I love Mangoes

Well life is consistently active for me.  We finished everything in the chapel except the carpet.  We are having problems getting a carpet installer.  

A week ago sunday Pascal and I went to Lanai Island.  Its a small island next to Maui.  It used to be owned by "dole" pineapple company, then some rich guy bought the whole island.  Crazy.  There is only approximately 3000 people on the island.  

Pascal and I took a boat there because He had to preach.  We never thought to bring our surf boards because there was no expected surf.  Key word 'expected'.  As we passed the east side of the island we saw a wind swell totally peeling (translation: the waves were awesome).  The church service was great.  Small town church that I felt at home in and the Lord really spoke to people. 

Right after church Wendell (a local) grabbed boards for us and we loaded in the truck.  We drove a hour down a washed 4x4 road, then we walked a mile down a cliff/rocky shore, until we arrived at a little surf oasis called Stoneshack.  It was amazing. Perfect waves and nobody there.  It was a full local experience.  I was really blessed.

I am living in Paia know, and getting to know people rather quickly.  I find myself excited to be there and be with the people.  I was able to preach on friday night at surfer church.  I think it went well.  Everyday I am hanging out with homeless people, who seem hopeless.  I say that only because they seem to have an attitude that is content with where they are.  Hard people to reach.  However I serve a bigger God.  The surfers are really friendly unless your dropping in on their wave.  

Pascal and I are getting ready to go to Tahiti in September.  Eternal Riders has a church plant there.  We will be going to do some discipleship and evangelism.  From what I hear it is an island that is in great need of Christ.  Please pray that God will provide the way and prepare our hearts to manifest the Living Christ.  I truly believe that if people encounter Jesus, they will be effected.  I want to know Christ more intimately so I can reflect him in a greater way.

I miss Canada, but mostly, you guys my friends and family.  Every adventure I encounter I find my self wishing you guys were here to share it with me.

May God ruin your lives and give you the life He has for you.

Aloha

Dallas 

My first wave!

I went surfing on thursday and caught my first wave, and 3 more.  It was epic.  I can easily see how people can come to Hawaii and never leave.  I am just thankful my passion for snow is strong enough to bring me home this winter.

Life among the locals is very sareal.  You know if somebody grew up here because they talk like the turtles on "Finding Nemo."  Know body gives a "farmer" handshake here.  Its always the "whats up bra" followed by the surfer handshake.  Even the elders greet you that way.  For me the culture shock is seeing an entire society that lives the "hang loose" mentality that all extreme sports are influenced by.  

This may be the only place I know with a predictable forecast.  For real.  Its 87-88 in the day and 75 at night.  I think it works out to 22C at night and 30 at day.

One thing you notice is that even though the islands make there economy off the tourist, it really disrupts the Hawaiian way of life.  People are really community orientated and laid back.  Tourist are the people with big flashy vehicles that have their windows down and tunes cranked.  Big image and big advertising doesn't fly here.

As for my internship. Pascal and I are renovating the chapel in Paia where I will be living in a week.  The town is extremely transient and New Age.  There is a lot of homeless people there.  We get the occasional homeless person who takes up residence underneath the chapel.  Like literally under the foundation of the chapel.  We couldn't be in a better place.  Right where there is an extreme need for Christ.  Saturday Pascal and I had the privilege of baptizing a guy named John in the ocean.  He professed he believed in Christ and was desperate to be baptized.  It was cool. He lives near Paia and we are getting him plugged in.

Pray for me friends.  That I will be spiritually strong for the task ahead.

Miss ya all.

Aloha

Dallas