Back in Iowa

I am back in Iowa for a few weeks before heading to Australia. Enjoying time resting, and spending time with family. Mom and I have been for a few walks around the lake, or in the woods... not quite like going to the beach but I enjoyed the nature!

Was nice to be home during Dad's birthday! We are enjoying his present of candy...

Isaiah 58

These verses have really been impressed upon me lately. Focusing on staying close to God's heart, and not just acting out of habit, or what we expect....

Isaiah 58

True Fasting

 ¹ "Shout it aloud, do not hold back.
       Raise your voice like a trumpet.
       Declare to my people their rebellion
       and to the house of Jacob their sins.

 ² For day after day they seek me out;
       they seem eager to know my ways,
       as if they were a nation that does what is right
       and has not forsaken the commands of its God.
       They ask me for just decisions
       and seem eager for God to come near them.

 ³ 'Why have we fasted,' they say,
       'and you have not seen it?
       Why have we humbled ourselves,
       and you have not noticed?'
       "Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please
       and exploit all your workers.

 ⁴ Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife,
       and in striking each other with wicked fists.
       You cannot fast as you do today
       and expect your voice to be heard on high.

 ⁵ Is this the kind of fast I have chosen,
       only a day for a man to humble himself?
       Is it only for bowing one's head like a reed
       and for lying on sackcloth and ashes?
       Is that what you call a fast,
       a day acceptable to the LORD ?

 ⁶ "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
       to loose the chains of injustice
       and untie the cords of the yoke,
       to set the oppressed free
       and break every yoke?

 ⁷ Is it not to share your food with the hungry
       and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
       when you see the naked, to clothe him,
       and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

 ⁸ Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
       and your healing will quickly appear;
       then your righteousness ^[a] will go before you,
       and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.

 ⁹ Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
       you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
       "If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
       with the pointing finger and malicious talk,

 ¹⁰ and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
       and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
       then your light will rise in the darkness,
       and your night will become like the noonday.

 ¹¹ The LORD will guide you always;
       he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
       and will strengthen your frame.
       You will be like a well-watered garden,
       like a spring whose waters never fail.

 ¹² Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins
       and will raise up the age-old foundations;
       you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,
       Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.

 ¹³ "If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath
       and from doing as you please on my holy day,
       if you call the Sabbath a delight
       and the LORD's holy day honorable,
       and if you honor it by not going your own way
       and not doing as you please or speaking idle words,

 ¹⁴ then you will find your joy in the LORD,
       and I will cause you to ride on the heights of the land
       and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob."
       The mouth of the LORD has spoken

"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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Update on next few months plans

Greetings,

My update is that I've taken a few months off, and recently flew back to the Midwest to spend a few weeks with family. The decision to leave YWAM St Croix for a bit was difficult but God was faithful in giving confirmations to me. One of them was a decision made by base leaders to set aside the community outreach for the next few months. Since we are not running any schools right now it was a good time to get away for some rest, restoration and some debriefing. After the next few weeks in Iowa and Chicago, I will be heading to Brisbane, Australia for at least one month. During this time I will be mentored by the base directors and am looking forward to returning since this is where I did my outreach in 2007. Prayer requests are for continued rest, and for travel/financial plans. Since I am planning on returning to St Croix you can continue to send your financial support to their office or you can send it to my permanent address (my parents!) at:

Alissa Kennedy

2798 130^th Drive

Belmond, IA 50421

Thank you so much for your prayers!

"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

pics from August

Our new protectors: Shiloh and Paz... they just woke up from a nap

Last DTS outing...we will miss Lori and Veronica (come back soon Luke!)

Transition prayers

Dear supporters,

I am asking for a prayer request regarding decisions made to stay in
St Croix, or take some time off. Since our intruders on the base I
have been having some difficulty with my sleeping and some fear. My
director has granted me permission to leave for a while and rest so
that I can be more efficient when I return. I struggle with the
thought of leaving the 'team' but also realize we do not have any
major outreaches/schools running the next couple of months. Please
join me in praying for God's wisdom on how to use my time, and how to
care for myself while still serving the island of St Croix and the
YWAM base.
Thank you ! ~Alissa

Tuesday's update -Breakins

Supporters,
I want to first thank you so much for your ongoing prayers. We had
another attempted breakin a few days ago when, while I was sleeping,
someone attempted to break in through my screen window, waking me up.
We managed to be safe and were amazed that the thieves returned again
last night. We had placed an alarm on one of our buildings which
allowed our boys to get a running start (the thieves are bold, it was
about 9pm and we were still standing in the courtyard). One of the
thieves literally ran out of his shoes and the boys were able to get a
general description. We are pleased with the quick police response
during this breakin (typically the island police are understaffed and
take up to an hour to respond). The ladies are currently sleeping off
the base until we are more secured. We see this as an ongoing issue
but press in as we are coming off a month of children's ministries and
seeking further community involvement and are assured God's vision for
this island is to bring freedom. We at Youth with a Mission St Croix
thank you for your prayers of protection and covering, as well as for
discernment as we secure our fenceline, get a dog, and do nightly
rounds. Also please pray for us as staff to remain united, and
supported and also for our level of physical energy as our sleep has
been minimal. We thank St Croix Christian Church for their support.
Also we praise God that the hurricane is now scheduled north of our
small island.
God bless, Alissa

Pictures of new fence

The boys working into the night, strengthening our fence line.

Thanks boys for the extra hours and sweat put into protecting us!

Prayer Request

PRAYER REQUEST:
We just had two break ins this week by a very bold intruder-stopping at the snack bar to steal money and drink coke, and then entering our home even though someone was there! We had one Tuesday night, while I was in the house only ten feet away. I was in my room listening to music, door open and light on and he was in the kitchen so I didn't see him but could hear him. We
had a break in on Saturday in the boys dorm where one was sleeping and the other was
away house sitting and the man stole the seconds laptop and camera around three am. Last night it was 10pm and my roommate's laptop was on the kitchen table. He popped both the kitchen window as well as her bedroom window to get her charger (which means he had probably been watching us). He also took a book bag with two cameras in it. How frustrating when we as missionaries have so little, to have it be taken. We are praying that God moves in this man's life and that some conviction will lead him back to us and back to God- what an awesome testimony that would be! As for me I was shaken up, a bit still, just knowing how close it was. I heard some things but thought
perhaps it was my roommate coming home but when I heard the door I got up to check, and it wasn't her- i immediately noticed the laptop gone so called her to see if she had grabbed it. When I found out she hadn't I locked myself in my room and called a male staff who came running. The police did get some good fingerprints out of this second break in so lord willing that will be enough. In the meantime we girls have moved to a safer house on campus, and the boys have put up extra
fence, the church here donated more lights and we are talking about getting a dog. Please continue to pray for this base as it appears to be under such spiritual attack right now, especially after having run such an impactful July of kids camps ~ Blessings

Pics from St croix

A few 'happenings' at YWAM St Croix....

The men pouring cement during Kings Kids - what a time consuming job! Its over our 'shop' and we hope to build a second level for housing....

Thanks to all the guys from Puerto Rico and YWAM St Croix base who helped!

Annie and I after her baby shower!! We are excited for baby boy Finn to join the YWAM ST Croix base in a few months.

The girls and I at the beach on my birthday. We managed to squeeze out of a hectic Kings Kids schedule for a few hours. Ligia, Dani, myself and Renita.

A few more pictures from our half day christian camp here at the YWAM St Croix base. The first is a pool picture with our older kids. Im sitting on the far right with my feet in the pool (yes I can still save lives from that angle). The second picture is game time, baseball.

Some more pictures from Jericho kids- the next two pictures are from craft time. The picture one the bottom is our group shot from last week with the kids, YWAM Staff and the volunteer high school group from PA.

Kids helping get water balloons ready for Jericho Kids in the morning. You can see me in the background right getting the pool ready and our beautiful sugar mill in the background. David is a volunteer from WA here for two weeks with his wonderful wife Kathy and daughter Lacey (thanks for the great treats!). They've been an encouragement to all the staff during their time here.

Eager kids from Jericho kids arrive in the morning (photo left). Seems to be creeping earlier and earlier each morning actually!

One of the stations is the pool (where I am lifeguarding). The bottom photo are Jericho kids and volunteers from PA. THANKS VOLUNTEERS!

Lifeguard days

So I am officially the pool girl. Joked about cleaning the pool before I came and now I do! For Jericho kids, our summer kids program, I am cleaning the pool and watching that children don't drown. We have strong swimmers so Im not concerned about it and even jump in a play from time to time. Who could ask for more? Last night we had a worship night with the high school group that is here from Pennsylvania. They are a great group of energetic young ones and I have yet to hear a complaint despite the fact that we have them hacking weeds in 90 degree heat. They do get some breaks to visit the island. The kids are amazing. They are learning Bible verses, getting to know each other, participating in everything we ask them to. A few interesting interactions between some of the older kids based purely on which apartment project they are from. So sad that this type of division starts so early. So far everyone seems fairly healthy and we are keeping a close eye on everyone including us running the camp.
Took a trip to Kmart last week wanting a few things, toothpaste, a comb, microwave popcorn... So I walk down the toothpaste aisle and think maybe I turned too soon. Empty shelves lined the entire aisle. Well, no, theres the toothbrushes so this must be the right place. Not ONE box of toothpaste in the joint. Only crest white strips which would not impress my roomates who would have to put up with my morning breath. Shrug it off to the islands. I turn into the hair aisle and walk past the brushes. Again empty racks where the combs usually are. Did they get my list ahead of time and take them all off the shelves? Turn to the food aisle and pick up peanut butter and realize there is no popcorn. *Sigh* Fourth of July weekend, beginning of food stamps, delayed deliveries...all reasonable explanations. Went to Kmart again today figuring the end of the week may be better- and finally- one lonely section of Colgate toothpaste. YEA! Bought some hurrican supplies (I am actually weeks late in doing this)... just some batteries, matches, container to hold valuables... I guess Im offically an islander if I have hurricane supplies sitting under my shelf!
Some of the staff took some pictures of Jericho kids so I will have to see if I can borrow some pictures to share with you guys....

Fourth of July weekend

Today I was able to visit the most eastern point of the United States. Its a little look out point called Point Udall. We have a team of about 25 high school students here from Pennsylvania and they are helping with our children's program this week. We hosted an 'island tour' (I had to drive) so we stopped at Grassy Point, Point Udall and ended at Cane Bay beach. There were quite a few people at the beach celebrating the 4th of July. We might try to make it to Fredriksted pier to watch fireworks. I heard there is a boat parade but haven't heard of any other parades. It's not celebrated as much as the midwest does.

I met some interesting people at the beach today. One man named Ray who grew up on the island but is of spanish decent. He said he is a 'backslidder' but knows of a church he can go to that his sister attends. Another man named Lanel was at the beach with a large group from "the village" which is a rehab (recovering from drug or alcohol addictions). He has been sober for seven months but says its very hard. He also said he does not regularly attend a church. God is so faithful in granting opportunities to speak words of encouragement and hope into people lives...if only for a few moments. One other man was from the US, lived in Hawaii a while and is now here on business. We talked alot about hypocrisy in the church and what it looks like to take God 'serious' to the point of being a missionary for life. He has visited a few churches on the island and knows the pastor's wife at our main church (St Croix Christian) but he doesn't feel comfortable there either. Its so sad to see so many people hurting and yet even when the reach out (for example to a drug rehab program) they are just meeting the surface needs, not the deeper God shaped hole in their souls. SO CLOSE YET SO FAR!! I pray that my words caused their hearts to stir and that the Holy Spirit draws them nearer to Him, for a personal relationship not just a traditional visit to church/religion.

As far as life we are starting our kids programs so things are busy. We've accepted a few applicants for the fall DTS and I personally am getting so excited to start meeting them and begin discipling. We've done a few 'strategic planning' meetings and delegated some other base responsibilities so those keep us busy also.

One of my prayer requests is to find my balance....not some new age 'mind soul body' balance but rather a balance regarding faithfully supporting the base and the work God has for me between these walls to bless and serve, and also the urgency/passion to meet the people on the streets and minister to those who haven't felt the peace of God in their lives. Right now the base has a need for more staff to cover areas such as grounds,kitchen, admin that can release others to full time pursue a vision of outreach. They can both be done but I haven't figured out how yet...

My other prayer request is still for a car. Im hearing many opportunities to volunteer and having my own transportation would make this an option. I would also be able to visit and connect with churches all over the island (taxis could run up to fifteen dollars or more one way).

Also praying for Jericho kids the next two weeks. Its a half day camp open to any child in the community and right now we have at least 30 signed up with more expected-praise God!

Praying in more children for our Kings Kids the last two weeks of July. We are running into a hesitancy with locals because it is an overnight camp and this is something that is not common on the islands. Please pray God moves mightily and brings in kids to be discipled.

Graduation

The ladies..... (participants and YWAM staff)

Last night we had our DTS Equip Leadership Training graduation dinner with Caribbean food and great fellowship. Here are a few pictures, more to come. Its inspiring to hear of each other's future plans as we all part ways...

The men (participants and YWAM Staff)


Silly Kathy , my Equip leader Jeremy,and myself

Outreach week

The boys TJ, Kyle and Josh taking a quick rest.....or maybe impatiently waiting for the next move.

Well we have just been handed our final exam- we have the entire week to finish it and it's open book so I am not too concerned about it! This week was our outreach week and it was fantastic. I am amazed at how much each one of us was able to hear from the Lord. Its incredible to be in a large group and to have people receive the same message. We also had numerous times while we were in smaller groups, that members of the different groups would get something similar that validated what the other had. One morning we wrote out all the things God was saying- images, words, verses etc... and during the next two days all of them except for two had been seen or done. (examples include Red door, Joy-child, ruins etc) We also hosted a half day for kids in the community where they got to swim and have fun. We did a pizza night for some of the local basketball guys last night. We also did quite a bit of evangelism in Fredricksted and also a town called Mon Bijou.

The theme of being stones in rebuilding the ruins came up numerous times. One that I was involved in that was particularly exciting was following a vision that one of us had about an old lady in a mansion on a hill. Here in St Croix there is a 'castle' on a hill owned by a countessa from Bulgaria. It seems she now is moving into her more permanent place in Long Island but that was a series of hints, leads, seeking out (literally going into restaurants and asking for info on her) and a lot of intercession for her , hearing Gods heart for her. Will we ever make contact? Who knows.... I think the point is that God is actively seeking her out and wants to overflow her with the love of God,that he hears her disappointments and cares about an intimate relationship with her. For the group this was so moving. It was also incredible (and a bit unnerving) to hear directly from God and to see fruit and pieces of the puzzle come together. We are waiting on our next step. I was feeling the word pink at the beginning of the week so this whole week Ive been looking for a pink mansion or house, thinking maybe there was another old lady who needs prayer. Then I found out that this Contessa (Nadia Farber) has a PINK MANSION in Long Island.... Its been crazy and I don't think any of us in the group has been on a 'chase' like that before... Its nice feeling like we aren't in the drivers seat-God is!
Another highlight has been visiting Neil at the bakery that he owns in Fredricksted. A while ago another team that was here helped him open his business, painting etc. We felt to stop in a pray for him and he was so excited cause he just changed the name of his place to Bread of Life and moving in a direction to be passionate about pursuing God and his values. He is also going through a tough time in his family so we prayed for him. God also was preparing his coworkers heart as he has been involved with a lady named 'Mrs Padilla' (she is the older lady in the next picture talking to one of the local homeless guys) who is interested in donating her property to be made into a shelter/food pantry/bible study area.

This guy, Leroy (or LAM-white hat next picture)...is heading it and has a vision for it. We went there and prayed for the building and met Mrs Padilla- we may have opportunity to partner with them. Again it was a series of 'God things' and we walked away excited (by the way - the bakery has a bright red door- one of the visions earlier this week).
We ended this week with a Skype (video phone on the computer) session with Darlene Cunningham, founder of Youth with a Mission. She encouraged us to press in and repeatedly spoke on increasing the measure of our faith. Her sharing was so rich I'm sure we will all take time to go back into it and dive into the scriptures she used. Last week I was able to volunteer with a local group (women's coalition) preparing for their annual race and was honored to meet so many ladies from the community. I hope to continue to do one time volunteer things like that again. I will try to update my blog more often as there is so much packed into one week to share. Unfortunately that also means less time to be able to connect on the internet! One more week of Equip - here I come!