Home Safe and Sound

Thank you so much for everyone who prayed and supported the mission.  Testimonies at church this Sunday and more to be posted on this blog.  But for now, time for family and sleep!

One last flight and we are home!

About to depart Hawaii for Home

It's gonna be a long flight, but it is well worth it!

Monday Prayer Requests

Jonathan- for safe travels home.

Chad - for safe travels for the thirty new interns on their way to STN from around the world.

Wes- for Gid's continued blessing, provision and protection on the STN staff and ministries!

Sunday highlights

We traveled into Honolulu for Sunday service at New Hope Church. Pastor Wayne Cordeiro gave an inspiring message and even chatted with us for awhile before service!

Saturday Highlights

Sorry about the posting delay, we've been so busy!  We made another food pickup at Whole Foods, Jonathan & Chad delivered food and encouragement to six different locations around Wahiawa with clusters of people who are homeless. Wes prepared and gave the message at Surfers Church, a weekly gathering of about 80 people.

Prayer Requests for Saturday, January 10th

Jonathan - for Cheryl & the girls, to be filled with energy (I'm feeling emotionally drained after yesterday).  Praise God that... He revealed Himself to me through a woman named Erika.

Chad - Prayer for rekindling my love for photography, that I continue to be able to respectfully capture and represent our moments, that I can "let it all go", that I can have my joy and laughter back.  Praise God that.... I can see joy around the corner and that my burdens are being lifted.

Wes - For continued shift in my motives from my purpose to God's.  For tonight's Surfer Church message (the Spirit's anointing and power).  Praise God that... I was able to experience a homeless tent city yesterday and was able to see the face of Jesus there.

When God shows up.

Early on in our food distribution, our truck wouldn't start. We approached a group of teen boys hanging around and asked if anybody knew anything about cars. Jordan said he did and quickly went to the truck. He removed kukui nuts that were lodged somewhere important in the engine. God bless Jordan!

Food for the homeless

We picked up a full pickup truck of food and walked the streets lined with tents and tarps. Families came out to receive food and encouragement. Tears flowed - ours!

Prayer Requests for Friday, January 9

Jonathan - That God would take our "small" things and multiply them to HIS things.  And that we focus on HIS things.  Praise God that... I have been blessed to get to know Chad on this trip.

Chad - For more opportunities to share or show God's love.  Praise God that...we continue to be an encouragement to those at STN.

Wes - To be in tune with the Holy Spirit as we do food ministry to the homeless today and for inspiration in preparing the message I've been asked to give at tomorrow's Surfer Church.  Praise God that.... I'm starting to relax from my usual busyness and going more with the flow of life and ministry here.

Thursday, January 8

Thank you everyone for the prayers and support! Us guys are known for wanting to do anything for our hosts. We are healthy, getting ample sleep and, of course, sampling local foods!

 

Morning Devotions

Team Prayer Requests for January 8th

Jonathan - For the young men and women of Surfing the Nations.  They are truly warriors for God.  Praise God that... He revealed Himself to me last night.

Chad - That I can continue to shine to make a difference in the lives of others.  That I continue to serve my family.  Praise God that...  I am beginning to relax and enjoy time that moves very differently in Hawaii.  And for the strength of the men at STN, that they stay firmly grounded.

Wes - For Divine appointments where I listen more than talk.  For continued protection on my family.  Praise God that.... our team is full of joy, our health and energy are doing well.  There is such strong Christian togetherness here at STN!

Wednesday

North Korea mission talk - WOW!

Active Worship!

Team Prayer Requests for January 7th

Chad - That today we have more opportunities to help STN org.  To make a difference in the life of the person who needs it far away or nearby.  Praise God that... I am getting to know Wes and Jonathan more.

Wes - To be keenly aware of the Diving appointments and to stop thinking of all the delicious Hawaaian cuisine I smell wafting through the air all day.  (We are on a the main street going through town with restaurants on three sides of us.)  Praise God that...us guys get along so well and we're beginning to relate with the new batch of 25 young adults that arrived yesterday.  I introduced ourselves to them as professional surfers from Wisconsin.  Boy did they laugh!

Jonathan - neck pain.  For the man sleeping on the outside steps of the next building.  Praise God that...I talked to Cheryl and the girls yesterday.  That gave me some peace.

Praying for God's blessing on the new construction for staff offices,youth programs and homeless services

Tom Bauer, Director of STN, explains the multiple functions of the new facility to the students who arrived yesterday for the Leadership Training Course.  There will be office space, area for kids' ministry, 24 hour accessibly food pantry and even a free shower area for the homeless.

Painting project for the day

Chad with a drink on break.  Whew, it's in the mid 70s already!

Jonathan is smiling because he and Chad are convinced that Wes is being quiet because he's taking mental notes to use this as sermon illustration!

Wes is thinking of how to put fresh paint all over the closet entrance trapping Jonathan and Chad inside.

Team Prayer Requests

Chad- prayer for Jed (a local homeless man) as he continues to build trust with STN.  That the love for my wife becomes more of a priority.  Praise God that...I am here and open to God's leading.

Jonathan- Cheryl and the girls, through service, allow others to see Christ in me.  Praise God that... I am able to be here.

Wes - To trust God more and to focus better on whomever I'm with - to get to know them deeply.  Praise God that... all our travel connections went perfectly, even including walking directly onto both planes!

Our first prayer requests

Jonathan- that his foot injury subsides cause we have lots of walking to do. And for God's protection on his family at home.

Chad - rest, and for his stomach discomfort (it wasn't wes' cooking)!

Wes - replenishing rest cause we've been up for over two days, God's protection on his family and for many Divine appointment each day!

Smooth travel connections all the way to Wahiawa! Did a quick walkingtour of the neighborhood.

And away we go!