Rejoice in the LORD, you who are righteous, and praise his holy name." (NIV)

Upcoming fundraiser in Belmond

You’re Invited

TO A PARTY

FIND STYLES THAT WORK FOR YOU!

Please join me to shop for fun, functional products from Thirty-One! At a Thirty-One party you’ll find organizing solutions to help simplify your life, available in stylish prints and patterns to suit every personality!

Join me on: Sunday April 7th

Hosted by: Alissa Qaranivalu and Joslyn Stock

Location: Evangelical Free Church Belmond, Hwy 69

Time: 4pm-6pm

Phone: 444-3908 (Alissa) or 641-425-7095 (Joslyn)

shop now at mythirtyone.com/ stockup

Bring

a friend!

Recovery

As Manasa and I heal from our recent surgeries, I am reminded on how the body takes it's time to heal. Sometimes on open wound can be closed and healed in a matter of a few days, and other times it takes a long time to heal leaving a scar. Makes me think of how we sometimes like to 'rush' our journey of healing with God. Once we become saved we sometimes expect an overnight miracle. I've seen it happen- addicts who no longer have urges, a depressed woman who now has joy on her face- these 'overnight' healings DO happen! However, it doesn't guarantee that the journey they experienced with God is the same way everyone will experience His healing. There are circumstances in our lives: deaths, assaults, disappointments, wrongs, illnesses etc that take more time. While walking the slow steps of recovery into healing, we can rejoice in each new level , knowing that God's healing is cleansing us. This leaves us with hope and joy as He works His emotional, spiritual and physical healings in our bodies. Yes, there is a season for everything (Ecc 3), and healing is one of them ~

Lenten Services

This morning I enjoyed the pleasure of doing a reading at the ladie's lenten service. The community holds a Wedn morning service at a different church each week during lent and it's a wonderful time for the christian ladies of the community to fellowship together. Our reading was from the perspective of Paul, challenging us with a 'stone' heart or are we developing a 'sheeps' heart for Christ. What a wonderful challenge- have the words of the gospel become just routine, have we lost the heart behind our Redeemer's love? Wonderful reflection time!

Marriage Conference

Manasa and I are blessed to be able to attend a marriage conference in Des Moines (about 2 hours from us) for this upcoming weekend. It will be a good time of hearing speakers, being challenged with different topics, and focusing on us as a couple.  As newlyweds this will be our first "marriage" focus conference/seminar and we are looking forward to it! Expecting lots of laughs :)

Faith and Finances

Malachi 3:10

"Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.”

As we are in the fundraising phase of our time in the USA I am constantly reminded that trusting and having faith begins to get routine....until the crisis hits. When it seems like I'm 'taking' back the responsibility of wanting to provide for my needs, I again learn the lesson of resting in God and trusting Him. When He's called you to do something, He will provide for it. I won't rush to start a new job, or new financial venture when I know my focus needs to be on getting back on the mission field to reach those who are yet to be unreached. I am amazed at the MILLIONS of people that haven't heard the story of Jesus, and who are continuing to be deceived by Satan into thinking that their gods, practices, tithes etc are satisfying their spiritual needs. We currently will be fundraising for 2 reasons. Firstly, we need to get back to Asia, and that will include airflight costs and monthly costs to cover our housing and living expenses. Secondly, because of health bills (my appendix and next week Manasa's minor surgery), we are expecting approximately 5000 dollars in medical expenses. We do not want to go back to missionary work with a debt at home (we don't feel this is biblical). Please join us in prayer as we watch for God's provisions and faithfulness during this time. Also please pray for our other preparations that need to be done before we had back to Asia!

Blessings

Here is some good listening regarding Trusting God with Finances, by my former pastor Pastor James MacDonald

http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/walk-in-the-word/listen/trusting-god-with-my-finances-part-1-185370.html

Appendix is out!

The appendix is out! Praise God! And onto the road of recovery. The doctor confirmed inflammation of the appendix, and also used the surgery to drain a large cyst on my ovary that may have been causing discomfort. I am anxious to fast forward a few more weeks to see if all the aches and pains are solved. I truly believe that God kept His hand on that appendix and prevented any unexpected appendix emergencies (especially when we were not close to doctor services). Manasa stayed with my overnight at the hospital and I was comforted by the prayers I knew were being lifted up. Another comfort was the familiarity with the medical system in the states etc (something I no longer take for granted). Manasa took this picture of my first walk (with my nurse) down the hospital hallways. Thanking God in His faithfulness to heal and never give us more than we can handle!

Meditating on this verse today.

Rainy sleeting icy day today so church is cancelled :( Using the time to meditate on Gods word. ~ Have a great week everyone!

"Give me a job teaching rebels your ways so the lost can find their way home." - Psalm 51:13

New ways to support us!

We are happy to announce that we have now partnered with World Outreach Ministries to make it most convenient to receive ministry financial gifts, even internationally.

If you would like to support our ministry, the fastest way is to make an Online Donation

via www.WorldOutreach.org. Go to "Donate" and select our name from the list.

You can also set up automatic Monthly Gifts with your credit card!

Or simply mail your gift to:

World Outreach Ministries

PO Box B

Marietta, GA 30061

*please make sure to designate “Alissa and Manasa Qaranivalu #202”

(Belmond Evangelical Free Church will continue to be able to accept donations as well)

**Both options have a tax receipt option available

Please feel free to contact us if you have questions or other options!

~THANK YOU~

***Also using new email address: knomads@excite.com ***

Sorry for the long overdue update....more soon!

After the holidays, it's back to work! We've enjoyed the holidays with family, and friends. Thankful for the clear weather so travel has been no problem. We are currently preparing for our presentation to my home church (Belmond Evangelical Free Church) that is this Sunday ~ how fun to look back on all that God has done this year! We are currently raising support, and still handling some health issues that may result in some minor surgeries. Please be praying for discernment ~ We plan on being in the USA until March, possibly pushing that date back a bit depending on recuperation time etc. Praise God for His faithfulness to us this year!
A new update is a switch on where we gather our financial support, more information will come soon. A highlight is being able to accept credit card donations!

Merry Christmas!

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

This has been a big year for us as we've seen God blessings in many ways. The highlight for this year was, of course, our wedding in July. We have been enjoying our first year of marriage, learning more about each other and are excited about the opportunities God is giving us for the year 2013.

We've spent the last five months in Mongolia, and are excited about how the church is growing and maturing (Christianity is only 20 years old). Manasa had the opportunity to do some teachings on how to teach and study the Bible, as well as some preaching opportunities. We feel God growing our hearts for mercy ministries as we regularly faced the homeless, broken beautiful people of Mongolia. We look forward to seeing where God takes and uses that heart. Being from a strong shamanism and Buddhist background, more people came to experience genuine love and forgiveness through Jesus Christ, and a willingness to lay down their life and follow Him. Many Mongolians took the challenge and answered the called of God to further the Gospel to their own people and also to the nations such as Afghanistan, China –Inner Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Russia – Buriat Mongol, and a heart to reach North Korea.

In October, Alissa faced some health issues, possibly liver inflammation and gall bladder issues. After much prayer, we felt God start to close ministry doors in Mongolia and guide us to take a 3 month break to return to the USA for medical care, preparation for this next season of ministry and family fellowship. This is Manasa's first time to the USA, so we look forward to traveling a bit and being able to support our friends and family. Alissa is currently taking some medical tests and expect the results to lead to full healing to be able to get back to ministry. We are praying about the many upcoming opportunities and would appreciate your prayer support during the next few months. We are also looking to increase our support base. While in Mongolia, we realized that we are able to meet our personal needs (rent food) however we would love to be able to have some finances available to pour into the ministries also (food/blankets for homeless, books/handouts for evangelism etc).
We can't say enough how important it is for us to connect and appreciate our supporters. There are still a lot of people living in darkness and we can unite to reach them, each using the gifts and blessings we've been given. What a great privilege to be used by God as an instrument of proclaiming God’s love through His Son Jesus Christ to the lost and dying soul on the mission field and in our own backyard. Our prayers are that God will continue to bless each of you, and that many people, nations and tribes will be blessed through your faith, love, prayer and generous support.

We wish you and your family a blessed Christmas season~

Email us at : knomads@excite.com or skillet25@gmail.com

Ulziimaa's Testimony at Times Square Church

New language

Learning a new language isn't easy...when you are over (cough cough) 30.... So we have greatly appreciated our Mongolia teachers who teach with a sense of humor, and using lots of practical everyday terms. Even learning an alphabet that uses different sounds (example the r sounds like a 'g') and new symbols (there is one that looks like a tent that is the "d" sound....) doesn't come easy so having a professional teacher is important! Here is a picture with our teacher Tuya (Tuya Bagsh) at a Korean restaurant ~