Boy what a few weeks it has been! Jeanette and I are approaching the one month mark in Hawaii! I can not believe we have been here that long already! We miss you all alot, but we are also so excited and we know this is where we are supposed to be!
The point of this post is just to fill you in on what has been going on since we got here:
We moved into our humble apartment on Thusday, April 2nd. That weekend we got to know alot of the other people who are in photogenX and we went to a beach for some relaxation that weekend. We officially started classes on Monday, April 6th.
The first week of classes was focused on hearing God's voice through all the static of life. We learned some practical ways to do this and also have been practicing it in daily life. We also started to touch on issues of injustice. The main one we focused on was human trafficking. It breaks our hearts to hear what is really going on in our world today.
The second week of classes was about repentance and forgiveness, and let me tell you, it was a heavy week! I have never been more in tune with my own wicked self than last week! Day after day the Spirit was pounding me on all of my own insecurities, selfishness, pride, and most of all, my judgementalism...all of the things holding me back from being a joyful person. So anyways, we confessed and repented and laughed and cried and then cried some more....all week long! So, needless to say, this past weekend was a God-send....we needed some light-hearted activity to change the mood.
So on saturday, Jeanette and I borrowed a scooter from a friend and took off on the open road with a great married couple, who have become close friends. We went to a beach called "Mile Marker 88" and went swimming and relaxed all day. While we were swimming, a mammoth sperm whale breached out of the water drawing everyones attention! It was only about a football field and a half away. Then, a ton of baby whales started to breach the water, getting totally airborne! It was singlehandedly the most AMAZING thing I have ever seen in nature....for fifteen minutes these gentle giants of the sea put on an amazing show for us, jumping and splashing and clearing their blowholes....nature is simply amazing.
Today (Sunday), we just hung out around Kona and had lunch with some friends. We then met up with the rest of the group and played some beach volleyball. These days are definitely going by to fast! I am very excited about tomorrow because a member of the FBI will be with us to speak to us on human trafficking. She heads up the western U.S. task force, which is probably the most intense one, due to the fact that such cities as Las Vegas and Los Angeles are included in the vicinity.
An update on our funds and needs...and this is humorous, but I want to be transparent with everyone. We have not received any of our support money from epic international yet, but we are expecting it within the month. But, as for funds needed, we need 10,000 dollars by April 30th to buy our around the world tickets...So we are praying and trusting that somehow, someway, that will show up. We know we serve a great God, a God that made the mountains and the seas, and owns the cattle on all of the hills, so we figure 10 grand is chump change for Him, right?
Anyways, we are learning a ton, our passion for photography is being replaced by a passion for the oppressed. I want to help these people, not as a rich white westerner, but as a servant of a rabbi who walked the very earth we inhabit. A servant who would rather wash their feet than have his own washed....a servant who truly loves and radically opposes with a love unseen and unheard of around the lands. I don't want politics or money, I just want Jesus. I could care less if it is cool to be a social activist or a photographer...in fact, these things make me want it less....because as soon as it is "cool", we have lost sight. This is our passion. Our very being. Our hearts. I would submit to you this is Jesus Christ's heart as well. We don't just share truth. We share our lives, our love, our helping hands. And let me tell you: Kona, Hawaii needs Christ just as bad as the Sudan or L.A.
It's clear to me that your heart has been changed, softened. How awesome to hear about the whales. What a privilege to see! Thank you for sharing it. I felt like I was there, watching, as well. God is indeed amazing and wonderful. :) I will be standing in agreement with you and Jeanette that the necessary funding will come in. Keep pressing in!
ReplyDeleteWarmly,
Julie Mireles
(next-door) :)