The2Locks: February (late) 2017

The2Locks: February (late) 2017 We moved! ...but not far. Something has happened so quickly that we barely realize what has taken place!!  February has passed and we missed sending a timely update as the month was packed full of packing & moving. Here's what's happened... As we drove to the hospital, for one of our first appointments after becoming pregnant last year, we began discussing life and our long-term commitment to be in Kona for ministry.  The end of our one-year rental agreement was coming up, "What do we do next for housing?", "Do we keep renting, for how much longer do we continue to rent?", "Do we dare dream to own our own place?...could that even happen?"   In that conversation, we both came to a point of real surrender for whatever God had. To be honest, it was a deeper surrender than we had experienced ever before when it came to the topic, "where to live".  To keep a long story short, Within roughly 3-4 months of having that conversation, we found ourselves closing on our very own condo.  With the help of people who wish to remain anonymous, we were able to apply and close on a place above the Campus where we work full-time.  The complex we live in is home to many YWAMers who also work on our campus. THIS STILL FEELS SURREAL, and we are extremely overwhelmed with gratitude. It is so obvious to us that this has little to do with us having the ability/provision (because we are "poor missionaries" in a very true sense), but everything to do with our Heavenly Father having the ability/provision.  Shortly after moving in, a good friend reminded me that this is such a timely move - with baby on the way.  They reminded me that God cares about our family (and your family) more than we ever could, and reminded me of His Father-heart for provision! Inside our new place when we picked up the key from the family moving out.  The YWAM family we bought the place from moved to South Africa for continuous full-time ministry.  Look at this amazing family of 6 serving Jesus! Move & Baby *(This is only for those interested, and we recognize not everyone is interested and also that some are not able to help in this way.  Please don't feel any pressure!  Don't read any further. ;) )

New Place *Again, no pressure, this is only for those who have been genuinely asking us, "How can we help with your move?" To be honest we feel quite pre-occupied with baby on the way, that moving in and furnishing a place feels like it is on the back of our minds.  However, to answer the question I would say: #1: Our main prayer has been for monthly support. #2: For those who want to do something one-time and practical I would say, gift cards to places like Target and Amazon which have been our go to for buying things as simple as a trashcan & cleaning supplies, to things like: silverware & furniture. Baby *Again, no pressure, this is only for those who have been genuinely asking us, "Do you have a registry?" Yes! we do!:  https://www.myregistry.com/baby-registry/Tammy-Tolaas-Andreas-Tolaas-Kailua-Kona-Hi/1277349

Vision Statement: Lead by the wisdom of the Lord, my desire is to see the Kingdom of Heaven released and moving on earth in a radical, relevant, supernatural way, through the performing arts and through performing artists who choose excellence in their relationship with God and excellence in the skills God has given them. Partner with us Financially: Non-Tax deductible online: https://www.paypal.com/webapps/mpp/send-money-online Use your PayPal account to send us money directly.  Simply type in my email: Tammy2lock@Gmail.com and the amount you'd like to give.  (you must have a paypal account). Non-Tax deductible by check: Checks can be made out to Tammy Tolaas and mailed to: Tammy Tolaas 75-5851 Kuakini Hwy #147 Kailua-Kona HI 96740-2199 USA   Support our UOFN KONA ministry: Please make checks payable to University of the Nations Kona or UOFN KONA. The following gifts are income tax deductible and are requested and/or received with the understanding that UOFN KONA has complete discretion and control over the use of all donated funds. Tax deductible online: Give online (tax deductible): http://ywamkona.org/donate/missionary?id=5140 Tax deductible by check: UofN Donor Processing #256 75-5851 Kuakini Hwy Kailua-Kona HI 96740-2199 USA (please make the check out to UOFN KONA with an attached note reading: "Tammy Tolaas #5140")

The2Locks: January 2017

The2Locks: January 2017 Hosting Korean Youth Camp The ministry we're with here at YWAM KONA, HeartBridge Inc.,  is currently hosting a one month Performing Arts Youth Camp for a group of Korean youth who attend a Christian High School in South Korea.  The Camp includes 14 high school students, 3 college students who are helping as chaperones, and the group's teacher who organized their trip here to Kona, HI. Andreas taught on the topic of Health, Nutrition, and Godly Stewardship. (pictured above) Tammy taught on the topic of Co-Creating with God. (pictured above) In addition to teaching during their morning lectures we have been helping facilitate times of intercession, bible, worship, dance classes, and helping with a production that the youth have been challenged to create from what God has been doing in their time here! The youth have quite the schedule (8a-8p on some days of the week) but our HeartBridge crew have still found one day a week to show them a bit of Hawaiian culture & beauty as well. Pray: That they finish camp with deeper revelation of the rich, personal love of JESUS. For some, many of the topics are very new to them (intercession, hearing God's voice, what is the Holy Spirit...etc.) Pray that God brings the heart revelation for these new topics.  Highlights

Pregnant Dancer I (Tammy) have still been dancing away even while pregnant.  Here is a dance we performed to welcome the 100's of new students who arrived for various courses and training with YWAM KONA - I am over 5 months pregnant when we performed. (above image opens to: https://youtu.be/bOqvF-yo-fA) "Taking Territory" Many of you know that we have been praying about owning our own place; you may remember a previous Newsletter that we asked for prayer for this.  Keep this in your prayers - (especially with baby on the way).  UPDATE SOON TO FOLLOW.

Vision Statement: Lead by the wisdom of the Lord, my desire is to see the Kingdom of Heaven released and moving on earth in a radical, relevant, supernatural way, through the performing arts and through performing artists who choose excellence in their relationship with God and excellence in the skills God has given them. Partner with us Financially: Non-Tax deductible online: https://www.paypal.com/webapps/mpp/send-money-online Use your PayPal account to send us money directly.  Simply type in my email: Tammy2lock@Gmail.com and the amount you'd like to give.  (you must have a paypal account). Non-Tax deductible by check: Checks can be made out to Tammy Tolaas and mailed to: Tammy Tolaas 75-5851 Kuakini Hwy #147 Kailua-Kona HI 96740-2199 USA Support our UOFN KONA ministry: Please make checks payable to University of the Nations Kona or UOFN KONA. The following gifts are income tax deductible and are requested and/or received with the understanding that UOFN KONA has complete discretion and control over the use of all donated funds. Tax deductible online: Give online (tax deductible): http://www.uofnkona.edu/support/missionaries/?id=5140&search=tammy%20tolaas Tax deductible by check: UofN Donor Processing #256 75-5851 Kuakini Hwy Kailua-Kona HI 96740-2199 USA (please make the check out to UOFN KONA with an attached note reading: "Tammy Tolaas #5140")

The2Locks: September 2016

The2Locks: September 2016 HeartBridge Summer Outreach HeartBridge Inc.  main role since 2005 has been leading Performing Arts Discipleship Training Schools (DTS) here in Kona, Hawai'i.  Every year a DTS team is equipped through HeartBridge to use dance, theater/acting, music, and vocals to bring the story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15) to life, a story straight from the heart of the Father.  The performances happen in all types of venues: theaters, streets, schools, community centers, but the transformation takes place in the heart's of the audience member.  We bridge heart's of the audience member in new ways to the heart of our loving God.  This year the team went to Chile, Brazil, and the United States.  Read a powerful testimony from their time in Chile below.... Testimony: "His name is Felix" Check out this amazing testimony from one of our team membersMateo. It was one of the most difficult performances we had, outdoors, cold, raining, and we were performing in the middle of a basketball court in a notoriously dangerous ghetto in Santiago Chile called "puente alto" (high bridge) -- robberies and assaults are so common here they dubbed it, "puente asalto" (assault bridge). We finish the show and do an alter call, 100 people stepped up to accept Jesus in their hearts and ask for prayer!  One of which is a lady, asking for prayer for her own prodigal son he's addicted to drugs, she's concerned about gang affiliations, she finds she often isn't sure what's really going on with him, and like any mother she fears the worse for him.  As tears stream down her face she asks Mateo, "Will you pray for my son?"  Mateo: "What is his name?" Woman: "His name is Felix." They kneel together, cry together, and pray together for her son's safety, mercy, and that some how he would come to know the love of Christ. After praying together the lady steps away and Mateo finds a young man who has already began to receive ministry by other teammates.  The young man is sobbing, asking for repentance, and sharing how he has tried to commit suicide several times.  Through this young man's sobs Mateo is able to speak to him in Spanish and share the unfailing love of Jesus, and the healing change that only Jesus can bring.  The young man accepts Jesus then and there...immediately something changed!  You could see it in his eyes. Mateo:  "What's your name?" Young Man: "My name is Felix." Mateo looks up and the lady he had just prayed together with is pointing to the young man "That's my son!" She had no idea that he was there that night, and he saw the entire show of the Prodigal Son who comes home to the Father's Love. God knows our prayers and answers them!  He is the only one who can put all the pieces together to bring transformation in our hearts through the perfect love of Jesus! Highlights Ministry Connections

God is the Best Connecter I have spent much time praying for God to send dancers and instructors to Kona.  I was extremely thrilled when a friend informed me "Hey! One of my instructors is going to be visiting Kona!"  What? I didn't have to book anything, schedule a flight, an amazing dance instructor just so happened to be visiting because God said to them go to Kona!  Ann-Marie Heilman works with Ingredients/Dance Revolution out of Texas and has her own movement ministry she is developing called:Movementology - it was such a joy to have her here! Island Breeze & Chuck Pierce Chuck Pierce is a man who is traveling across the USA to share what God has put on his heart.  He began a new tour from right here on the YWAM Kona Campus.  We were invited to join in by his hosts: our friends in Island Breeze.  Several creative individuals (including Andreas) were prayed for by Chuck as He prayed out for God's release of a NEW expression!  It was a powerful time of ministry, dance in worship, and God working. We danced together with Island Breeze during worship time, and felt God truly was releasing a NEW expression!

Check out this NEW app that was just released by our friends here at YWAM KONA called the SOURCEVIEW BIBLE APP.  It provides a different way to read your Bible by laying out like a script so and highlighting passages based on things like the Spheres of Society -- Government, Economics, Celebration, Communication, Family, Religion, Education.  It is a FREE App...it may not be free forever, so grab it while you can! See video here: https://vimeo.com/138527890

Vision Statement: Lead by the wisdom of the Lord, my desire is to see the Kingdom of Heaven released and moving on earth in a radical, relevant, supernatural way, through the performing arts and through performing artists who choose excellence in their relationship with God and excellence in the skills God has given them. Partner with us Financially: Non-Tax deductible online: https://www.paypal.com/webapps/mpp/send-money-online Use your PayPal account to send us money directly.  Simply type in my email: Tammy2lock@Gmail.com and the amount you'd like to give.  (you must have a paypal account). Non-Tax deductible by check: Checks can be made out to Tammy Tolaas and mailed to: Tammy Tolaas 75-5851 Kuakini Hwy #147 Kailua-Kona HI 96740-2199 USA   Support our UOFN KONA ministry: Please make checks payable to University of the Nations Kona or UOFN KONA. The following gifts are income tax deductible and are requested and/or received with the understanding that UOFN KONA has complete discretion and control over the use of all donated funds. Tax deductible online: Give online (tax deductible): http://www.uofnkona.edu/support/missionaries/?id=5140&search=tammy%20tolaas Tax deductible by check: UofN Donor Processing #256 75-5851 Kuakini Hwy Kailua-Kona HI 96740-2199 USA (please make the check out to UOFN KONA with an attached note reading: "Tammy Tolaas #5140")

The2Locks: August 2016

The2Locks: August 2016 Teaching in Our Community "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations...." -Matt. 28:19 *(Above image: teaching HipHop at our church's VBS this summer.) I can't help but think of the verse in the Bible that says to "go and make disciples of all nations...".  The arts have a predisposition of creating followers - a teacher with a following of students. To me the bottom line is when put in a position of teaching, you become an influencer.  I have many brilliant dance friends who are teachers, doing incredible jobs influencing their students and audiences to a greater sense of purpose!  However I have come across the occasional teacher and influencer who maybe doesn't realize the power of their position -- influencing the people around them towards self-absorption instead of self-confidence, sex/lust instead of true love.  Therefore, I am grateful for every opportunity we get to be influencers with the Love of Jesus whose love: is patient, kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.   His love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Wow!  Is it true, this kind of influence and this style of teaching is available?  Operating in this way is the best way to influence our students as dance teachers.  Wouldn't it be nice to have more dance teachers and influencers like that in this world? THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT TO US, SO THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO BE INFLUENCERS THAT THIS WORLD NEEDS MORE OF. Prayer Request: We are currently building teaching opportunities at several locations across our Kona Community!   Continue to pray for: Students / Clients Divine Appointments (Relationships) Open Doors Wisdom to say "yes" and "no" where needed. Kona Goals: I shared in our previous update (in July) some of our goals: Start dance classes for kids/youth around our Kona community Start Pilates classes and build up clientele for Tammy with Pilates As mentioned above - please continue to pray for this!  Your prayers are working! TAMMY'S TRIP TO LOS ANGELES *ABOVE IMAGE OPENS TO YOUTUBE - film from the festival's media team*   The WORD IN MOTION Urban Dance Festival in LOS ANGELES, CA in July was indeed an amazing time.  Every day we took 3 classes, had worship sessions, and breakout/lecture sessions.  The last two days of dance classes, every dance class naturally turned into a time of worship and ministry.  It was an incredible, incredible time with AMAZING teachers who are insanely skilled in the industry and insane about Jesus. Before I left, I shared these prayer requests, here's a follow-up: Safe Travel - CHECK! Networking - CHECK! Fresh personal breakthrough - CHECK! Skill sharpening (in dance and Pilates) - CHECK! Provision throughout the trip - CHECK! (Special thanks to my friends who hosted me in their homes with open arms!  Thanks Kat & Lee and Alyssa and Paul!!)

Vision Statement: Lead by the wisdom of the Lord, my desire is to see the Kingdom of Heaven released and moving on earth in a radical, relevant, supernatural way, through the performing arts and through performing artists who choose excellence in their relationship with God and excellence in the skills God has given them. Partner with us Financially: Tax deductible online: Give online (tax deductible): http://www.uofnkona.edu/support/missionaries/?id=5140&search=tammy%20tolaas Tax deductible by check: UofN Donor Processing #256 75-5851 Kuakini Hwy Kailua-Kona HI 96740-2199 USA (please make the check out to UofN with an attached note that it is for Tammy Tolaas #5140)