Thank You Hawaii.

Thank You Hawaii

My heart is torn. Tears flooded my eyes as I took my seat on the plane. It breaks my heart to say goodbye. Goodbye to the amazing brothers and sisters of Christ that I have met. Goodbye to a community so beautiful physically and within their hearts. Goodbye to children who have taught me so much about Christ’s love.  Goodbye to an experience that I will never forget.

Summer in Hawaii exceeded even my highest expectations. Ten weeks flew by faster than anyone wanted it to, but not a minute went by that I wasted or took for granted. I went on adventures, I built relationships, and I grew in my faith in such a short amount of time.

In such a short time, I made friends who I loved and cared for so much that I didn’t put up my walls. I allowed myself to be completely transparent with them, and in return I have 8 new friends who lead me closer to Christ. 8 friends and a Papa who have made my summer incredible through super fun days, waking up before the sun, and watching movies galore. No matter where in the world we are, it will always be the HI 9.

In such a short time, I acquired a slave, a teenage girl who I trusted with my secrets. She never ceased to capture my most embarrassing moments and share my issues with the world. Though she teased me and never invited me to her parties, I cherished our friendship so deeply. If I could, I would have taken her with me. She kept wishing I would miss my flight, and because of her, I did too.

In such a short time, I learned about ministry from a woman who loves and trusts God will all of her heart. I saw what she did and how she did it, and I always thought to myself ‘how do I become as wonderful as she is.’ One day I hope to be just like her. I hope to have her endless energy and passion for kids. I hope to lead kids to Christ the way she does each and every day without fail. She has influenced me, she has taught me, and she has brought me so much closer to what God has called me to do.

Windward Church of the Nazarene holds a place in my heart so sacred and so special that nothing else will come close to or replace it. There I was able to serve and figure out what God wants me to do with my life. Thank you Windward for the opportunity to be an intern at a church where I felt the Holy Spirit working in me. Thank you Windward for allowing me to share my story as an encouragement to teens. Thank you Windward for teaching me that ministry isn’t just on Sundays, but at any given opportunity. Thank you Windward, because I know this isn’t the end.

Though I leave, I know I’ll be back soon. I will always pray and trust that God has the best plan for my life, but I’ll be crossing my fingers until the day He calls me back to Hawaii.