Getting a Heart for Hawaii

Hawaii is more than just an island with palm trees and perfect weather surrounded by a gorgeous ocean. It is an island filled with people. And these people are more than just surfers and hoola dancers! While ministering in Hawaii we are truly getting a heart for the dear people here and gaining a greater appreciation for the labor of their pastors and pastors' wives.

Last night we had the great privilege of being with Pastor Kevin Akana, his sweet wife Roxanne, their five adorable children and their dear church people of Windward Baptist Church. We received a very warm Aloha welcome from these brothers and sisters in Christ and were blessed by their tender spirits and gratefulness for all the Lord has done for them.

After the service Jeremy and I were blessed to be able to continue the fellowship as we went out for supper with Pastor Kevin and Roxanne. We enjoyed swapping humorous stories, laughter and sweet fellowship in the Lord. Jeremy and I left with a real burden for their ministry. Pastor Kevin is a native of the island and God has given him and his wife a heart to reach the needy souls of his fellow Hawaiians, especially those bound by the chains of alcohol and drug addictions. The drug abuse is all around them, and the people know this church is a place of refuge – a place they can turn to when they have reached the end and are ready to turn their lives around. The love for these people and deep desire to see them free in Christ flows through Pastor Kevin and Roxanne.

Yes, they enjoy the nice weather and gorgeous creation of Hawaii but their joy lies in seeing a former drug addict sharing the freedom of knowing Christ with those who are still bound. This is the heart of Hawaii!

What time is it?!

Well, our bodies are totally confused as to what time it is! We gained three more hours yesterday and are now five hours behind our Wisconsin time. Our bodies will adjust - just in time to go home!

We cannot thank the Lord enough for the strength He gave to us yesterday. We flew into Hawaii in the morning (Hawaii time!) and had an evening service to do that night! We were able to get settled and rest some before the service so that was a huge help. While we were doing our program we realized according to the time zone we had just been in we were singing at 10:30 PM! (I can't imagine jumping days ahead or behind! It will take me a bit to adjust to just a three hour change!!) We were up almost 24 hours yesterday by the time we hit the bed, so we praise the Lord for His strength and safety on our first day of ministry in Hawaii!

"Change of Pace!"

We had a "change of pace" today by presenting the patriotic package of our "Give Me Liberty!" program to kids from ages 4 to 14. It truly was a blessing to minister to the students of Temecula Christian School in Temecula, CA. Jeremy adapted the program very well to spark the interest of these children in preK4, K5 and up. They were especially intrigued by tht Air Force jet pictures!

We greatly enjoyed our ministry at Temecula and visiting again with Brother Randy, the school administrator and church sound man, and meeting his dear wife Gayle. We were able to minister in their church last year and look forward to being with them again whenever the Lord allows.

First Sunday of Summer Ministry '07

Our summer ministry is under way! We've already been abundantly blessed by the Christian fellowship of our fellow believers at Mountain View Baptist Church in Banning, CA and Gethsemane Baptist Church in Long Beach, CA.