Sunshine and Hurricanes

*Last week's view during a YWAM Honolulu summer-staff hike on our island Oahu, home sweet home! 

Summertime in Hawaii, on the most isolated and populated chain of rocks on earth.  The only state that grows coffee, along with being 1/3 of the world's pineapple supplier.  Historical landmark in the forcast (8/8/14), hurricanes and tropical storms on the horizon, the sky darkened and news websites possibly got more traffic then facebook (...possibly).  For many, all the excitement somehow jaded by previouse natural disasters crying wolf.  Yet an underlying understanding of the first sentence of this paragraph.  So, we fill up a few extra gallons of water, close our windows and doors, and wait and watch from a valley in the hills here at Ywam Honolulu.  Knowing the first island in the chain, the Big Island, was our buffer.

....the day after; a few extra leaves on the ground here on the island of Oahu.  Yet, as for the Big Island, there is a contrasting story.  Noticeable damage, even now more then a month later, electricity out, trees blocking roads, flooding, homes ruined.

Disaster releife on one island and a booming tourist destination vacation industry barely blinking an eye on the next island over.  Puna vs. Waikiki, welcome to the Hawaiian islands.  Varying in geography, ethnicity, and cards delt.  Yet in light of all that, all still in need.  One would have to ask the question which is better off; much less or much more?  Whether a hurrican victim in Puna or a tourist in Waikiki, these are people passing through this thing called life, slowly dieing. -The bad news:( The bondage of death.  Searching and struggling.  The struggle of humanity's deepest needs threads through every extreme and in between.  There are miserable rich and poor.  But there is good news:) -Freedom found in truth, Jesus beat death. Strength found in Jesus Christ!  Do you beleive it? share it!

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Ywam (Youth With A Mission)
One of the largest separate-entitied networked worldwide Christian para-church non-profit mission organizations.  Specializing in training, short and long term outreach, partnering, pioneering, and limitless creativity.

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Honolulu (Oahu)
The capitol, the largest city in the Hawaiian islands, a seaport on the island of Oahu.

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Ywam Honolulu (Youth With A Mission Oahu)

A family-style-community of people who love Jesus and are all about sharing His love with the world.  A 3 acre property in the Manoa valley where an average of 100 people do life together for the Kingdom come. A place where God is sought, His ways are taught, and desired to be lived and multiplied out.  This "base" or "campus" (one out of hundreds around the world) focuses on running multiple Discipleship schools, and additional advance schools in Biblical studies, and Missions & Evangelism. Ywam Honolulu's outreaches primarily focus on Asai Pacific, and to the people on the island of Oahu.  A place where countless short and longterm missionaries  have resided, and have passed through, over the past 3 decades. A place I have called home for the past 3 years.

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This summer 2014 quarter has been by far a unique quarter out of all the quarters that have happened over the past 3 years of my full-time voulunteer staffing as; the Hospitality Guest House manager, one of the Worship leaders, and one of the local Community Outreach point persons.  For the past several months we have not been running any training schools.  Minus a week debrief for our Spring quarter English DTS students who returned mid August from outreach (so proud of them!).

Some of our recently graduated students, during a local community outreach I led weekly in Chinatown Oahu during their lecture phase, prior to their last couple months in South East Asia.

This summer 2014 we've been running with limited operation staff, keeping connections with local community outreaches, and preparing for the future.  Much investments have been made on our structures; physically, and as a family unit.  To some degree we've all become construction workers, along with thoroughly enjoying our weekly summer mandatory "family fun nights" and staff outings*.  God has brought our buildings and hearts to new places, the stage is set for a new thing.  We have great anticipation for our upcoming fall quarter.  In a few weeks ~45 human beings from around the world will be moving into our dorms, living rooms, and closets.   We will be running an English Discipleship Training School and a Chronological School of Biblical Studies.  Looking forward to the new life and transformations to come.  Nothing is better then aligning our hearts with God's will (-it's that freedom mentioned in the third paragraph of this blog).  I'll be getting the privilege in hosting speakers for the schools, missionaries, and others passing though the Ywam Honolulu Guest House.  I also will be coming alongside one or two students who will be working two afternoons each week in the Guest House as part of their curriculum.  Also, I am really looking forward to leading worship music (voice, guitar, piano, cahone) multiple times weekly for our corporate times of worship, prayer, and ministry in our famous "Tin Cathedral",  while championing others to do the same!

Join v. 1 to connect; unite 2  become a part or a member (of) ~Webster's New World

Join in prayer... as we start this new exciting season at Ywam Honolulu.  (Fall staff training begins 9/14/14, students arrive in the week following!)

Join in coming... to our missions night services "Launch" in Ywam Honolulu's Tin Cathedral.  (See details at www.ywamhonolulu.com!)

Join in partnering... with me financially.  I am a missionary, living off support and a small supplemental income from a local Hospital job ~5hrs a wk.  Blessed to be a full-time volunteer at YWAM Honolulu, a nonprofit able to distribute tax-deductable receipts and who graciously processes my support with a 0% cut (minus a small take by credit card companies when processing withdraws).  Any personal questions for me regarding this -email me directly at hospitality@ywamhonolulu.com.  Financial support; one time, automatic repetition, or even anonymous monetary gifts can be set up through the YWAM Honolulu accounting office at manoaaccounting@ywamhonolulu.com or by calling their direct line #808-988-1694.  (Also, see options on this blog's sidebar!)



Thank you for taking time to read my blog:)  I pray you live in the freedom; the victory of Jesus Christ, the empowering of the Holy Spirit, and the blessings of the goodness of God! ~Christina Gray