Back on Home Soil Again!

Good-bye to Kona and YWAM and hello to Camrose again!
We left Kona a week ago Friday, saying our good-byes at an Olympic Opening Ceremony party (the only TV on campus), and at a frequent evening spot, McDonald's. Then we loaded up into a big van, and left for the airport amidst lots of hugs and waving good-bye. Hard to believe we were already leaving. The 6 six weeks seemed to fly by, at least from our end. We were kept constantly busy......down time was minimal!
It is hard to put into words all that we experienced.....it is so mulit-faceted. The volunteer work itself, the place where we lived, the worship experiences, the people we met and lived with, the places we visited on our own, and with the whole group, the Big Island landscapes, the ocean, hula worship dancing (!), learning more about ourselves, and growing closer to the Lord through it all. Early on I gave up trying to keep a daily journal, and just wrote on my calendar like I do at home. It's hard to keep up that pace and then write it all down! Of course, my camera is sort of like my journal so I won't forget too much!

It is good to be back and will be good to be at Messiah tomorrow to worship and connect with friends and my KidFEST (S.S.) family. When I worship in Kona (either outside at the church on the ocean, or in the oldest church in Hawaii), I think of everyone worshipping back in Camrose and I can get teary. Then when I am at Messiah again, I get teary thinking of everyone back in Kona! I am so blessed to have these special places and friends in my life. Like most of you do too.
The amazing, overwhelming thing is that wherever I am, I know that we are still worshipping the same God. What a tie! It keeps us close.

The Christmas decorations still need to be put away here, so I better get at it. Also my suitcase unpacking. It will take longer to unpack all the feelings and experiences.

I still would love to add some pictures to our blog, but first I will need to download them on to my computer. May God's grace and love surround you, wherever you are worshipping tomorrow, and as you seek Him out in your life each day.

Thanks for your prayers and support! (Lavona Broen called from Arizona yesterday and it was so good to hear from her. They left Kona just as we came and will be back to Camrose by the end of March.)

Much love and prayers,
Marlys

Last Day of Work - Unbelievable!

Our 6 weeks have just flown by! We have met amazing people, both Mission Builders and students and staff. The hardest part is the goodbyes. We are packing up our room, and tomorrow we will be renting the convertible and going around to a few last places.
God has been faithful to us here and we hear many stories of God's goodness. I think we need to do more of that at home, share our stories and what we are learning daily as we seek to grow closer to God.
Thanks to my KidFEST family who sent me a delightful card and picture! We are looking forward to being home again and seeing you all! Even in the snow!
Blessings on you for your prayers and encouragement!
It is time to get off to work now again!
Love and aloha from the Big Island!
Love, Marlys

Sunday Morning at Mokuaikaua Church

The past 2 Sundays, Kahu (Pastor) Derek has been preaching on Phil. 2:1-4, which has been very good. Yesterday he reminded us that we are the apple of God's eye, and have our security in Him, and our encouragement, no matter what we are doing. D.L. Moody said, "Be humble, or you will stumble." Good thoughts for working and serving here, or wherever God has placed us.
We attended the more traditional service. The choir sang (sometimes in Hawaiian!), and we sang an old song I hadn't sung for a long time.....
O we thank you for your kindness
O we thank you for your love
We have been in heavenly places, felt blessings from above.
We've been sharing all the good things the family can afford.
Let's just turn our hearts toward heaven and praise the Lord.

It just seemed to fit exactly what we are doing and have been experiencing with 70 other Mission Builders, at work, etc. Yesterday we went to Mile 88 beach. Last year there was lots of nice sand. This year almost nothing, just rocks and lava, and the beach got smaller the longer we were there! High, strong waves!! Beautiful! I went in and enjoyed them early in the afternoon, but decided to stay on the rocks later on! We got a lot of sun! Then last night we got a huge downpour. Inside our buildings it feels just like I am at camp!
The day before I was snorkelling with some others. That has got to be my favorite thing to do.....swim with the fish and the turtles. They are amazing! I just have to remember to keep breathing evenly and relax!
We have 2 weeks left. The time has gone by so fast.
I was thinking so much about home on the weekend with Breakforth happening. I pray that everyone who went came home renewed and more in love with Jesus.
Must get back to cleaning rooms!
Blessings and prayers, Marlys

Lunchtime at Campus

Hello everyone,
I have only a few moments and then must get back to my housekeeping job. Lunch was wonderful. It is very hot here today. We had some rain late afternoon yesterday, the first since we came. But it has made it very humid.
This morning one of our leaders told about her life at our 6:00 devotions. Quite a story. She used Psalm 23, which I had read just 10 minutes before back in my room.
Also while cleaning today, a lady told me what she had heard from a young girl in the kitchen today about her trip across USA with a team from here. They were doing work with young girls who are tricked into prostitution. It was quite the mission.
So much goes on from this place to many places around the world. Stories are endless.
Now I must go.
Blessings to you all.
Love in Jesus, Marlys

Exhausted after the Weekend!

Hi, friends and family!
Life on the island on the weekends is very busy! I cannot believe how the view around every corner is amazing and different. We had the convertible again and never put the top up once on Sat., even in the dark. The air was so warm and the stars and moon beautiful up above.
But on Sunday up near the volcano it got pretty cold. And we did see snow on the mountain top!
But back down near the ocean it was gorgeous and we swam in a lave heated pool!
We have now travelled down the Kona coast 3 times in the dark to get home. Adrian just puts the little car on cruise and it takes us home! We have seen 2 accidents. The roads are busy, but well paved and marked for the dark.

Today I took a few moments to visit the kindergarten class on campus. Our next door neighbor, Donna, who usually teaches Gr. 12 math in MB., is teaching there! So the kids were having center time and then had to clean up when the little bell was rung. Then they gathered in a circle for prayer time and I listened to them offer up their thanks and petitions! It was precious.

We went to the oldest church in Hawaii on Sunday....a wonderful praise team and pastor......Kaku Derek! He spoke on Phil. 2:1-4. Our morning devos' last week were on Phil. 4. Did you know that another way of to talk about hearing from God through his word is to call it "text messaging"??! I like that.

I must be back to work now.....cleaning rooms with 5 other ladies, all older than me! The place is quite busy with guests coming and going often, including speakers for the different "schools" that are being held. Each school has a different focus and is called a DTS (Discipleship Training School). Three months of classes here, and then 3 months of outreach somewhere in the world.
We now have over 60 Mission Builders, a bunch from Penn. just arrived on the weekend. It 's a bit difficult to focus on new faces at 6:00 in the morning in the dark! So I will meet them later.

Sorry about our pics. We have tried a number of times but it doesn't seem to be working for us. They say they have loaded but we don't see any pics. We will try again.
On the weekend we probably took about 1000, just of the big waves and some surfers!
Love to you all. Thanks for your prayers. Even though we are far away, you are on our hearts and in our prayers too. How are Herta and Ben doing?
Love and aloha, Marlys

Early Morning Devotions

Mission Builders meet at 6:15 each morning by the flags in the dark for devotions, 54 of us! Nancy, our leader, has been leading us through Phil. 4....worry about nothing, pray about everything, be joyful in all circumstances.....good things to ponder and take to heart as we start our days, no matter where we may be.
So now I am off to my housekeeping job, working with a number of women, all older than me now!
Thanks for your prayers for all of us here. I am working with Melody Brager too and enjoy her very much. We are laundry partners!
Blessings on your days and work back home.
Love and my prayers for you,
Marlys

Second Week in Kona

Working and playing at Kona and area. So much to see, hear, smell, taste and do....photos should show kitchen duty, GO centre housekeeping, plaza of flags on campus, our sack lunch at King's Mansion( restoration of the original YWAM base), Korean mission builders at the beach, Adrian being hoisted up, us at Livingstone Church this Sunday, Hawaiian kids dancing with sticks at their version of a Jaywalkers event, coffee farm.

Hope Herta and Ben travelled safely home and can update you some. Missing them and Broens. There are 25o more students here and this weekend two dozen plus Mission Builders came , including Dave and Melody Brager. So life should continue to be busy and fun.

This morning's sermon talked about Abraham and leaving a legacy of faith.

cruising for Christ

Rented a car and did a loop of the Big Island, including volcano viewing, botanical gardens, black sands and church service at Christ Lutheran Church in Hilo. We were worshipping at the same time at the Messiah late service. One member there knew and had worked with Blacklocks and Pinnos in Papua New Guinea.

Cruising for Christ

Sunday on the Big Island

We just got back from a 2 day trip around the island! In a gold convertible. Pictures to follow. We took thousands!
Today we thought of you all as we attended church at exactly the same time as those of you attending Messiah.....us at 8:00, you at 11:00. Beautiful church! Same lessons, the Baptism of Jesus. And met someone who worked in Papua New Guinea with Ray and Norma and Lorene and Erhard!! Small world!
We have had a marvelous weekend, up to the volcano, through rain forests, through ranch country, and overlooking incredible gorges. Plus shopping at a discount fabric store. Slept at a hotel right on the ocean and heard waves and lovely birds all night.....windows wide open. Well, that may be tough to hear, but we've heard that you have had some warmer weather too.
More later. Have to be up at 5:00 for work.....hard at it for another week. We are all doing well. Herta and I work well together cleaning toilets! The rest do maintenance, kitchen duty, and free thrift store. YWAM has some great workers in this Messiah bunch!
Blessings to you all. We think of you lots.
Aloha, from Marlys for all of us

next photos

Since our departure, we have celebrated a new set of great grandparents as Macy Leigh Piro was born at 4:40 a.m. the day of our departure.

Then we celebrated New Year's Eve in Vancouver after a rather interesting and rocky tour of the Pacific and back to Vancouver for an emergency landing and overnite stay! (Pic of group in front of hotel lobby Christmas tree, Adrian with New Year's hat)

Upon arrival in Honolulu, Marlys lei'd Adrian at the airport for his birthday, just before we departed for Kona. There we were met and taken to our living quarters for the next six weeks. The Broens and Heises hosted a beautiful breakfast for our first morning here.

We did go to the beach , attended our first church service (group photo by the driftwood is next to the church), got our orientation and spent a lovely aft'n just casing out the markets(photo of lunch at Bubba Gump's).

While our living accommodations are spartan, they are comfortable and include many various four legged friends (geckos, roaches, and other insects and mongooses)

The flowers and trees are beautiful, the bird songs are varied and most enjoyable, and the ocean view and sounds are exhilarating.

Vivianne is already collecting lots of ocean treasures!

Tomorrow we will begin our work assignments. We will all be orientated on kitchen duty until the student body arrives on Thurs.

I really hope that Joyce will no longer lead us astray in the markets!

MIssion builders in action

Aloha from Kona.....finally!

Happy New Year! Finally made it, actually on time at this end, but it has been an adventure to get here. Instead of enjoying Honolulu fireworks last night,we partied at Moxie's in Vancouver. Long story but we're here after having to return to Vancouver because of a tire blowout on take-off and make an emergency landing. Lots of praying and a smooth landing.We have a plane full of friends. More story later!
Lots of love,Us 4. Have seen the Broens and Heises' and someothers I had metbefore.
So much fun!