Day 3 of Challenge 2010

Day 3 of Challenge, and we've gotten over the jet lag, but all this walking is catching up with us!  Our hotel is about 6-8 blocks from the Convention Center depending on which way you go.  We've got the time to about 13 minutes with a quick walk/jog, but that means a full day (7:45am to 11:00pm) there for us.  Today, we walked to the park down the street on our break to enjoy the beautiful greenery and ducks.  In the midst of downtown, you can find quiet and quaint little shops.  We stopped at Jeni's again for a cup of ice cream.  She's one of the featured ice cream places around the nation that makes very unique flavors.  Keeping in mind that we are always ministering to those around us, God throws opportunities our way even as we take our break.  Just like in Downtown Honolulu, there are people who are hungry and poor asking for change to eat or catch the bus.  Ironically, as Ross has his hands in his pockets holding onto whatever money is in there, someone always approached him to ask for it.  Specifically, the amount in his hand...$5, $1, a few coins.  We joked that he better not stick a C note in there, because he'll have to give that out.  Seriously though, in an area where there are thousands of Christians walking around this week, God is sending us out a little further to minister to those that are not on the Challenge radar.  How awesome is that?

The conference again "challenges" us in practicing the Beatitudes found in Matthew 5.  This morning D.A. Horton focused on the Pure in Heart (Matt 5:8).  Purity does not come naturally, we must hate sin so much that purity invades every part of our life.  We need to put the lens of God on to see the scripture for life.  Nothing foreign to the recipe of God should blemish our hearts.  The girls opted for Emily Dunham's session, "Desirable Beauty" in the afternoon.  God tells us that we are beautiful, and He loves us.  It is us who degrades our beauty (Ezekial 16:25), not God.  Closing out the night was Pastor Geoff Safford focusing on the Meek (Matt 5:5).  Unforgetable impression:  An army of men approach Jesus with weapons.  Jesus has an army of angels that could take them down at any time, but instead, He is led like a lamb to be slaughtered.  That is meek.  Wow!  When put like that, His obedience to the Father is awesome!  What if we were more like that?  Are we?

We're calling it an early night.  Tiredness is setting in, and we're fighting to keep sickness at bay.  Continue to pray for our health as we go out into the community tomorrow to minister to those in Columbus.  Pray for open hearts in the areas that the EFCA will be church planting.  The goal is THREE this year.

Video from Challenge Day 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMfWk_0UlPA

Facebook page

http://www.facebook.com/Challengeconference?ref=ts

GlobalFingerprints Sponsorship Program: Nadonye Moke

Our team was blessed by a donation from a fundraiser that we did in March.  It was a totally unexpected gift that God provided on the day that we were going to participate with making red backpacks.  We decided that we wanted to use that money to sponsor a child with the EFCA's program for orphans and poverty stricken children in Conga.  The girls were asked to look through the profiles of the children and choose the one that they wanted to sponsor for at least a year. 

Meet our child in Conga, Nadonye Moke.  We are so excited to see what God will do in his life.  He is only 3 years old, so we have many years ahead that we can impact.

Day 2 of Challenge 2010

The morning starts off with a breakfast of eggs, sausage, and...potatoes!  Then it's off to Youth Worker meeting and time for the first morning gathering.  This morning, Nick Hall starts Day 2 of Challenge with Matthew 5:7...Merciful. 

Mercy must be experienced before it can be given.  Mercy is radical.  It is at the heart of God.  He gives us 5 components of mercy and challenges us to pray for 5 people.

We then go to eat, again, and it's off to our afternoon options.  Kayla, Alexia, and Taylor decide to spend a shift sewing backpacks with the GlobalFingerprints programs.  Shirlene takes them, and they spend some time helping to assemble the red backpacks that will be sent oversees to Congo, India, and Haiti.  These signature red backpacks will contain the basic school supplies to help an orphan or child in poverty to succeed in school.  Along with the backpacks, we also took the opportunity to sponsor one of the orphans in Congo.  More on that in another entry.

David, Ross, and Lisa went to the Youth Workers' Lounge, where Starfield took some time to meet with youth workers for a Q & A time and share their ministry of worship.  Interesting enough, one youth worker asked how we could pray for them, and these were some of their prayer requests:  both brothers are new fathers and are attempting to juggle families and work time, for discernment in worship gigs, for strong relationships, and to continue to serve God and be servers of all.

Starfield closed the day tonight with a special concert.  Kayla stood in line for an autographed poster, CD, and shirt.

Video from Day 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljjyQxE4GTU

Day 1 of Challenge 2010

We finally made it!  After many hours of sitting, flying, and running to gates, we are in Columbus, Ohio with teens and youth leaders from around the country. 

Challenge opened tonight with worship lead by Kristian Stanfill.  What an awesome feeling to be standing in the midst of hands raised high and voices lifted in song.  And by the way, we feel very short amidst the people here!  God spoke through  Pastor Geoff Safford on the Poor in Spirit (Matt 5:3). 

Tomorrow, we have our first full day and looking forward to hearing God's word and doing ministry.

Departing for Ohio

Today's the day.  We are excited to be on our way to Ohio and Challenge.  It is exciting to see what God will be doing in us and with us.  This morning, our FCF church family sent us off with prayer, leis, water bottles (thanks Jen!), and the continuing support that we've experienced throughout our preparation.  Our first group is en route to Columbus on American Airlines.  Kayla and I will be on the 10pm Delta flight tonight.  Please continue to pray for our safe travel.  We arrive in Columbus tomorrow and will hit the ground running with the start of Challenge.  As our shirts say, "To know God and Make HIM known".

Challenge Challenges

You know that you are doing a good thing when obstacles keep popping up.  We leave in two days, and as most of my major projects go, it comes down to the wire with making sure that every little detail is thought of and taken cared of.  This one is no exception. 

Our team met last for a final preparation meeting, but after I found out that the shuttle that the conference provides from the airport would drop us off at the Convention Center.  Now, for those of you not familiar with our planning quirks, our group ended up booking rooms at one of the three farthest hotels from the Convention Center.  Translation, we would be hauling our luggage for 5-7 blocks to get to our hotel.  We all agreed that we needed to go with Plan B...Super Shuttle.  But as God would have it, He intercedes again to take care of that.  I emailed the transportation person, Jon Rees, this morning to let him know that we would make alternate arrangements from the airport to hotel.  Immediately, I get a response that they will drop our groups off directly at the hotel.  He's making an exception, since he can't see us spending any more money.  Praise God for our brothers at Challenge!

As I'm reading through the Challenge facebook page, I realize that the many difficulties we encounter are so small compared to what others are going through to get there.  Here's what one teen is facing:

Wednesday...Special Urgent Request - A Teen from India is planning to join us for Challenge as part of our GlobalFingerprints Initiative and other things. He has his visa interview tonight. Please pray that his visa is approved and he can join us on Monday.

Thursday...Just got word...Ravi was denied His visa. We'll trust God has His best in mind for Challenge and Ravi. Thanks for praying!!

Just a reminder to us that God challenges each of us in different ways, but no matter what, there's always someone, somewhere, that may be facing more difficulties than we are.  Our transportation problem was so small compared to what Ravi is facing.

 

Challenge Bio: Pastor David Tamaoka

Pastor David Tamaoka, aka Canefield Hero, is a talented musician and proud dad of two.  David graduated from Moanalua High School and Kauai Community College.  He will be returning to school this fall at Pac Rim Bible College.

David is a veteran of missionary work.  As he shared at our final preparation meeting, he started off with YWAM's Discipleship Training School and served on various mission teams throughout the years.  In 1995, he was on his first mission trip, which ironically enough, it was in Ohio (Cincinnati).   Fifteen years later, he will be returning to Ohio with some of his youth group from Faith Christian Fellowship!

David released his album last year, Canefield Hero, and was nominated for a Na Hoku Hanohano award this year.  He's played for the HIM Conference at the Convention Center in the youth track, Don Ho's open mic nights, various church worship sets, and Starbuck's Aiea.  His album can be found in Walmart, Amazon, and several other stores, but you can also ask him to buy one too.

David's often found with Steph and their two children, Pennylane and Paxton.

Challenge Bio: Ross Ongie

Ross will be taking his second mission trip.  Last summer, he and his daughter, Alexia, were a part of Paradise Global Mission's Brazil team.  While others were tending to medical needs, Ross and two teens went into the community to serve with painting, cleaning, sharing the gospel, and praying in and for homes.  One of the interesting stories that Uncle Ross shares about is the woman who makes her living by selling cigarettes out of her home.  She is missing limbs (legs) and not mobile like us, but she makes the most of it.

Ross' testimony of God's will is evident in his life.  Last fall, he was taken ill, and only through the healing hand of God, is he alive today to share about it.  Ask him about it!

Ross is an architect by profession, but he is a man of many talents and skills.  Ask him about anything that you need fixed, and he can probably tell you how it can be done.  His giving nature has him ready to help or give you what you need at the drop of a hat.  Aside from that, he is a great cook.  Some of you were treated to his home baked bread.

Ross is one of three parents that serve on FCF's Youth Ministry Team as adult leaders who also have children in the ministry.  The real example of doing ministry as a way of life!

Challenge Bio: Lisa Letoto-Ohata

Lisa is the mission trip planner for our Challenge team.  She was a part of FCF's first mission team to Thailand in 2001 where they worked in the Lahu villages.  This will be her third Challenge mission (2004, 2006) with the EFCA.  Among the places that she has traveled to include Japan, New York, Indiana (Notre Dame and Purdue), Baltimore, Arizona, Oregon, California (top to bottom), Texas, Missouri, Colorado, Florida, and all the states you can drive through from Indiana to Washington, as well as, Big Island (the entire island!), Maui, Kauai, and Molokai.

Lisa has a passion for youth ministry which started in 1999 with FCF's summer volleyball league, Summer Slam.  She has since worked as Director of Volunteer Services and Programming and Community Projects Manager for Youth For Christ Hawaii.  Her other ministry "jobs" include FCF Youth Administrator under Mark Olmos and Lead Foster Care Liaison with Kokua `Ohana.  She serves the EFCA HI District in helping with planning and coordinating the District Summit in 2009 (missions focused), EFCA HI youth ministries with major events and camps, Family Programs Hawaii Peer Mentor (for foster parents), and sits on a number of non-profit boards.

Lisa is a full-time student with UH and currently teaches child welfare licensing classes through Catholic Charities Hawaii, works with Na Pua No`eau throughout the year, and does various contract work including speaking and training at various conferences.  She loves crafts, cooking, reading, and spending time with her family. 

If you check out her facebook, you will find many food pictures taken at the places that she and Jeff finds to eat.  If not out, then you don't want to miss one of their parties with the `ono food spread!

Check out the Challenge facebook page

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=701638478&v=photos&so=30#!/Challengeconference?ref=ts

Challenge Bio: Shirlene Ideue

Shirlene teaches Kindergarten at August Ahrens Elementary, but will be teaching 1st grade next year.  She has previously served on mission teams to Brazil and Japan and traveled before to Canada, Mexico, Washington DC, Pittsburgh, Chicago, San Antonio, Portland, Seattle, all the major Hawaiian islands, Tahoe, Reno, Las Vegas and Los Angeles.

She likes to sail, hike, camp, hang out anywhere in God's creation but especially the beach, read, do puzzles, ride roller coasters with BIG drops!  Everyone knows what an outdoors person she is and eventually is a part of a hiking trip, camping trip, or sailing adventure. Food that she likes include ice cream, peanut butter, chocolate chip cookies with nuts, or any kind of chocolate with nuts.
Things she would like to do soon... sail to Molokai, go skiing-think I'm getting too old to try snowboarding :-)

Shirlene is married to Ryan and has two daughters, Shae and Brooke.

*Interesting note:  Shirlene is one of three Youth Ministry Team leaders that also has teen children in our youth ministry.

Prayer - Getting on Board with God's Agenda

This is taken from the Challenge blog:

May 2010 

Hey students,
It’s easy for prayer to become somewhat of a habit—a one-sided conversation during which we sometimes forget Whom we’re talking to. We forget that the power of prayer is not in prayer itself, but in the One we’re praying to.
Solomon, known for his wisdom, wrote, “Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong. Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few….Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore stand in awe of God” (Ecclesiastes 5:1-2,7, NIV). If you were with us for Challenge 2008, you probably remember the awesome testimonies arising from our prayer times. Prayer is awesome because the God we pray to is awesome.
How often do you sit and simply enjoy God’s presence? When was the last time you intentionally listened to God?  If you’re like most, the answer is probably rarely—if ever. Sometimes we’re convicted of the need to listen and worship God more, to spend time in silence before Him, and so we try. And we find ourselves easily distracted, impatient, maybe bored. We very quickly either proceed to our list of prayer requests or quit praying altogether.
Why do we find it so difficult? Too often, I believe, we try to “force it.” We sit in silence because it’s something we think we’re supposed to do. On the other hand, in those times like we experienced at Challenge 2008, when we’ve just been shown a glimpse of the absolute greatness, hugeness, and holiness of God, all we can do it stand in awe. What words could we possibly bring?
I’m convinced that what we need is not to learn the right things, but to see. The more we see of the awesomeness of God, the more the right actions—and the right way of praying—will follow. So as you spend time in prayer this month, ask God to show you more of Him. Learn to listen and allow Him to answer you. Be prepared to learn the sacredness of silence.
Prayer, after all, is not about getting God on board with our agenda. It’s more like allowing ourselves to get on board with His. And we can only do that when we know how His heart beats… when we take the time to listen.
Seeking God with you,
Glenn Olson

Challenge Bio: Taylor Hayamoto

This is what Taylor says:

Umm...I've never really went anywhere except California and the other islands, but I LOVE rollercoasters!  I go to school almost everyday, and I love to drum in rock bands!  I'm going to be a junior at Pearl City High School! Whoop whoop! 

Note:  Taylor is part of the band, Semi Sweet, and is an awesome drummer!  She's part of Faith Christian Fellowship's youth worship team and helps out with summer VBS.  Taylor has lots of high energy!

Challenge Bio: Alexia Ongie

FACTS!:
I've gone to Brazil once before for a mission trip.
I like to play music, swim, and EAT!
I'll be in eleventh grade at Pearl City High School.

*Note:  Alexia is a part of Semi Sweet (band).  She has an awesome voice and very talented musician.  She can also be found playing with the Faith Christian Fellowship youth worship team and at Starbuck's Aiea, with or without David Tamaoka!

Challenge Bio: Kayla Ing

My name is Kayla Ing, and I will be a senior at Moanalua High School.  I love reading, writing, and playing my sports.  The sports I do are kempo, volleyball, and softball.  I am also a graduate of the Center For Tomorrow's Leaders and participated with Na Pua No`eau's Aha `Opio Alaka`i program.

4 years ago, I attended Challenge in Purdue, Indiana and did mission work on a Navajo reservation in Arizona. I am part of our youth worship team at Faith Christian Fellowship, help with the Children's Ministry, and participate with our dance ministry.  I will celebrate my birthday (July 3) again while on our mission trip. 

*Interesting note:  I am the first baby to be born into our church, Faith Christian Fellowship.  My mom went into labor at the first family camp held at Camp Timberline in 1993.  My parents were the first couple to be married in our church by the founding pastor, Mark Olmos.

Challenge 2010 Countdown: 4 Days to go

It's that year again.  Every other year, the EFCA churches gather youth and youth leaders together for a five day conference.  This year, it will be held in Columbus, Ohio.  There are several facets to this conference.  It's a ground for worship, training, and learning, it's held in the city where the next EFCA church will be planted (this year there's 2), and it serves as a platform for groups to do ministry and ultimately share the gospel. 

I remember in the spring of last year talking to several others about going.  Jeff and I had gone twice before, and Kayla had gone in 2006.  The trip is combined with a mission trip before or after, so we make the most of our traveling.  This year, we have seven on our team from FCF.  We will be leaving on Sunday, June 27th and arriving in Columbus on Monday.  We have planned, trained, raised money, and did I say plan, for months.  It's hard to believe that the time is almost here.

Today is our day of prayer and fasting.  Youth and youth leaders all around the nation are participating.  Here are our prayer requests:
-Safe and smooth travel (our team will be traveling in two groups)
-For the Challenge leaders and planners as they move into the final days of preparation.
-For our team, David, Ross, Shirlene, Kayla, Alexia, Taylor, and Lisa, that we keep our focus as we prepare to leave.
-For all the last minute details that need to be finalized.

We appreciate all of your support and prayers and will continue to share what God is doing with us.

Check out the individual bios that I'll post soon.

"Tomorrow"

I reminded Kavin that he was going to call his Aunty Malia "tomorrow", and he said, "yeah, that's not today, I have to call Aunty Malia tomorrow." That was yesterday...and the day before...and the day before. She'll have to wait until tomorrow comes...whenever that is!

Father's Day 2010

30 cups of coffee, 1 pan of brownies, 1 bundt cake, 30 spam musubis, kids done with breakfast, and kitchen cleaned by 7:40am. On to church to set up tent and table for coffee.  This is our last week for our fundraising Sunday Cafe, and we leave for Ohio. 

Church was held outdoors again this week.  The sun took turns with the wind and rain, but by the end of service, it was shining brightly and hot.  Not to miss an opportunity to make good use of the ice cold water, Josh starts "bombs away" with the water bottles.  Koen and Kavin join him with Uncle Jeff watching.  After a while, Uncle Jeff realizes that he's supposed to stop them and starts shaking the finger at them.  Good times!

Home from church at 11:45 am and on to cleaning the house and cooking for the next meal. Trifle, ham, smoked turkey legs, layered bean dip, soybeans, and fresh strawberries. The kids are busy playing wii while the big kids sleep.  

Jime, one of our former foster teens that we worked with, calls to check in and say Happy Father's Day.  You know that the time and effort that you put in to change a kid's life is all worth it when they come back.  I ask him what he's doing today, and he jumps at the chance to come over.  He visits and catches up with everyone.  The kids are glad to see him again.  He is one of their favorites.  He has to leave right after dinner to catch the bus back to Job Corps, but not before I stock him with some food and get a promise that he'll call again in a couple of weeks.

We're never sure who will show up for our get together, but we know we'll always eat well and have fun.

Tonight, I reflect on those fathers that have touched our lives.  My own dad spent the day with us.  The one thing I am always thankful for is the morals and values that he instilled in us.  My grandpa who is gone, but a person that I will never forget and has forever left me his legacy of being a hard worker and great provider.  My brother-in-law, Kawika, who has been gone for the last two years.  He left behind a wonderful family, and we still miss him dearly.  My two brothers, Len and John, who have never shied away from stepping in to be "fathers" to all the kids.  My two brothers-in-law, Dave and Garrett, who live in other places, but you're great dads as we can see by the wonderful kids that you have.  And Jeff, who has had to be "dad" to so many that aren't even ours.  Thanks for all you do and who you are!

 

Aunty Malia

I took Koen home this morning. The whole way he complained although he was warned many times over the last couple of days to behave. He says, "I wan to go to the airport. I have to be away from people (his famous words this week). I have to see my family." I told him okay. I would drop him off at Aunty Malia's house. "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. I don wan to go to her house. I don like Aunty Malia." "Well, she's your family," I told him.

On the other side...I was hanging clothes this afternoon, and Kavin took out the water gun to try to shoot bees (yes, *rolling my eyes*). He told me he wanted to use water. I told him to wait until Sunday when his friends come, and we'll play water and have a party for Father's Day. So he asked if only "faders" could come, and I told him no. Everyone would come and celebrate fathers. So he said he wanted his family to come. After a pause, he said he wished that Aunty Malia would come, because he misses his Aunty Malia, and he wants her to come stay here. Then he said, "let's call her tomorrow, so I can talk to her." Expect a phone call again.

 

How Soft is Your Heart?

This is taken from the Challenge blog today:

Hey students,
Hosea 10:12 says, “Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the Lord” (NLT). That’s the call we’re holding out right now.
You see, it’s quite possible that thousands of us could gather later this month in Columbus, OH, hear incredible messages, sing great songs, have fun hanging out with our friends, and leave entirely unchanged, if our hearts are hard. On the other hand, if we come with hearts softened and prepared, there’s no limit to what God can do through that week. He could bring us to the point of total surrender, radically transform us, and raise us up as an army to take His fame to every person on the planet who does not know Him.
There’s a lot that God will do. He will do whatever it takes to confront us with the truth. But He asks us to prepare our hearts. How soft is your heart? Are there areas you’ve refused to surrender? Are there aspects of your life that you just haven’t allowed God to investigate and clean out lately? How sensitive are you to His conviction and direction?
Now, says Hosea, is the time to seek the Lord. Start plowing the ground now. Don’t wait until we arrive in Ohio.
If you look through the Bible, you will find that most intense times of seeking God, repentance, and desperate prayer were accompanied by fasting. Fasting is a very tangible way in which we can set our heart, mind, and entire being on God. The natural desire that we have for food can be deliberately directed to God, allowing us to see our desperate need for Him.
The Challenge 2010 team has set aside Wednesday, June 23, as a day of prayer and fasting for the conference. I’m writing this to you to encourage you to take this day seriously. You don’t have to fast the whole day. You can give up dinner. Or breakfast. Or TV. Or anything else that you feel you couldn’t live without. Let God fill that spot in your life. You don’t have to wait until June 23, either. You can start now (although it might not be wise to fast all food for a few weeks!). All we ask is that you intentionally give up something in order to set your heart more fully on God as we approach the dates of Challenge 2010. And that you pray.
Pray for the speakers, the lead worshipers, the workshop trainers, the drama teams—pray for their personal holiness, clear direction from God, and sensitivity to the Spirit. Pray for every group that will be going—for safety, prepared hearts, and transformed lives. Pray for the youth leaders—for rest, renewal, wisdom, and openness to God. Pray for the outreach and ministry projects—for effectiveness and right hearts. Pray for Columbus—that we would make a dramatic difference in that city. Pray for God’s will, His way, His glory.
Praying with you,
Glenn Olson

Celebrating the 25th

25 years ago, we stepped up as our name was called to accept that empty folder that would eventually contain our high school diploma.  A princess, a Hawaiian princess, bestowed upon us an opportunity that would take many of us far.  We had completed our high school education up on the hills of Kapalama and were entering the "real" world, ready or not.

This summer, many of our classmates gathered together to celebrate those 25 years, reminisce about the good old days, and create new memories to last us another five years.  Kapuaiwa was the home base for the class of '85 and the dorm that rocked each night.  Our class closed Don Ho's for a private party with over 250 people on class night, and many of us made it for the class picture, even if it meant running down the aisle right before the camera snapped.  The luau was the event of the week with tickets being sold out before the deadline and being resold for the same price.  Where else but Kamehameha would premium tickets not be scalped!  Only a handful made it to the memorial service on Sunday morning to remember those that we have lost, but not forgotten, along the way. 

There were many more events that highlighted the week and leaves us looking forward to another one in five years!

By the way, in true KS '85 style, our class pulled off a stellar performance and took home the trophies for Best Contemporary and Judges Choice.