Thank you for all of your support and prayers! It was a fabulous trip!
Monday, June 23, 2025
Day Eight - Thorne
Day Eight: None of us wanted to leave Oahu. The day was exciting though, Jude's birthday! He turned the ripe old age of 15 today, and he couldn't have been more excited when the flight attendant announced that it was his birthday to an entire plane of about 500 people.
The day started off later than when we usually woke up, about 7:30. I didn't wake up until 8:30 though, when I reached phase three: Mike singing to me while hitting me with a pillow.
The morning was boring. Packing and such. We ate eggs and bacon for breakfast, and everyone was packed by the time I got up. We were all packed and ready to go by 10, playing Tetris in the back of the van until all of our suitcases fit just right.
At the airport, we went through agricultural customs and security, and rushed to gate G6. We made it in time to purchase some good eats before boarding our flight.
We have taken off the tarmac and are now flying above the islands of Hawaii.
Looking out of the window, I'm realizing how much our mission trip to Oahu meant to us, but also to the people we served. Some of the people we met were quite incredible. Asking your kids about their experiences and some of the people we met is a great idea, and especially ask them what they thought about meeting God at the taro patch. That trip to the taro patch summed up our trip quite well. We met a woman who truly cared about the environment and the future of the world. She inspired us in so many ways, explaining how we had the power to preserve culture and nature. Before we went into our farming, she sang a prayer in Hawaiian. She fed us taro before we left, and I could see how it was different but also appealing. We were all blown away by our experience at the taro patch, and I think everyone would agree that our trip there had the right balance of faith and service. Even though we wanted to give back, God gave us the gift of hope. She gave us something to pursue.
Signing off for the trip,
Thorne
Day Seven - Knox
Summary:
Reflection:
At the church service, many, if not all of us were pushed outside our comfort zones by being the outsiders who don't speak the language of the place we are in. It was interesting to see how different people reacted. Some people seemed to throw themselves into it but others were less willing to just go for it. It can be scary to not understand what people are saying even if you know the layout. In conclusion, it was a rather impactful experience for all of us to experience being in the minority in such an obvious way.
Day Six - Henry
It was June 21st, Saturday.
Anyways we finally all arived at the waterfall, it was calming but we didn't swim. And then we made our way back, I was so invested in the nature that I may have been a little bit late to the party in fact.
This day was a day unlike any before, that is to say we did not start our day with making sandwiches early in the morning for once as there was no service for the day, just a bunch of sidequests. Instead we got up at 8ish, and after a brief breakfast got to work cleaning the whole house.
We packed all of our stuff, and made sure to sweep the whole place up. It was then that our dirty van made it's voyage up an exeptionally pretty island coast in the direction of what would become our new place of rest for the next 2 nights: the Airbnb.
We stopped at a food truck parking lot, and I got a poke bowl. And then we drove back to Waimea Valley, where we had our Luau experience yesterday to visit their gardens.
We entered the garden, it has one big main path leading to the waterfall, and several smaller paths to various sections dedicated to different plants in Polynesian islands. Michael and I made it our goal to visit every trail and read as many signs as we could. There was also a section dedicated to the buildings people lived in in Oahu, which I thought was very interesting. I also brought my camera and got to take so many pictures; Hawaii is so full of nature in a way that that cannot be experienced secondhand. I think my camera's sd card filled like 5 Gb more. I can't get those off those off my camera yet so- uh- I'll give you a second to imagine what they could look like on your own.
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Anyways we finally all arived at the waterfall, it was calming but we didn't swim. And then we made our way back, I was so invested in the nature that I may have been a little bit late to the party in fact.
But then our van had to depart yet again, because Mike said so and he's driving. So we drove yet again in the direction of the Airbnb, but not without stopping for shave ice, the same place we visited the day before because it was too good.
As we drove along the coast we noticed a lot of tents with people living in them, and just how much poorer the West Side of the island seemed to be. And yet it's still the same Hawaii.
We stopped at Tumura Supermarket to restock food, and finally got to the Airbnb. Mike grilled burgers while Knox and Jude, had some sort of game where they marched along the patio? Anyways after eating we had our reflection of the day, and then we played Oh Hell! (Which Mike calls Oh Heck!) for the first time of this trip. Oh He(ll/ck)! is a game similar to Hearts, but tricks are good and you have to bet on the exact number of tricks you will end up with each round for bonus points. My favorite moment though was when Thorne bet on getting 0 tricks, however he managed to win a round with a 2 of non-trump, the lowest possible card; so he got no bonus points!
We then went to bed. It's a boring conclusion but it's how most days end. I think it was an exciting day.
Saturday, June 21, 2025
Day Five—Cate
Friday, June 20th was a day illuminated by fulfilling, boundless connection and enlightening cultural immersion. We awoke to the luminous Hawaiian sun pouring through our windows. As we readied ourselves for service, we experienced the inherent joy of knowing one another and actively being in the company of our energetic group. We piled into the van, and as we sang our way through the hour-long drive, we were filled with anticipation and excitement for the service to come. When we arrived at the Nā Mea Kūpuna Learning Center and taro farm, we were immediately overwhelmed with the sheer natural beauty of the scenery. Little did we know that we were about to meet one of the most welcoming and passionate individuals. From the moment we met Felicita Garrido, it was clear she was one of a kind in her spirit, kindness, and hope. She immediately made us feel welcomed. She then explained her background of 25 years as a Hawaiian Studies teacher. She also outlined her background in farming and knowledge of Hawaiian history and practices. We then received the immeasurably valuable gift of her wisdom and sustainable philosophy. She talked about the intricately crafted skills of the native Hawaiian people and their self-sustaining and giving lifestyle and practices. She explained how the taro is grown and harvested in families of generational longevity. This is in line with the perhaps most prominent value of Hawaiian culture from what I have gathered: ohana, meaning family.This was reflected in the love our host showed us. She treated us as her own, explaining how in Hawaii, you call all your peers family: whether it be auntie, uncle, brother, sister, or cousin. Being so far from home and my family, it made me incredibly emotional how much she treated us like family. She explained how as an educator with no children, she loved and viewed her students as her own. She was truly an amazing speaker with an unmatched gift for articulation and communication. She had an arsenal of morally awakening metaphors to prove just how dire the need for ecological and agricultural reform is in our hurting world and climate. She explained the relationship between the land and the people, noting how the hurt in our world and within our people is directly tied to the mistreatment of our environment. This motivated us to take action, and we felt determined and grateful for the opportunity to aid her in her sustainable farming by weeding the taro patches on the land. We equipped ourselves with tools, gloves, and water shoes and sank into the mud that surrounded the taro that was occupied by invasive and unneeded weeds. Knee-deep in mud, we removed the weeds with our hands and tools and set them aside to be raked. After our service, we were gifted with further generosity and hospitality when Felicita's husband, Uncle Steven Bolosan, prepared us some treats. We tasted taro in the stage before poi, called "pu'i'ai. " It was delicious, and they explained the extensive health benefits of the whole food. When it was time to leave, we embraced our hosts, thanking them for the truly unforgettable experience. We spent the early afternoon at the beach and then made our way to the Waimea Valley, where we had the incredible opportunity to go to the Toa Luau. The performance and meal were beyond amazing, and I was extremely grateful to have the chance to learn about the Hawaiian culture through the various demonstrations and entertainment. Ending an amazing day with our nightly Compline prayer, we headed to sleep with hearts filled with love and knowledge and bellies filled with delicious Hawaiian pork.
Day Four—Gloria
In traditional mission trip fashion, we woke up on Thursday morning before 7, and made it to the service site only a few minutes late, but we weren't given the clearest start time. We arrived at the Paepae O He'eia taro & fish farm on the East side of the island. We had prepared for our service by packing clothes that we were willing to get dirty, and it's a good thing we did because boy did we get dirty. It's quite possible that my fingernails are permanently stained with mud. Taro is grown on mud islands surrounded by channels of water that irrigate the taro, and our job was to weed around it. This called for wading in the extremely muddy water surrounding the taro, and I don't think I've ever been so muddy in my life. Even after swimming in the ocean for over an hour, I still found mud behind my ears.
After wading through the mud, we switched to a slightly cleaner job, throwing large clumps of mud down a bucket brigade in order to let water fill in that area to create islands for native birds to lay their eggs. Then we were given a lesson about the fish pond that the taro farm surrounds. We learned that the farming practices used today are deeply rooted in the traditional methods of the native Hawaiians. We also learned that there is nowhere close to enough farming on the islands of Hawaii to feed all of the people that live there. If imports stop going into Hawaii for any reason, the people would run out of food in 10-14 days. Learning that made me realize how important the service we are doing is. Farming is a job that is often overlooked, but it is vital for survival and is a core part of Hawaiian culture.
After our lesson, we walked back to the van and attempted to clean ourselves off, but my clothes are definitely not salvageable, especially after Mike hugged me with his muddy hands. We ate our vanwiches and headed to Kailui Beach. After swimming for 10 minutes I got stung by a jellyfish, so I feel as if I have had the full Hawaii beach experience. Luckily, nobody got really sunburnt except for Jude. We picked up some frozen pizza from Safeway and headed home for an earlier finish. I got to go on a run and explored Camp Palehua. I think that Hawaii is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. There is so much beautiful wildlife, and I am blessed to be getting such an immersed experience while I am here.
After wading through the mud, we switched to a slightly cleaner job, throwing large clumps of mud down a bucket brigade in order to let water fill in that area to create islands for native birds to lay their eggs. Then we were given a lesson about the fish pond that the taro farm surrounds. We learned that the farming practices used today are deeply rooted in the traditional methods of the native Hawaiians. We also learned that there is nowhere close to enough farming on the islands of Hawaii to feed all of the people that live there. If imports stop going into Hawaii for any reason, the people would run out of food in 10-14 days. Learning that made me realize how important the service we are doing is. Farming is a job that is often overlooked, but it is vital for survival and is a core part of Hawaiian culture.
After our lesson, we walked back to the van and attempted to clean ourselves off, but my clothes are definitely not salvageable, especially after Mike hugged me with his muddy hands. We ate our vanwiches and headed to Kailui Beach. After swimming for 10 minutes I got stung by a jellyfish, so I feel as if I have had the full Hawaii beach experience. Luckily, nobody got really sunburnt except for Jude. We picked up some frozen pizza from Safeway and headed home for an earlier finish. I got to go on a run and explored Camp Palehua. I think that Hawaii is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. There is so much beautiful wildlife, and I am blessed to be getting such an immersed experience while I am here.
Day Three—Caroline & Jude
On Wednesday morning, we woke up early, and headed over to the River of Life Mission. We broke up into groups and did several different jobs; some people cut and folded information packets, others such as Gloria put together hygiene packs, and the rest packaged "blessing baskets" which had supplies like tarps, flashlights, and blankets. After a couple hours of working, we transitioned to St Elizabeth's church. There is a structure on the church property which is called a hub spot; it is a space where the unhoused people who live nearby can get meals and other services. Some of us handed out hygiene packets, while others stayed and handed out food under the shade. We also talked story and prayed with the guests at the hub. After our service, we had lunch underneath some banyan trees, which were really pretty and interesting. Once we had finished our lunch, we headed over to Iolani Palace, which was the living place of the Hawaiian king and queen in the 1800s. It had a very interesting history, and the stories of the kings and queens were very interesting. Once we had finished the tour, we headed to Waikiki beach, which was very beautiful, but not very good for swimming, so we found another beach that was calmer and more sheltered. After a long day of service and fun, we headed home and went to bed.
Caroline:
The service that we did today was truly amazing, and the memory will stay with me for a long time. Learning about the way River of Life Mission helps the unhoused people of Oahu was very eye-opening, and it made me think about how we could possibly use a similar system in SF. Talking with some of the people there for food made me realize how there is no difference between us and the people who eat there, they are just going through different challenges. Going to the Iolani palace was an incredible experience, and I learned a lot about the history of Hawaii. One thing that stood out to me is that the kings and queens of Hawaii cared so much about their people, that they would go door to door fundraising to be able to build hospitals and help their people out. They did their best to listen to the needs of their people, and even though they were taken over by the corporations in the end, they still tried their best to listen and care for their people. I think that we can make a lot of progress as a county if we adopt a similar mindset, and listen to the needs of our people.
Jude:
When I went to St Elizabeth's I got the chance to talk to people. I got the chance to talk to a man 👨 who talked to me about how he has been homeless since 1996. He told me about how he keeps getting kicked out of housing when he finds it because of his two small dogs. He told me about how he was born in Georgia but moved to Hawaii when he was around 3 and was raised by his grandparents. When I walked away from the situation it helped me come to a better understanding about homeless people and how they aren't different at all from us. met another man named Rashawn and he told me he was in the military and was brought to Hawaii, but decided to stay he told me about how he was trying to stop gun violence and spread God's praise. Sometimes it can be hard to hear what these people have gone through, but they need someone to listen and to comfort and to support and to love. Every day blends together some days feel like two or three. I enjoyed my service and I hope to do more.
Sent from my iPhone
Caroline:
The service that we did today was truly amazing, and the memory will stay with me for a long time. Learning about the way River of Life Mission helps the unhoused people of Oahu was very eye-opening, and it made me think about how we could possibly use a similar system in SF. Talking with some of the people there for food made me realize how there is no difference between us and the people who eat there, they are just going through different challenges. Going to the Iolani palace was an incredible experience, and I learned a lot about the history of Hawaii. One thing that stood out to me is that the kings and queens of Hawaii cared so much about their people, that they would go door to door fundraising to be able to build hospitals and help their people out. They did their best to listen to the needs of their people, and even though they were taken over by the corporations in the end, they still tried their best to listen and care for their people. I think that we can make a lot of progress as a county if we adopt a similar mindset, and listen to the needs of our people.
Jude:
When I went to St Elizabeth's I got the chance to talk to people. I got the chance to talk to a man 👨 who talked to me about how he has been homeless since 1996. He told me about how he keeps getting kicked out of housing when he finds it because of his two small dogs. He told me about how he was born in Georgia but moved to Hawaii when he was around 3 and was raised by his grandparents. When I walked away from the situation it helped me come to a better understanding about homeless people and how they aren't different at all from us. met another man named Rashawn and he told me he was in the military and was brought to Hawaii, but decided to stay he told me about how he was trying to stop gun violence and spread God's praise. Sometimes it can be hard to hear what these people have gone through, but they need someone to listen and to comfort and to support and to love. Every day blends together some days feel like two or three. I enjoyed my service and I hope to do more.
Sent from my iPhone
Thursday, June 19, 2025
Clara-Day 2
The day started with a visit to Pearl Harbor, the site at which Japan launched a surprise attack that entered the US into World War II, and the USS Arizona. The USS Arizona was a battleship stationed at Pearl Harbor and was bombed, leading to her partial explosion and ultimate sinking. We then ate some delicious gourmet shaved ice before heading to the River of Life Mission, an organization that helps the unhoused population of Oahu get back on their feet. We learned about the organization and were briefed on the work that we will be doing tomorrow. Later, we enjoyed a quick trip to the beach where we saw a wild turtle! After a wonderful day, we dined on wonderful tacos made by Cate, Gloria, and Michael.
Going to Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona was a sobering experience. When the USS Arizona was bombed, her artillery room exploded, everyone on board was killed within seconds. Over a thousand soldiers and Marines, many of whom were 18 to 20 years old. It remains the deadliest US naval disaster in history. Visiting the memorial served as an opportunity to reflect on the tremendous loss of life during the war, as well as a way to give thanks to the men who made great personal sacrifice for their country that day. I am incredibly grateful to have had that opportunity.
Wednesday, June 18, 2025
Day 1–Michael
On our first day together, we met up at the airport. I didn't know most of the group, so I met everyone and started to get to know them. We spent our flight talking, reading, and playing games, getting to know one another as best we could. Flying over the islands was very cool. They looked very pretty from the air, and I couldn't wait to get into that water.
We arrived at our lodgings, a nice house at a camp in the mountains of Oahu. Not long after settling in, we donned our bathing costumes and headed out. We had dinner at a Hawaiian BBQ place, and soon after had our first shot at the beach. We swam around, bodysurfed some waves and altogether had a grand old time. It was great fun and was a good bonding experience.
This day was really good for me especially, because I went into this trip only knowing a few people. Between the time spent waiting around at the airport, dinner as a group, and the beach at sunset, we had a very good day, and I had a lot of time to get to know the other group members. I look forward to learning more about these people and connecting with them more, building a community during this upcoming week.
We arrived at our lodgings, a nice house at a camp in the mountains of Oahu. Not long after settling in, we donned our bathing costumes and headed out. We had dinner at a Hawaiian BBQ place, and soon after had our first shot at the beach. We swam around, bodysurfed some waves and altogether had a grand old time. It was great fun and was a good bonding experience.
This day was really good for me especially, because I went into this trip only knowing a few people. Between the time spent waiting around at the airport, dinner as a group, and the beach at sunset, we had a very good day, and I had a lot of time to get to know the other group members. I look forward to learning more about these people and connecting with them more, building a community during this upcoming week.
Tuesday, June 17, 2025
Beach
So.... We're in paradise. Even late in the evening it is warm, pleasant, and the water is refreshingly comfortable. A great way to end our first day!
Monday, June 16, 2025
Safely arrived
We have safely arrived, moved into our cabin at Camp Palehua, and now we are eating dinner before we hit the beach. You've never been to an L&L Hawaiian Barbecue with a better view!
Rainbow count: 4, Stitch count: 0.
Sunday, June 15, 2025
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