Ohai Junior Leaders - Sons

First Ohai Junior Leaders Meeting

This is easily my favorite post, because this is easily my favorite part of Hawaii. This, I believe, is why I am here. This has richly blessed me more than there are words. And this process has been as much about me as it has been about anyone else. 

For those that know the story, during my internship here in Wahiawa I fell in love with the wild, difficult, loving, beautiful children of Ohai Street which drew me back to central Oahu, 3,000 miles in the middle of the Pacific. During those months I spent time building friendships and trust among these twenty some kids. When I returned I knew that that relationship needed to change though. Grow rather. I desired more than to just be a buddy, I wanted to see them understand what it means to live life to the full, I want to see their lives radically change. But how, was the question. What do I do differently? And as we've begin to watch these lives begin to radically change I ask myself, what has changed? What happened? Prayer. Yours! Mine! The Staff here! Prayer is changing these kids! And here is what it is doing:  softening hearts, giving vision, creating opportunity. Miracles are taking place. "Woah!" your thinking, "Slow down, aren't you exaggerating a little?" Nothing short. 

McDonald's One-On-One With Carlson. Jesus, Leadership and French Fries.

Let me back up a second though. So a few weeks ago the staff of Ulu Pono (our after school program) decided that it was time to call six of the boys into leadership positions. Recognizing their influence on the younger kids on the street we sat them down and explained to them the impact that their actions have on those around them, both negatively and positively. Along with more responsibility, within Ulu Pono and on the street, we will be holding them to a higher standard of behavior and leadership. The boys, ranging from age 10-13 (one already previously being jailed for graffiti) were beyond amped to be affirmed and respected in this way. 

All this has brought me to a place that I now get to step in to mentor and disciple these boys, as they desperately need solid male role-models. Through one-on-ones I get to walk these boys through what it means to be a leader and be a man. How to treat those younger than them, those older than them, and as they are getting to that age, how to treat the girls. The boys receive plenty of affirmation and discipline as I walk them through consequences and apologies. Along with this I have been fielding a ton of questions about Jesus and the Bible, who he is and what he did for them, and then how that affects their lives. I get to teach them principles like being the bigger man, not striking back, and not allowing others actions to determine their own. 

The Boys Stepping Up and Serving At Our Feeding The Hungry Wahiawa Program

What does my resume look like for all of this? Grace and all your prayers! Please understand that every single one is being heard and changing the outcomes for these boys. You are changing their outcomes! (Let that sink in...) We are giving hope to those that are taught to have none and life to those who have no idea what that even looks like. These boys will become men and in turn effect this city, this world, and generations to come, whether for good or bad. Please continue to pray for me as I step out of the boat, and for these boys that the Good Lord will continue to chase after them with his relentless love. 

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." -Jesus

Molokai Mo'bettah

Part of my Leadership School here includes a "Big Adventure" trip. It is a trip that takes place every semester but this one was unlike I think any that have taken place. We were given the opportunity to go to Joyce Kainoa's homestead on the back side of the Island of Molokai. It is an area known for its remoteness, the worlds tallest sea cliffs, and the historic Hawaiian leper colony. Joyce was given the land in the 60's and raised her kids in true Hawaiian fashion, hunting, fishing, growing and gathering food. She home schooled them and all were given an education. Because of her accomplishments, and the beauty of the location, she has been featured several times in magazines such as National Geographic and others. This is not a location that many people are given the opportunity to go to. As a matter of fact when we talked about it in town the room would go silent. Eventually we had to stop telling people where we went. An old STNer however is a grandson of Joyce's and was raised there for the first 9 years of his life. We were given the okay to go and spent 4 days hunting wild pig, spear fishing and gathering fruit and shell fish. We packed in little food as the only way to enter was by boat. A 45 minute boat ride around the island to the North side which has only a handful of inhabitants within the 37 mile coast line. We were surrounded on both sides by the worlds tallest sea cliffs, some reaching 3,500 feet in the air. We hiked pig trails and stumbled across many old Hawaiian ruins. It was an experience that even the word magical would understate. The whole time whether I was gutting a pig for the first time or swimming in our gear in head high surf or spear fishing in dark waters, all I could think about was "Man, this is a big adventure." It is nowhere near my first and it is guaranteed not to be my last. The Lord has set me on a course where I can expect these sort of challenges and begin to call them a way of life. I am so blessed by the opportunities that have been granted to me, by the faithful hand of the Lord and by your love and prayers. I can never say enough, but know that not a moment has been taken for granted, and when I am out there you are all constantly in my heart and thoughts. I wish we could do it all together. But in a way, we kind of are.