KONA 1

Kona View
Thomas at 6 months!

What is bigger than a breadbox, smaller than a Volkswagen beetle, and is Lauris’ new favorite toy? It’s a bright green electric salad spinner the size of a cement mixer! Handy for preparing salad greens for 700!

Life in the kitchen from 6:30 AM to 2:30 PM is many things – like hard work and sore feet – but more so it is working together with people from all over the world to further God’s purposes …. Both Ron and I are enjoying the opportunity to serve and being part of the Mission Builders team who have come to give all they are – flat out and flying! Some are young and some are – well – not so young – but all are here willingly and enthusiastically and God has reasons for it all. One fellow was in Kona on a cruise a year ago and came to see the YWAM campus – returning this year on his vacation time from work to serve through Mission Builders. One lady has come for 13 years! Some of the Mission Builders are Korean students who took the ESL course and stayed on to serve.

We have the personal joy of being with Jen, Caleb and Thomas – what a treat to meet here while they are busily leading a Discipleship Training School…. seeing them ministering and hearing Caleb preach – playing with Thomas who is so full of sweet smiles and enjoys people just like his mom and dad. …Caleb’s father Pete was here last weekend and we all headed out to the beach and for supper at Bubba Gump’s. (M-m-m good shrimp!)

Our accommodation is comfortable and the meals on campus are generous, tasty and varied. Hale Ola is home to about 100 Mission Builders!

We find ourselves still praying for Kenya a lot – for the nation and for the people whom we hold dear. We cannot forget and would not want to forget.

Now about the Big Island – the weather in Kona is amazing – sunny and hot. There is much black lava on the beaches and rather strange looking black crabs … moonscape-ish! I always enjoy palm trees and beautiful floral. The aroma of Kona coffee is never far off ….

There is no public transport and things are a bit spread out so it will take some time to know the town. We have just been here 6 days and have a few favorite walks…. Mostly along the water front where there is a small swimming beach. We go back and forth to campus in YWAM vans.

Friends Neil and Anita from Vancouver are here and we had a nice day together exploring part of the island and finding a nice lava beach. Don and Joan will be here this weekend and Laura and Dave soon arrive for a month as Mission Builders! We are blessed!

Right now I am listening to some kids having a game of tether ball outside our window. The laundry is almost done and the ceiling fan has us comfortable and relaxed! It is good here in Kona. I am thinking on the worship service we just had and thankful to have come!