Love Your Neighbor

Today, our trip leaders from Praying Pelican prayed for our safe arrival! Halecia and Maria are excited to meet our whole team and for the week ahead!

Our entire team has safely arrived in Lihue! Tonight, we'll get some dinner and get settled in at St. John's Episcopal Church in 'Ele'ele. 

Welcome 'Love Thy Neighbor' Team!!!!

We arrived safely and we settled into our accommodations quickly. 

BUT.....

First task at hand was to try the infamous Da Pizza located on a former Hawaiian plantation. It was so beautiful! As we waited for our food we could see the ocean oh so close. 

RUN!!!!!!! We took a toe dip into the ocean and came back to some delicious pizza and salad to end the travel day happy and full! 

Lights off to a full day ahead! 

Our kids got a chance to participate in church today carrying beautiful green and red ribbons. 

What a celebration!!!!

The church family (ohana)  is so excited to have us here that each of us received a beautiful handmade lei.

What a long day today!!!!!

After a wonderful time at church, the work began on our work project: creating showers for future missionaries. 

Thank goodness for some island wind to keep us cooler in the sunshine. It was such a dirty job that we got to do it twice. Lol! 

In Hawaiian, 'Laulima' means many hands make the work light. When we work together, creating unity and harmony, we can accomplish anything. 

I would say we accomplished a lot today! 

Ending our daily devotional at the ocean. 

There are no words to describe how beautiful this island is. We expressed our gratitude for the day and then jumped in the ocean. 

❤️

Rise and Shine and Give God the Glory, Glory!!!!

Today was concrete pouring day for the foundation for our shower project. 

We were ready to go with setting up the plumbing, having a frame in place and all the gravel/plastic covering that was needed to get one step closer to completion. 

Great Job! 

Part of our team fueled up with some PB & Apples while talking about the day's activities and what is to come. 

Super excited to meet the kids from the neighborhood and get to know them better but we also need to fuel up for the kickball tournament and arts & crafts. 

We are fueled up and ready to welcome the neighborhood kids. 

One by one they showed up - by bicycle, by scooter, and by church van. 

We are ready with lots of games - first one was to try and figure out who someone was by reading off 5 things about them. It was a great way to get to know the kids. Next, making friendship bracelets. 

And, the BIG send off - a game of kickball!!!

So Much FUN!!!!! 

We cannot come to Hawaii and not enjoy a tour of the Kauai Coffee plantation where they have over 4 million trees. Who knew that it takes one tree to produce 1 pound of coffee? We all learned something new today. 

We got a chance to taste several flavors and roasts along with buying several pounds of coffee. 

And ended the visit with a walking tour through the grounds (oh...and a picture in front of their mascot - the rooster - and they have several roaming the grounds along with cats).

🌺☕❤️

We came together to clean the kitchen. The service extends beyond the physical task at hand. It is a great place to not only nourish our bodies but also the spirit of those who gather at the church. 

Every dish washed, every surfaced cleaned and every item organized is an expression of our love and dedication to our mission for this trip: to serve. 

We had the opportunity to repair broken equipment, weed remediation, paint, and refresh planter boxes. 

We put PLAY back into the playground by transforming it into a haven of laughter, exploration and adventure. 

What a great place to continue to build community and joy in their children.  

SLIME.....SLIME....SLIME.............

   Blue...Green...Red Fingers.......

      😂 Laughter 😁 Smiles 🥰

            We don't know who has more fun - the                   kids or us? 

Judging from the smiles - WE ALL DID!❤️

We went on a hike today at Maha'ulepu Heritage Trail and it was so majestic (and a little challenging).

We saw a turtle pop his head up as we watched the waves roll in and out - in and out. The rhythm of the waves was so relaxing (much needed after a hard day of projects).

As we sat, for a much needed break, looking out onto the ocean, we reflected on the endless love of Christ. Some reflected on the depth of the sea and how when we seek forgiveness for our sins, our Savior casts our sins into those depths - never again to be found. 

Loving our time to do our nightly devotions in such a sacred and peaceful place. 

Today was a special day - it's Ethney's Birthday🎂

We decorated our space with streamers, balloons, and Happy Birthday signage. 

She woke up to sprinkle donuts from Aloha Sweet Time and, judging from her smile, I think she was surprised. 

Hope you enjoyed your day Bear❤️

According to Psalm 133:1 "Look at how good and pleasing it is when families live together as one."

This morning it was such a blessing to see one of our families praying and doing their morning devotions together. 

What a great testament to serving together as a family in missions can further deepen our relationship with Christ. 

Our landscaping crew did an awesome job trimming the bushes around the church grounds. 

Each of us supported each other with every task and sometimes we had to reach new heights to get those tough hard to reach areas. 

Isn't that what we, as believers, must do for each other? 

🙏🏾

We are getting closer to having the showers completed. 

Today's task was to put the tar on the roof. 

And some of us had the opportunity to use it already. 

YES!!!!

Our rest day was no rest. Lol! 

Today we chose to embark on a challenging hike and, in a lot of ways, it mirrored as we serve. As we set foot on the trail, the path was wet and a little daunting (for example a rope for certain 'areas'), filled with steep inclines, uneven terrain and some obstacles along the way. 

However when we got to the top (after conquering our fears and challenges) it was absolutely beautiful!!!! 

But there is more......

We pushed ourselves a little bit more and found this amazing waterfall (that led to a bigger one). The water was refreshing after a humid hike. 

We ALL finished the hike and there as a sense of triumph, overcoming difficulties and a better appreciation for the journey. 

The work was hard and sometimes challenging, but we did it.

TOGETHER. 

We encouraged, supported, held hands, prayed and was able to admire the beautiful view TOGETHER. 

Isn't that what doing mission work is all about? Sometimes it can be challenging but in the end it is such a blessing.

After a long hardworking day of packing, cleaning and finishing up the last of our projects - we head home ......

BUT FIRST.....an infamous stop to JoJo's Shave Ice

This place is worth the stop and soooooo delicious. 

Aloha Lihue 🌺

What an amazing trip ❤️

We were treated like family (ohana) - from everything from the home cooked dinners, playful and welcoming children, special gifts from the church family (leis), gifts from the kids (blessed shells) and so much beauty and the peacefulness of this island. 

Until next time Lihue, 

Aloha ❤️