Hi everyone! Well, I had the best end of 2007 and best beginning of 2008 ever! We arrived in Hawaii on the 23rd of Nov (we had the 23rd twice!). We camped at the YWCA, right next to the sea! The people did think we are crazy to camp, because it is their raining season! But it was beautifull! The mountains of Hawaii is something that I will never forget! We went to a Christmas eve service at a church nearby...beautiful! In Hawaii, they say ¨Mele Kieliekemaka, which means, Merry Christmas! We went to Kailua beach on Chistmas morning to watch the sunset and had a Christmas feast in the evening with presents and everything, even presents from South Africa (thanx!). The next day we went to Waikiki, awesome! Our debrief day was very necessary and helped me a lot to just process India and everything we experienced their. India tought me a lot about childlike faith and the power of prayer! It was an
expereince that I will never forget and a country that I will continue to pray for!
The next 2 days we went on a missionary adventure´, a Luke 10 trip. That is where Jesus sent out his disciples. We set out on the roads, with nothing with us and boy oh boy, did God provide! We met a lady, Ann, who gave us a lift and showed us the whole island! It was amazing! We were so blessed! We went to the North Shore, the beach where they shot 50 first dates, The Doll Pineapple plantation (best pineapples I tasted in my life!), Sunset Beach and to a Mormon Temple. It was an amazing day!
The next day we walked in the opposite direction and decided to buy a pack of sweets and hand it out to random people. It was amazing to see how something as small as that could start a conversation with people. We spend $5 and got $50 back from people we met, who just felt that they had to give us some money for food! Amazing! My word to describe
those 2 days is PROVISION! I think what I learned through the whole experience was that each day must actually be like that. We must trust God in each day wherever we are, and ask Him to show us how to do something special that day!
That Sunday we went to Kings Cathedral Church in a town called Hawaii Kai (just like Moreletta Park church in PTA). It was amazing, the people are ssoo friendly and I felt at home right away! Two ladies, Pauline and Heather, that we met in Hawaii, were our 2 angels for our time in Hawaii. They blessed us so much with their hospitality and love, and drove us around the whole island, wherever we wanted to go.
For the last day of 2007 we went snorkling in Hanauma Bay and went to Pearl Harbor in the afternoon (yes, like Pearl Harbor the movie). For New Years Eve we went to watch the fireworks on Waikiki Beach, it was amazing! What a way to start the new year! But I have to say, I
did miss everyone at home! For our last day in Hawaii some of us went to the Polenesian Cultural Centre. That is the number one tourism place in Hawaii, a must see for everyone to go to!
We are now in Guatamala and are very excited and rested to do the work that needs to be done! I can only say that God has blessed us incredibly in Hawaii and that I just realised again that if you trust God first, He will give you all things that you need!
I wish all of you a happy and blessed 2008! Trust God to let miracles happen in your life and put all your faith in Him! He wants you to have a victorious life and a life of abundance!
Please pray for our time in Guatamala, that we do what God wants us to do and for the safety and health of the group! Thank you for all your prayers!
Blessings
Karlien
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