Agnes

When you read about Hawaii or see TV shows set in Hawaii you see white beaches and green palm trees and pure blue water, and all that is true. We spent time at the beach yesterday, and it was absolutely beautiful. The sun was shining, the breeze was blowing, and I got burned to a crisp. Just as expected. 

But, today was different. Today I saw the raw, pure Hawaii. I saw pineapple fields and red clay and the most beautiful children. We traveled up the mountain to Poamoho to hang out with some kids at their Bible club. From the moment our white van pulled up the kids surrounded us, pulled us into their circle, and became our best friends. The kids were extraordinary, so full of life, so in need of love. They live in tiny, rotting houses, once occupied by their grandparents who worked in the Dole pineapple fields. They run wild, and somehow, through the providence of God, they have run into the care of Pastor Rocky and his wife. The time I spent with them has changed the way I see life and see love. 

This morning in staff training we focused on our knowledge of the love of God. In my life there is not room for pride and love. Today on that empty grass field I saw kids being loved with the selfless, pure, overflowingly generous love of Jesus. The pastors there have given up everything to serve. They are living breathing examples of what a cross-centered, Gospel driven life looks like.

I made a special friend tonight. Her name is Agnes, and she is amazing. She has a beautiful laugh, and I've never heard anyone sing "God is so Good" with so much enthusiasm. Because of her disabilities, Agnes has an even harder life than the other kids in her village, but because of the love the pastor and his wife have shown her, she has found true and lasting joy. She sat on the grass with me, braided my hair so we could be twins, and told me about her Jesus. Lord willing, I'll see Agnes at camp in a few weeks, and I can't wait.

My eyes were opened tonight, but the beautiful energy of the boys and girls wasn't what did it. After Bible club one of the missionaries sat down in the grass with my team and shared his burden for Hawaii. 

This place is so in need of Jesus, and for six short weeks, I get to be a part of the work. My God is so good to me. 

(Tomorrow I'll write about the sketchy Chinese restaurant we ate at. Oh my. Stay tuned.)

Here's the Thing About Airports, Part Two

Today hasn't gone as expected.

The above statement is the understatement of the century. 

But I should probably fill you in on my flight from Charlotte to Dallas. I was in a row with a honeymooning couple. There were three chairs, but only two were really used. I'll leave it at that.

Halfway through the flight the new wife got motion sick. She proceeded to throw up in her motion sickness bag, her new husband's, and then mine. This was after her very flustered new husband spilled water all over me. 

Throughout the flight I was keeping a close eye on the time. We left Charlotte very late, and there was crazy turbulence, so I knew I'd be cutting it close to make my connection. 

You are reading the blog of the possible world record holder for fastest sprint across the Dallas airport. The very nice hate agent told me that. After she closed the cabin door.

I have officially missed my first flight. I have also been to Los Angeles. The next flight to Honolulu was taking off from sunny California, so that's where I went. The flight was mercifully uneventful. There was an extra seat next to me, so I ignored the Kiera Knightley movie being shown, and slept. 

I'm minorly disappointed by the fact that I don't get a meal on the way to Hawaii, but I had a bag of chips and a bottle of Smart Water, which I couldn't open. I know. I wanted a hamburger, but my options consisted of a bar and a bakery. The LA airport is huge, and that is all they can offer me? 

This flight has been delayed too. It's not my day. I have no idea where my luggage is or what will happen when I arrive, but for now I'm content to watch a girl try to flirt with a boy who doesn't speak English. 

It's almost boarding time. I can't wait to be done with today. 

Here's the Thing About Airports, Part One

It's 10:11. I've been up since 6. Please consider this an excuse for any mechanical issues this post contains.

We got to the airport two hours early because we wanted to leave room for early morning work traffic. It's Memorial Day. As always, my time in the airport so far has been an adventure.

When will airlines ever learn to have more than one employee at the desk? That poor lady was in a heated discussion with three customers when we got in line. While she attempted to deal with a combination meltdown/midlife crisis, the line snaked around the desk and into the middle of the airport. The girl standing in front of the desk was in tears, the older last kept shaking her head in confusion, and the man with them kept saying, "Calm down. We are going to get home. We will get home." It seemed very heroic of him, but in the end the American Airline employee announced there was nothing she could do for them.

Thankfully the Stegalls were there in ample time. I checked my bag, went through security, and found my terminal. 

My flight has been delayed. I'm waiting for it now. Apparently there is a part missing and "the mechanic assures us it is a quick fix." (The stewardess has said this probably 34 times in the few minutes I've been here.) I'm a little worried about my connection in Dallas, although she assures us we will be on our way soon.

It's crazy busy in the terminal, and there aren't many seats available. I found one, but as I sat down, an older lady said to me, and I quote, "Ma'am, those seats are taken. They're for my two sisters. You can't see them because they're invisible."

I've always said I am a weird people magnet. 

I rest my case.

A New Adventure

It's been awhile. I know. Glad we got that over with.

This blog was created to chronicle a trip I took to Vienna two years ago, and it served its purpose well. I had great intentions of keeping up with it after I got back, which I did for a little while, but life happened, and in the long list of things to do, Life Out Loud got put way, way back on the burner. But, I'm traveling again! I figured it was time to dust the ole blog off and try this again. 

I'm leaving in the wee early hours of tomorrow morning for Hawaii! I'll be working (yes, cynical people, working) at Camp Kupono in Waianae Valley, Hawaii. I'll be counseling junior and teen campers, as well as visiting churches. God has so clearly opened this door, and I can't wait to see what He has to teach me. 

Provided I don't get scared to death by a rodent in my cabin or drown in the ocean (and let's face it: either could happen to me) I'll be back in G-Vegas on July 10. Until then it's beaches, sunscreen, and lots of middle school girl drama. I can't wait.

Here's the camp's address, for those of you (Grandma) who want it. 

92-1042 Kanehoa Loop, Kapolei HI 96707

You can also find out more about the ministry at campkupono.org.

Keep me in your prayers, and I can't wait to share my adventures!