March update 2016

March update 2016

Hey everyone its been a great shaking these past few months of the new year.  Its exciting to be alive in the times we are in, and I know that as we continue to persevere and keep our focus on Jesus by His Spirit and not by our natural understanding we will be able to do those “greater things”!  

 Im just continuing to press into a life or risk and complex challenges knowing that I am being prepared to be launched into the Nations of the world.  

If you feel like your life is mundane I would challenge you to sell everything you have and follow Jesus.  Pray and ask Him how to live a life of abundance.  Not of materialism but of deep inner joy, peace, and strength within the storms of this life.  You will not be disappointed.  

 So whats been happening these past few months?  

At one of our primary schools we are continuing to run our after school christian program through (CEF) “Child Evangelism Services” every Tuesday from 2:30pm-3:45PM.  

 Here we are going over stories from the bible through videos and learning the good news of the gospel.  We also have stories from missionaries around the world that have made a huge impact being taught every Tuesday.  We were able to learn about Hudson Taylor and his impact in China, about Queen Kapiolani and how she stood up to false idols, and even go through testimonies of youth from America raising funds for developing countries using their gifts and talents.  

 There are many opportunities to kick start these kinds of settings in our public schools.  We just need those who are willing and consistent to join the team!  I believe a team is coming that will be able to focus on our younger developing generation of leaders!  Please pray for this team to be actualized here on this island.  

———

 In our High School we were able to teach lessons on Core Values that helped students to appreciate their unique gift sets and talents.  My heart here is to reach these kids in their environment and somehow wake them up from automatic pilot/ zombie mode and spark enthusiasm, vigor, passion, and curiosity deep within their core being.  

 I try to share many life experiences that I have from traveling the world and relate it to their lives.  Being from Hawaii I am able to show them that they too can do what I did if they get grounded in truth, take risks, and have faith in God!  He is good!  

 On Friday’s we are able to share with over 45+ high schoolers and ignite their imagination.  

———————

 An update with our intermediate school that we have been investing into for the past 3 years is still at a stand still.  At the beginning of the school year I was suspended.  Please pray for administration and faculty that we would have favor and be allowed to be the light, hope, and encouragement there.  

 Out of all the things I have ever done in my life this school has my heart.  I love the kids, they are like my younger brothers and sisters.  I get to visit them in their neighborhoods and at the local mall and continue to speak the truth in love into their lives.  But I would love to do that through the week as well.  

————————

In our neighborhoods we are at a steady pace making progress and learning how to do things with more excellence.  In one neighborhood we have over 40+ kids we are able to share with, and in the other we have a core group of 20+.  

 We have been going into these communities for the past three years as well partnering with our YWAM (Youth With A Mission) Maui base DTS students.  Here we have been developing our youth, at the same time training missionaries to be sent around the world sharing the good news of identity and eternity.

 This past week we did a little Easter production where we dressed up in costumes, decorated the room, and prepared a meal for the families and youth.  We got to share the resurrection story using drama, interactive activities, and engaging conversations.  I never seen these youth so still in my life.  

———————————

One of our sharpest points this term is the service we are providing collaborating with other churches to bring community life to the college campus.  We are there three days a week with a different focus on each day.  On Mondays we provide a free lunch and bible studies for christians on campus, on Wednesdays Zac heads up the student activities in the middle of campus the whole afternoon (lately volleyball), and on Thursday mornings till noon we are posted up in front of the busiest spot on campus.  Here we are providing free coffee and refreshments, making community and public announcements, praying for people, and handing out the bible!  Last week we were able to personally hand over 50+ Living Water bibles.  

 To me sharing the word of God (via bibles) is important.  I know it is one of the most practical things I can do to help share my faith.  

 And at the college it doesn’t stop there.  I am also focusing on how to better serve our International students.  I am part of the international club on campus, and the filipino club as well.  It has a been a privilege and a blessing joining there communities.  We are planning events together, doing one on one bible studies, and even planing summer activities.  Please pray for our international students and that they will have life changing experiences that they can take back home as they help develop their countries.

——————————————

 Our internship program here for New Hope Maui has also been dramatically improving.  We are making progress and development is happening.  This section of an update is a whole update in itself.  

 I will save the amazing details for another time.  But stay tuned!  WE WANT YOU HERE.  Would you be willing to join us?

———————————————

This update is getting quite long and I would love to have shared more stories, testimonies, and lessons that Im learning but that might be too much to read for now.  Also I’m about to close the store I work at so Im running out of time.  

  So Ill end with please pray for, and think about supporting me this summer as I will be hosting outreach teams on the island, and into foreign countries.  I will be planning to head to Honduras (more updates on that soon), and then to DPRK again (more updates to come as well).

 I am working as much as I can to save up for these trips, and I am also saving as much as humanly possible while living on one of the most expensive places in the nation.  So please pray, consider, and think about supporting me financially this summer.  

 I will be posting more on these trips on different updates.  So Ill make sure you know about them as they come.

  Thank you for all your support along these years!  I am so grateful and thankful for what God is doing.  I can’t help to participate any way I can to join Him.  It is fun, full of life, and the most challenging thing I have ever done.