"Let us fix our eyes on JESUS, the author and perfecter of our faith..." Hebrews 12:2
We greet you in the Name of Jesus and wish you a Merry Christmas, or "Mele Kalikimaka" as they would say here on the Big Island of Hawaii!
We are here as a family at the University of the Nations taking a Crossroads Discipleship Training School. Ron and I had wanted to attend one of these schools years ago and have finally realized this dream. God is faithful to answer prayers in His ways and in His perfect timing which is often contrary to our own plans but ultimately far better.
We were here last November for a Renewal camp and it truly was a time of new beginnings for us. The Lord began a work of healing in Ron's heart at that tie and Ron has continued to press in to knowing God in a deeper way. As a family we had a good year with Patrice in preschool and Daniel finishing 3rd grade. Spring was filled with Baseball practices and games which we all enjoyed. As usual, Ron was an awesome coach for Daniel's team and they came in 2nd place!
During the summer months we had some fun outings to the cabin where the kids enjoyed bonfires, campouts and catching a multitude of frogs.
Ron also had the opportunity to attend a Promise Keeper's conference along with about 60,000 other men in Seattle in July. It was a very positive experience for him. I co-taught Sunday school over the summer for Patrice's class and had a challenging but fun time with up to 35 four year olds at a time!
Our acceptance from YWAM (Youth With A Mission) came in July, so our preparations for the 5.5 months away from home began with the Ulrich family.
We started our adventure at the end of September with 5 days in Oahu with some dear friends from Kelowna (Barb & Steve Ulrich and their 2 boys) who are also attending the school with us. Ron figured we needed the 5 days to get "acclimatized" but I think he really needed a major rest after some incredibly busy weeks of packing and tying up all kinds of loose ends before we left. Then our adventure began...
As we drove up the familiar hill through Kailua, past the accident scene from 8 years ago and pulled up in front of the school, I felt the Lord say to me, "I've brought you back here and I' going to take care of you." He has been so true to His word in a multitude of ways. We have had beautiful accommodations in the same building as our classes are held and the children have enjoyed their school and the friends they have made. Daniel is an expert gecko catcher and tree climber and Patrice is kept busy running all over the campus visiting friends. I personally am thrilled not to have to cook or clean up after meals so I may never come home! the meals are great and it's fun to eat outside with our big Crossroads family.
Our classes are held every morning following a time of worship while the afternoons are devoted to meeting in small groups and having times of intercession. The teaching has been incredibly good. We have been amazed as week after week new teachers come with fresh insights, words of encouragement and rich truths from God's word. It has been a powerful time of ministry to the heart rather than just thread, and the focus again and again boils down to pursuing and maintaining an intimate relationship with the Lover of our Souls, Jesus. He is the One who is worth pursuing more than anything else this world has to offer.
This Spring I felt Him reminding me that "it's only for a little while...go for the gold and don't chase after the wind". So that's what Ron and I are doing here - going for the gold; which at this time in our lives means focusing on our relationship with our Heavenly Father, working on our marriage and turning our hearts toward home - which is Daniel and Patrice. Learning to function as a family in much closer living arrangements with no TV has given us lots of opportunity to exercise the fruit of the Spirit and to learn to grow in unity. It's been very good. (I didn't say easy, did I??)
It is very convenient that this school is taking place in paradise. We LOVE the Big Island and have had some wonderful opportunities to snorkel, sightsee and to be ministered to by the sunshine. One of the highlights have included camping at a Hawaiian Park. Ron & the kids slept under the stars and Daniel even got to spend the night in a hammock. We were treated to some beautiful Hawaiian music and hula dancing by our Hawaiian friends. The next morning Daniel tried his hand at fishing and along with 2 reef fish, Daniel caught a moray eel!
We've also driven around the Island and have enjoyed the diverse landscapes and climates found here. On this island you see everything from miles and miles of Laval rock to desert to ranch lands to lush tropics with beautiful water-falls! We even saw the live volcano and were rather unimpressed by some tiny blobs of glowing red lava high up on the side of the volcano.
Another highlight was being staff for an Aid Station in the Ironman Triathlon which was held in Kailua on Oct. 7. It was great fun cheering on the sweating bodies (rejoicing that we were not one of them) and handing them ice cold wet sponges to help them cool off. Patrice took her job very seriously and the runners seemed to enjoy the offerings from their little blonde cheerleader. And in case you hadn't heard, the kids and I (Karen) are now national celebrities! We had an entire 2 second showing on NBC's coverage of the event. Autographs will be available for a nominal fee.
As I write this our class is beginning to prepare in earnest for the next phase of our school. This is where we have opportunity to put into practice what we've been learning, experience a cross cultural exchange and to touch precious lives in the Philippines and Thailand with the gospel. God willing, we will fly out on December 21st and return here on February 11th. Of course, my missionary venture will be geared to where my wheelchair can gout I'm sure the Lord will provide ample opportunity for me to share 'the hope that is in me"!
We would so much appreciate your prayers as we head out on this adventure!
May the Lord bless you and keep you in his care!
"I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints and his incomparably great power for us who believe..." Ephesians 1:18,19a
