Newsletter April/May 2012

ALOHA! I hope by now that you know I am in Hawaii. I know what you might be thinking: what happened to Kansas City IHOP (International House of Prayer) or what happened to Africa? Well all I can say is this: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8-9) Another one that speaks to this situation is: "You can make many plans, but the LORD’s purpose will prevail." (Proverbs 19:21) I have come to realize that I only have one part of the vision: w what and where He wants me to go. What I don't know is when, how, and if I am going to go to other places first and if so with who. That's a lot of information that I just don't know about yet. Here is a big questions though:  Am I ready; spiritually, physically, and emotionally, for Africa? No. I still have much to learn. 

Right now, I am living on the YWAM Kona, HI base as a nanny for the Bond family. The parents are currently doing a Discipleship Training School (DTS) and are required to have a nanny. After much prayer and confirmation from several of my friends and spiritual leaders, I accepted their offer, ten days before we were to leave for Kona! I am their nanny for 5-6 months and afterwards, I am praying about doing a DTS myself.

So, how does this affect my future plans? 

-   My hope is to still be able to go to Africa and bring some innovative ideas for jobs and sustainability there. This is something that YWAM is already doing and I am looking forward to partnering with them.

-  I also hope to go to places where there are either no Christians or very few of them. I know God has called me to carry His banner into those places, declaring His Love, Joy, and Peace to them.

Here at the University of the Nations base, I plan to learn about and honor different cultures, as I believe that God is in the business of redeeming all cultures and restoring them back to Himself.  I long to see the truth of the gospel revealed through the countless expressions of God’s people, living out the message of His redemption.  God has called me to love the least of these. Not only to love them, but to help them dream again. To remember who they are and to get wind of who God is calling them to be.

However, before I step into that, God, in His great mercy is restoring the dreams that I had thought were dead; to go to YWAM and participate in a DTS. This was my desire 8 years ago that I had honestly forgotten about until I met the Bond family. I don't think I would have come here any other way than being their nanny. I tend to be stubborn sometimes and I thank God that He knows me so well that He brought this wonderful opportunity to me!

Also, God is in the process of changing how I view Him. I didn't realize that I saw Him as an authoritative and rigid Father. He is now showing me that He is a loving Father who gently guides me to the truth. How different is that? This is a view that I could actually submit to and trust versus fighting tooth and nail to get what I want out of the situation. He is also teaching me to serve Him in the small things and how to be a good steward of these wonderful children!

There are also some amazing practical tools that I can learn here such as: sustainable farming, the food machine (link for more info: http://foodmachine.org/how-it-works/), counseling skills, cultural awareness, and respect/honor for culture. It has been a hard transition from being as self-reliant as I am to blindly trusting the Lord for provision.

I don't know exactly where God will lead me, and I trust that it will be exactly where He planned all along. I know right now I am supposed to be here at YWAM, as far as future plans, I don't know yet. I am meeting with leaders here on base to pray for direction and hear from God. For now, God hasn't shown me more than what is right in front of me.

As the Bond’s nanny, they have committed to provide my travel and room/board.  As of yet, they are still in need of the funds for the outreach to London and Amsterdam. I am currently donating my services and ministering to their family as they prepare to step out into the mission field. I do have financial needs because of taking this step of faith. If you are interested in supporting me or learning more about what needs those are, please email me at alicia.turnock@gmail.com or call me and leave a message:6127704919.

I also have a need for regular prayer support. I thank those of you who already pray for me and am asking if any of you would be interested in being a prayer partner with me on this journey. A prayer partner would receive a monthly email about needs that I and the Bond’s have. Thank you so much for your love, encouragement, "pushing", advice, and wisdom. I can't express how much your support has meant to me. I am so thankful to have so many wonderful people in my life.

Please know that I cherish and love you as well. Also, you may come and visit me at anytime, anywhere; just give me a heads up ;)

Your Sister and Fellow Adventurer In Christ,

Alicia Turnock/Pallesen