Last Day in Hawaii!!ii!!

My last weekend in Hawaii was spent in the capital, Honolulu. For some random information, Hawaii is made up of 8 different islands, Hawaii (Big Island), Maui, Kaho'olawe, Lanai, Molokai, Oahu, Kauai and Ni'hau and some sandy atolls. I live on the Big Island, Hawaii in a small city called Kona. Honolulu is on Oahu and is the biggest city in the Hawaiian Islands, about a half hour flight from Kona.

I don't really know how to explain what Honlulu is like. It's one of those places that you could only spend a couple days in and then you begin to feel infected by commercialism, consumerism, and some other isms. The entire city is founded off tourism and is made 90% from hotels, restaurants, shopping centres and a beach that is impoted from the sandy shores of California. It's the ultimate place of comfort and convenience. Despite all this it was really fun!

I was only there for one day but had a blast with Nicole, Myssi and Kelsey. We spent the first day taking a walk around the shop infested city with no money, but it was nice to actually see cool clothes. We also did a lot of eating out as we didn't have groceries with us. Waikiki beach was nice but it was crawling with people, so it wasn't the most appealing beach I've been to. I kinda just went there to say I've been there...
~Honolulu

~International Market...wasn't very international


















~Waikiki Beach, Honolulu









Myssi
~Making sure the building doesn't come down...it was kinda windy!







~Out to Dinner or Supper for all you Canadians.








Nicole, Myssi and Kelsey









~First and last night in Honlulu.









~Good bye Hawaii...until July 2008

Next Step...

So it has been one year that I have lived in Kona, Hawaii and the Lord is soon taking me in a slightly new direction.

I am still working with the photogenX ministry and I am committed to the YWAM base in Kona, but my life will be taking place a little father from Kona.

On coming to Kona last Septmeber I had been presented the opportunity to take on an extended program with photogenX called the Track. This course will involve several studies through University of the Nations (brach of YWAM) including Biblical Core Course, Humanities and World View, Photography and Communications. Most of these programs will be taken overseas as it presents better opportunities for photography.

The main goal apart from these courses is to document several themes of injustice in different parts of the world. On returning to Kona next summer students will have the chance to put there pictures into use by making a publication. The purpose of this publication is to raise awareness about what is happening in our world. Parts of it may focus on God's beauty, some about what God is doing in these nations and some will be about injustice issues that are on God's heart. They are on God's heart not just to change but to raise up an army of prayer warriors and those who are willing to act against these injustices.

A few weeks ago the Lord lead me not to take this program as a student but to help lead this team with three others. I will be returning home for one month to prepare for this time and then I will be meeting my team in Greece. Here we will begin the Biblical Course as we travel through the Middle East until last winter. I will continue to keep you posted throughout my time overseas.

I will be returning home on Tuesday September 25th 2007, leaving near the end of October for Greece and returning again to Canada for a short time in July 2008. If you would like to contact me please do so by email kiwana5@gmail.com or at my home (705) 435-4530. I will be available to meet in October.

As the time approaches I will send out specific prayer needs. Until then God Bless and thank you for reading and praying.

Around Hawaii

During my past year in Kona I have been very blessed to build awesome freindships with many people on the YWAM campus. Two weekends ago me and two of my close friends decided to do something together as my time in Kona, Hawaii is coming to a close...until next summer. Two of those people are Kat Meyer (Germany) and Simon Aberg (Sweden).

On Saturday morning the three of us headed north of the island. We went through a beautiful town in the hills called Waimea and then to an area that quite resembles Scotland. Here we found several caves that you could explore. Apart from tripping on rocks, random finds of full water bottles and a slight fear of there being someone else in the cave with you, it was fun.

Our next stop took us outside a city called Hilo. We took the scenic routes through beautiful jungle and along the coast. We then made our way to an incredible waterfall called Akaka Waterfall (Look for the picture). After lunch we drove into Hilo to check out Rainbow falls and boiling pots. This was the highlight of my day as we jumped from cliffs and swam under the waterfall.

After heading back to Kona and waking early the next morning our adventure started on Sattle Road around Mouna Kea. Mouna Kea is actually one of the best star gazing stations in the world and tallest mountain in the world from the ocean floor. If you can believe it, there is evening skiing available during winter.

After swinging past Hilo we came into an area of Hawaii called Puna. This is by far the most beautiful part of the island. Mostly locals and hippies, amazing rainforest and some great natural beauty. We stopped at a hot pool made by the Hawaiian's many years ago and also a black sands beach. It was incredible, soft sand, huge waves and no one but the three of us!

After our sandwhich supper we made our way to some hot steam rooms. We had no idea that we were going to have to walk through jungle paths that split several times by flashlight, but we took the challenge. After walking for about ten minutes in the dark we came across a hill. Walking up it we ran into warm air and seconds later found a ladder going down into a small hole into a cave. Climbing down and entering we found a small room in the hill with two benches and enough room to fit four people. To our anticipation we discovered hot steam coming from another hole further into the cave, so taking the opportunity we sat there for over half an hour. We decided it was time to go after all our clothes were wet and when we were about to pass out from dehydration.

Travelling for about two hours back to Kona, our adventures ended and our beds gladly greeted us...we were beat!!

Here are some pictures of our adventure. We had decided that we would do this because it was something we would never forget...and we won't!!

Hawaiian Flag

Simon
~from the junlge vine
~Akaka Waterfall
Aaron
~Near the Botanical Gardens
~Scenic Lookout
~My best mate Simon and me!
~The Overgrowth of Puna
~Wild Guava
~Breaking Waves at Black Sands Beach
Simon and Kat

Simon
~Reminds me of Fantasia...
~Sunset over Lava Field