Soo Many New Things...

South Point

Time is flying by and I don't even know where to start with my post this week. Well how about... I WILL BE GOING TO SOUTH AFRICA AT THE END OF JUNE! Last week, we were told our outreach options and everyone got to write down two or three choices. These were the options:
Mozambique, Cambodia, Asia, South Africa, Japan&Thailand, Philippines. And guess what - I got my first choice :) South Africa had actually been my first choice before I even knew it was an option... so I am pretty stoked!! In case you know of any contacts, places you've been to, or helpful information on South Africa, please send it my way :)

Green Sands Beach

But just as much as I am looking forward to my outreach, I am looking forward to every new day here in Kona. The leaders are wonderful, I get to watch a beautiful sunrise every night and I have started to take Hula lessons on Monday nights :)

NOT me :)

The weekdays are intense with a very scarce amount of free time but on the weekends we get to explore the island. This past Saturday, we went to South Point where a lot of our group members went cliff jumping (I did not jump - I'm already getting freaked out when I have to jump from a 3-meter board at a swimming pool!) and afterward we went to the Green Sands Beach. What a view! Half of the former volcano crater has been washed away and has transformed into a beach. The water there is crystal clear and the waves were so much fun!

On Sunday, I went to a Sunrise Easter Service at the old airport where many churches came together to celebrate our risen Lord. The service started at 6am and while we were watching traditional hula dancers dance and worship, the sun was coming up behind the mountains... It was a magical atmosphere. But what intrigued me the most on this beautiful Sunday morning was the elderly lady that was dancing among the beautiful young hula dancers. Watching her grabbed my heart and drew all of my attention to her. Since I love dancing and I have always been scared that I might, at some point, not be able to dance anymore due to possible health issues, this woman gave me an incredible sense of hope, perseverance, and passion. Walking in and walking off using her walker, she never for a second lost her gracefulness and dignity. Even though I don't know her name, she has instantly become one of my heroes!

After the early service, I went to a later service at Living Stones Church and met my new friend Travis: a native Hawaiian and former YWAMer, who took me and a classmate of mine to Kahaluu Beach for some snorkeling. The many colorful fish in the water somehow reminded me of multicolored Easter eggs... ;) And since Travis knew his way around, I even got to hold red sea-urgents and learned about Hawaii's state fish: The Humuhumunukunukuapua'a. According to Wikipedia, "It is often asserted that the Hawaiian name is one of the longest words in the Hawaiian language and that "the name is longer than the fish." ;)

The credits for this image of the
Humuhumunukunukuapua'a go to Wikipedia ;)

Sea turtles everywhere!

Did you know that these sea-urgents don't sting?

What else is new? I cracked my first fresh Macadamia nut this week, found out that my favorite earrings are made of Kukui nuts, and that leaving dirty dishes in the sink is a good enough reason for thousands of ants to pay us a visit within 30 minutes...