This year we, as YWAM LA, we have been defining who we are and what we are trying to accomplish. In order to do this most effectively, the base staff have created different "teams" that focus on different areas aside from our regular responsibilities (for me, Registrar). The vision statement of the team that I am on is to "create tangible and practical expressions of God's love". This is especially relevant to the outreach teams we send out from this base- drama's and evangelism are great to an extent but meeting tangible needs creates opportunities for relationship that go deeper, which allow opportunities for share your faith.

For all you skeptics out there, I am quick to be one too. As most of you know, last year at this time I was leading a team in Haiti building a water tank. You can come up with a lot of things that sound great in theory but there is nothing like going out and facing the actual challenges of trying to meet tangible needs in a sustainable and culturally appropriate way. This is our goal as a team, to partner with existing missionaries that we support as a base to strategically meet practical needs but even more importantly share the love of Jesus.

The FoodMachine uses Aquaponics which is the combination of aquaculture (raising fish) and hydroponics (growing plants in water) to provide food in a sustainable manner. YWAM LA will be one of many teaching locations- The strategy is to build prototypes of appropriate technologies and use them to train trainers, thus multiplying the use of the technology among people that need it.

As we start to build relationships and partner with overseas long term missionaries, our short term outreaches will continue to go to the same locations bringing technology like the FoodMachine.

I've so enjoyed all the breaks from the office to be outside building (my deck and fencing skills coming in very handy). This gets me stoked because there are endless ways God can use meeting practical needs to effectively change people's lives. Eventually our water tank (the one my team built on the base last year) will be used to collect water in order to sustain the FoodMachine. Who knows, I may go back to Haiti and build a FoodMachine to go along with the water tank already there. Exciting!!

Tilapia are raised in a tank containing water. The fish waste creates nutrient rich water used to fertilize the plants in the grow beds. The plants act as a biofilter, cleaning the water which flows back to the fish tank. The re-circulating system is fully scalable and requires minimal daily water input.

MelissaInMissions

Wha

t I h

ave been up

to...

To find out more about the FoodMachine:www.foodmachine.org MachineFOOD

YWAM LA is in the middle of building a FoodMachine!!

How it works:Jun

e ’12

I have been faithfully serving the base in what most consider a chaotic and unwanted job- the registrar. With so many large classes coming up in the fall, it has been busy busy busy!!

This fall I have been given the opportunity to study the bible in depth for nine months and as I have been praying, I really feel the Lord leading me to do this course. The last few months I have been journeying through a process of rediscovering who I am beyond what I can offer, and slowly getting rid of unhealthy and destructive patterns that have prevented me from living an abundant life in Christ.

Obviously, I realize I can get to know God and read His word without doing a course but I have seen through my years here at YWAM LA the huge impact it has on the students that go through the bible with the tools I will be learning in this course. I want to know the Word so I will be more effective in ministry. I know that knowledge is not everything but I have come to realize that often “non-believers” in the Western world know a lot about Religion.. the moment I know less than them, they donʼt even let me explain what having a true relationship with Jesus means. I feel like as Christians, especially in ministry, we can get a little “weird” and not know how to relate to people who donʼt know God. The last few years my role has been more of a mentor to believerʼs- especially young women. Now my heart is starting to burn for “non-believers” and there is nothing more powerful than knowing the word to bring hope to the hopeless.

I will still be involved with the current ministries I am a part of, especially the FoodMachine, while I am doing this school and can only expect whatever ministry God has for me next to be more fruitful after this school. I am unsure of what that is yet, but I am doing my best to be obedient no matter how crazy I think God is sometimes. I am sure you can all relate :)

I am so grateful that because I have served YWAM LA for over 3 years, I get a big discount on the course. Doing this course will still cost above and beyond what my expenses are to serve and be on staff here. I am SO THANKFUL for all of your support over the years, cliche as it is I wouldnʼt be here doing what I am doing without you. You are part of the impact I am having here in Los Angeles, and in the Nations. If you would like to donate to me financially to help with doing this course, let me know!

MelissaInM

issionsW

hat is to come...CSBS 2012-2013

To check out this newsletter, as well as any of my previous ones, go to:wwww.issuu.com/melissa.in.missions

CHRONOLOGICAL SCHOOL OF BIBLICAL STUDIES

I want to plant myself firmly in truth not only for my own benefit but also as a foundation for whatever ministry God leads me to next.

I AM GOING HOME! June 29-July 21Time for a visit!! I can’t wait!! Lately I have been missing EVERYTHING about Canada. I am definitely a small town girl, always will be a misfit living in the big city! I’ve come to the conclusion that God must have a sense of humor for giving me direction to be here for this season. I’m sad that I will leave just before the Rodeo starts but that won’t stop me from taking full advantage of quadding, bonfires, shooting guns, and hopefully building a deck or fence. Ah, my heart just fluttered :) haha I will also be spending some of my time in Winnipeg and Brandon to catch up with everybody. See you soon!!

June ’12