HAITI HERE I COME!

• 80% living beneath the poverty line
  
• 54% in abject poverty

• 20 is the median age
  
• 60 is the average life expectancy


• 80 out of 1000 children die before the age of 5


• 120,000 living with AIDS (in 2007)


• 230,000 killed in January earthquake


• 2,000,000 homeless

Although the facts and statistics paint an extremely bleak and painfully depressing picture, somehow my heart for Haiti is one of deep expectation and hope. Haiti is actually taken from the Native American name for the nation - Ayiti - which means "mountainous". When I first discovered this I immediately thought of the time Jesus spoke about how faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains. Haiti is not only mountainous in geography, but the extreme height and vastness of the mountains of sickness, poverty, death, violence, corruption and devastation strikes fear and hopelessness into the hearts of most people. However, I believe the roots of these mountains are largely spiritual. Our fight is not against flesh and blood, but against powers and principalities in the heavenly realms. And we have been raised up together with Christ where he is seated at the right hand of the Father, far above every rule and authority and power and dominion and every name that is named, not only in this age and in this world, but also in the age and the world which is to come (Eph 1:20-21). For whatever is born of God is victorious over the world, and this is the victory that conquers the world - our faith (1 John 5:4).

Our FAITH expressed in LOVE will MOVE MOUNTAINS.

This is what we will be doing in Haiti.

My team is not just another humanitarian aid group. Haiti has been overwhelmed with humanitarian aid and relief services. We are going in to pray and intercede. We are going in to worship and prophesy. We are going in encourage and unify the church. We are going in to teach and train the future leaders of the country. We are going in to preach good news to the poor and afflicted, to bind up and heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the physical and spiritual captives and the opening of the prison and of the eyes of those who are bound.

We want to give them an ornament of beauty instead of ashes. The oil of joy instead of mourning. To clothe them with a garment of praise instead of a heavy and burdened spirit. So that Haiti will be known as a place of righteousness and justice. A place of light and life. A dwelling place for the Lord. A place that glorifies and loves their Creator and Father.

Over the months of October, November and December we will be ministering in orphanages and tent cities. We will be loving on prositutes. We will be teaching in schools. Preaching in churches and on the streets. Worshipping and praying LOTS. Our team will be there during the presidential elections in November and we will be running a 200 hour burn of worship and intercession. One hour for every year the nation has lived (and died) under spiritual oppression and affliction. We envision the church of Haiti rising up in prayer and intercession for retribution and justice. Praying for a righteous man to finally rule. Crying out for revival and reformation.

Anything is possible. I have more expectation for this mission trip than I have ever experienced in previous expeditions. What a privelage and honour to partner with God in restoring Haiti! YOU ARE A VITAL PART OF THIS MISSION TOO! I want to encourage you that though my team may be on the "front lines" (as the saying goes) - the success of this mission and our ability to GO is vitally dependant and connected to YOU. Your prayer support and financial support is what will enable us to put action to every word I wrote above.

I would like to invite you to pray about participating and co-labouring with us through committing to pray and/or support us financially.

I personally need about $3000 within the next month to be able to fly there and live for three months. If you would like to join in supporting me you can do this through the ways listed below.

Thank you for your love and support! It means the world to me ;)

Love you heaps!
Kerri

By Check
Kerri Lewis
Fire and Fragrance School Fees
Fire and Fragrance II
University of the Nations 75-5851

Kuakini Hwy Box 255

Kailua-Kona HI 96740

Credit Card
https://apply.uofn.edu/OnlineAppDocs/OnlinePayment.cfm

Pay-Pal
kerri-berri@hotmail.com

Call me Confucius

Here's some of my heavy revvy:

• Wonderful friends are like salt - they enhance every experience (Jess Harris for example)

• God is to my spirit as the sun is to my eyes - when I fix my gaze on him, his image is burned onto my retina and then everything else and everyone else I see bears his image.

• Hype, hysteria and religion is like spiritual McDonalds - it might satisfy your desires, but you're just gonna get fat, ugly and sick. I want it fresh and organic.

• Boldness is being willing to take the risk. Confidence is knowing that it's not a risk.

• There is a lot of injustice in the world just to point out the obvious. But the greatest injustice is that the very children the Father came in love to save and restore, rejected and scorned him. Justice = that the Lamb would recieve his full reward.

• Unbelief is often a protection mechanism because we are afraid of being disappointed if we do believe - that is not my revelation though. My revelation is that we WILL NOT be disappointed!

• We ARE the intercession for our generation. Our lives are a living prophecy, a living testimony of God's heart and God's will for our world.

• Requirements to change the world = in-filling of the Holy Spirit and obedience to his call. We don't have to wait till we're 40. We don't have to wait till we are qualified. We don't have to wait till we are wiser or stronger or have enough money. (Although these are all good and helpful things) We only have to wait to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

• There are are two things in life that must never be compromised: LOVE and HOLINESS

• There is no lid. Only you can limit yourself by not allowing God to be who he says he is.

Two weeks ago we had four days and nights of 24/7 prayer and worship. Praying specifically for our generation and for universities. There was an explosion of creativity - art, music, poems and writing. There was an explosion of passion as we caught God's heart and cried out to him. There was an explosion of praise - literally people swinging from the rafters. Haha! JOY! It culminated in the end in Thursday night corporate base meeting where I encountered the Lord and caught a glimpse of his beauty...flip.

This past week we have had a guy called Shawn Bolz who works mostly in LA and Hollywood. Champion. Spoke about living a supernatural life, shared amazing stories from his life and friends of his, encouraged, inspired us. Challenged us not to be religitards and charismaniacs. Keep it real and live in agreement with Godly reality.

Finally I would like to finish with a poem about something very close to my heart: VEGEMITE

Vegemite and butter on a hot piece of toast

Attracts disgust and ridicule from most

However I find that although it does reek

It never fails to put a rose in my cheek

Love, peace and goodwill to y'all

Kerri

SHABA!!!!

How do you describe two weeks of utter craziness and insanity getting my brain and heart impacted deeply and profoundly by the wonders of God and his love and his holiness? It's gonna be tough, but I'm gonna try!

It is now the beginning of the fourth week of my school (ah!) and the past two weeks have been fabulous. The second week we had a speaker called Aaron Walsh from New Zealand speaking on prayer and intercession and this past week we had Ray Hughes (from somewhere around the Appalachian Mountains in the deep south of the USA) the president and founder of Selah Ministries speaking on praise and worship.

I had a few chuckles quietly to myself during both weeks as both their accents were rather absurd. Just imagine going from a All-Black mad Kiwi speaking on "prur und untercussun' to a southern cowboy style moustache toting fella speaking on "Pah-raze and wahrsheeip". But mate, their teachings just about floored me with the wisdom and revelation that poured forth!

On week two I was deeply impacted by the revelation of God's heart for his children and the reality of that dreaded word "Hell". It's not PC to talk about it anymore, and it wasn't even a topic in the class but I was a mess for a while as my heart shattered at the grief of a world living in a Kingdom of death, going to an eternity of death when their Father has made a way and welcomes them into life, if only they will accept his gift. AGHHH! It is so painful. But so good.

On week three I regained an overwhelming sense of awe and wonder and excitement at this freaking amazing God we serve and get to worship and adore! Such a depth of understanding of why and how we worship God and the power of music, art and all creativity when it's breathed into being in heaven and then becomes reality on earth. Totally inspired me in my music and art and I feel like I gained a bit of insight into how these giftings tie into my future! I was also able to be a part of a memorial kinda thing of the work of God in Keith Green's life. Melody Green, his widow, has been here the last few weeks and she spoke. There was a time of prayer and it was super powerful as this mantle was passed on to the next generation. It felt very significant and honouring to be a part of that!

Ugh, I have sooooo much to say! I can hardly contain it.

Oh and HAITI!!!! I'm going to Haiti in September for 3 months. I know. Amazing. We will be working at a couple of locations. Some things we will be doing include teaching in a DTS, building and planting a church in Port Au Prince as well as living and working in an orphange. I feel like God wants do wonders in Haiti, to raise up a next generation of leaders there who will transform their society in the love and power of God. Woo! So stoked.

Ok, welllllll...there's more - but I'll restrain myself ;)

Prayer requests...just praise God for his glory and his blessings! I'm doing so well and have been blessed financially, physically doing so well and spiritually becoming more and more alive every day. Can I also ask you to pray for my friends in my school as finances are due this Friday for lecture phase and we are looking forward to some miracles ;)

Ok! Thanks! Let me know how you're going too xox

Love yas!
Kerri

A typical day from my first week in tropical paradise:

5:45am – I flirt with death first thing in the morning as I fumble and fall my way down to the ground from my treacherously high perch on the top bunk and throw on some running shoes.

6:00am – I flirt with death again as I run across the road and cheerfully greet the several road kill specimens who serve as a warning to look before you cross the road (there is one flat mongoose who looks particularly unimpressed with being run over). I run alongside the ocean which is constantly wrestling with the jagged lava rocks which pour out into the waves. Ah...glorious.

7:16am – arrive one minute late for breakfast very red and sweaty and have to appeal to my inside contact on the breakfast kitchen crew (Dev) to scavenge some pineapple and muesli for me. Or I just shoo the birds away from the Peanut Butter and Jelly table and make myself something deliciously unhealthy. On the days when I am not late I bring my precious tube of Vegemite down which puts a rose in my cheek.

9:00am – CLASS STARTS! This whole week I have been so SO overwhelmed by the revelation upon revelation that I am receiving in class. One of my leaders – Andy Byrd – has been the main speaker for us this first week speaking on the foundation stones for this topic of revival and reformation. Apart from the times when I find myself in a hypnotic state from staring at his curly red locks (which are quite glorious) I am under constant fire as he speaks so much truth from the heart of God with the passion of a man totally in love with God. A couple of days we had other speakers such as Loren Cunningham and Mike Bickle sowing into us – wow.

12:00pm – Usually skip lunch cos I’m so stoked on Jesus from lecture and need to process what’s happening. I jump into the prayer room which is probably my favourite place on base and just soak it all up deep into my spirit. Then from 1-2 there is corporate worship - a time of adoring Jesus together and from 2-3 every day there is corporate time of intercession, every day something different. And if you think prayer is boring or dry then you have not experienced the fullness of soaking in the river of life and praying from a crazy revelation of his love...just saying. Wow. Mindblowing! I usually stay after the corporate times till about 4pm and intercede and pray for Eastern Europe which is another whole story of how God has been wreaking my heart and directing my life.

5:00pm – dinner! I usually think it’s “quite nice” but then I have rather low standards and am not fussy at all. Dinner is always a fun time with friends. Usually hang out after, go down town or to the beach. We have a lot of homework and books to read which doesn’t feel like homework at all. So might fit a bit of that in there too. Several nights of the week there is some kind of meeting or ministry as well.

10:00pm – have somehow become a bit of a granny so by this time I’m usually fumbling and falling my way up into my treacherous perch to dream sweet dreams.

Guys. I hardly have words to describe what God has been doing in my heart, in my class and on the base as a whole this past week. Mike Bickle, Lou Engle and Brian Brent (incredible leaders of anointed movements in the US) have been here this week for the express purpose of joining with Loren and Darlene Cunningham and other leaders to fast and pray and seek God’s heart for this time in history. This place just exploded. I’m serious. Loren got up at the end of our corporate meeting on Thursday and said “mark this day in your calendar, because it is the start of a new movement”. This is Loren Cunningham. He doesn’t just say stuff like that. God is doing something mighty across the globe. And we all get to be a part of it. Oh my giddy aunt I’m so excited! It’s like when coffee starts to brew and the smell of it fills the room and anticipation for that first sip consumes your very being – that is what it’s like in a spiritual sense here. I wish you could smell it and taste it.

For once, I’m not apologising that my blog is too long because I want to share as much of this goodness with you as possible. I also just want to send another shout out regarding support. If you guys wanna link up with what God is doing here I am still trusting God for about $2000 in the next 3 weeks for lecture phase (he’s already blessed me so much through your radical generosity – thanks again and again). Then outreach may cost anything from $4000 to $6000. I will find out my location for sure tomorrow which is exciting!

I love you all and want you to know that you are precious to me and a blessing to have in my life!

Kerri xox

By Check

Kerri Lewis

Fire and Fragrance School Fees

Fire and Fragrance II

University of the Nations
75-5851 Kuakini Hwy Box 255
Kailua-Kona HI 96740

Credit Card

https://apply.uofn.edu/OnlineAppDocs/OnlinePayment.cfm

Pay-Pal

kerri-berri@hotmail.com

Wow. So I’m sitting here on my top bunk bed looking out the window at a beautiful view over the incredible YWAM Kona base with palm trees silhouetted against the sun as it is on it’s way down to sink into the glittering ocean. I’m here and it feels like home...love it.

So, as surreal as it all seems, I have officially started the Fire and Fragrance school and I have my own flashy student card and everything! It was so great to see Marty and Dev here and catch up on life – BUNNO REPRESENT MATE! Sweet to have some good Bunbury crew to cruise around with.

Rewinding a little here...

I had a sad week last week in Vancouver saying goodbye to all my incredible friends and was absolutely blessed by their love and support. Got to celebrate Canada Day and have some good times. On Saturday morning we (Steph Wood, Em Abbott, Robyn, Sam and I) headed down over the border and into USofA and into Seattle where we stayed at a backpackers, explored, had fun. On Sunday we donned our Patriotic colours and celebrated Independence Day watching incredible fireworks over the city harbour. Got to drink a coffee from the original Starbucks and explore all the famous Pike Place Markets. Another exciting adventure took us under the ground and into a historic world of scandal, disease and disaster as we navigated the original streets and buildings of Seattle which are now buried beneath the current city but is accessible through basements and walkways under the ground. Pretty cool.

I then kissed my lovely ladies goodbye and hopped on a plane in Seattle after I was miraculously spared a $60.00 luggage fee (thanks Jesus!). Had an awesome convo with the lady sitting next to me for the entire flight to LA and then flew on till we landed on the beautiful Big Island of Hawaii. The view over the islands was sweet with the volcano and lava flats dark against the glowing sunset. I was greeted at the airport by Peni Patu who wrapped me in a big hug and hung a frangipani (plumeria) lei around my neck. I stayed with Celestine Patu, (my friend from DTS) and her family for the first few days and was treated like a princess. I was able to go to an Island Breeze performance at a hotel where they perform dances from several Polynesian islands and eat traditional Hawaiian food. Loved it!

So now the school has officially started. The base here is amazing and all the people just seem incredible. This morning we had orientation as a base and this afternoon we had our first meeting as a class. There are about 40 students, mainly from the States, but of course some Aussies and a Norwegian and also hopefully a Haitian. Both my main leaders are rangas so that’s just further confirmation that I’m in the right place – hahaha. God knows I love the ginger variety of humanity! The schedule is full on and SO SO EXCITING! Oh my word. Incredible speakers and so much time set apart for filling up on the Word, intercession, worship as well as four books to read. We have a three month project where we specifically focus on the areas of the world/society where we believe God is calling us. The project involves a lot of research and searching God’s heart and word for strategies to see revival and reformation in those areas. God has already been speaking so much into my heart for this time and for the future. AH! It’s hard to describe the atmosphere here right now but there is a fire and a passion that I have not yet encountered in such a large group of people or even within YWAM yet and it’s set to spread across the globe. GET READY!

We will find out our outreach locations and teams next week. I have heard rumours of Japan, Haiti, India and/or the States. Will let you all know as soon as I can.

Miss you and love you all!

Holla back

Love

Kerri

Dearest Beloved

As Winnie the Pooh once said:

“When you are a Bear of Very Little Brain, and Think of Things, you find sometimes that a Thing which seemed very Thingish inside you is quite different when it gets out into the open and has other people looking at it.”

Which is what I thought when I expressed the thingish thing inside me in literary form in the following sentence:

“I feel called to be a missionary bringing healing to broken people and broken nations…and that is the reason that I’m going to Hawaii on the 5^th of July.”

Allow me to analyse your possible thoughts right now:

Ah Kerri…you may say…I am deeply challenged by your self-sacrifice and surrender to follow the Lord into one of the darkest, most hostile places on earth. You will really be suffering for the Lord in such a place as Hawaii. Dearest Kerri, I have no hesitation or question in committing to supporting your journey to Hawaii through prayer and finance.

I know. It’s a really tough call. But you gotta trust me on this one – I actually feel like God is calling me to Hawaii at this time in my life! Let me explain:

There is a Youth With a Mission school in Kona, Hawaii called “Fire and Fragrance: School of Revival and Reformation”. If that title doesn’t sound deliciously enticing, then I don’t know what does! I think the vision of this school is summed up in this quote from their web page:

“We aim to establish a missions platform on the “fire” of ministering to the heart of the Lord in worship and prayer and the “fragrance” of changing lives with the loving, powerful presence of God.”

Basically – the school is all about:

· Ministry to the heart of the Lord -- Validating worship and prayer as central to our relationship with the Lord individually and corporately.

· Missional communities -- Basing life around God’s presence and deep relationship with each other. Our fundamental belief is that the 1st commandment and the 2nd commandment lived out in community will inevitably lead to fulfilment of the Great Commission

· Explosive outreach -- Releasing the passion and heart of God received in His presence to individuals and every sphere of society through supernatural outreach marked by love, signs and wonders, and salvations.

· Authentic discipleship -- Raising up an army of believers with fiery zeal, a life based in the absolute authority of the Bible, a radical devotion to purity, and uncompromising integrity

· Global impact -- Marked by the burning heart of the Lord to show his love to every nation on earth. The willingness to enter into great sacrifice to see the gospel reach the hardest and darkest places on earth.

I heard those squeals of excitement as you read that!! I know, you wanna do the school with me now! DOESN’T THIS SOUND SO FREAKING AMAZING! Now, can you see why I’m going to Hawaii?

And the best thing is that Hawaii is only half the story!

In Hawaii I will go through three months of discipleship and teaching after which there is a 2 month outreach. I am not sure of the location yet as it could be anywhere in the world. I have found during previous schools that the outreach period is often the most impacting time as all the previous weeks of teaching and trainingcome to life as you impact the nations with the power and presence of God.

Over the past couple of years and especially in the last few months, God has been revealing more and more of his heart and his vision for my life. I am super excited about it! WOO! In order to achieve the things God has placed on my heart I am going to pursue a university degree in Psychology hopefully starting next year. However, I feel very certainly that before I enter into the world of university I need to receive mentorship and be equipped to carry the fire of revival and Gods love into every community and place where I set my feet – through signs and wonders, the different gifts of the Holy Spirit, worship and intercession. I am certain that these next few months in Hawaii and on outreach will have a massive impact on where and how I am able to be used by God not just during my years in university, but also in the grand scheme of my life.

So. There’s my heart on a platter for you.

Now, the part we have all been waiting for…in order to achieve this dream I have to take a big leap of faith unlike I’ve possibly taken before. That is, in the area offinances. I am generally scared of that word. But lately I’ve been learning abouthumility, interdependence and trusting God. I am generally scared of all of these words too! But I would like to ask you, if you are able, to join forces with me in seeing a roundabout figure of $7,000 - $8,000 come in. Whether this be committing to intercede for me during the next 5 months and/or support me financially (even just $10 makes a big difference)

I think I will actually be literally eternally grateful!

Many words have come into my mind as I considered this step, including the word “impossible” but this verse has kept me in good stead and I hope it encourages you all heaps as well:

Proverbs 3:5-6

Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.

In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.

And that sums up my one and only plan of action.

I’m excited.

I love and appreciate you all (and no, I’m not just saying that to sugar you up hahaha! I genuinely am incredibly thankful to have you all in my life!!). If you wanna chat or know more about all this jazz just give me a holla! I’d be stoked.

XOX - Kerri

PS – check out the website for more info:

http://uofnkona.edu/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=103%3Afire-a-fragrance-phase-i-college-of-the-christian-ministries-university-of-the-nations-ywam-kona-hawaii-&catid=83%3Afffront-page-news&Itemid=690&lang=en

PPS – check this out if you wanna have a good laugh:

http://stuffchristianslike.net/2008/05/256-mission-trip-fundraising-letters-and-why-i-should-write-your-next-one/

(I didn’t quite follow this format…but some similarities!)

PPPS – I guess I better give you some info on how to donate if you’re keen…so here ya go:

By Check

Kerri Lewis

Fire and Fragrance School Fees

Fire and Fragrance II

University of the Nations
75-5851 Kuakini Hwy Box 429
Kailua-Kona HI 96740

Credit Card

https://apply.uofn.edu/OnlineAppDocs/OnlinePayment.cfm

Pay-Pal

kerri-berri@hotmail.com