This week has been a tough week and the first time that I have actually considered leaving!! God is still good though and I have faithHe will reknew me- I only have two more weeks until we leave for australia anyways. Please continue to pray for the transition of leaders, we have a new couple on campus, and also people's attitudes and spirits towards what they are doing here in YWAM.
We perform tomorrow at a church and are excited to finally be out of lecture phase and onto serving. We did a couple more fundraisers this week of selling Roti in themorning and its actually becoming one of my favorite things to do because its a great team builder, we interact with the community etc... the only downside is getting up at 4 in the morning. I remembered fondly this morning those saturdays in the past where I allowed myself to sleep until 11 am. NO MORE. everyone is up and noisy by 700 even on Saturdays :) Its been a bit chilly later with the wind for some reason, not sure if its the time of year or what! We are on 'lockdown' the next week or two which means students dont have free days anymore. So I hope to continue to update but unsure how often. I wonder if I will have to buy warm clothes in Australia? Anyone know what the weather is like there this time of year? I think we will spend al ot of time in Brisbone and maybe this place called Palm Island. I only have warm weather clothes....God will provide! We had a fiafia night again last night to welcome a team from New Zealand called 'Kings Kids'. I always enjoy those because its Samoan food and great dancing and laughing. We've been spending extra time cleaning up the base this past week. Pulling weeds, replanting etc...God is also teaching me some big lessons on submitting to authorities, and to be above reproach in everything. I can't pick and choose when to obey and follow the rules- I need to be consistent and an example at all times. gotta run cause this place is closing... everything closes at 12 on Saturdays, not like the city!

Friday-Outreach prep

Whew.... we are finally ALMOST certain that our destination will be Australia now with 9 people going: La, Sai,Sova and Onasai as leaders and Jenn, myself, Akuila, Solopoi, Liti . We have been doing some fundraising, including waking up at 4 in the morning two days in a row to make Roti and Curry (indian dish) to sell. Its fun but its tiring. We have a new family on the base and the lady is a dance instructor so she is brushing us up and teaching us new dances. We haven't had much time to spend outside the base with no more 'free' days but we did have one last picnis last Saturday and spent some time at the beach called 'Paradise' beach (you can imagine...). They said its not even the best beach on the island. It was a big rocky with coral (cut up my foot, not bad but it takes a while to heal). Its amazing to be swimming and run into a school of little blue fish- it tickles. The salt water takes some getting used to also. Im always amazed at God's beauty when I leave the base and see both the mountains and the beautiful clean ocean and its waves. We have a fiafia night again tonite to say goodbye to the Cook Island YWAM team that has been here on outreach the past month. After that we will do some evangelizing in town. I went to a friends house the past Sunday (After going to the Fijian church again and Yes, there was another REALLY long prayer to begin the service) and I am forgetting some of the cultural 'civilization' things like walls on the homes. Ha... or a fan that runs with electricity. Or the sound of a landline phone. Its too funny. I will have more culture shock going home that coming here I think. People here are getting ready for the SPG which is the South Pacific Games, a bit like the Olympics but of course smaller scale. We wll be on outreach for most of it but hope to catch the end. I can imagine the tourism! Please be continuing to pray for our leaders as they are preparing to transition into outreach and local groups (Malakai will stay back with a group of students also to do outreach on the island) . Also Malakai's health has not been good so please remember him in prayer! Ill do some more updating next week! I feel I am always squeezed for time! And not just in using the internet!! ~alissa

Friday

So change of plans for Hong Kong since funds aren't coming in: We will be going to Australia!! We will do some performances there and try to fundraise and if enough money comes in than they will also take a team from Australia to Hong Kong. Play it by ear and listen to God's voice!! Im excited to see Australia but more importantly Im excited that more people might be able to go!

I have decided to commit to staying on as a DTS staff for next school year (Lord please provides the funds), meaning I would stay another five months and help staff the next school. Now that Malakai, my leader knows Im most likely committing to another school he feels a bit freer to share some of the ins and outs of the base and also his own leadership so its been good to support each other on that level and not just student/leader. I think I could contribute in the interpersonal/counseling/sheparding area. Plus I am going to get the benefit of sitting in on classes again!! For now must focus on our outreach time. The next few weeks will be learning to songs, skits etc... practicing testimonies and all that jazz. Im sure even with going to Australia some of the Samoan students won't be able to go because their lecture fees aren't paid.

We have a student picnic tomrrow to celebrate the end of classes so will probably have some more pictures to put up next week. Still LOVE it here but miss everyone back home.
Yesterday Ameto, a fellow student, threw a baby lizard on my lap DURING CLASS. We had a nice long discussion about how I can offer forgiveness to him but still need time to trust him again. AHHH!

Monday

The few precious moments I get and my email is not working!! This week is heavy duty lectures, our last week with a morning session with Hank from New Zealand and then afternoon and evening sessions with Pastor Levi, a Samoan preaching on the fear of God. Its a lot:) Hong Kong is in a couple week and fundraising has been really tough. There has been a lack of support for many students and right now there isn't even a leader with enough funds to go. Ive been praying that Malakai, our DTS leader can be freed to go. Also praying for my fellow student Akuila as he does not have much left to raise. If not enough funds are raised typically students do outreach here locally. Right now I think I am the only one with every thing raised! So IF YOU CAN HELP... please now is the time- its only about 2000 american dollards for the full two months in Hong Kong including air fare. If so please call my parents so they can money transfer or email me .
Everything continues to be beautiful here. We had 'Umu' again yesterday, the outdoor oven. It was yummy- I will miss that when I leave. Maybe more info next week. Am adding just a few more pictures right now- look under last blog.

SAVAII PICTURES

More to come but here is a quick link for this week:

http://s210.photobucket.com/albums/bb20/alissa25_2007/


(Under 'subalbums', 'Savaii')

Wedn- fundraisers!

Quick update, hope to work on pictures today. Had a good week- things too hectic with schedule on Sat so didnt get in. We had another fia fia night which turned out fantastic, its like hosting a big block party. Then the next morning we were up at 4am to get the chicken roti going to sell (which also turned out fantastic). On Sunday I was able to attend the Fijian church and since one of the staff, Semi, was preaching we also did a song (so I got to participate since it was one of ours that we performed at the fiafia night!). They were gracious and fed us afterwards also. Even though I didnt understand a thing it was cool, they sang accapella, and were all very nice. We did another fundraiser (as you can see the time for Hong Kong is fast approaching) and we worked at a plantation all day, in the rain! It was a beautiful land, and our main job was picking up and sorting coconuts, branches, and cutting grass. We got to make fresh lemonade from their lemon tree and I tried about three new fruits. While I was working, it was so beautiful and 'islandish' that I started thinking maybe I was in 'Jurassic Park' and was waiting for the purr of a dinasour creeping up behind me!

Savai

Jennifer and my trip to savai was wonderful! We caught the small ferry at 6am and while it wasn't as comfortable and smooth it was nice to get tehre early. onasai and silosi woke up to drive us in the van and onasai got us on the ferry just on time. I got a bit seasick towards the end and since i hadn't really been on a ferry before I chose to look at the ground ( I now know that fixing on a future point helps more). I was praying for gods steadfastness and to calm the seas and the waves of my stomach. I prayed "lord I want to be a good witness to represent both you and the YWAM base so please dont let this palagi throw up over the side of the boat". HA~ When we got there we went to the market which is about half the size of the one in Apia but its set about the same with fruits, fresh fresh, etc... We got some fruit for breakfast and got on the bus. it took us about one hour to get to the village of Manasse where the fales were. We stayed with the Family Ministry team that had formally been on our base. Its called Janes Fale and has about 16 fales along the beach; jennifer and I shared one. Savai is incredible with such variety in the land- beautiful beaches, lushious green trees, there was some hard black lava areas.... There were a lot of horses, something we dont see too often near Apia. The beach was quiet, clean... it rained most of the day on Saturday but mainly just drizzling so we got to go swimming, walking on the beach etc. the sunset was breathtaking but the sunrise was even better. Ill HAVE TO get my pictures up. Ive never seen anything like it. Besides our team there was only two other couples and as I walked down the beach i didnt see another soul even though it looked like there were a few other places like Janes with guest fales. The people that own the place served us a wonderful dinner and breakfast (included in the cheap price). I plan on going back. Listening to the waves while falling asleep is so soothing; waking up to a rooster under our fale at five oclock is not!! Maybe God wanted us up for the sunrise though.... There is a place nearby where we can swim with sea turtles but since we didnt have the time it will be saved for next time. We also heard there is a beautiful waterfall that we will have to catch. On our way back on Sunday we saw the monument built for the first missionary on the island (i think john williams?). ON saturday night since it was the family ministries last time together they had their own fiafia night and performed their dances one last time, had birthday cake for two little girls, and the boys did fire dancing (an excellent job by the way). At the airport it was hard to say goodbye but I am so excited for where God is taking each family. It was a blessing for Jenn and I to be included with them and it was so restful and much needed. On the base we have one month left before outreach so we are focusing on fundraising. We will do another fiafia night on Friday with dances and testimonies and maybe one skit. On saturday morning we are doing our second round of Roti (chicken indian style) that is a big hit even though we have to get up at 4 am in the morning (we managed fabulous team work last time!). I am going to try to go the Fijian church on Sunday even though it is all in Fijian, most of the Fijians on base go there and this week they get to lead it. What an experience!! "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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Saturday

Today the town is busy busy.... probably because with Mothers Day the dinner tomorrow will be huge!
Well our team is off and running and we performed last night for a Youth for Christ rally , dancing one Fijian song. Everyone says we did well- i did one mess up but its all for Gods glory right? Me ? Dancing? Crazyiness... The Samoans here are just so talented musically, I was impressed with the other performances. It finally stopped raining a bit so I got to air out some of my clothes. We had a comment from the Family Ministry team here from New Zealand, they were saying that typically you have good accomidations with on the YWAM base, and then tougher ones while you are on your outreach. For us they feel that the trial is here on the base (with the heat, sometimes no water etc) and when we have our outreach in Hong Kong it will be better conditions. Praise God :) Updates from last post: our water turned back on right away, some miscommunication with the land and water regulators. Also, we have a new used van that is getting ready so we will have two transportations options in the near future.
The staff are beginning to do prayer walks/meetings every evenings to really 'protect' us and the base and I feel so blessed that the leaders are taking initiative to bring everything before God. Next week's speaker is a lady from American Samoa. I am hoping to visit Savai, the next island over, next weekend but have yet to get the okay from our leader. I hear its even more beautiful than here which is hard to imagine. Last night at the performance i was walked around saying 'fia moi' and 'fia aie' which means i am tired and I am hungry. (we didnt get dinner until after- around 10 pm).
We have a big 'fiafia' night tonite, typically done to say goodbyes or celebrations. This is for the New Zealand Family Ministries team that will be leaving on Monday and also as an opportunities to fundraise. We should do about five dance songs. Um, Ill have to let you know how that goes on Wedn!

Wedn May 9

Is that the date? HAPPY MOTHERS DAY a bit early. Im such a jerk and missed my mom's birthday so a big shout out to mom!
So many transitions/changes to talk about for our base .Its actually been a tough week for everyone. Its the third day its rained and remember we live in fales so everything gets damp and we just wait for a sunny day to lay out EVERYTHING. Also, we have lost water and it wont be restored for another two days at least so needless to say everything is being used sparingly and some are getting cranky :) Its been tough financially for the base this month, our van broke down and we had some expenses there. We are stretching for our food money. And for some reason we always run out of toilet paper. I dont know though if thats a financial thing or thats just the concept of buying in bulk that isn't being used. Another leadership change is around the corner with Sio, our base leader, being offered an opportunity to be at YWAM in Australia, he should be here another month.
On good notes our speakers are great again this week and we've been talking about worldviews, some over the islanders heads and also family units. We are also preparing to share our four dances on Saturday (we've already done one dance at the local prison). I shared another sermonette this morning about anger and for some unfortunate reason it was much needed. I just feel everyone is feeling the strain since it is half way through the program and I dont doubt that the devil wants to discourage us. We are making lavalavas to sell for fundraising and they are beautiful. We have such talented and creative artists on base (um myself not included, Im just happy to keep up with the dances).
Last night Atu took my small group out for Ice cream (freedom! Im only allowed out at night for our evangelism night so it was a treat). Instead of ice cream though I was craving root beer so I got two cans :) We then walked along the sea wall and prayed. We also prayed infront of their governement building which has NO security... its so different. I guess Samoa is quite a bit safer. Another thing they don't really understand here is nursing homes . I tried explaining it in class as a cross between and apartment and a hospital but for older people. The culture here just puts so much respect on our elders (we should all learn from this!) so its hard for them to imagine their grandparents not living with them or their uncles.
I will try to get back in on Saturday but since we are performing Im not sure... im never sure really. My new moto is 'ote le loa, I just do what Im told' which means ' I dont know, I just do what Im told". Ha! Praise God. I pray this finds you healthy, peaceful and joyful. Many loves....

Saturday

I see the blog isn't working so well! Ha! Sorry about that... Ill have to take a better look on Wedn. I think the only thing I really talked about in the blog for Tuesday was describing the bus ride in with a woman who brought her chicken with her. Ha! Nothing surprises me anymore. Ive been sick all this week but Im feeling much better. Stomach pains like crazy. Went to the public doctor on Monday and he prescribed three medicines: So by Tues evening I was getting worse instead of better and feeling nauseous (I only made it to two days of class this week). So Wed morning I told them I needed to go back to the "hospital" (any trip to the doctor is to the hospital). Sio is back now, the base leader, and he made a point to remind me to never hesitate if I need to see the doctor and he told me to go the private one. This doctor told me that the medicines from Monday were being counteractive . So I got the right ones and am now back up. It was really frustrating to miss out not only on class time , but eating time together, small group, outreach preparation, work duty... EVERYTHING!! Everyone was really supportive while I was sick, especially Atunia, she was worried about me. For some reason the the DTS staff didn't check in with me so I told malachi that was aproblem cause it left me disconnected....The boys especially were worried and now that Im better they are being overprotective and not even letting me take my own plate to the kitchen :) I keep telling them my energy is back but it may take a few days for them to believe it. So in other news I really feel God is opening up new doors with my relationship with God. Ive been talking with Malachai and Sova, two of my leaders. Its really hearing God through prayer and getting verses for other people. I told Malachi that I feel its so new I dont always know what to do with it, like feeling a burden/or weight to pray for someone or against something. Please be praying God continues to speak and confirm for me. This week we went to the local prison to do our dances and testimonies to encourage them. Its funny because the inmates get to go home on weekends!! And they allow them to work the land with machetes! Doesn't this seem odd? Because we are on such a small island, and people typically dont have a lot of money, its not like they have anywhere to run. We danced a Fijian 'Meke' and its so much fun! We are learning some new ones now too. Yesterday we got coconuts ready to make a mixture and sell this morning (Sat) at a nearby village to raise money to go to Hong Kong. We had to climb the tree (okay not me), crack them on this huge stick, take out the milk and the inside, squeeze it, cook it with sugar, corn starch balls (like tapioca) and everyone loves it. We are also starting to make 'lavalavas' (skirts with local designs) to sell for outreach also. Its fun seeing the students and staff pull together as a team. Everyone gets along so well, praise God! Its one of the first really rainy days today, all day long its been raining. Glad my laundry is done and not hanging on the line (I think about those things now). Some funny Samoan sayings: From Onasai: "I cant eat any more cocoa rice or my stomach running away from me". From Atunia "My mind is broken". From Jenn, the other American- instead of saying "Menua le po" which means good night, she said "Menua le povi" which means good cow! Malachai will wrapping up our praise and worship time "Now before I waste any more of MY time lets pray". Too funny. I hope to get some actual pictures up soon, Ill keep trying to come up with solutions! "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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Prayer Letter

Viia le Atua (Praise God)! Blessings from the beautiful island of Upolu in Western Samoa! Im so excited to be able to touch base with you again and give praises to God for getting me here safely and providing for each step I've taken. I'd also like to include you on what is currently happening as we students plan our 'outreach' phase starting the end of June. First of all thanks to God for what He's done, what He is doing, and what He plans to do the next few months. As David says in 2 Chronicles 29 "Praise be to you, O Lord, God of our Father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is Yours. Yours , O Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from you; you are ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name." As I begin to tell you about our preparations for an outreach to Hong Kong I want to introduce you to my fellow students, our 'team'. As I do I request that you pray for each individual. I also am so excited about what God is doing through our base, the YWAM base of Samoa, and am offering you the opportunity to hear from God and be a part of what He is doing. Please consider and pray about if God may be prompting you to support one of the students in need. Many are struggling to finish paying their lecture fees and are discouraged about asking God for more, 3000 american dollars, for the outreach to Hong Kong. In the past, if one cannot pay the fees, they stay in Samoa and do outreaches to the local churches and schools. My heart is for the islanders, from Samoa and Fiji, to share in this opportunity to see a glimpse of the outside world and experience what it means to serve another culture. It's also a great witness to have Fijians and Samoans serving side by side. Many Samoans come from large families and so funds are limited. One man can work a full day of eight hours and only earn 20 talas (10 dollars) for the whole day. What a blessing that with those wages God provides food from their land! All that to say I am encouraged by their recent saying : " God is able so if we are available than anything is possible." May they believe that, and may God help us with our unbelief as He takes care of us and prepares us for the outreach phase. My team: Nuu - from Samoa. Grew up in a Catholic Samoan church and still attends on Sundays with his family. He is only 16 years old and already feels a calling to minister to people. During the past three weeks we have already seen him admit to pride and begin to gain confidence in his public speaking abilities. Ameto- from Samoa. His family lives over one hour away but comes to visit him every Sunday. His older sisters are in Australia and New Zealand and he longs to follow in their steps by visiting other countries. How awesome is God? When Ameto came to the base he was not a christian. He understand that the Bible was important but after hearing one of our leader's testimony, he admitted he had never understand that God was calling him to a personal relationship where he could pray directly to God, and that the reason he could do this was because Jesus came to cancel all of his bad things/attitudes. PRAISE GOD! He loves to laugh, dance, sing and play the guitar. Vinepa- from Samoa. Comes from a very large family. She is only 16 years old also and has become everyone's little sister. She is learning english so quickly and has been moved to tears a couple of occasions this last week as she recognizes areas that God wants to heal in her family. She is postponing finishing her high school because her desire is to know Jesus more. Solopoi- from Samoa, the town of Apia. Is 18 years old and formally was known as one of Apia's 'street kids'. After getting in trouble with the law he met Pafelio, the base leader, and committed to serving God last year on the base. He left and went back to his old ways until he had enough. He is a true example of a broken man before God and has such a heart to reach those who are homeless or the many street kids. He also loves to dance, and every time he preaches you can hear how humble God has made him as he rejoices in what God has done for him. I started with those four because they are the ones considered 'native' who are learning english and excited about serving the Samoan people but also about doing missions work across the world. We have many laughs over learning the Samoans way. One of their favorite sayings is "God will use my broken english to heal broken hearts". AMEN!! Can you see all that God has done so far?? Thats why Im excited to ask you to pray for each one and if possible, help financially support their decisions to leave their old life and open doors to God's way. The other students include: Akuila- 23 years old from Fiji. He has shared over the last week that he was raised by his grandparents and until just this past month did not realize how much unforgiveness he has towards his parents. His parents currently live in Samoa so he has an opportunity to reconnect and set a new standard for their relationship. He has been an inspiration to me in his honesty and desire to fight through where God wants Him to be. Akuila is gifted in dance and choreography and also as an artist . Leti- 32 years old from Fiji. Leti's husband, Silosi , did his DTS last year and is currently one of our leaders. Leti has had to leave her family and her career to follow God and she is seeing the blessings despite the hard times. We call her 'mammi' and she brings much wisdom to the group. Praise God that her outreach fees are taken care of already from support from her church. The last two are myself, and Jenn the other American. We both worked and saved before coming to our DTS and have experienced such generous support from our friends, coworkers, and churches. We currently are not in need of financial support BUT we are always in need of prayers for our protection and for God to be speaking to us. So now I simply ask that you lift up these students in your prayers. Please allow a few days to see if God leads you to give anything financially, either to the group as a whole or to an individual. I am confident that God wants each one of you to participate in the lives of these people that He is building up- even if its across the world. If you do feel led to give support, please send a check or money order to my parents as they will transfer the money directly to YWAM, to the care of whichever individual you prefer. Please make out the checks to Pat Kennedy (its not tax deductible since it is considered a school cost -due to visa requirements) Pat Kennedy 2798 130th Drive Belmond, IA 50421 Many blessings from Samoa! I will be praying and fasting the next couple weeks (dont worry- only fasting for one day at a time) as I expect God to speak directly to each of you.

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Tuesday April 24

Saturday, April 21

Didnt make it into town on Wed- too busy! Things are still great. They still haven't let me do my own laundry because everytime I walk over and start the water someone is right beside me taking over :)
We have more people on base now, a team from New Zealand, about four families athat are doing a family ministry with their chilren for five weeks. They did a couple of seminars for us students but normally we dont see them often. They do seem to be having a harder time adjusting to the culture and food than me and Jenn. I mean, they dont even like the cocoa rice which is a treat to us!! Right now two of our leaders, Atu and Sio are at a conference in australia and so the team is really pulling together well to keep everything running. Sometimes its hard to remember I am a student and I need to let the base staff take care of things.

Our last work duty I discovered a whole new section of our small plantation that had pineapple!! So they cut me one and I had fresh pineapple, yum. That was after I watched the boys chase after the mouse with their machetes, and of course the mouse had to run my way, causing me to scream, and then of course get made fun of for about fifteen minutes! I still have a hard time trusting those machetes swinging through the air. They do the job well but I can just picture my little toe missing one day.
This weeks' speaker was incredible- a man from Samoa who is now living in Hawaii. He has such a gift and has met with me one on one a few times. He wrote for each student, before he met us, a 'letter' from God with reminders and also a bible verse for each of us. My bible verse is Romans 8:14-18:
"...because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba,Father." The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. " Many encouraging and edifying words spoken this week. We also had a bonfire yesterday and were asked to write a list of what satan stole from us (whether through our own choices or others) and place it in the fire, asking God to give us what we are lacking. It was a lot of leaving the 'old life'... especially for two that comes from the streets.
We start street evangelism next week which will be interesting for sure. We will go in teams, with at least one Samoan in the bunch to translate if needed

We have a new dog on the base. Its a stray dog and of course the boys have such tender hearts they keep feeding him so he's stayed. Right now he goes by the name 'gangsta' (I know, i know...) I met with a Samoan family in town last week and one of the boys was asking me if I knew famous people like Tom Cruise, Beyonce. When I said no he said 'why not?'. I explained how big America is (not like Apia where you know most of the families) and also explained the concept of security guards. Ha! Bless his heart.
Okay one more story- so Thursday was NOT my day. I was sitting in class, whichis an open fale, when a lizard pooped right on my skirt! He must have been climbing on the roof branches. AND THEN... later that night when I was talking to Pine, the speaker, and my leader Malakai in the guest fale, a bird pooped on me! What was going on??? I guess I was a target! Really though, id rather that than the lizard running up my leg again. Or that mouse... sometimes I wonder if they get in the fale at night when we are sleeping.

I guess i have two other updates-
I got sick this week for the first time (only one day). Its humbling because there is NO privacy so I constantly have people saying 'alissa - you okay?' while I am trying to sleep..... Its nice because some prayed over me but Im used to shutting myself in my house with the cell phone off until I feel better. Three people went down to the next village to get me crackers and sprite. God is teaching me to see their hearts and not complain. Praise God for his healing.
The other update- we are starting to see tht some of the students are having some trouble raising funds. God totally blew us away this week and we started praying and two days later had 500 tala (250american dollars)... we know God will be faithful to provide but some are starting to get anxious. Im thankful that my fees are paid off right now ... praise God. Thanks for all your encouraging emails and thoughts! Im sure more stories next time! (I think we get to visit the prison in another four weeks or so)

Saturday

Wow the past few days have really flown by......Did I mention the Samoans are so beautiful?!? Ha! Today Im in town again, its a joke now on base that everytime we have the opportunity to leave the base I take it! (FREEDOM) I think after this Ill go the market (i like going even if not buying anything), then go to the sea wall (I hear its beautiful, on the ocean) and then another rugby game!! Pack it all in! Ive been playing volleyball everyday, trying to understand the game of rugby as I watch the boys play, and doing work duties after class. That usually includes pulling weeds, planting taro and pumpkin, moving plants, painting etc... Yesterday we joked because as we were planting we found two cell phones- Onasai, one of our leaders, was up in the coconut tree getting us some to drink and his phones had dropped :) Can I just say one thing that still makes me nervous is the boys using the machetes... okay maybe two boys in particular. I have to remember that they've been using them since they were kids.
I found a new kind of bug yesterday- it looks like a catapillar with pinchers and apparently, per the natives, I would have to go the hospital and 'no sleeping all day and all night'. Didn't sound good so Ill avoid them! The boys painted the girls bathroom the other day - um bright orange and blue. The Samoans like to use color.
We learned our first dance yesterday!! Im actually getting it even though it probably doesn't look as smooth as though that have been dancing for their life! Even Jenn, the other American, has some dance experience. Really guys- me?? Dancing?? Ha! Its one area where people have to be patient with me!

We have an incredible speaker that is in for next week. He is from Samoa, now living in Hawai and Ive heard excellent things about him- he already has a great sense of humor. I find that living here makes me laugh more and joke around more- thats the Samoan way. Yesterday Finn, one of the boys on staff from Samoa gave a brief sermon and it was such a blessing. About how sometimes we forget we are in a race, and that its just starting for us students. But the coolest part is that he did it all in english!! Six months ago when he came to YWAM he didn't speak any english. Its inspiring really...
I think today I will buy a little hand fan, its much needed. Whenever I come to town I get stared at, because Im white, and it used to bother me but now Im used to it-more opportunities to smile at people. I have to remember that I not only represent the YWAM base but also America while I am here. I feel very cared for though because every time Im here in town we run into one of the boys from the base and they end up spending the rest of the day with us and getting us back to the base safely.
Oh another bus story- for the first time, on my way home on Wedn, we were in a crowded bus. In America, typically, people just do their own thing. If anything they give up their seat for a lady, or elderly person. Here, if a man comes on the bus, he taps someone and out of respect they move over and sit on someone's lap. So you have complete strangers sitting on each other! Jenn had to sit on our fellow student's lap, Ameto, because of that - Poi and I were laughing at them. Finally Jenn came over and sat on my lap because it was abit less akward that on a guys lap. We were strongly warned by the boys not to sit on strangers laps (good old common sense) and that since we were 'palangis' they probably wouldn't make us. No one stands on the bus even though there is a bar they could use.
Today before I left they were getting the outside stones ready to cook chicken. To make money for the travel part of our school we do fundraising (especially for the Samoan students who often can't afford it). They then go into town and sell it, typically to the outside workers like construction workers.
I just need to take a minute to praise god for my health, again ! And also for running water! Im sure Im forgetting some stories but thats all for now folks... hopefully more on Wedn (that reminds me, I think I give my second sermonette on Wedn morning- thinking of doing it on Isaiah 50 where God questions why we doubt Him, is he not able??) ! Thanks for all your emails! alkennedy@excite.com

Wedn 11

Still the same day: One more thing:

Check on the YWAM webpage as they took everyone's picture yesterday and had us write up a description of ourselves. There are basically three types on base: the students, the Training staff (take care of class and students) , and the 'base staff' (take care of the land).