Indonesia!

Dear Family and Friends,

I have been back from Sept-Iles, Quebec for close to 5 months and I have, since then, settled into my own loft in the heart of downtown, Winnipeg and am enjoying working in a little boutique .

Before making the decision to be an au pair in Quebec, I struggled with whether or not to make my way back to Mexico City, where, in the spring of 2007, I joined a group of youth from Transcona Alliance Church on a missions trip. Although I’ve always had the desire to return, I did not feel God leading me in that direction at the time but rather to this small town in Quebec. God taught me life lessons while there, lessons I will cherish and that have helped me grow deeper in my walk with God.

Since returning I have debated whether or not to go on another missions trip but trusted that God would direct me in His timing. About a month ago, within half hour, I was made aware of not one but two missions opportunities. One to Mexico City, working with the same group that my youth missions team worked with, and the other a venture into the jungles of Papua New Guinea, Indonesia. After much prayer, I felt that Papua New Guinea was where God was leading me. On July 31st, God willing, I will be flying to Toronto in order to meet the team of people organized by the Canadian Central District of the Christian and Missionary Alliance. From there we will fly to Papua New Guinea, Indonesia.

The Christian and Missionary Alliance Canadian Central District has been in existence since 1887 and has since been working towards bringing the gospel of Jesus Christ to the following areas: Silk Road (Europe, the Middle East and Central Asia), Caribbean Sun (Venezuela, Guatemala, Mexico and Caribbean islands), Desert Sand (North Africa and the Sahara region) and Asian Spice (Indonesia to China). If you have any further questions please feel free to visit either www.cmalliance.ca or www.cmaccd.com

While in Indonesia, we will be working in two separate villages in the heart of the jungle, Dofo and Iratoi. The purpose of the missions trip is to bring medical supplies to both villages and to help with the praise and worship, Sunday school services and the lowland youth program in each church. I am excited about the opportunity to serve and to see what God has planned for this specific trip. He has taught me so much in the past few years, and I’m eager to see what He wants to teach me through this experience. I want Him to use me to bring glory to His Name.

I know that this is something that I can’t do on my own. I have fears about many things; a new culture, a language I can’t speak or understand and the natural disasters that have recently plagued this area, just to name a few. I know that I am desperate for God’s peace and His strength to guide me in this opportunity and I am asking you to join me in this ministry He’s called me to.

First of all I need your prayers. Without prayer it is impossible to accomplish anything of lasting value, so this is the most important way you can minister with me. I have included some prayer requests at the end of this letter and will keep you updated, as much as possible, while I am away through my blog.

The second area is in finances. I have been working and saving since returning from Quebec, however the cost of this missions trip is still staggering to me. The cost, including flights, food and travel, is $3600.00 plus any cost of vaccinations, medical examinations, flight to and from Toronto, and supplies. Each member of the missions team is responsible for raising their own support and I would ask that you prayerfully consider whether God would have you be involved in this way. All donations will be channelled through Covenant Alliance Church in Orangeville, Ontario due to a majority of the team being located that area. If you sense God leading you to give financially please make the check out to “Covenant Alliance Church Short Term Missions Fund” with my name, Alyssa Fedorowich, located in the Memo section and send it to:

#3 Zina St.

Orangeville, Ont.

L9W 1E2.

All donations will be receipted.

Some specific prayer requests that I would ask you to pray for are:

-That as I wait to go, I would allow God to work in my life to prepare me for this ministry.

-That God would provide the finances I need.

- That each of us on the team would allow God to use us to our full ability throughout the trip in order to bring Him glory and share His message of salvation to those who are still unaware of Gods love.

- For God’s protection

- on our flights

- for our bodies from disease and exhaustion

- for our time spent in the villages.

- Spiritual protection as we don’t know what we might encounter and your prayers are desperately needed.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and pray for me and with me for God to do His work in and through me on this trip.

Blessings,

Alyssa Fedorowich

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths". Proverbs 3:5-6

m.i.a.

Quite a bit has happened since my last post. Christmas, Easter, gatherings, birthdays, moving days.. I guess I could say that it has been an interesting couple of months. My time in Quebec definitely made me appreciate Winnipeg more then I ever believed I could. About a month ago I took the chance to live on my own in what I like to think is my dream loft but am starting to wonder if I like the idea of it better then the actual reality of having to pay rent, bills, and still feel that at 20years old, I am not really getting anywhere. As selfish as this may sound, it makes me feel better knowing that I am most likely not the only one who feels this way from time to time. That is my update for now but I will definitely be back sooner then later!

Stela Artois & Red Meat.

Seeing as how my 10day countdown has already begun, I cant help but have mixed emotions. Some of me feels like I should of pushed myself to experience more, some of me cant wait to be home, and some of me isnt ready to leave just yet. Oh confusion. I would have to say that the past 2weeks have been the most challenging so far, for several different reasons, and because of that, I found myself relying on, talking to and trusting God more often and I honestly believe that He is the one who has kept me going without any further mental breakdowns. I feel like I have learnt alot by being here. Sure it has definitely had its ups and downs but overall I wouldnt take it back. On a less serious note, I have been living off of Stela Artois, red meat, cheese and different types of bread. If I come back 45lbs heavier, you all know why. I have to admit that I am highly surprised that the Quebequoise in general dont resemble my grandpas motor boat. With the constant intake of cheese, pasta, bread and beer, its mind boggling to see people keep a normal weight over here. Updates to come!

Creativity

I guess alot has happened since my last blog entry. I forgot to mention the beautiful walk I took through one of the local parks about 15minutes drive from the home I am staying at. It was absolutely breathtaking. Although I had been there once before with my host family, this was the first time I had seen the park covered in snow. I couldnt help but praise God for his creativity!

frenchmen, heavy metal & a snowman.

Well, I have said it before and I will say it again, Im not exactly on top of things when it comes to blogging. Its been about a week and a half, yet it feels like its been a month. What can I say, I havent been terribly out going although I did go to the local Cegep to take a rock climbing course, for those of you who have no idea as to what a Cegep is, its an educational center which is mandatory for Quebec residents to attend before entering university. It was quite intimidating, almost like the first day of school all over again, not knowing if your going to make friends or even enjoy yourself for that matter. Well, I did meet both Gabriel & Matthieu, two frenchman in their final year. Although friendly, I cant say their english was wonderful however with myself speaking in french and the two of them responding in english, it was in a sense, good language practice.

Did I mention I also had the priveledge of witnessing a heavy metal band in quite possibly the dirtiest hole in the wall known to man kind? it was interesting to say the least. The small town of Sept-Iles has recieved more snow within the past few days, then they have in the past few winter seasons. Seeing as how its my favorite season and I was slightly distraught over missing a Winnipeg winter with mounds of snow, I was overjoyed when I woke up Wednesday morning to a winter wonderland. I even enjoyed some winter activities with the boys in the backyard that evening. Tomorrow looks as if it will be spent roaming around town, possibly dropping a few 20s on some Christmas gifts, and hopefully sitting around with some Earl Grey Tea. That sounds about right!

Quebec.

Bonjour mes cheries! Okay so as most of you may know, I arrived in Sept-iles, Quebec today however I cant tell you much about it because I slept for the last half of the 7hour drive from Quebec City and woke up while pulling into the driveway of my new home. I have heard its close to everything nature related: trails, lakes, rivers, forests... The main thing I have noticed is that by 4pm the sun has completely vanished. I must say that this will be the most challenging fact to get used to, other then the idea of not having a cell phone for the next 5weeks, (yikes!). The first day is coming to a close and Im still completely unsure towards how I feel about the entire situation that I have seemingly thrown myself into. I regularily have these grand yet random ideas in my mind and now that one has finally worked out, Im at a loss for words, and emotions for that matter. Updates to come!

secrets

I dont know about you, but personally I have spent bundles of hours skimming through thousands of anonymous secrets. Its interesting to think that someone you have never met, never seen, and most likely may never know, could share the same thoughts/secrets/dreams/fears/desires/odd habits, as you. Quite the interesting thought Id say. I found this following secret/statement & it was definitely one of those that I stopped to think about. I may just begin posting a secret each week, well, if I remember. Lets begin with this one and see where it goes or in fact, how often I can remind myself to make weekly posts of a new favorite.