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.
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.
This is incredible. I was just reading an article about Joyce-what a great opportunity. We are so excited for you as you continue this journey Jeremy. Thanks for sharing your adventures. Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDelete--tiffany