mana akua

So...
here are pics of the teens at Mana Akua. Pictures are compliments of Lia's brother (We are staying in Lia's basement).
Teens have small groups that are working on some activity with a purpose that they must complete in 6 weeks.
We are excited to see what they come up with.

August 27

We are so overwhelmed with everyone's kindness and hospitality. On Monday I was invited to a women's dinner where we had some incredible fellowship and excellent Mexican food...yum! David was even invited too. We spent almost an entire afternoon with the pastor at HMC (Daniel) on Tuesday. We had some great conversation and excellent local food. He treated us at the end to ice shave, which is shaved ice with ice cream in the middle...Why hasn't Colorado thought of that? And yesterday we went over to Art and Donna's for dinner. We stayed there almost 4 hours. We were able to hear Art's incredible testimony of how he found the Lord, we just couldnt leave. Next time they said to bring our suitcase and stay the night:)

David and I have been at the church a lot, a lot, a lot. We are working on planning a retreat over Labor Day with the kids at Makapala. We appreciate all the prayers for that. We have a parent's meeting on Sept 13. For now, David has this 3 month series of "boot camp" he's going to take the teens through. It's the basic training of Christianity, getting everyone on the same page. We'll be doing service projects here and there as well as some randomly fun activities. Starting in January we'll be launching something more focused and new. We are praying about changing the name of the youth programs and maybe naming the actual youth group. We will be launching more small groups, and we'll hopefully have more leaders who are excited and passionate for what God has planned for HMC youth! The leaders who are here now, are absolutely incredible we just want more leaders! So in November we'll probably start a leader's training program, so all of us will be on the same page come January.

It's busy but good. Tonight is Mana Akua, a student leadership group. By the way, if you are curious David's hours are:
Mon OFF
Tues 9-5
Wed 9-5
Thurs 9-4 6-whenever Mana Akua is over
Friday 10:30-4- hang out with kids, go to concerts, sporting events
Saturday hang out with kids, sporting events, concerts, and a younger church called Elevate at 6 which some of the teens attend too
Sunday Fuel 8:30-10:30. Second service local style, and relax

David may have a chance to be on the radio every month...stay tuned for that update

Prayer requests:
Need a table
Need a lanai set
We would like to start looking for a house in October, and we want the Lord's fingerprints to be all over that decision. Specific to that prayer request is affordable, maybe a bank-owned house, and furnished, and closer to Hilo.
I will be looking for a job starting in October and I'm praying it won't be a huge ordeal. My desire is to have a part-time job that allows me to interact with the community in some way building relationships outside the church.
We are continuing to pray for wisdom and insight for the youth at HMC!!


Love you all
David and Kelsey]

Here are pics of the ocean we run to every morning!! How awesome is our God!

pictures

almost a week...

Aloha family and friends,
Just an update on the week. It's hard to believe we haven't even been here a week. David and I are getting settled in. The Lord has really opened up some furniture blessings. Just this week we found some wicker bookshelves and a desk. We bought a really nice tan futon. We bought an entire bedroom set. We are still looking for some chairs and a table and a lanai set. But for the most part things are really working out. And, WE BOUGHT A CAR! It's a 1993 Toyota 4Runner. It's a 4x4 so we can go see all those cool remote places on the big island. The only thing is, it's a a stick shift. So yes, for all who know me, I now am required to learn how to drive a 5 speed car up volcanos. Why I didn't take the time to learn in flat Indiana, beats me, because now I'm forced to be driving up hills all the time. So prayers are greatly appreciated for me and David in the challenging time of our marriage, Driving a 5 speed 101.

Besides furniture, car, and grocery shopping David has spent a lot of time at the church. We are surrounded by amazing people here, and it's already beginning to feel like family (ohana). However, our real family will always be missed, but we look forward to seeing them soon!

Thursday is Mauna Akua, a student leadership group. The kid's presented to us ideas, visions, and dreams that they want to help do with the all of the youth. We are excited to see what's to come.

Friday we met the kids at a VOTA concert. After the concert we met at the local Ken's pancake house. Good times.

Today, after getting the insurance worked out for the car, cleaning the apt, 2 loads of laundry, and a pretty incredible breakfast, David and I went on a hike to find the white/black sand beach. Needless to say 3 hours later, on a very hot day, we came back not having found any such place. But we did explore the tidepools along the ocean and had a great and beautiful hike as well. Hiking can be such a great time to pray, wow God is good.

We love and miss you guys. If you need to mail us anything, we are using the church's mailing system until we can get a PO Box (but there's a waiting list).
The church's address is
1044 Komohana St
Hilo, HI 96720

Our phone numbers:
David:808-217-7551
Kelsey's: 808-217-7454

Advancing His Kingdom,
Kelsey

Aloha from Hilo, Hawaii

We have almost been here for 72 hours. Flights went well. Things were pretty sticky with the name change and all, but God's favor was upon us, and the Lord allowed us to make all the flights and all the flights were smooth and uneventful. We are staying in the basement of one of the girl's in the youth group's house. It isn't furnished, so that's been a slow but good challenge trying to find all the furnishings. But it is beautiful and newly renovated. David and I have been running to the ocean every morning. What a treat. We run a mile to the cliffs, watch the waves and have our prayer time, and run back.

We are still looking for a car, hopefully in the next few days we'll have one. We realize that a starter car should be good, and we can always improve over time.

Well g2g,
Advancing His Kingdom,
David and Kelsey