"A Nice Guy... Sometimes"

     School is busy and I don't get to spend as much time with this guy as I would like, but as often as I can I do. Even if it is just running down to his house to throw him over my shoulders for a minute and see how school went. On days I have more time we go to the park or, in the case of this photo, to McDonald's. Stewart has a desire in his heart to be kind. For the age of six he is incredibly mature and understands more than he probably should at that age. When I ask how his day was he will tell me "good" which will force me to prod further at the conversation, or he'll answer "not good" and then immediately follow with a story of someone that was mean to him or to some other kid at school. He likes to tell me stories of him picking up trash when no one else does and how he stood up for his cousin. These stories make my heart soar. He has however been in a couple fights this year and definitely can show an angry side when antagonized by the older boys. Over this meal at McDonald's I asked Stewart what he wanted to be when he grows up, his answer was, "uh, uh UH, a STN, a skateboarder, a pastor, and a nice guy... sometimes." I have no clue where he even got the idea of pastor but it is so encouraging to know that in one way or the other Jesus is moving in this sweet six-year-olds heart. "A nice guy-sometimes" makes me laugh but it comes with a harsh reality that Stewart is raised to have to fend for his own in many ways which makes him feel pressure to be mean. 

     Please continue to pray with me for Stewart and the many other boys that he represents that the Lord would continue to soften their hearts, change their desires and work through our feeble attempts at loving them.

Adventure

     My second weekend here I took off into the peeks of Oahu with my SLS team. It was a time for bonding, and vision, but mostly for training and preparation for our "Big Adventure." Part of the program completion requirement for this leadership training course is the completion of a 5 day hike surviving off of limited resources except for what is provided by the land. We will depend mostly on gathering and fishing for our sustenance. These adventures take place every term on different islands. This term we have the huge opportunity to go to the back side of the island of Molokai. A place that can only be accessed by boat and less than a hundred Haole people (white people) have ever had the opportunity to visit. It is a piece of Hawaiian history. 

     

      I am beyond stoked to go out and encounter the Lord in this landscape and for what he will do in and through us on this adventure. My knowledge of the program and what will take place is limited at this point but I will be sure to keep you updated upon my return. We go for a week at the end of this month.

A New "Normal"

     I have the incredible privileged to spend the next 3 months with these two guys from Bangladesh, Shahadat and Aziz. We share bunks, a bathroom and kitchen among many other things, which has produced few problems despite our cultural differences. They are also part of my SLS (Surfers Leadership School) team, which is a pretty rad opportunity. I feel so blessed to be able to share my life and grow with these two guys. They lead a group of youth back in Bangladesh teaching them how to surf, give back to the community as well as water-safety training and various other things. They are entrepreneurs and dreamers and incredibly talented men.

     Living in such a diverse community stretches you daily as almost 20 different countries and even more cultures are represented here at STN. But for all the ways I am stretched I am grown. I am given a new perspective on what is "normal," on value systems, time constraints, priorities, diet, success, failure, the definition of the word "clean" and the list goes on! What an opportunity I have been given to see the diversity of our great planet, the love the Father has for so many and how uniquely we have been created.   

No Ceiling

     Surfers Leadership School is in full swing. Every Tuesday we spend time in a classroom setting going over powerpoints, working on our computers, taking notes, etc. On Wednesdays we get the chance to get out of the classroom and into nature. Though we are still learning, taking notes and the like, we also implement activities into the curriculum, which have included ocean rescue, sand castle building, and pulling a 15 passenger van with a rope. It is nice to change up the setting, enjoy the beauty of Hawaii and the activities really help to solidify the lesson in your mind. 

     

     Pictured at the top and to the left is a Wednesday that we spent at the Wahiawa Botanical Gardens. Whitney, one of our leaders, is teaching us the "Law Of The Ceiling" and how those following you can only grow to the point in which your leadership and character allows them to. 

The Beautiful Faces Of Ohai St.

      One of the first things I did upon my arrival back to Ohai St. was to run down and say hey to these incredible faces that I have missed so much. I was greeted warmly, carrying most of them around on my shoulders and in my arms the rest of the evening. 

     Pictured on the left is Stewart. He is 6. I love this boy. We really connected this Fall and I am amped to be able to spend the next year with him. I know the Lord has great things planned for Stewart's life and my prayer is that in these early years he will come to understand how desperately he is loved by his Heavenly Father.

     Get used to seeing this face around here.

      Here on the right are Lillyanta and Cavon. All these kids are hard not to love. These guys, along with their sisters, just moved off of our street to Kalihi (outside Honolulu) to live with family because they couldn't afford their rent. We were devastated to see them go, but they are still attending school in Wahiawa, our after school program (Ulu Pono) for the time being, and have family still on our street so we still get to see them. And when that changes we will be making trips into town to see them. This move has pushed me over the edge to get a car out here. I believe that these relationships are too important to let a short drive end. So I am praying the Lord will provide. Please pray with me.

Later Than Sooner...

      Wow, how the time flies! I have already been here three weeks and the stories already equal the grains in a fist full of sand. Hawaii has a way of doing that. Everything is new and beautiful. So I will do my best to catch you all up and from here out post more frequently as events happen.

      As I sit here and ponder the last three weeks all I can think about is how blessed I am. By the cool breeze blowing into the coffee shop where I sit and how this coffee shop used to be a seedy bar and how I get to be a part of this story of restoration and redemption. By the prayers, encouraging words, notes, and donations that I have received that are a constant reminder of the amazing community of family and friends the Lord has so abundantly showered me with. By the warm reception given to me by the kids on Ohai St. even though there is a constant flow of people in and out of their lives. And the realization that any sort of joy that I am able to bring their hearts is doubled in mine, and that possibly I need them more in this season than they may need me. Blessed because the Lord is at work and His plan is so perfect for my life.

      Oh, this list could go on and on, but I have to work in twenty minutes so I better get to it. My leadership classes are in full swing and I never anticipated so much homework! But I've already gained so much from them in these last 3 weeks that I know it is all well worth it. Along with class time I also apprentice under one of the facets of our Organization. The apprenticeship assigned to me was with our Feeding The Hungry program and I could not be more excited. Every Thursday I go down to Kalihi, a town bordering Honolulu, and help to feed over 500 people. We partner with the Hawaiian Food Bank to bring in 2 trucks (20 pallets) of food and handout food-boxes to families in need. I am given the task of organizing the set up and distribution of the food. It makes for a very long day, but I love it, and I feel incredibly blessed to be able to hold this position and aid Surfing The Nations in continuing this ministry.

     So with the realization that my time is very limited here and my desire to keep you all updated I have hopefully come up with a method that will work. They say a picture is worth a thousand words and since I am ALWAYS taking pictures expect to see more photos on here with short descriptions of the happenings and therefore more posts! I will do my best in the next 2 days to get you all caught up!

     And THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU again for all of your prayers, encouragements and donations! You are changing lives over here, starting with mine.

Love and Aloha,

Jeremy