My neighbors and roommates in Kona welcomed be back with a delicious BBQ!... And Lucas and Isaac made signs. Melts my heart!
I’ve been back for about 10 days now and I’m starting to resettle into life here. Most of you know I will be staffing the “Hawaiian Islands” School of Biblical Studies (SBS) this year, starting in April. The school will study the New Testament in Honolulu for 4 months and then relocate to Kona for 5 months studying the Old Testament. This means I’m not fully settling in here in Kona because in about 6 weeks I will fly over to Honolulu for staff training at the YWAM Honolulu base in Manoa before the school begins on April 2nd.
The leader of this SBS, Plamena, has already relocated to Honolulu with her husband Eric, which means I am the Kona representative for the school before it starts. I was able to meet with Plamena and Eric before they left and they were able to delegate some responsibilities to me and we were also able to share and hear one another’s hearts for the upcoming school. I am excited to be responding to emails from prospective students and also talking to a few locals who’ve shown interest. One student I’m particularly excited about is Kesia, the daughter of my former leaders and good friends, Ben and Ali!
As staff, we’ve already chosen books to teach for the New Testament and I am excited to teach two books back to back: Ephesians and Colossians. I’ve already started studying Ephesians! It’s a powerful book about identity, the grace of God, and living as believers. Colossians is also a powerful book - if Ephesians is about the identity of believers, Colossians is all about the identity of Christ! Since the historical background of these two letters is similar, I’ve been asked to teach them in two consecutive days. Pretty awesome!
I’ve also been wrapping up details from the outreach I led to Fiji and Samoa in 2011. I’ve debriefed with both SBS leaders and Pacific leaders. This has been very helpful and encouraging personally, but it also is helpful to all of us who have a heart to see Pacific Islanders equipped and released into world missions. The more we talk, process, and pray, the more strategies seem to appear.
In my free time I am volunteering with Deep & Beyond, a ministry my friend, Annamari pioneered that reaches out to people in the community through various outdoor adventures. One example is this Friday I will be in the water assisting “Snorkel Day” participants! I’m really excited to be able to help out with this ministry part-time as I see it bless the community of Kona, especially (but not limited to) those with disabilities.
Mom & Dad got me a waterproof camera for Christmas! I will definitely use it to get some good photos of snorkel day!
Oh, and I saw Darlene Cunningham at church on Sunday and after exchanging comments about my new hairstyle, she asked if I had any time this quarter to help with hospitality. I jumped at the opportunity and said I’m pretty available this quarter, let me know how I can help! So, I’m looking forward to being able to serve with Darlene as she serves and opens her home to people from all walks of life. For those of you who don’t know Darlene, she is the co-founder (with her husband Loren) of Youth With A Mission, the family/movement/organization that I have worked/served/lived with since 2003.
So... besides lounging on the beach, I have found quite a few things to fill my days. ;) I suppose that’s all for now, but please do keep in touch and pray for the upcoming SBS in April! Also, please let me know if there’s anything you need prayer for. I’m always available to pray!
Bridget, me, and Stephanie - roommate beach day!
Akua ho’omaika’i oe! (God bless you!)
Jillian
