Aloha and Mahalo

In September, 2011, I moved to the central Oahu city of Wahiawa to work with the faith based humanitarian organization Surfing The Nations. The completion of a three month internship has opened doors for a staff position with the Organization. On April 15th I head back to Hawaii for a year. This year consists of three months of staff and leadership training and a nine month commitment to a staff position. I will hold several different positions as a staff member as the organization consists of many facet's, including:  feeding the hungry of Oahu, teaching children from local homeless shelters to surf and swim, city and beach clean ups, the remodeling and construction of community spaces in Wahiawa, and the list goes on. I will expound on each of these areas over the months as I take part in them.

What I want to touch on briefly is the children of Wahiawa. The STN campus is located on Ohai St. which in the past was known as "Blood Alley" because of the amount of murders and gang violence that have taken place there. It is essentially the back street to a former bar, adult store, liquor store, and strip club. Since STN's move onto Ohai in 2010 we have worked to buy out and transform these buildings into community spaces, giving the city back its pride. What's been left all along the street, however, are beautiful kids. Hungry, abused kids, but somehow, for the most part, happy kids. These kids are crammed into homes all along Ohai St. and the greater Wahiawa area. Many grew up in the violence of these gangs, and many with gang members. I knew these kids existed in Wahiawa when I headed over in September of last year to start my internship, but what I didn't know is that these kids would change my life. They consume my thoughts and prayers throughout the days I am here at home and are the sole reason for my return to Hawaii. Beautiful faces in desperate need of love and attention. Someone to hold them, to play with them, to teach them. The Lord in His good grace has broken my heart for these children and I could not be more grateful for such a calling. Whatever my daily tasks look like my nights and weekends will consist of showing Stewart, Bryant, Carlson, Akiko, and the 20 or so others that there is a Heavenly Father that loves them madly and relentlessly.

When you donate through that link to the right and specify "for Jeremy Seick" you help to meet my needs of food, rent, various living expenses, and anything extra will allow me to take these kids out to ice cream, throw them pizza parties, boys/girls nights, meet basic clothing needs, etc. and show them that they are more than worth someones time and money. Please prayerfully consider donating. Stay updated here on my blog to see how your prayers and monetary donations bless these kids lives immensely.

For more information on Surfing The Nations visit the site HERE.

Mahalo and Aloha!

Jeremy