July Update

Hello everyone!
It is hard to believe it has been seven weeks since DTS ended!
Asked to join Kona's staff team by my school leaders, I have seen wonderful changes to my life already this summer. The first two weeks of July brought over five hundred people from more than 30 nations- such as Fiji, Honduras, South Africa, Kazakhstan, Brazil, Switzerland.... well, the list goes on and on!

After graduating my Discipleship Training School, I transitioned to serving the campus in numerous ways, specifically the hospitality department. Andrew and Faith Dutton, the school leaders of my DTS, helped run "Impartation," a global leadership development course, with Darlene Cunningham and David Hamilton, esteemed YWAMers for over 50 years!

Praise God, the turn out was incredible, and I was able to sit in on quite a few seminars between serving.
Impartation hosted one speaker named Brian Molitar, whom I had the privilege to meet personally. Hearing the vision closest to his heart was a true blessing; Brian taught and lived out his mission statement, inspired by Malachi 4:6 ("And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers...") Set out to bridge the "generational gap", Brian is committed to seeing broken people everywhere once again be part of a 'family.'
There were many ideas Brian shared that I was able to immediately apply to my life. A quote I wrote down in my journal reads, "Irrational fear is your best guess at the worst case of what might happen.. sometime in the future." I was honored to be a part of such an unforgettable experience and will forever treasure the lessons learned.

Prior to Impartation, the University of the Nations walked the Independence Day Parade on July 4th. A beautiful festivity, we had maybe fifty people walk, flags in hand, behind a float by Island Breeze (a member of the family of ministries of Youth With A Mission). Celebrating my own heritage, I chose the Norwegian flag and danced with my friends to sweet Hawaiian melodies.

(Affectionately dubbed) "Uncle" Penny- informing us before the march.

Our beautiful, award- winning float pulling out to begin!

My girl, Ty, getting ready to hula dance with Island Breeze :)

My new friend and roommate, Sharla, and myself.
Sharla and I love our breakfast dates with Jesus.

Sweet Emily Kate, Andrew and Faith's eldest.
Emily and I have grown as close as sisters since January!

Ended the evening with a beautiful sunset, frozen yogurt, and fireworks!

Happy Birthday America..

I love you,
Kelsey Maxine

Lion of War

God inspired scripture comes alive--

http://www.lionofwar.com/new/

Publisher's Note
Day of War, author Cliff Graham's first novel, has earned him a film option for the entire book series---Lion of War---from director David L. Cunningham (Path to 9/11) and producer Grant Curtis (Spider-Man films). In ancient Israel, at the crossroads of the great trading routes, a man named Benaiah is searching for a fresh start in life. He has joined a band of soldiers led by a warlord named David, seeking to bury the past that refuses to leave him. Their ragged army is disgruntled and full of reckless men. Some are loyal to David, but others are only with him for the promise of captured wealth. While the ruthless and increasingly mad King Saul marches hopelessly against the powerful Philistines, loyal son Jonathan in tow, the land of the Hebrew tribes has never been more despondent---and more in need of rescue. Over the course of ten days, from snowy mountain passes to sword-wracked battlefields, Benaiah and his fellow mercenaries must call upon every skill they have to survive and establish the throne for David---if they don't kill each other first.




Cliff was born in Dallas, TX and raised in Rapid City, South Dakota. He has been a Military Police soldier, Army officer, pastor, and author. He made his way to Kailua-Kona a few weeks ago and shared the story of how God has used him over the years to make this vision come to life. I believe Jesus will be glorified as this book and movie is released, touching lives of people across the globe and sparking a hunger for biblical truth in all age groups.


“Graham creates a seamless pattern of fiction and history that feels as real as if he were reporting live from the battlefields of Saul circa 1000B.C. From Benaiah’s opening encounter with a pair of ferocious lions to its final bombastic and bloody battle with the Amalekites. ‘Day of War’ moves with the same swiftness and adrenaline of the warriors that inhabit it. Every sentence is taut and the dialogue kept to a stoic minimum, reflecting the hero’s countenance. Somewhere between Frank Miller’s immortal ’300′ and Stephen Ambrose’s sorrowful ‘Band of Brothers’ is where you’ll find the blunt traumatic force behind ‘Day of War’. Grit your teeth and bear down. You’ve never felt hurt this good.”
~BookReview.com, ‘Must Read’ Selection

Fishers of Men

♫ If I had a little white box, to put my Jesus in,
I'd take Him out and MWAH MWAH MWAH and share Him with a friend.
And if I had a little black box, to put that Satan in,
I'd take him out and SMASH HIS FACE and put him back again. ♫ ♪


The video below was created by my teammate Florimond showing the first of two homes we built while on outreach. In two days, we were able to construct a new home for a family of six from Ensenada, Mexico with $5,000 we saw the Lord provide while on outreach. Watch and enjoy being a part of this blessing. Thank you for your contributions!

Untitled from Florimond MOCHEL on Vimeo.

The following is also a Flow Production, a visual summary of the two months as we witnessed to thousands in the Dominican Republic and Mexico.



I would like to say "THANK YOU" for partnering with myself and YWAM during this time and pray you'll continue to join me in ministry by means of prayer and financial support. I have many new opportunities coming my way to use my testimony to touch lives for the cause of Christ.
Acts 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.

Matthew 4:19, Luke 9:23-27

Until the nets are full,
Kelsey Maxine Tungseth
(with Loren Cunningham, founder of Youth With A Mission)

Kelsey Tungseth
University of the Nations
75-5851 Kuakini HWY #37
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
651.321.4705

all checks payable to "University of the Nations Kona Foundation"

Happy Birthday Mother! Love, the Graduate

A thank you to everyone for your love and prayers, financial support and continued guidance. As one season of my life comes to completion and another begins, I am back in Kona, Hawai'i, preparing for tonight's graduation and Love Banquet. The last five months have been spectacular and life changing, and I trust that God has brought me to a stable place of faith and security as I live in Christian fellowship and community. I have so enjoyed receiving your emails and look forward to sharing more with you in the months to come. May the Lord continue to bless you richly.

I love you,
Kelsey Maxine

The Furious Love of the Father

No shoes, no service? No problem.

I’m on this journey – and I’m in the Dominican Republic
31 May 2011

Today marked historical moments across the globe. I feel honored to be a part of the first (of many to come) "Homes of Hope, Republica Dominicana."
God is miraculous, and His love is furious. We see miracles in finances, in healing, in restoration of life to those who were lost.

I loved being a part of the building team while my DTS was in Mexico. Memories surfaced with each swing of the hammer as I helped put those four walls and roof over a family of six. However, today I volunteered to paint and merely play with the children who flock to the site. It’s been hours since I have left that neighborhood and yet a supernatural joy and peace still remain deep within. As I imagine Jesus taking the time to play with the little children, I gain gentle revelation in the purity and innocence restored to me with each hug I received today.

Tonight, I walked to a little market with Josef and Andrew. Along the way, I asked a woman to direct us towards the closest ATM. She obliged and I was able to share with Nicole what God is doing through Juventud Con Una Mision & Casas de Esperanza. Preparing to go our separate ways, we lifted our voices in prayer and hugged goodbye. As I walked into the market, I saw my friend, Thomas, from Friday’s visit to the Haitian community nearby. Although Thomas speaks six languages, he lives in a refugee village with his wife and baby girl (who turned one today). We were able to pick up where our conversation had ended just five days ago. Iron sharpens iron. The curiosity and wisdom that God can spark up between believers never ceases to blow me out of the water.

This journey I have begun with the Lord is starting to click. What am I doing here in this world? I am here to be filled with God’s love until my cup overflows and I pour it out to my neighbors. It’s all so simple, and I’ve let my mind overcomplicate the Good News of Jesus’ death and resurrection.

1 Peter 1:14-16 “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’”
Hebrews 12:14 “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.”

Holiness is a commandment, but more than that it is a liberty we have access to when we make Christ the Lord of our lives. It is a privilege we gain when we stand in the authority we have as children of the Most High God. It is freedom to not be bound to sin, and holiness gives us a license not to be controlled by addictions or ruled by lust or envy or bitterness. It’s the most powerful thing in the world that when somebody treats you wrong, instead of treating them wrong back you can say, ‘Look, no one can manipulate me, nobody can tell me how to think. The devil can’t make me do this. No other person can provoke me into an ungodly situation, but through the power of the Holy Spirit, I can respond with a meek and gentle and quiet and peaceable spirit, under ALL circumstances.’


Pictures - Samila Oliveira - "Enslaved" Drama

One year ago, today, I did not comprehend God as anything but a term. I was clueless and indifferent when grasping this knowledge:
God speaks. God communicates. God pulls your eyes to verses of scripture when you’re reading your Bible; if they look extra clear to you, pray them aloud and ask God to make them come alive. God whispers to those who take time to respond to His pursuit of relationship. In my experience: for one moment, the world stands still and I am speechless as I catch one glimpse of the magnificence and grandeur of just how big God is. The complexity of it all is how I feel like everything makes sense, but only in that I am blissfully aware that I cannot comprehend the greatness of His Majesty. He literally blows my mind!
Jesus descended into Hell simply to take back the keys of death from Satan. The supremacy that we lost in the fall was restored when Jesus rose on the third day. He conquered death to reinstate authority and dominion to mankind. Because we follow Christ, the gospel of John tells us we will do more than what Jesus did (healings, miracles, wonders), because now the Son is with His Father, and they have sent the Holy Spirit those who invite Him to make His home in their heart.
The Holy Spirit is God, a person of the trinity who lives within my human body. He is not an imaginary friend. He is not silent. He has thoughts and emotions. Like God the Father, like God the Son.

Oh, how He loves us. A prophetic word was spoken over me earlier this month by my leader and dear friend, Heidi. She said to me that I had arrived in Hawai’i happy and carefree; but as I learn what it means to seek first the Kingdom of God, I have been made free, not just carefree, and been filled with a spirit of joy. This journey the Lord has led me on has altered me in inconceivable dimensions.. and my delight is simply that this is only the beginning. I can’t describe the immense love; I can’t vocalize the fire in my soul.
I once was lost, but now am found; was blind but now I see.
Amazing grace.

Pictures - Sammy Oliveira - "Enslaved Drama"
These photos were taken during a ministry outreach to the people of San Pedro, Dominican Republic. After the thirteen minute drama, I shared some of the ways the devil had 'enslaved' me to the sins of my past. The Lord gave me all the right words as I shared the message of the gospel and we saw many children give their hearts to Christ!! THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS!