April 2014 (From Hawaii)

Aloha from Hawaii,

Our family arrived in Kona, Hawaii on April 4th. We were well received and have come to make our home in what used to be an old hotel on the big island. YWAM bought the property back in ’78, and we live in one of the original 4 buildings that were on the property at that time. Our single space apartment (or room – we can’t decide what to call it) has our own bathroom, a tiny kitchen a living space and an open loft. It’s actually much more than we were expecting. God is very good to us.

We’ve connected with David and Christine Hamilton, who are our hosts here at the University of the Nations. We are so blessed to have them receive us like family. We’ve enjoyed a few home cooked meals with them and have shared great times of fellowship. David has gotten us started on our study projects, which are many, and we’ve dived into them with joy. Currently we’re working on a project that is going to enhance Bible readership throughout the world, by putting the Bible and simple tools to study it into the hands of individuals. It’s hard to condense a “brief” 45 minute overview of the project that we were given into a paragraph or less, so it will have to wait until a more opportune time.

It’s amazing how a simple change of pace and responsibilities help us in many ways. Elias is surrounded by many more children his age, has gotten into a preschool group 3 days/week and is enjoying the weather that allows him to be outside all day everyday. Both of us as his parents are enjoying the change of pace and have been able to invest in him more during this time. We’ve also been learning a lot through our studies which we hope to be able to share with you soon.

One highlight that occurred over the first two weeks of our time here was when the University of the Nations was given a gift: a 350+ year-old Hebrew Scroll of the Torah (the first 5 books of the Bible). As part of the ceremony, led by our host David Hamilton, the scroll was brought up on stage and we were part of a select few that helped to carefully hold the seams so that it wouldn’t break. We are standing to the far left of the picture, somewhere in Leviticus.

We want to thank you all for your prayers and support during this special season of our lives. God is doing a new work in and through us and we are so happy that we have friends and family like you that help us to walk in obedience to our God.

PRAYER REQUESTS:
1. Increased intimacy with God – as we spend so much time studying the word of God we want to continually be focused on knowing Him more and hearing His voice.
2. Our home YWAM base in Chiang Rai – As far as we know they are doing fine, continuing in the things that God has called us to. But pray for the leadership and the staff to continue to press into the things of God and to make Him known in the places we live and do ministry.
3. Renewed Strength – we hadn’t realized how exhausted we were until we arrived in Kona. Our bodies basically crashed for the first week. Because we’re not as overwhelmed here compared to in Thailand, we trust that God is going to renew our strength. Please pray for us in this as well.

HAPPY EASTER TO YOU. MAY YOU REMEMBER THE REASON WE ALL CONTINUE TO SEEK GOD’S KINGDOM: BECAUSE HE REIGNS FOREVER.