The next leg of our trip was three and a half days in Kona, Hawaii. Although it rained the entire time we were there, it was still incredible to be there despite not ever making it to the beach! We were able to spend some great quality time with our good friends Faith and Andrew Dutton, as well as their three little gems: Emily, Mikey, and Eli. It was so much fun to catch up with them and spend time telling stories, laughing, encouraging each other, and playing with the kids. We were so grateful for their hospitality and loved seeing what God is doing in them and through them as they serve at YWAM Kona. We miss them very much, but are very thankful for the chance to have a weekend together.

Also while in Kona we were able to be a part of their Ohana Gathering. (‘Ohana’ means family in Hawaiian.) This is the YWAM family gathering/open meeting that they hold on Thursday nights where everyone from the campus gathers along with members from the community. This particular week there was worship and then a word from YWAM founder Loren Cunningham. After the word we took up an offering for the Kona campus to be able to put toward a very time-sensitive property issue.

We were able to be a part of the amazing, celebratory giving time where we saw around 500 people give a total of more than $602,000 in less than an hour. (Yeah, you read that right: half a million dollars plus another $100,000 on top of that… that’s a lot of zeros!)

It was spectacular!!!

Neither of us have ever been a part of such a miraculous offering before. It was so much fun to rejoice with so many other YWAMers and friends at the extravagant generosity of the Lord through his people! (WOW!)
In this difficult time we were strongly reminded that God’s economy is different than the world’s economy and we left that meeting soaring with faith for what’s ahead.

 
It was sad to leave Kona and say good-bye to the Dutton family… but the next leg of our trip is also very exciting: Portland and Seattle, here we come!