Hawaii update Date: 15th July 2007
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Alooooooooohaaaaaaaa!
Warm greetings from Hawaii. We safely arrived on Hawaiian soil and have now finished our time here. Time went by sooo fast and our schedule was so busy that we had little time to update you all on our journey. Although the schedule has been very busy, it was very rewarding as we discovered the richness within the people of Hawaii.
It was certainly a battle to get here for many if not all but we got here! all 45 of us!
It was exciting as the team experienced their first time on a plane, landing in another country, coming out of winter into summer, seeing people drive on the other side of the road, different money etc. It was awesome to see everyone at the airport.
Our home base was 1 1/2 hrs away from the airport at the Island Breeze base in Makapala. It was at that very place 17yrs ago where people cried out to God for the release of Maori in missions.
Local youth, adults, friends and Island Breeze leadership including those who were praying for Maori back in 1990, welcomed us with protocol as we all disembarked the big yellow bus (our transport for two weeks) and stood on the property in fulfillment of those prayers many years ago.
The first week consisted of orientation and hearing from key leaders about Hawaii and Makapala, the history of King Kamehameha, visiting a sacred Heiau at Pu'ukohala, spending time and protocol with the cast of Island Breeze productions, participating in the 4th July concert in Kailua Kona, interacting with native Hawaiian schools in Hilo, visiting the Volcano and some of the group being baptised near South Point (a historical place where waka left in search of Aotearoa).
The second week the youth spent a few days alone with some adults camping at a local church. During that time we served in the local community in the morning, swam in the afternoon and had discussions in the evening. It was an awesome time away.
The Adults and children remained at Makapala to participate and help out in 3 day camp called 'Camp Lokahi' (unity)
This was a highlight for many. Also during this time we continued with guest speakers who really spoke to the heart of everyone so we thank Peni Patu and John Nuualiitia (founder of Island Breeze NZ) for imparting to us as well as Paul Chinin.
To wrap everything up we all went to the Island Breeze Luau on the last night at the King Kamehameha Hotel including our bus driver and coordinators. It was a perfect way to finish our time in Hawaii.
Over this past weekend different ones slowly made their way back to Aotearoa. The last group left 6:30am this morning
Overall, phase 2 went very well, many key things happened:
The one degree of change that took place daily within the lives of the youth, the impact the speakers had upon the adults, the honor of one tribe serving another as we came along side the locals, the presence of kaumatua within our team, the baptisms that took place in a very significant part of Hawaii, the interaction with native Hawaiian schools, the exchanging of culture, the kids camp, the spirit of Aloha and generosity displayed by the people and most of all Gods faithfulness in providing a way to see a huge wave of Maori never seen before in the history of Ywam go beyond the shores of Aotearoa.
We return with way more then what we came with.
This certainly was an act of spiritual warfare and pray now that Maori be released into the field beyond Aotearoa!
Our final gathering is on the 28th July in Tauranga where we will re-gather again to bring closure to Te haerenga, have evaluations and announce the dates of the next one.
Thank you so much for believing and standing with us in prayer!
Until next time.
Ma te Runga rawa koutou hei manaaki!
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